New "Virgin" credit card - is it just me?
Jan 29th 2009, 4:46 am
#1
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 9,397
New "Virgin" credit card - is it just me?
Together with others on this forum I have been using a Virgin credit card since arrival.
They have now shoved us off to a Westpac "Ignite" card and I've just received their info letter. The new card has a chip-and-PIN facility, which was sadly lacking with the Virgin one.
They say that I still have the option of using a signature instead of the PIN.
What on earth is the point of having the chip then?
If someone nicks my card they won't know the PIN so, regardless of the fact that I will always use it, they will just scrawl a rough copy of the signature on the back. To quote the letter - "Of course, you can continue to sign as you've always done"!
In other words, the "security" of having a chip-and-PIN is completely worthless.
Or have I missed sommat?
I've emailed Westpac and will not hold my breath that (a) they can comprehend what I am talking about or (b) they will make the PIN compulsory.
Seems to me as intelligent as Kevin 747's "kick-start of the economy"...
They have now shoved us off to a Westpac "Ignite" card and I've just received their info letter. The new card has a chip-and-PIN facility, which was sadly lacking with the Virgin one.
They say that I still have the option of using a signature instead of the PIN.
What on earth is the point of having the chip then?
If someone nicks my card they won't know the PIN so, regardless of the fact that I will always use it, they will just scrawl a rough copy of the signature on the back. To quote the letter - "Of course, you can continue to sign as you've always done"!
In other words, the "security" of having a chip-and-PIN is completely worthless.
Or have I missed sommat?
I've emailed Westpac and will not hold my breath that (a) they can comprehend what I am talking about or (b) they will make the PIN compulsory.
Seems to me as intelligent as Kevin 747's "kick-start of the economy"...
Jan 29th 2009, 4:51 am
#2
Canuck/Aussie
Joined: May 2006
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 4,547
Re: New "Virgin" credit card - is it just me?
I don't understand it either. I usually enter my pin number so I don't have to bother signing. But there are times when they just do it for me and ask me to sign, so it's not like you have to use the PIN number.
I don't think it makes a lot of sense, and I would prefer if they just made it so that the PIN was required.
I don't think it makes a lot of sense, and I would prefer if they just made it so that the PIN was required.
Jan 29th 2009, 5:12 am
#3
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2008
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 68
Re: New "Virgin" credit card - is it just me?
Together with others on this forum I have been using a Virgin credit card since arrival.
They have now shoved us off to a Westpac "Ignite" card and I've just received their info letter. The new card has a chip-and-PIN facility, which was sadly lacking with the Virgin one.
They say that I still have the option of using a signature instead of the PIN.
What on earth is the point of having the chip then?
If someone nicks my card they won't know the PIN so, regardless of the fact that I will always use it, they will just scrawl a rough copy of the signature on the back. To quote the letter - "Of course, you can continue to sign as you've always done"!
In other words, the "security" of having a chip-and-PIN is completely worthless.
Or have I missed sommat?
I've emailed Westpac and will not hold my breath that (a) they can comprehend what I am talking about or (b) they will make the PIN compulsory.
Seems to me as intelligent as Kevin 747's "kick-start of the economy"...
They have now shoved us off to a Westpac "Ignite" card and I've just received their info letter. The new card has a chip-and-PIN facility, which was sadly lacking with the Virgin one.
They say that I still have the option of using a signature instead of the PIN.
What on earth is the point of having the chip then?
If someone nicks my card they won't know the PIN so, regardless of the fact that I will always use it, they will just scrawl a rough copy of the signature on the back. To quote the letter - "Of course, you can continue to sign as you've always done"!
In other words, the "security" of having a chip-and-PIN is completely worthless.
Or have I missed sommat?
I've emailed Westpac and will not hold my breath that (a) they can comprehend what I am talking about or (b) they will make the PIN compulsory.
Seems to me as intelligent as Kevin 747's "kick-start of the economy"...
No you haven't missed anything. Australian's long-awaited adoption of chip n' pin seems to have completely missed the point re. security and is utterly useless.
Pity as I used to really enjoy the security of chip n' pin before moving to Oz.
Jan 29th 2009, 5:14 am
#4
Unspoilt by progress.....
Joined: May 2007
Location: Redcliffe, nr Brisbane
Posts: 320
Re: New "Virgin" credit card - is it just me?
Together with others on this forum I have been using a Virgin credit card since arrival.
They have now shoved us off to a Westpac "Ignite" card and I've just received their info letter. The new card has a chip-and-PIN facility, which was sadly lacking with the Virgin one.
They say that I still have the option of using a signature instead of the PIN.
What on earth is the point of having the chip then?
If someone nicks my card they won't know the PIN so, regardless of the fact that I will always use it, they will just scrawl a rough copy of the signature on the back. To quote the letter - "Of course, you can continue to sign as you've always done"!
In other words, the "security" of having a chip-and-PIN is completely worthless.
Or have I missed sommat?
I've emailed Westpac and will not hold my breath that (a) they can comprehend what I am talking about or (b) they will make the PIN compulsory.
