Magstripe

HTAFC112

Much speculation here. You are going to a non-CHIP country with a non-CHIP card. Not sure why all the replies seem to relate to chips. The only technical side that matters - the service code in the card does tell the reader/terminal that the card is PIN preferring. The mag stripe data is repeated so a partial magnetic stripe will still be read by a terminal.

The simple answer to your question is try the card at a normal UK ATM. The ATM will read the magnetic stripe and then you will have your answer as to whether your card is too damaged.

Mondo46

HTAFC112 wrote: »

Much speculation here. You are going to a non-CHIP country with a non-CHIP card. Not sure why all the replies seem to relate to chips. The only technical side that matters - the service code in the card does tell the reader/terminal that the card is PIN preferring. The mag stripe data is repeated so a partial magnetic stripe will still be read by a terminal.

The simple answer to your question is try the card at a normal UK ATM. The ATM will read the magnetic stripe and then you will have your answer as to whether your card is too damaged.

I'm positive ATMS read the chip though or does it it have to have both a magstripe and a chip for it to work? Not just a chip? The only reason I mention it is because the VPAY debit cards from Germany etc. don't have any magnetic stripes.

Buzby

I have used ATMs that leave the card exposed as it reads only the chip, if the card is swallowed, the cynlic in me says the Mag stripe is read. However, the same PIN is required by the mag and chip (as I wanted the bank to provide a Chip & Sig card, retaining the PIN for ATM use. (it can't be done).

Mondo46

Buzby wrote: »

I have used ATMs that leave the card exposed as it reads only the chip, if the card is swallowed, the cynlic in me says the Mag stripe is read. However, the same PIN is required by the mag and chip (as I wanted the bank to provide a Chip & Sig card, retaining the PIN for ATM use. (it can't be done).

As has been said before, you can change your PIN on the ATM so, it must be able to read the chip and also if the OP has been able to get the use chip message, then the reader must have been able to read the service code off the chip, so the magstripe must be working.

Gromitt

adouglasmhor wrote: »

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

This is incorrect. I can check I have remembered the correct PIN for one of my cards before I take it out of the house by sticking it in a Barclays PINSentry (or similar device, like a Co-op card reader). If it says "PIN OK", then I know I've remembered the PIN correctly. This works for all of my cards regardless of bank, including credit cards like 'Aqua'.

So the PIN is clearly stored inside the chip.

That said, I've also boil washed a Barclays current account card and the magnetic strip pretty much fell off. The card was mostly blank apart from some embossing and being a bit floppy. Amazingly, it still worked in a C&P device as I was asked to use it in the bank to prove my ID before they would send a replacement!

Hazzanet

Allegedly, the PIN is encrypted in a very secure non-readable portion of the chip.

In very very simple terms, when you enter your PIN at a terminal, it is encrypted and sent to the chip which is then asked the question "Is that PIN right?" to which the chip answers "yes" or "no".

Undoubtedly there's a lot more technical tomfoolery that goes on inbetween, but that's the concept.

guesswho2000

Mondo46 wrote: »

I'm positive ATMS read the chip though or does it it have to have both a magstripe and a chip for it to work? Not just a chip? The only reason I mention it is because the VPAY debit cards from Germany etc. don't have any magnetic stripes.

Nope, needs a magstripe to work in an ATM. Think about it, if it didn't, how would US cards work in our cashpoints? They don't have chips. Same goes for older ATMs which were around before C&P existed. That said, I expect some ATMs will use the chip if it's there, but will still work if there is a magstripe and no chip.

You're right about VPay, but that's not a system which operates in the UK and therefore isn't an issue. Afaik it's a more widespread version of localised payment schemes like "Chipknip" in Netherlands.

adouglasmhor

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.

Really, that's a major security risk then, no such thing as perfect encryption. Sorry to everyone I misled there.

Gromitt

adouglasmhor wrote: »

Really, that's a major security risk then, no such thing as perfect encryption

How so? To access the PIN, you need the PIN. You have 3 attempts and then the chip blocks access.

adouglasmhor

Gromitt wrote: »

How so? To access the PIN, you need the PIN. You have 3 attempts and then the chip blocks access.

So how is it reset after being blocked?