Magstripe

reclusive46

Hi,
I have an oldish Halifax clarity, which I'm wanting to use in a none chip and pin country. I just wanted to makes sure I'm right in thinking the following to test if the magstripe is still good (Its pretty scratched up). If I try and swipe it through at a Sainsbury's self checkout for example, will it just say USE CHIP READER if the card is working and will nothing happen if the magstripe is dead? Am I correct in thinking this?

guesswho2000

reclusive46 wrote: »

Hi,
I have an oldish Halifax clarity, which I'm wanting to use in a none chip and pin country. I just wanted to makes sure I'm right in thinking the following to test if the magstripe is still good (Its pretty scratched up). If I try and swipe it through at a Sainsbury's self checkout for example, will it just say USE CHIP READER if the card is working and will nothing happen if the magstripe is dead? Am I correct in thinking this?

Wouldn't it be easier, and more conclusive, to stick it in an ATM?

I'm pretty sure they're quite resilient, I've been able to use a cracked magstripe card (crack through the magstripe) held together with tape before. Even if it doesn't work, it can probably be manually keyed (at EFTPOS) - unless they don't do that abroad?

reclusive46

guesswho2000 wrote: »

Wouldn't it be easier, and more conclusive, to stick it in an ATM?

I'm pretty sure they're quite resilient, I've been able to use a cracked magstripe card (crack through the magstripe) held together with tape before. Even if it doesn't work, it can probably be manually keyed (at EFTPOS) - unless they don't do that abroad?

I was under the impression that the chip is read in an ATM. As you can change the PIN via the ATM as well it must be able to change the chip.

choc_mouse

If you swipe the card, the machine will bleep, probably print something and a staff member will come and give you a pen and ask you to sign it - that's if the strip is working.

You could just play dump and say the chip doesn't work.

Mondo46

choc_mouse wrote: »

If you swipe the card, the machine will bleep, probably print something and a staff member will come and give you a pen and ask you to sign it - that's if the strip is working.

You could just play dump and say the chip doesn't work.

Don't forget about the service code, Almost all UK UK cards have a flag on it, which says ALWAYS USE PIN WHEN FEASIBLE, which basically means if the machine is capable of processing a chip transaction it will make the card holder dip it in.

Although I'm not sure if the machine would also say use chip reader if the magstripe was damaged.

adouglasmhor

reclusive46 wrote: »

I was under the impression that the chip is read in an ATM. As you can change the PIN via the ATM as well it must be able to change the chip.

It changes the pin on the system, your pin is not encrypted or stored on your card.

reclusive46

adouglasmhor wrote: »

It changes the pin on the system, your pin is not encrypted or stored on your card.

Are you sure? I was under the impression that the UK uses offline PIN? After all how would places like Planes and Trains be able to verify your PIN if it couldn't connect to the bank.

Plxply

adouglasmhor wrote: »

It changes the pin on the system, your pin is not encrypted or stored on your card.

It does change the PIN on the card, it's stored within the chip itself. Unfortunately for OP it's impossible to tell if the ATM will read the ATM or the magnetic stripe each ATM is different. The best I can think of is that you can ask a store if they can test it or go to the bank and ask them to put through maybe a test transaction with a swipe.

If you lived near I would offer to swipe your card for you (yes, once again I'm weird enough to own one for non-illegal purposes). But if you've stored it well it shouldn't have any problems, normally it gets damaged from overuse something that doesn't happen in the UK. If it doesn't work try putting a plastic bag around the card and swiping it, I've heard it works from American cashiers.

reclusive46

Plxply wrote: »

It does change the PIN on the card, it's stored within the chip itself. Unfortunately for OP it's impossible to tell if the ATM will read the ATM or the magnetic stripe each ATM is different. The best I can think of is that you can ask a store if they can test it or go to the bank and ask them to put through maybe a test transaction with a swipe.

If you lived near I would offer to swipe your card for you (yes, once again I'm weird enough to own one for non-illegal purposes). But if you've stored it well it shouldn't have any problems, normally it gets damaged from overuse something that doesn't happen in the UK. If it doesn't work try putting a plastic bag around the card and swiping it, I've heard it works from American cashiers.

Ok. Just got back from sainsburys, I just swiped it through the top and it just put a message up saying use chip. So the card must be working otherwise it wouldn't come up with anything I assume and another card I know works comes up with the same message.

dalesrider

Why not just request a new card stating the old is damaged. That way your old is still active for 30 days and you get a nice new card.

guesswho2000

reclusive46 wrote: »

I was under the impression that the chip is read in an ATM. As you can change the PIN via the ATM as well it must be able to change the chip.

Maybe, although I thought the ATMs detected the magstripe in order to allow the card to be inserted? Not that it matters I suppose!