Question about the Chip and Pin Credit and Debit Cards

[Espada04]

Just wondering. I recently went to this computer store to make a purchase, when I went to pay for it. I was told I cannot insert my credit card that uses the chip myself and that they have to do it for me.

Are they allowed to do that? I thought the whole point of the chip and pin technology was so you can insert it into the system yourself so that it prevents others from handling it possible possible skimming.

Or is this normal practice at most places?

[articuno1au]

I don't believe that is the point of the chips. My understanding is that they are cryptographically stronger than the magnetic swipe, also harder to clone.

It's odd that they insisted on inserting it themselves, but not of particular concern as far as I am aware.

[+hedleigh Subscriber²]

Just wondering.

<snip>

Or is this normal practice at most places?

Sounds strange to me, I'm always told to insert it myself. :/

[NotSoBad]

Keep a close eye on your credit card statements, sound's dodgy to me.

Oh, and it's very easy to clone the chip and pin cards if you have the right kit.

[jakem1]

Is it possible that the cable on the card reader was too short so it just wouldn't stretch over the counter to you?

[what]

Part of the appeal of chip and PIN is that it gives customers confidence when they know they are the only person that has handled their card. The big supermarkets here have readers which always face the customer - there is no need for the cashier to go anywhere near it.

If the card reader is behind a counter of some description I insist on putting the card in myself. There is no reason why they should say I can't do it. There are too many stories of people having their cards cloned at petrol garages when they hand their card over to the attendant and they swipe their card with a sleight of hand trick.

If they were really stern about you not putting the card in yourself I would be very suspicious and would probably tell them to bugger off. You can buy computer stuff anywhere.

[Nick H. Supervisor]

Never heard of someone asking me for my card, they normally just tell me the price and I go ahead and put in my card. If someone insisted that I pass my card over for them to insert I would probably be wary and question their reasoning.

Ultimately though I probably wouldn't be too concerned. After all, "chip and PIN" should mean that they can take my card, but without my PIN number it's useless. To be on the safe side though, check your account over the next week and look for anything dodgy.

[Daedroth]

I'd say they were wrong. Chip and pin in the UK allows you, the customer, to insert your card into the machine and enter your pin without anyone else handling your card.

[psionicinversion]

If its a big name computer shop then i wouldnt be to worried but if its a small shop then id check me statements

[what]

After all, "chip and PIN" should mean that they can take my card, but without my PIN number it's useless.

Not if you dirty the chip up a bit and force the fallback to signing a receipt. If you clone a card the signature on the back will be yours, so you don't even have to forge it.

[+KibosJ Subscriber²]

Some card machines require the cashier to insert the amount in AFTER the card has been inserted. It's a damn stupid system but that's the way they work.

Some Specsavers stores use these systems, they take your card, put it in, enter the amount then hand you the machine, you then check the amount and type in your pin then hand the device BACK to the cashier.

I don't mind allowing the cashier to handle my card, but I always watch carefully and NEVER let them move the card out of my site. I always check EVERY receipt too before leaving.

[Espada04]

Never heard of someone asking me for my card, they normally just tell me the price and I go ahead and put in my card. If someone insisted that I pass my card over for them to insert I would probably be wary and question their reasoning.

Ultimately though I probably wouldn't be too concerned. After all, "chip and PIN" should mean that they can take my card, but without my PIN number it's useless. To be on the safe side though, check your account over the next week and look for anything dodgy.

There are ways to bypass a chip card.

If its a big name computer shop then i wouldnt be to worried but if its a small shop then id check me statements

It's just a local computer store.

Some card machines require the cashier to insert the amount in AFTER the card has been inserted. It's a damn stupid system but that's the way they work.

Some Specsavers stores use these systems, they take your card, put it in, enter the amount then hand you the machine, you then check the amount and type in your pin then hand the device BACK to the cashier.

I don't mind allowing the cashier to handle my card, but I always watch carefully and NEVER let them move the card out of my site. I always check EVERY receipt too before leaving.

The system in this store is putting the chip card after the amount has been put so it that's not the issue.

It's not like the cable to the machine was too short, because it's the same machine they give to the customers to enter the pin. So it's easy access for the customer to simply put in their card themselves and enter the pin.

I'm just curious if there is a statement from like visa or something that states that the cashiers aren't suppose to ask to give them your card.