How Do I Get My Chip And PIN Card

Category: Finance, Credit.

You can t much pick up the paper or turn on the telly without hearing something about credit card fraud and identity theft these days. There was already a good deal of evidence for using the Chip and PIN method to verify credit cards and users.

That s why the UK credit card market started testing a new type of card back in 200By mid- 2004, the new Chip and PIN card was declared a resounding success after a wide ranging trial in Northampton. A similar experiment in France showed that the Chip and PIN reduced credit card fraud by as much as 80% . As of February 14 of this year( 2006) , Chip and PIN is the standard method for all credit card transactions. The Northampton trial showed similar numbers. What are Chip and PIN credit cards? When you present your card to a merchant, or slide it through the card reader at the till, the cashier will ask you to enter a 4- digit PIN( personal identification number) to confirm that you are the proper owner of that credit card. Instead of a magnetic stripe, Chip and PIN cards contain a miniature computer chip that stores information about your account.

That s all there is to it. Many credit card companies have already started replacing old style credit cards with Chip and PIN cars. How do I get my Chip and PIN card? As of February, all new cards, though issued in the UK must be Chip and PIN cards. What if I can t use a Chip and PIN card? That means if you apply for a credit card, or if your credit card reaches expiry and is replaced with a new card, the card that you get will be one of the new Chip and PIN cards. The Chip and PIN may be difficult for some people, specifically those who are blind or partially sighted.

If you ve already been issued a Chip and PIN card, you can request a replacement Chip and Signature card from the company that issued your card. If you will have trouble entering a PIN number into the machine, you should notify your credit card company and request a Chip and Signature card. How will I know my PIN? Many mail your PIN to you in a separate envelope on a different day from your card itself to ensure that only you will get BOTH the card and the PIN. The company that issued your credit card will let you know your PIN. You ll be able to change your PIN at most UK cash machines if needed to be sure that you have a PIN that s easy for you to remember.

If you enter the wrong PIN three times in a row, your credit card will be locked and you won t be able to use it to purchase things at the till. What happens if I use the wrong PIN? If that happens, you should contact your credit card company immediately for instructions on how to unlock your credit card. Simply tell the cashier that you can t remember your PIN, and they ll tell you what options you have to identify yourself. What if I forget my PIN when I get to the till? If you can t use any of the options, you ll need to use an alternative method for that transaction.

You can apply for a credit card with Chip and PIN technology through one of the many UK credit card companies listed on some excellent comparison sites where you find the very best credit card UK issuers have available.

Read more...

What Do Most Credit Card Holders Look For In Their Credit Cards - Guadalupe Pauls about Finance and Credit:

What do most credit card holders look for in their credit cards?

One Type Of Asset Includes Obtaining Skymiles From Different Airline Company Credit Cards - Finance and Credit Articles:

Credit cards can be very rewarding if you know how to properly use them, especially in receiving some very valuable assets. People often overlook the many benefits that can come from using a rewards card in everyday life.

The Best Cash Rebate Credit Cards Are For Excellent Credit And Are Platinum Cards - Finance and Credit Articles:

Cash rebate credit cards are just one of the many kinds of credit cards that offer rewards to card holders.