Frequently Asked Questions About Chip Cards

What are chip cards?

How do I use chip cards?

Is a chip card more secure?

How am I protected?

Can I use my chip card anywhere?

Do I need to sign the back of the card?

Can I use it to make purchases online or by phone?

Can I use my card at an ATM?

At an ATM, do I select “U.S. Common AID” and “ MasterCard Debit”?

What is the difference between chip & signature and chip & PIN transactions?

What if my card is lost or stolen?

Can I use my chip card with my Mobile Wallet?

Does a chip card contain more information about me that could be stolen?

Can someone steal the information in my chip card remotely using radio waves or a “contactless reader?”

What are chip cards?

A chip card - also called a smart card or an EMV card - is a debit or credit card that contains a microprocessor that enhances the security of cards during point-of-sale transactions.

These cards, already in around the United States and 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.

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.  If a merchant's card reader or an ATM is not yet chip-enabled, your transaction can still be processed using the magnetic stripe as it is today.

How do I use chip cards?

Begin the payment process by ‘swiping’ your card, just as you do today. If the payment card reader is chip-enabled, you will be asked to insert your card.

1. Insert the card, face up and chip end first, into the card reader.
2. Leave the card in the card reader during the entire transaction.
3. 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 card readers, your payment will process as it normally does from your initial swipe.

Want to learn more about chip debit cards? Click here to watch the video or contact any FCB Banks location for more information.

Is a chip card more secure?

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.

How am I protected?

With Zero Liability – All debit 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. Please call (866) 323-4322 immediately to report a lost or stolen card.

Can I use my chip card anywhere?

Yes. Your chip card can be used virtually anywhere MasterCard is accepted. If a merchant has a chip-enabled card reader, 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 card reader. 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 chip card at an ATM?

Yes. For ATM transactions, insert your card into the card reader 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.

When I used my chip card at an ATM, I was asked to select between “U.S. Common AID” and “ MasterCard Debit”. Which one should I choose?

It is fine to select either one – your transaction will work either way.

What is the difference between chip & signature and chip & PIN transactions?

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 card readers such as fuel pumps and payment kiosks.

What if my card is lost or stolen?

Please call (866) 323-4322 immediately to report a lost or stolen card.

Can I use my chip card with my Mobile Wallet?

Yes. You can use your chip card to make payments with Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay at participating merchants. 

Does a chip card contain more information about me that could be stolen?

No, a chip card does not contain any information about you that isn’t in your magnetic stripe cards – just your name, account number, and expiration date.

Can someone steal the information in my chip card remotely using radio waves or a “contactless reader?”

No, your chip card must be inserted into the card reader or ATM in order to read the chip. 

Need more information?

Call us at (866) 323-4322 or stop by one of our 16 convenient locations if you have additional questions about chip cards, or if you are interested in opening an account.

Apple, the Apple logo, and iPhone are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Apple Pay™ is a trademark of Apple Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.   

 

 

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