Using debit cards in the US - do I have to use chip and pin?

jane22

I have a visa debit card which I'd like to use in the US. I don't yet have its PIN and I am not sure the PIN will arrive in the post before I leave the UK. Is it possible to use this card in shops etc by signing for things? Or do they use chip and pin there now too?

thanks in advance

dmg24

It varies, some will ask you to sign, but some will insist on chip and pin.

luci

I haven't come across chip and pin in the US. I have always been asked to sign whether it is a paper slip or to sign on a machine.

adminannie

Hi I have never been asked for chip and pin, I dont think they use the same system as us. I always sign Annie

nevadagirl

Chip and pin isn't used in the US, it's a European thing. You'll be asked to sign for your purchases the way we used to in the UK.

It may be worth informing your bank that you are travelling to the US however. I was over there with a friend last year and her card wouldn't work at all, £30 on phone calls later and she found out it was an anti-fraud mechanism had kicked in as they didn't expect her to be in Kentucky (even though she paid for the flight and accommodation with the same card).

Enjoy your trip :T

Stubert

nevadagirl wrote: »

Chip and pin isn't used in the US, it's a European thing. You'll be asked to sign for your purchases the way we used to in the UK.

It may be worth informing your bank that you are travelling to the US however. I was over there with a friend last year and her card wouldn't work at all, £30 on phone calls later and she found out it was an anti-fraud mechanism had kicked in as they didn't expect her to be in Kentucky (even though she paid for the flight and accommodation with the same card).

Enjoy your trip :T

There was a thing about Watchdog on it. Even if you tell your bank you're travelling abroad, its a computer that detects your card is being used abroad and automatically blocks it.

How widely is it used in Europe? I went to Madrid about 3 weeks ago, my credit cards were stolen and got used. My creditcard company rang to say it was being used, it was only for €20 so it was strange they rang and that was when I realised it'd been stolen, evidently they didn't have chip and pin there!

tinkerbell84

Let your CC company know where you're going and you should be fine.

They don't look at the signature on the card when you sign the slips either, which worried me a little, but I didn't have any problems whatsoever over there.

Have a great trip

dmg24

nevadagirl wrote: »

Chip and pin isn't used in the US, it's a European thing. You'll be asked to sign for your purchases the way we used to in the UK.

As I was there six weeks ago, I can confirm that they definitely do use chip and pin! The difference is that you input the numbers on to a touch screen, rather than the machines that we have.

Bob63

dmg24 wrote: »

As I was there six weeks ago, I can confirm that they definitely do use chip and pin! The difference is that you input the numbers on to a touch screen, rather than the machines that we have.

And they also have what we would call traditional chip & pin terminals. I frequently use my UK debit card at a pet store in California which doesn't take credit cards.

vikingaero

I would concur that whenever I had to sign the sales assistant or hotel clerk NEVER checked the signature. All they cared was that the transaction was authorised on their machine.

jane22

Thanks for the replies. It does not look as if my PIN is going to get here on time. A shame but, never mind. I guess it could still arrive tomorrow.

I know this is a bit of a 'how long is a piece of string' question, but what sort of % of places are likely to *insist* on Chip and Pin? Is it the same as it was in England i.e. that whilst it was being introduced you could still elect to sign? And is there any pattern of what type of places are using chip and pin? I'm specifically wondering whether many gas stations, grocery stores, etc, do. Does it vary from city to more rural areas?

I guess I will just take the debit card and try and use it anywhere I can, and if they won't let me sign for it, I will use a credit card for which I know the pin.