Seems to me as intelligent as Kevin 747's "kick-start of the economy"...
They have now shoved us off to a Westpac "Ignite" card and I've just received their info letter. The new card has a chip-and-PIN facility, which was sadly lacking with the Virgin one.
They say that I still have the option of using a signature instead of the PIN.
What on earth is the point of having the chip then?
If someone nicks my card they won't know the PIN so, regardless of the fact that I will always use it, they will just scrawl a rough copy of the signature on the back. To quote the letter - "Of course, you can continue to sign as you've always done"!
In other words, the "security" of having a chip-and-PIN is completely worthless.
Or have I missed sommat?
I've emailed Westpac and will not hold my breath that (a) they can comprehend what I am talking about or (b) they will make the PIN compulsory.
Seems to me as intelligent as Kevin 747's "kick-start of the economy"...
Jan 29th 2009, 5:23 am
#5
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 823
Re: New "Virgin" credit card - is it just me?
i've found that the chip and pin system is a bit random here, i'd always prefer to enter the pin but sometimes it goes straight and asks for the signature. i think the computer systems cannot cope with it all during peak times and are not quite up to scratch.
Jan 29th 2009, 5:24 am
#6
Home and Happy
Joined: Dec 2002
Location: Keep true friends and puppets close, trust no-one else...
Posts: 93,810
Re: New "Virgin" credit card - is it just me?
Together with others on this forum I have been using a Virgin credit card since arrival.
They have now shoved us off to a Westpac "Ignite" card and I've just received their info letter. The new card has a chip-and-PIN facility, which was sadly lacking with the Virgin one.
They say that I still have the option of using a signature instead of the PIN.
What on earth is the point of having the chip then?
If someone nicks my card they won't know the PIN so, regardless of the fact that I will always use it, they will just scrawl a rough copy of the signature on the back. To quote the letter - "Of course, you can continue to sign as you've always done"!
In other words, the "security" of having a chip-and-PIN is completely worthless.
Or have I missed sommat?
I've emailed Westpac and will not hold my breath that (a) they can comprehend what I am talking about or (b) they will make the PIN compulsory.
Seems to me as intelligent as Kevin 747's "kick-start of the economy"...
They have now shoved us off to a Westpac "Ignite" card and I've just received their info letter. The new card has a chip-and-PIN facility, which was sadly lacking with the Virgin one.
They say that I still have the option of using a signature instead of the PIN.
What on earth is the point of having the chip then?
If someone nicks my card they won't know the PIN so, regardless of the fact that I will always use it, they will just scrawl a rough copy of the signature on the back. To quote the letter - "Of course, you can continue to sign as you've always done"!
In other words, the "security" of having a chip-and-PIN is completely worthless.
Or have I missed sommat?
I've emailed Westpac and will not hold my breath that (a) they can comprehend what I am talking about or (b) they will make the PIN compulsory.
Seems to me as intelligent as Kevin 747's "kick-start of the economy"...
Must be a real pain for staff now "Cheque/savings/credit/pin/signature".
As you say, it defeats the object!
Jan 29th 2009, 7:11 am
#7
Frequent Flyer Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 10,994
Re: New "Virgin" credit card - is it just me?
I think quite often, when the machine is not on your side of the counter the staff member presses OK to sign before you have the opportunity to enter the PIN.
Besides, no Australian issued AMEX cards have chip & pin....or so they told me anyway. I asked them what I should do if a UK shop demanded a PIN...they said just to use the CCV number...which is PRINTED ON THE FRONT OF THE CARD!!!!
Besides, no Australian issued AMEX cards have chip & pin....or so they told me anyway. I asked them what I should do if a UK shop demanded a PIN...they said just to use the CCV number...which is PRINTED ON THE FRONT OF THE CARD!!!!
Jan 29th 2009, 8:13 am
#8
Crazy Cat Lady
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 65,493
Re: New "Virgin" credit card - is it just me?
My EFTPOS machine at work won't allow PINs on Credit Cards and it's only about 8 months old. Haven't had my new Virgin card through yet and to be honest I'm not sure I want it. I joined up with Virgin for a reason and didn't want to be with WestPac for a reason. Not impressed.
Jan 29th 2009, 8:22 am
#9
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 691
Re: New "Virgin" credit card - is it just me?
Together with others on this forum I have been using a Virgin credit card since arrival.
They have now shoved us off to a Westpac "Ignite" card and I've just received their info letter. The new card has a chip-and-PIN facility, which was sadly lacking with the Virgin one.
They say that I still have the option of using a signature instead of the PIN.
What on earth is the point of having the chip then?
If someone nicks my card they won't know the PIN so, regardless of the fact that I will always use it, they will just scrawl a rough copy of the signature on the back. To quote the letter - "Of course, you can continue to sign as you've always done"!
In other words, the "security" of having a chip-and-PIN is completely worthless.
Or have I missed sommat?
I've emailed Westpac and will not hold my breath that (a) they can comprehend what I am talking about or (b) they will make the PIN compulsory.
Seems to me as intelligent as Kevin 747's "kick-start of the economy"...
