Chip Card FAQs

• Why does my new People's Credit Union debit card now include a chip?

  Chip technology is becoming the security standard in the United States, and we want you to be ready. You'll enjoy greater security when making purchases at chip-enabled terminals since the chip provides better protection against counterfeit fraud. Your chip card will still work at terminals and ATMs where only magnetic stripe transactions are accepted. Chip technology is already being used in many countries around the world, including Canada, Mexico and the United Kingdom. Chip technology will allow you to enjoy greater acceptance when traveling abroad.

• What exactly is a chip card?

  A chip card contains an embedded microchip in addition to the traditional magnetic stripe. Chip card technology encrypts information to help increase data security when making transactions at or with point-of-sale terminals and ATMs that are chip-enabled. You may hear chip cards referred to as "smart cards" or "EMV cards" – they're all different ways of referring to the same type of card. An EMV terminal is the same as a chip-enabled terminal.

• How does a chip card work?

  It’s very easy! Insert your chip card face up into any chip-enabled terminal. Your chip card should stay in the terminal while your transaction is processed. To authorize your transaction, just follow the prompts as you do today. You'll be prompted to enter your PIN or to provide a signature as you normally would to verify the transaction. Your chip card can be removed from the terminal once the transaction is completed. If the merchant’s terminal is not equipped to read the chip card, just swipe as you do today. For any transactions made over the phone or online, nothing will change.

• Do I get the same benefits with my new chip card that I had with my prior card?

  Yes, you will continue to enjoy the same benefits with your chip card as you do today.

• What is my PIN?

  The PIN on your chip card is the same PIN as on your previous card.

• My card number is different. Will recurring transactions go through?

  While your card number has changed, we will be working to make this transition as easy as possible for you. People’s Credit Union and MasterCard® have partnered with thousands of local and national merchants to forward payments from your previous debit card number to your new chip card number. However, we are recommending that you contact any merchant with whom you have a recurring scheduled transaction/payment to update your card information as soon as possible.

• Will chip cards prevent fraud from happening?

  No. As the financial industry develops new ways to protect consumers, criminals continue to look for new ways to commit fraud. Chip cards provide an additional layer of security at chip-enabled terminals, on top of the fraud prevention we already provide.

• Will chip cards track my location?

  No. Chip card technology is not a location based system and is limited to supporting authentication of card data whenever you make a purchase.

• Could I experience issues using my chip card?

  When traveling outside the U.S., some card readers such as public transportation kiosks and gas pumps will require a PIN (enter your debit card PIN). At some international self-service terminals, U.S. issued debit cards may not be accepted and you might receive a message that your transaction has been cancelled. In cases like these, please locate another terminal to complete your transaction, or plan for an alternative payment method, such as local currency or a credit card.

• Are there any situations where my chip debit card may not work when inserted into the chip terminal?

  In some cases, merchants have a chip terminal installed, but it is not turned on. Some merchants are not yet allowing any chip cards to be inserted. You may encounter this frequently for a while as terminals are becoming chip-enabled. If you insert your chip debit card and nothing happens, please swipe your card to complete your transaction. This does not mean there is anything wrong with the chip on your card.

• Will my chip debit card work at all ATMs?

  Yes, your card will work at both a chip-enabled ATM and at ATMs where only magnetic stripe transactions are accepted. Insert your card face-up in the ATM or swipe your card to begin your transaction. Follow the on-screen instructions (chip-enabled ATMs will hold your card during the transaction). Once prompted, you can remove your card.

• Are there any additional fees associated with chip debit cards?

  There are no additional costs to have or to use your new card with smart chip technology.