What are Enhanced Security Chip Cards?
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 is 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.
Are chip cards more secure than my current card?
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.
When will the change happen?
Even though chip cards have started being issued in the U.S. and some merchants have already installed chip-enabled card terminals for payment, the entire conversion process is expected to take a few years to complete. That's why chip cards will continue to have a magnetic stripe on the back. That way, if a merchant's terminal or an ATM is not yet chip-enabled, your transaction can still be processed using the magnetic stripe as it is today.
When will I get my chip card?
Chip Debit Cards– We'll begin issuing Clear Mountain Bank chip debit cards in December 2015. You'll receive your new chip debit card when your current card expires.
Chip Credit Cards– We'll begin issuing Clear Mountain Bank chip credit cards in early 2016. You'll receive your new chip credit card when your current card expires..
There is no need to request a new card. You'll automatically receive your new chip card in the mail before your card's expiration date. There is no extra charge for the new chip card.
How am I protected?
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.
What information is on the chip?
The chip contains information about your account and the card expiration date. It also generates a unique code for every transaction when used with a chip-enabled terminal at the point of sale.
How do I use them?
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.
Can I use my chip card anywhere?
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.
Do I need to sign the back of the card?
Yes. You still need to sign the back of your card.
Can I use it to make purchases online or by phone?
Yes. You can use your chip card to make these purchases as you do today.
Can I use my card at an ATM?
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.
What is the difference between “chip and signature” and “chip and PIN”?
The term "PIN" or "Signature" simply refers to how you will authorize the transaction – by entering a PIN or by providing your signature.
For debit card purchases, you'll be prompted to either enter your PIN or to provide a signature as you normally would to verify the transaction.
For credit card purchases, in most instances you should not need a PIN to complete the transaction. You have a “chip and signature” credit card, so in most cases you'll be prompted for a signature to complete the transaction. On rare occasions, you may be asked to provide a PIN. Should this occur, just enter the credit card PIN assigned to your card.
The enhanced security against counterfeiting is contained within the chip itself. The chip makes the transaction more secure by encrypting information when completing a transaction at a chip-enabled terminal. As a result, both “chip and PIN” and “chip and signature” transactions offer enhanced security against counterfeiting.
What if my card is lost or stolen?
It's important to report a lost or stolen card immediately. To report lost debit cards, call (304) 379-2265 or after-hours call 1-800-472-3272. To report lost credit cards, call 1-800-423-7503.
Will chip cards prevent data breaches?
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.
