A chip card - also called a smart card or an EMV card - is a credit or debit card that contains a microprocessor that enhances the security of cards during point-of-sale transactions.
These cards, already in use in much of the world, use a security standard originally developed by Europay, Mastercard and Visa (EMV) as a way to fight card fraud resulting from theft, skimming and counterfeiting. The EMV technology has been adopted by the other major card brands and issuers.
Yes. Chip cards add an additional layer of security to the safeguards that already protect your card. Each time you use your chip card, it generates a code that is unique to that transaction. This makes it harder to counterfeit your card or to use it fraudulently for in-store purchases.
All debit and credit cards that we issue come with 'zero liability protection,' so you are not held liable for unauthorized transactions if a card is stolen, lost or fraudulently used at a merchant or online. It is important that you promptly report a lost or stolen card or any suspicious transactions. See the applicable agreement for your account on liability and reporting requirements for unauthorized transactions.
When used at merchants with chip-enabled card terminals it's as easy as:
- Insert the card, face up and chip end first, into the terminal.
- Leave the card in the terminal during the entire transaction.
- Follow the instructions on the screen and either sign or enter your PIN as needed. Be sure to remove your card and take your receipt when the transaction is complete.
For merchants without chip-enabled terminals, you will 'swipe' your card through the terminal, just as you do today.
Yes. Your chip card can be used virtually anywhere this brand of card is accepted in the U.S. and around the world. If a merchant has a chip-enabled card terminal, you will insert your card during the transaction. In the U.S., you will still be able to 'swipe' your card to make your payment if a merchant has a regular terminal. You will need a PIN to be able to make a transaction at an ATM.
Yes. You still need to sign the back of your card.
Yes. You can use your chip card to make these purchases as you do today.
Yes. For ATM transactions, insert your card into terminal and follow the instructions on the screen. Depending on the type of ATM, you might be prompted to re-insert your card. Leave the card in the ATM until the transaction is complete and the card is released, and then remove your card and any money you might have withdrawn.
You may be asked to provide your signature or enter your PIN to complete a transaction when you use your card. You will need to use your PIN at ATMs and it may be required at some unattended terminals such as fuel pumps and payment kiosks.
It's important to report a lost or stolen card immediately. Keep a record of the telephone number on the back of your card and call it if necessary.
Yes. You can use your chip card to make payments with Apple Pay at participating merchants.
While chip cards won't prevent the types of large-scale data breaches that have hit some merchants, they do make it extremely difficult to produce counterfeit cards from that stolen data.