fulwood

I am so sorry but folks responded to this but can't find emails. Do I need to tell my bank that they need to assign me a pin to use my credit cards whilst in UK? Somebody said something about a chip? I will use my cards for most things. Sorry to ask again..I always let them know when I'm out of town for week or more..

Dashie

Depends if your card company offers chip and pin cards? Our Canadian cards are, but we still sometimes have to sign in the UK. Confuses the staff, most don't even have a pen now

fulwood

dashie I'll check but it is needed right? what is the chip? and I need both right. sorry to be so dumb..

Dashie

The chip is a brassy coloured metal rectangle on the card. The PIN is a number similar to the one you use at the bank machine. I'm guessing that the metal chip makes it more readable maybe? I have no idea of the technicalities. However, I've had cards with the rectangle on in the past and appeared to have no purpose.

curleytops

Hi fulwood, you will find the postings you mentioned here:

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=825291

This article shows what the chip looks like:

http://www.theguardian.com/commentis...hnology-europe

robin1234

Interesting article from the Guardian, thanks! One quote;

I hope this is pie in the sky. I do not have a cell phone or mobile phone, let alone a smart phone. I do not intend ever to get one. The idea of expecting all non cash transactions to be carried out any time soon via smart phones is a bad joke.

fulwood

Thanks everyone. I'll look into after this weekend.

quoll

You need to let your bank know you will be O/s. It may be that even if you have a chip and pin it won't work and you'll have to sign anyway - our Aus ones have a pin but we always have to sign. No biggie.

mikelincs

As you say, well worth telling your bank you will be in another country, otherwise they may void a transaction in case the card has been stolen, similarly, if they know you are out of the country, then card usage from within your home country must be fraudulent.