Chip/PIN US credit cards yet?
Jan 7th 2014, 6:56 pm
#46
Banned
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,154
Re: Chip/PIN US credit cards yet?
To be honest, it seems ridiculous to me that the US is behind the rest of the world on so many of these issues. Chip & PIN technology is much more secure. I have lost count of the number of times I've had a swipe card compromised. No fraud liability for me but it's still a PITA to deal with.
Jan 7th 2014, 6:56 pm
#47
Septic Sprout
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 7,993
Re: Chip/PIN US credit cards yet?
Unfortunately, many small shopkeepers don't realise that either. They just know "ermagersh we're liable for fraud if we're not EMV-compliant, we better quit allowing Americans to use their credit cards!"
There have even been reports from Ireland of shops refusing chip-and-signature cards (including signature priority since it never gets to enter the PIN) on the same misguided principle. Of course, Ireland is probably the worst place in the world for credit cards in general - Visa/MC rules are rarely enforced and MANY shops force DCC against the cardholder's will - making a fortune for the shops, but massively defrauding travellers.
There have even been reports from Ireland of shops refusing chip-and-signature cards (including signature priority since it never gets to enter the PIN) on the same misguided principle. Of course, Ireland is probably the worst place in the world for credit cards in general - Visa/MC rules are rarely enforced and MANY shops force DCC against the cardholder's will - making a fortune for the shops, but massively defrauding travellers.
Jan 7th 2014, 8:00 pm
#48
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 67
Re: Chip/PIN US credit cards yet?
I just got back from the UK and although ultimately I didn't really have any trouble using my swipe-only American Visa, it was pretty comical to see the befuzzled expressions of the majority of people (mostly kids) working the tills.
They clearly were not used to seeing anything but Chip-and-Pin, didn't know what to do, and it often resulted in a call for the supervisor. This was in off-the-beaten track small towns in the Lake District, away from the tourist areas.
I kept putting my card back in my wallet before they had checked the signature too, because I am so used to swiping it and putting it away without anyone looking at it. I still can't believe they don't enforce even that lame attempt at security over here.
They clearly were not used to seeing anything but Chip-and-Pin, didn't know what to do, and it often resulted in a call for the supervisor. This was in off-the-beaten track small towns in the Lake District, away from the tourist areas.
I kept putting my card back in my wallet before they had checked the signature too, because I am so used to swiping it and putting it away without anyone looking at it. I still can't believe they don't enforce even that lame attempt at security over here.
Jan 8th 2014, 2:39 am
#49
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 264
Re: Chip/PIN US credit cards yet?
Quick sidebar - I'm off to China in July, and I'd read that enoforced-DCC was rife there. Since found out that my Discover card isn't compatible with DCC, so will only be charged in local currency. It has no foreign transaction fees either. (The card isn't chip & pin, so this doesn't contribute to the main discussion at hand).
Discover, however, does no good for Ireland and little good for most of Europe - it runs as Diner's Club and only in some countries. At best, Diner's Club acceptance is hit or miss. The acceptance is great in China, where it runs as UnionPay which is the most widely accepted card network in China.
And correct, they don't enforce their rules here either. I can't tell you how often I get asked for supplemental ID. In today's world of identity theft it ticks me off so bad!
Jan 8th 2014, 2:49 pm
#50
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2008
Location: Naperville, IL
Posts: 333
Re: Chip/PIN US credit cards yet?
Absolutely. I was so used to just wave my card back there.
Jan 8th 2014, 2:52 pm
#51
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 264
Re: Chip/PIN US credit cards yet?
But the thing is, banks here in the US used to issue contactless (non-EMV) cards. They were withdrawn by most major banks and most shops don't accept them (even if their readers can read them!) because people got furious, angry, switched banks, yelled and screamed over it. The amount of "they're tracking us" paranoia was insane.
To the point where I think it is part of the reason for the slow EMV rollout. Even contact IC cards attract suspicion among Americans that they're secretly a tracking device.
