Do they use chip n' pin for credit cards in canada?

I only ask cos I'm going to Toronto on Sunday, but don't know the pin numbers for ANY of my credit cards!!

Do they accept switch/maestro? If so then great!!

OR

Am i severely overestimating Canadian technology....

We don't have chip & pin credit cards but I seem to remember that the last time my mum visited, they ran her credit card through the interac machine and she did have to enter her number?

forgot to mention, maestro is accepted at some atm's

hi niz

Surprisingly enough they only use the PIN for debit cards (or at least they do in Alberta) as it is the Debit cards where there is more fraud - according to my cousin who works for ATB.

Was in the same position last August - new card and PIN came late - and I just signed away !

Not too sure if they accept Switch in the shops but am pretty sure that you can use it to withdraw from ATM's.

Never asked what part of Manchester are you from ? We are in Denton.

Gaynor
x

I only discovered that chip and pin existed when I went to the UK in November. I don't know the numbers (if there are numbers) for any of my credit cards and the one I most commonly use has the signature worn off. It's all a bit casual here.

Hi Gaynor

I'm from Cheadle, though soon to be homeless!! Where abouts are you in the process? I've seen loads of your posts before too!!

I'm going to Toronto with my mum for a couple of weeks to check a few things out. (last time i went was spring 04). We only decided to go yesterday. Good to hear that spring has arrived too!!

As long as i can sign i'm fine.

Our experience:

We both have Chip and Pin credit cards from the Nationwide and continue to use them both over here.

In 99% of cases, we have never been asked for the PIN number (I've forgotten mine now) but have been on about 2 occasions. My wife was asked for it last month when one of the cats went to the vets and as she also has forgotten the number, after trying 3 times the card was locked and we received a letter from the Nationwide to say it would have to be reset (though the card can be used with a signature in the meantime ).

Oh, and the receptionist at the vets looked totally dumbfounded when the scan machine asked for the card PIN number - guess they don't really see that over here? Hell, they usually don't even look at your signature and I have been tempted to sign it 'T.Ving B'stard' as a sort of social experiment.

Some of the card readers here are capable of reading the chip, but Canadian and US cards do not come with the chip installed so it’s not used.

The slot is more than often used as a place to put the card after its been swiped

We might get this kind of technology in about 5 years..

Mike

Coincidentally, I'm staying with my aunt in Brampton when I go (Sandalwood and something, I can't quite remember!!)

Is it still snowing? I heard it's been a bit much recently

Ooooh Niz

You are only 15 minutes away from me !!!!

I'm in Denton like I said and I wish I was homelesss !!!!

We are going WP route - hubby already there working and waiting for me to join in when this place has been sold but up to now no offers

Patience is a virtue - and mine is running out

Gay
x

It hasn't snowed for the last three days and its +1 today rising to a possible +10 by Monday

We do have lots of snow pilled up, which we expect to be a nice grey slush by mid next week

For what its worth we live at Sandalwood and McLaughlin
So welcome to the 'Suburbs' of Toronto
We have the best Indian food in the whole of Canada here and a short comfortable drive to the escarpment…. Other than that

You might also want to make sure you know any "passwords" associated with your cards. I used my Nationwide Visa at Ikea to buy about $2,000 worth of furniture and it was "referred". Basically the checkout person had to phone Visa, and then got transferred to Nationwide in the UK (at about 1 am UK time I think). This took a while. They then wanted my "password" to verify that the card wasn't nicked. I didn't have a clue, but I eventually managed to convince that I'm who I said I am by confirming date of birth.

There are a lot of Indians in that part of town! (i am one myself...!)

There's not much to do, Toronto is a bit 'flat' in more ways than one. My relatives often get out of the city just to see a hill or something!!!

but that's what i like about Canada - you really can get away from it all of you want to!!!

Good point - tho' Ikea may have been a bit overzealous? how else are you going to pay for so much furniture? Cash?...I know which one seems more dodgy to me!!

Hang in there Gay, the market picks up around now...

Also keep an eye on the exchange rate. You can make 10k just by playing it cool!! so maybe a reduced asking price could be worth it? (To be honest, it's a bit of a gamble but great if it works out!!)

Good luck..!