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

moonrakerz

jane22 wrote: »

I have a visa debit card which I'd like to use in the US. Is it possible to use this card in shops etc by signing for things?

I would not recommend using your debit card overseas anywhere other than in an ATM. If you don't have a credit card, use cash.

alibongo42

The only places I was asked to use chip & PIN in New York (18 months ago) were buying bus tickets at the station from a manned kiosk, and buying subway tickets from a machine. On both occassions my PIN wasn't recognised and I was unable to use my card (Nationwide).

Bob63

moonrakerz wrote: »

I would not recommend using your debit card overseas anywhere other than in an ATM. If you don't have a credit card, use cash.

Why? Please explain.

steveo3002

i can confirm in california they deffo have chip n pin in big stores(have had for several yrs), some smaller ones asked us to sign

maybe the poster is advising you use credit card incase anything bad happens..you have more cover

moonrakerz

cheesy.mike wrote: »

Why? Please explain.

You are far more likely to have a card cloned/copied/misused in a foreign country as the would-be thief knows that any mis-use on a card belonging to a tourist won't be spotted for some weeks and by then you will be thousands of miles away from where the deed was done.

If a credit card is mis-used, it is the credit card company's money - you just tell the card issuer that you didn't make the transactions and you don't pay them - end of story !

If your debit card is mis-used, it is your money that is being taken. In theory, you should get the money back from your bank - but by then your current account has been emptied; you can't buy food, you can't pay the gas bill, you can't pay the mortgage, etc, etc ...... - start of very long story !

mrposhman

i was in orlando last year and didn't see any chip and pin machines. It looks as if its up to the state what they want to bring in. Orlando has the machines where you sign the machine in general though they do have some where you sign on the old fashioned till rolls!!

I would agree above that you shouldn't use your debit cards out there. I have always used credit cards and cash from ATM's only.