Chip Cards - Maybe Not All That Great?

[schildi]

Well, I never liked them - seems to take longer at the checkout.
But now I have read this: you may be on the hook if you swipe a chip card. Did you know this? I heard it for the first time.
Any thoughts?


www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/money/news/a38530/dont-swipe-a-chip-credit-card/

[wvugurl26]

Target and Walmart seem to be the only places I go that have chip readers working. Most of the places don't have it activated yet.

[Deleted]

You can add Home Depor.

[gooddecisions]

Depends on the reader. It's slow at Target, but at the drugstore and grocery store it's just as fast as swiping.

[msventoux]

A couple home improvement stores and Target are the only stores around here actually using them.  There's a couple of grocery stores that installed the new readers, but have the chip insertion slot blocked off with tape.  I tried using it at Target and it was somewhat slow, but not terrible.  I tried using the same card at Home Depot and it was ridiculously slow and glitchy.  I got frustrated and walked out without my intended purchases on the third time they tried running the card for that transaction.

[NoNamePerson]

I don't find them particular slow. I am removing card as receipt is being printed. Would still be waiting for receipt whether swiped or read. So no huge time wasted at checkout as far as I can see.

Interesting though who is responsible for fraudelent charges though. Sounds like article is pushing cash payments since very few places have the read equipment up and running.

Sam's, Target, WM, HD, and one grocery store that  I frequent are compliant so far.

[Deleted]

I use routinely at WalMart, Target and HD without problems.  Have advised other usual stops that I can no longer be a customer b/c they don't care enough about protecting me from fraud.  Don't carry cash.  DH still shops at WF with cash but I don't which is their loss of revenue. 30 second delay at checkout is not as inconvenient as having my cc # compromised and having to wait on a replacement and change all my auto-charges like toll roads.  For me it's a simple equation - respect for me as consumer = revenue for store

[Deleted]

I think the article is wrong. Consumers contract has not changed. Same as before. Retailer contract has changed but that doesn't make you have more risk. Only the retailer. When my chip card came it clearly stated please use the chip but swipe as needed. Both methods have the same protection.

Target's and home depot won't accept a swipe from the chip card.

[Peace Of Mind]

May 19, 2016 22:22:56 GMT -5 @logicnow said:

I think the article is wrong. Consumers contract has not changed. Same as before. Retailer contract has changed but that doesn't make you have more risk. Only the retailer. When my chip card came it clearly stated please use the chip but swipe as needed. Both methods have the same protection.

Target's and home depot won't accept a swipe from the chip card.

My card was changed through USAA with a Visa chip card and the contract stated everything is the same as the prior agreement but I'm glad to read your post.

I last used mine in person at Target and I tried to swipe it forgetting I now have a chip and have to stick it in.  When the adorable clerk told me I had to insert my card I did it ass backwards and he had to show me which way to insert it.  My BF was with me and she was cracking up but when I said to the clerk "I stuck it in in wrong?  Man, you'd think I was a dude!" both the clerk and Lisa couldn't stop laughing.  When she yelled at me for being crude the clerk said it wasn't a problem at all and he enjoyed the joke.  Then he cracked up again and couldn't stop laughing.  He was really young so I think he recently stuck it in wrong too. 

[NoNamePerson]

May 19, 2016 22:54:40 GMT -5 Peace Of Mind said:

May 19, 2016 22:22:56 GMT -5 @logicnow said:

I think the article is wrong. Consumers contract has not changed. Same as before. Retailer contract has changed but that doesn't make you have more risk. Only the retailer. When my chip card came it clearly stated please use the chip but swipe as needed. Both methods have the same protection.

Target's and home depot won't accept a swipe from the chip card.

My card was changed through USAA with a Visa chip card and the contract stated everything is the same as the prior agreement but I'm glad to read your post.

I last used mine in person at Target and I tried to swipe it forgetting I now have a chip and have to stick it in.  When the adorable clerk told me I had to insert my card I did it ass backwards and he had to show me which way to insert it.  My BF was with me and she was cracking up but when I said to the clerk "I stuck it in in wrong?  Man, you'd think I was a dude!" both the clerk and Lisa couldn't stop laughing.  When she yelled at me for being crude the clerk said it wasn't a problem at all and he enjoyed the joke.  Then he cracked up again and couldn't stop laughing.  He was really young so I think he recently stuck it in wrong too. 

That's what those little arrows on the card are for    My first chip card came with detailed instructions!!! I cracked up when I saw all the "do's and don'ts" that came with it and who knew you could stick it in wrong!!!! Who knew a chip could cause so much confusion and need instructions

I would have loved to be behind you in line when this happened - we could have gotten a mile of EE fun out of it - I can think of a million things that could have been said

[Regis]

May 19, 2016 22:54:40 GMT -5 Peace Of Mind said:

May 19, 2016 22:22:56 GMT -5 @logicnow said:

I think the article is wrong. Consumers contract has not changed. Same as before. Retailer contract has changed but that doesn't make you have more risk. Only the retailer. When my chip card came it clearly stated please use the chip but swipe as needed. Both methods have the same protection.