They have now shoved us off to a Westpac "Ignite" card and I've just received their info letter. The new card has a chip-and-PIN facility, which was sadly lacking with the Virgin one.
They say that I still have the option of using a signature instead of the PIN.
What on earth is the point of having the chip then?
If someone nicks my card they won't know the PIN so, regardless of the fact that I will always use it, they will just scrawl a rough copy of the signature on the back. To quote the letter - "Of course, you can continue to sign as you've always done"!
In other words, the "security" of having a chip-and-PIN is completely worthless.
Or have I missed sommat?
I've emailed Westpac and will not hold my breath that (a) they can comprehend what I am talking about or (b) they will make the PIN compulsory.
Seems to me as intelligent as Kevin 747's "kick-start of the economy"...
Jan 29th 2009, 8:22 am
#10
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2007
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 835
Re: New "Virgin" credit card - is it just me?
Virgin and westpac been in partnership for 6 years, sure in the T&C's it probably stated that somewhere.
Jan 29th 2009, 8:42 am
#11
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 35
Re: New "Virgin" credit card - is it just me?
Together with others on this forum I have been using a Virgin credit card since arrival.
They have now shoved us off to a Westpac "Ignite" card and I've just received their info letter. The new card has a chip-and-PIN facility, which was sadly lacking with the Virgin one.
They say that I still have the option of using a signature instead of the PIN.
What on earth is the point of having the chip then?
If someone nicks my card they won't know the PIN so, regardless of the fact that I will always use it, they will just scrawl a rough copy of the signature on the back. To quote the letter - "Of course, you can continue to sign as you've always done"!
In other words, the "security" of having a chip-and-PIN is completely worthless.
Or have I missed sommat?
I've emailed Westpac and will not hold my breath that (a) they can comprehend what I am talking about or (b) they will make the PIN compulsory.
Seems to me as intelligent as Kevin 747's "kick-start of the economy"...
They have now shoved us off to a Westpac "Ignite" card and I've just received their info letter. The new card has a chip-and-PIN facility, which was sadly lacking with the Virgin one.
They say that I still have the option of using a signature instead of the PIN.
What on earth is the point of having the chip then?
If someone nicks my card they won't know the PIN so, regardless of the fact that I will always use it, they will just scrawl a rough copy of the signature on the back. To quote the letter - "Of course, you can continue to sign as you've always done"!
In other words, the "security" of having a chip-and-PIN is completely worthless.
Or have I missed sommat?
I've emailed Westpac and will not hold my breath that (a) they can comprehend what I am talking about or (b) they will make the PIN compulsory.
Seems to me as intelligent as Kevin 747's "kick-start of the economy"...
I recently had a follow-on HSBC credit card posted to me with no requirement to activate. So anyone intercepting it could have used it.
No interest was shown by HSBC on complaining.
Jan 29th 2009, 9:17 am
#12
Timelord
Joined: May 2006
Location: Lost in space...
Posts: 2,834
Re: New "Virgin" credit card - is it just me?
Not any more... Rumour has it that Virgin is waiting out its' time ban before launching another credit card over here... let's hope this time they don't listen to anyone else and do something stupid again like 'mates rates' and instead let us accumulate Virgin Air Miles...
Jan 30th 2009, 12:43 am
#13
Karma Comedian
Joined: Feb 2003
Location: Brisvegas
Posts: 3,506
Re: New "Virgin" credit card - is it just me?
of course in Australia the siganture strip offers little security at all. Rare is it indeed that any retailer actually bothers to look at the signature. Given that cards are "self swipe" it is easy to do then put your card back in your wallet. I have rarely been asked to get it out again to show the retailer the signature
Jan 30th 2009, 12:45 am
#14
Canuck/Aussie
Joined: May 2006
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 4,547
Re: New "Virgin" credit card - is it just me?
of course in Australia the siganture strip offers little security at all. Rare is it indeed that any retailer actually bothers to look at the signature. Given that cards are "self swipe" it is easy to do then put your card back in your wallet. I have rarely been asked to get it out again to show the retailer the signature
I almost always have the retailer look at the signature. I used to put the card away not thinking about it but they always asked for it to compare. So for me, I'm constantly being asked.... that's why I usually use the PIN now so they don't have to ask me.
Jan 30th 2009, 2:51 am
#15
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: Peregian Springs, Sunshine Coast
Posts: 1,872
Re: New "Virgin" credit card - is it just me?
I mentioned this to Westpac a few months ago.
The reason for the chip is that if you want to use the card in UK and other places that now only take chip cards you can.
But in Oz the low security strip still works. I have noticed more places now asking if I want to use my PIN rather than sign...infact some are now becoming surprised that I want to sign rather than do the PIN...which I do 'cause I can't remember the PIN.
The reason for the chip is that if you want to use the card in UK and other places that now only take chip cards you can.
But in Oz the low security strip still works. I have noticed more places now asking if I want to use my PIN rather than sign...infact some are now becoming surprised that I want to sign rather than do the PIN...which I do 'cause I can't remember the PIN.