Chip Card
What is a chip & signature enhanced Card?
Your Card has an embedded microchip. The chip allows you to pay at merchants with chip card terminals. Plus it provides strong security and protection against fraud.
Please note - This feature is not available on some credit card accounts.
Why does my Card now feature a chip?
Chip & signature technology will provide greater peace of mind when you travel by making it easier and more convenient to use your Card for purchases at international merchants. It will also provide greater protection against fraud whether you use your Card here or abroad.
What are the security benefits of my new chip & signature enhanced Card?
In addition to the security benefits that are included with your Card, chip & signature technology gives you added security through the use of stronger authentication methods and unique transaction elements that make chip card data less attractive to steal and counterfeit – making fraud a near impossibility.
Can I use my new Card at places without a chip card terminal?
Of course! In addition to the embedded microchip, your Card still has a magnetic stripe on the back. That way you can continue to make purchases by swiping your Card and signing the receipt. You can also use your Card at ATMs just like before.
How do I use my Card to make a transaction?
It's easy:
- At merchants who have chip-enabled terminals, insert the chip portion of your Card in the chip-enabled terminal, and sign to authorize the transaction.
- At merchants who are not yet equipped with chip - enabled terminals, swipe and sign your name as usual.
- For phone or online transactions, nothing changes - simply provide your credit card number and complete your online transaction as you do today.
Chip Card, EMV card, smart Chip card...what's the difference?
These are all just different terms for the same technology. The technology used in these credit cards is commonly known as being EMV-enabled, which stands for Europay, MasterCard and Visa, which uphold the chip technology.
What makes the chip & signature Card more secure?
Traditional magnetic stripe cards require a signature for security purposes. A chip & signature adds an additional layer of sophisticated fraud protection through an embedded microchip that turns cardmember information into a unique code when used at a chip-enabled terminal that is difficult to duplicate or copy. This type of card has been around for more than a decade and is safe to use; it is already standard practice in more than 80 countries worldwide.
Can I still use my Card at merchants that don't have a chip-enabled terminal yet?
In addition to the embedded chip that provides an added layer of security at chip-enabled terminals, your Card will also continue to have the traditional magnetic stripe on the back, enabling you to use it at merchants who do not yet have a chip-enabled terminal.
Do I need a PIN to use my Card?
No. Today, your chip card is a chip + signature card, so just sign your name like you currently do today to complete your transaction.
Should I be worried that my personal information is vulnerable if my Card gets lost or stolen?
The embedded microchip makes cardmember information much more difficult to duplicate or copy, and provides enhanced fraud protection on your account when used at a chip-enabled terminal.
Is chip & signature the same as contactless payment?
No, chip & signature is not the same as contactless payment. Instead of waving or tapping your Card in front of a special device as you do with contactless payments, a chip & signature Card must be inserted into a slot within a chip-enabled terminal device.
Where can I get more information about chip & signature?
If you have further questions, please call the number on the back of your Card to speak to a customer service representative.