Target's and home depot won't accept a swipe from the chip card.

My card was changed through USAA with a Visa chip card and the contract stated everything is the same as the prior agreement but I'm glad to read your post.

I last used mine in person at Target and I tried to swipe it forgetting I now have a chip and have to stick it in.  When the adorable clerk told me I had to insert my card I did it ass backwards and he had to show me which way to insert it.  My BF was with me and she was cracking up but when I said to the clerk "I stuck it in in wrong?  Man, you'd think I was a dude!" both the clerk and Lisa couldn't stop laughing.  When she yelled at me for being crude the clerk said it wasn't a problem at all and he enjoyed the joke.  Then he cracked up again and couldn't stop laughing.  He was really young so I think he recently stuck it in wrong too. 

I so want to respond to both "ass backwards" and "stuck it in wrong" but I'm afraid the administrators will give me a 30 day ban!  

[bookkeeper]

They had most of the chip readers up and running in AZ when we left in March, but here in SD it is all swipe.  All the chip reader slots are taped shut.  A credit/debit card chastity belt if you will.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

All of my cards have chips now, and I can't remember the last time I swiped it.  Even the local, not large chain grocery store I use has a chip reader.

[alabamagal]

Well the article says "Don't swipe you chip card", use cash.   Well I am not carrying around a wad of cash just to protect the merchants.  If you swipe your chip card, you have the exact same protection as you did before there were chips.  If you get hacked it is a PITA, but you still will get your money back.  If you lose cash or get your wallet or purse stolen, you have almost no change of getting it back.  

The chip cards protect the merchants in cases of fraud.  If they do not have chip reader they could be liable.  With the old type card the bank issuing the card is liable.  Your liability has not changed.  You should be less likely to be hacked and have to go through that hassle.

The main cards I use are not chip cards and I am not changing how I use them.

[lynnerself]

Are you all still signing for the chip cards? I thought the point of getting chipped cards is "pin and chip" like they do in Europe. None of the places that I go to with chip readers are using pin numbers yet.
Does anyone know whats up with that?

[justme]

May 20, 2016 14:15:32 GMT -5 lynnerself said:

Are you all still signing for the chip cards? I thought the point of getting chipped cards is "pin and chip" like they do in Europe. None of the places that I go to with chip readers are using pin numbers yet.
Does anyone know whats up with that?

From my understanding they figured it'd be easier to introduce the chip and then at some point down the road add pin. I have one card that has a pin but they won't let me pick it so I have no idea what it is.

In Canada I can sign and not use the pin even though I think all of their cards are chip and pin? Whenever I make it to Europe I'll have that card send me a new pin so I can have it for there.

[Tiny]

What?

You see, if you swipe a chip card instead of inserting it into slot, the merchant is responsible for covering any fraudulent charges — not the bank. And some retailers aren't in a financial position to cover major security breaches, like that corner store you picked up a gallon of milk from in a pinch. That means you get stuck covering the snafu, according to Adam Levin, founder of Identity Theft 911 and author of Swiped.

Doesn't this assume that the fraudulent charges occur at the merchant where you just swiped instead of "chipped"? I've never had that happen - and I've been the victim of credit card fraud several times - either via a stolen card (which the CC fraud alert caught before I could even call to report the card stolen) OR with charges under $100 from a 'service' in CA or other location.


I'm guessing it would be something local or small scale if a local merchant without a chip reader decides to put thru some 'extra' charges to my account in hopes I'll pay them...

But, wasn't this a problem BEFORE the chip? And possibly even after the chip readers are installed?

[whoami]

May 20, 2016 14:15:32 GMT -5 lynnerself said:

Are you all still signing for the chip cards? I thought the point of getting chipped cards is "pin and chip" like they do in Europe. None of the places that I go to with chip readers are using pin numbers yet.
Does anyone know whats up with that?

I just got back from Europe and in every single country (6), it was swipe and sign with a chip card.

[NoNamePerson]

May 20, 2016 14:15:32 GMT -5 lynnerself said:

Are you all still signing for the chip cards? I thought the point of getting chipped cards is "pin and chip" like they do in Europe. None of the places that I go to with chip readers are using pin numbers yet.
Does anyone know whats up with that?

Nope. But I have to have a PIN with my Target card but not with my Sam's card. Go figure.

ETA: Two other cards didn't require PIN when I activated them - don't use either so who knows what would happen if I decided to use one at store.

[aprilleigh]

I think someone's got some info twisted...

