can i use a credit card without a PIN

Dowsett

I have a new Barclay Simplicity card. the covering letter said i can use this card straight away once activated on the internet. my PIN number takes 10 days, i rang Barclays up and they said it will be with me by the 9th April.

just wondering, can i use this card at a petrol station or restaurant but ask the cashier to let me sign for it, or do i HAVE to use chip an pin?

Thanks

gomer

Some take aways & restaurants still use the old fashioned cruncher but i've only found one that does so far, the only way you can really use it without a pin is for 'card not present' transactions ie over the phone or internet.

You could always ask at the restaurant but i have a feeling you will find they only accept chip & pin.

exel1966

Dowsett wrote: »

I have a new Barclay Simplicity card. the covering letter said i can use this card straight away once activated on the internet. my PIN number takes 10 days, i rang Barclays up and they said it will be with me by the 9th April.

just wondering, can i use this card at a petrol station or restaurant but ask the cashier to let me sign for it, or do i HAVE to use chip an pin?

Thanks

It's up to the individual retailer to decide whether they will accept a transaction without a pin if the cardholder is present. Without the pin the retailer becomes liable should the transaction turn out to be fraudulent, therefore most will not permit signature only unless they don't have a pin terminal.
Many fast food outlets such as McD's do not require either a pin OR signature to make a transaction.

Online purchases shouldn't require the pin, nor most overseas transactions as most of ROTW is yet to catch on to chip and pin.

Alex_LS

exel1966 wrote: »

Without the pin the retailer becomes liable should the transaction turn out to be fraudulent

That's not strictly true. The retailer is liable if they have the ability to, but decide not to, perform a chip transaction. There are plenty of Chip&Sig cards out there, and most cards have signature as a fallback verification method to PIN.

Depending on the retailer's setup (which depends mainly on their bank) and the setup of your card, you may be able to cancel the PIN entry and have the terminal request a signature. At worst, you'll just cancel the transaction and have to find another means of payment.

exel1966

Alex_LS wrote: »

That's not strictly true. The retailer is liable if they have the ability to, but decide not to, perform a chip transaction. There are plenty of Chip&Sig cards out there, and most cards have signature as a fallback verification method to PIN.

Depending on the retailer's setup (which depends mainly on their bank) and the setup of your card, you may be able to cancel the PIN entry and have the terminal request a signature. At worst, you'll just cancel the transaction and have to find another means of payment.

But the OP is not talking about Chip and Sig and nor am I, thats totally different. Those cards were designed for certain categories of people, though not necessarily used by those people only.
This is why banks have not made it easy to obtain a chip and sig card and have actively discouraged them to those who do not have difficulties with pins. Pin useage covers the banks backside in case of problems, signature doesn't do that. It's all about passing the liability or buck !

Alex_LS

The OP was asking how to perform a transaction without using PIN. I have suggested a method that will work if the specific card and specific terminal setups permit it.

James

As said, you can use it right away for Internet Purchases AND Phone, Mail Order or Fax purchases.

You could always try calling a restaurant and order over the phone.

Tip: Getting a Chip & Signature Credit Card makes sense. You don't have to worry about PIN's, forgetting them, or compromising them thus reducing the risk to YOU of being liablie for any fraud committed using a PIN.

You can also use Chip & Signature Cards to Pay at the Pump believe it or not. I use mine all the time like this.