Of course, the joke on these fools is that ANY credit card is a tracking device. You don't need to track the physical card, you track the TRANSACTIONS. Something that's been done in police investigations for many years.
To the point where I think it is part of the reason for the slow EMV rollout. Even contact IC cards attract suspicion among Americans that they're secretly a tracking device.
Of course, the joke on these fools is that ANY credit card is a tracking device. You don't need to track the physical card, you track the TRANSACTIONS. Something that's been done in police investigations for many years.
Jan 8th 2014, 3:02 pm
#52
Banned
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,154
Re: Chip/PIN US credit cards yet?
But the thing is, banks here in the US used to issue contactless (non-EMV) cards. They were withdrawn by most major banks and most shops don't accept them (even if their readers can read them!) because people got furious, angry, switched banks, yelled and screamed over it. The amount of "they're tracking us" paranoia was insane.
To the point where I think it is part of the reason for the slow EMV rollout. Even contact IC cards attract suspicion among Americans that they're secretly a tracking device.
Of course, the joke on these fools is that ANY credit card is a tracking device. You don't need to track the physical card, you track the TRANSACTIONS. Something that's been done in police investigations for many years.
To the point where I think it is part of the reason for the slow EMV rollout. Even contact IC cards attract suspicion among Americans that they're secretly a tracking device.
Of course, the joke on these fools is that ANY credit card is a tracking device. You don't need to track the physical card, you track the TRANSACTIONS. Something that's been done in police investigations for many years.
Jan 8th 2014, 3:18 pm
#53
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 264
Re: Chip/PIN US credit cards yet?
Jan 9th 2014, 8:15 pm
#54
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2013
Location: Clarksville, TN
Posts: 392
Re: Chip/PIN US credit cards yet?
This from USAA today:
At this time, USAA does not issue debit cards with a chip/PIN. In the event that this type of debit card becomes available, we will notify all members by email or on usaa.com.
With respect to your USAA Credit Cards. I will be happy to add chip and PIN capability to them on your behalf. Before I proceed, here is some additional information:
The cards will use one assigned 4-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN) per account. The PIN cannot be changed.
The cards are available in one design, all black.
You can continue to use the cards in the U.S. because it also has the traditional magnetic stripe. Once a card has been converted it cannot be reverted back to the original card design.
New CC's on their way
At this time, USAA does not issue debit cards with a chip/PIN. In the event that this type of debit card becomes available, we will notify all members by email or on usaa.com.
With respect to your USAA Credit Cards. I will be happy to add chip and PIN capability to them on your behalf. Before I proceed, here is some additional information:
The cards will use one assigned 4-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN) per account. The PIN cannot be changed.
The cards are available in one design, all black.
You can continue to use the cards in the U.S. because it also has the traditional magnetic stripe. Once a card has been converted it cannot be reverted back to the original card design.
New CC's on their way
Jan 9th 2014, 8:30 pm
#55
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 264
Re: Chip/PIN US credit cards yet?
No bank offers EMV debit in the US because there is not yet a way to implement it that complies with the Durbin amendment routing requirements. Debit will come eventually but for now US EMV is credit only.
Jan 9th 2014, 10:23 pm
#57
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 264
Re: Chip/PIN US credit cards yet?
Sure thing, this Google News search should keep you updated on debit progress. Long story short, I wouldn't expect to see an EMV debit card issued in the US until at least the end of 2014.
As implemented in every other country in the world, EMV debit cards are illegal in the US, so it's a big roadblock.
As implemented in every other country in the world, EMV debit cards are illegal in the US, so it's a big roadblock.
Jan 11th 2014, 7:15 am
#58
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2003
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Posts: 4,525
Re: Chip/PIN US credit cards yet?
Even for cards that have a chip, they are still slid the same way as any other card at the check out (in the US). Some card readers have the slot to 'insert' the card but it seems they are never used.
Jan 11th 2014, 12:19 pm
#59
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 264
Re: Chip/PIN US credit cards yet?
Not never, but very rarely so far. Most shops have not enabled chip acceptance yet.