If a business accepts a credit card with a chip, and it's stolen, and the person using it swipes instead of inserts, then the business is on the hook for the fraudulent charges. I don't get why they're saying "you" are on the hook for charges if "you" swipe instead of insert ... because that's obviously not fraudulent, and of course you're "on the hook" for purchases you actually intend to make, right? ( Sorry for the stream of consciousness.... )

This just seems like a really strange premise for the article. The info has been out there for months ... or maybe I've just had it stuffed in my face from our BofA business banking website. 

OR maybe this is just a warning to would-be thieves? "Always make sure you insert a stolen / forged credit card so the bank, not the merchant, has to eat your fraudulent charges!" 

[cameragrrl]

Realistically, fraud is going to involve someone stealing your card or spoofing it.  Either way, it's pretty unlikely that you'll be present to swipe or insert your card.  I agree with others who said this is on the merchant.  Unfortunately, the CC companies have not done a great job rolling out the chip card readers, which is why so many stores are still not compliant.

I had a chat with the American Express folks about chip and pin vs chip and signature.  Apparently the chip and signature cards use an algorithm to generate a new pin each time it's used.  So it's both a pin and a signature.  I couldn't find any cards that supported chip and pin, which is what I was hoping for.  

[NoNamePerson]

May 20, 2016 19:34:22 GMT -5 cameragrrl said:

Realistically, fraud is going to involve someone stealing your card or spoofing it.  Either way, it's pretty unlikely that you'll be present to swipe or insert your card.  I agree with others who said this is on the merchant.  Unfortunately, the CC companies have not done a great job rolling out the chip card readers, which is why so many stores are still not compliant.

I had a chat with the American Express folks about chip and pin vs chip and signature.  Apparently the chip and signature cards use an algorithm to generate a new pin each time it's used.  So it's both a pin and a signature.  I couldn't find any cards that supported chip and pin, which is what I was hoping for.  

My Target MC is chip and PIN but the others are just chip.

[violagirl]

Have had the Chip and Pin cards in Canada for years. It is very rare to swipe. Only problem I have had is I forgot my PIN once. Ended up having to get my card reissued. 

I like the "tap" feature. Although, maybe not the greatest for budget because I can make a purchase for under $100 just by tapping my card on the reader. It is faster than using cash. 

Never had any problems with fraud on my cards. If there is a suspicious transaction the credit card company usually detects it before I notice. 

[jkapp]

I found only Home Depot and Walgreens have them running out here. Not even the Post Office has them operating!

But I purchase most stuff online anyway...

[jkapp]

May 20, 2016 19:34:22 GMT -5 cameragrrl said:

Realistically, fraud is going to involve someone stealing your card or spoofing it.  Either way, it's pretty unlikely that you'll be present to swipe or insert your card.  I agree with others who said this is on the merchant.  Unfortunately, the CC companies have not done a great job rolling out the chip card readers, which is why so many stores are still not compliant.

I had a chat with the American Express folks about chip and pin vs chip and signature.  Apparently the chip and signature cards use an algorithm to generate a new pin each time it's used.  So it's both a pin and a signature.  I couldn't find any cards that supported chip and pin, which is what I was hoping for.  

I think that's the problem out here. Every business has the chip readers, but the CC companies do not actually set them up - they contract through a third party.  So depending on the third party contractor, it can take a long time to set up the readers.  A news story from our area showed a business owner stating that the contractor in his area was basically shitty...every time they test the chip reader system, it fails.  So the business owner is stuck with taping over the chip reader slots until the contractor can get his shit together

[jkapp]

May 21, 2016 7:46:22 GMT -5 violagirl said:

Have had the Chip and Pin cards in Canada for years. It is very rare to swipe. Only problem I have had is I forgot my PIN once. Ended up having to get my card reissued. 

I like the "tap" feature. Although, maybe not the greatest for budget because I can make a purchase for under $100 just by tapping my card on the reader. It is faster than using cash. 

Never had any problems with fraud on my cards. If there is a suspicious transaction the credit card company usually detects it before I notice. 

Someday it will probably be a chip and your thumb print, so you may not have to worry about the PIN at that point.

It will suck if you have no hands, though

[8 Bit WWBG]

That is a very interesting dilemma.  Credit cards are just as legal tender as cash or check.  It is definitely sad that the "Mom & Pop corner store" could be on the hook instead of the big evil bank should fraud arise as a result of a transaction.  On the other hand, it's proven that people spend more using CCs than cash.  If the store doesn't want the risk of CC fraud, then the store should choose not to accept credit cards.  Just as they are making a choice for their benefit, so too will I.

[sapphire12]

Trader Joe's also uses the chip reader. My credit cards from USAA and NFCU, I have a PIN that I can use, should I need it. These are the two cards I would be using overseas as they have no foreign transaction fee. I usually use these cards for online purchases so no PIN required on those.

I've read that US consumers don't want to have use a PIN because they don't want to have to remember their PINS. Sounds like people have too many cards to me.