Chip and PIN

squizz_2

I just paid for some lunch in a Pret in London, I used my Switch card and they put it in the handheld terminal and then gave it back, without asking for a Pin or signature? I was a bit perturbed by this and asked whether I needed to authorise and the girl said no it was all finished.

I would have thought they would need some form of authorisation to be able to process the payment...but apparently not. I have told my bank in case there's something dodgy afoot but they can't do anything until the money starts disappearing from my account :rolleyes:

Anyway, this hasn't happened before and I use my card a lot. Any similar experiences out there?

Ta

Mikeyorks

Most transactions need a PIN in order to authorise. The value of this must have been under the floor level for that retailer ... so didn't need authorisation. As a consequence it will just appear in your account - won't come off the 'available' figure. Bit unusual ... but can happen.

C_Ronaldo

Bit odd that is, ive not come scross myself, i woudl have thought all debit/credi card transactions would need the customer to enter a pin when the customer is present

simongregson

It probably will have been authorised, but the company has made the decision to reduce the transaction time by not requiring a PIN/signature. This is similar to, for example, motorway tolls (if cards are accepted).

Basically, nobody uses a stolen card to buy sandwiches, they buy things they can sell on. And even if they did, the cost to Pret for refunding the transaction is basically 2 slices of bread and a bit of filling, so even if the money was charged back it wouldn't cause a major loss to them.

noh

squizz wrote: »

I just paid for some lunch in a Pret in London, I used my Switch card and they put it in the handheld terminal and then gave it back, without asking for a Pin or signature? I was a bit perturbed by this and asked whether I needed to authorise and the girl said no it was all finished.

I would have thought they would need some form of authorisation to be able to process the payment...but apparently not. I have told my bank in case there's something dodgy afoot but they can't do anything until the money starts disappearing from my account :rolleyes:

Anyway, this hasn't happened before and I use my card a lot. Any similar experiences out there?

Ta

Yes exactly the same when using a credit card at Pret at Stansted airport.
Where the NCP short stay car park payment is also taken without requiring a PIN.

Nigel

elsien

And using a direct debit card to pay my household insurance - can't see anyone wanting to nick that.

gt94sss2

squizz wrote: »

Anyway, this hasn't happened before and I use my card a lot. Any similar experiences out there?

Welcome to the future.. debit and credit cards are gradually being upgraded to act in a similar way to 'Oyster' cards on London Transport (i.e. using wireless technology) and will work like this as long as:

- you have an updated debit/credit card
- the transaction is under £10
- the shops tills have been upgraded to accept the new system (currently being rolled out in London and then Nationwide)

If your debit credit card is a:

- Mastercard/Maestro branded one then read about Mastercard PayPass
- Visa branded one then see Visa payWave

Every 10 or so transactions, you will be asked for your PIN even if using this new method to ensure you are the 'rightful' owner of the card.

Regards
Sunil

noh

the transaction is under £10

Except my tranasaction was more than £10.

Nigel

gt94sss2

noh wrote: »

Except my tranasaction was more than £10.

You were talking about an airport NCP short stay car park - so I presume you still had to swipe your card through a machine.. even if no PIN was required.

I was addressing the OPs point re: 'contactless payments' where you just 'tap and go'.. and which an increasing number of coffee/sandwich/newsagents are now implementing in Central London - who usually have transactions of less than £10 which is a rule built into the system.. - and which is possibly what they experienced today for the first time.

Regards
Sunil

noh

gt94sss2 wrote: »

You were talking about an airport NCP short stay car park - so I presume you still had to swipe your card through a machine.. even if no PIN was required.

I was addressing the OPs point re: 'contactless payments' where you just 'tap and go'.. and which an increasing number of coffee/sandwich/newsagents are now implementing in Central London - who usually have transactions of less than £10 which is a rule built into the system..

Regards
Sunil

No I was taking about Pret a Manger at Stansted Airport where my bill was in excess of £10 where I had the same experience as the OP.

Nigel

gt94sss2

Opps - sorry.. misread your post

Regards
Sunil