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Chip and Pin Security

In a word, security. Chip and PIN is a simple, reliable and more secure way of paying with your credit card. This site will give you all the information you need.

Chip and PIN credit cards contain a microchip that holds the same information as the magnetic strip, making them more difficult and expensive to counterfeit. Signatures are easily forged and often not checked carefully, so entering your PIN at a till instead of signing a receipt helps to prevent someone else from using your card without your consent.

How Does it Work?

Your new card contains a chip holding a Personal Identification Number (PIN). All you have to do is enter your PIN into a hand-sized ‘PIN pad' instead of signing a receipt whenever you use your card for face-to-face transactions in shops, restaurants, supermarkets, petrol stations, etc. You may come across different types of PIN pads and payment processes may vary slightly, although your PIN remains the same.

How to pay

Your card will be inserted into a card reader or PIN pad.
After checking the amount, you then discreetly enter your PIN.
The machine will then check the PIN you entered against the PIN held on the chip in your card.
You will be given a receipt for your purchase

Where can I use it?

Individual retailers will be introducing chip and PIN into their stores at different times but, by the end of 2004, most places should have introduced the new technology. Where retailers do not yet have PIN pads at tills, you will simply continue to sign the receipt.

Your new card will work abroad. As more countries begin introducing chip and PIN systems, it is vital that you know your PIN when going overseas.

One thing worth noting: although the way you use your card for shopping and making payments has changed, using it to withdraw cash at a cash machine will remain the same.

Select Your Own PIN

If you prefer, you may choose your own PIN.

Visit a chip and PIN enabled Cashpoint® machine, such as Lloyds TSB and select the PIN Services option.
Choose 'Select your own PIN'.
Enter a number of your choice as your new PIN.
This can be the same PIN as another card that you are already familiar with.
Choose a number that you'll remember, but that is not easy for others to guess.

PIN Security

Needless to say, it is important to keep your PIN safe to make it as difficult as possible for anybody else to use your card.

Your PIN is personal to you and you should not tell it to anyone - including bank staff and the police.
You should never let anyone else use your PIN or enter it for you.
Never write it down.
Never give your PIN when ordering by phone, mail order or the Internet.
When choosing your own PIN, avoid obvious numbers that could be guessed by someone else.
You should take care when entering your PIN and don't enter it if you feel that you are being observed.
If at any time you think that someone else knows your PIN, you should let chip and pin know immediately.

If you have any queries or concerns about chip and PIN, please phone your Customer Service department or email chip and pin on help@mychipandpin.com

We understand that chip and PIN may present a difficulty for some customers. If you have any specific concerns about using a chip and PIN credit card and would like to discuss your particular circumstances and the possible solutions that may be available, please phone your Customer Services department . Any such discussions will be treated in the strictest confidence.


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