Why do CARD READERS still ask you to SWIPE instead of CHIP?
@lookatdesktop (27129)
Dallas, Texas
June 13, 2017 10:43am CST
I find it odd that, in spite of the mandatory rule to make it safe for the public to make retail purchases with debit cards at the check out counter by using the CHIP reader instead of SLIDING IT to prevent hacking of their accounts, many retailers STILL INSIST ON making you SLIDE it instead of CHIP IT.
Is there a real good reason for this?
I think it is unsafe to SLIDE but many retailers tell me their CHIP READER is not working. GIVE ME A BREAK.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2015/10/01/chip-credit-debit-card-readers-october-1/73140516/
6 people like this
9 responses
@infatuatedbby (94921)
• United States
13 Jun 17
Not all retailers have chip enabled devices yet, still!
2 people like this
@infatuatedbby (94921)
• United States
13 Jun 17
@lookatdesktop yeah but I like cash back :) I use credit card and not debit
1 person likes this
@lookatdesktop (27129)
• Dallas, Texas
13 Jun 17
So I noticed. That is why CASH is best if in doubt about making a secured transaction. CASH I hope will always be an option.
1 person likes this
@Mike197602 (15487)
• United Kingdom
13 Jun 17
I think we've talked about this before...the US is a bit behind in rolling out new card technology everywhere.
Even very small shops here have chip and pin and many now have contactless payment too.
2 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
13 Jun 17
These days here in the UK most of our cards are chip and pin. Rarely if ever are they slid.
2 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
13 Jun 17
@lookatdesktop Really, in the supermarkets here they usually allow you to take £50 in cash with no charge.
1 person likes this
@lookatdesktop (27129)
• Dallas, Texas
13 Jun 17
Not so here in USA. In Dallas, TX alone, at least in my area of the city, there are lots of retailers still using the SLIDE at the counters. A local DOLLAR STORE we shop at has a nice little system. They ask you if you want CASH BACK but charge you a BUCK per transaction over the amount of cash you want back.
1 person likes this
@lookatdesktop (27129)
• Dallas, Texas
13 Jun 17
@garymarsh6 , Most supermarkets in the city of DAllas, TX do not charge for a cash withdrawal, but do limit it to increments of 20 dollars but some allow you to get cash back in a specific dollar amount, even a minimum dollar amount but a maximum not to exceed 50 dollars US. at a time. The dollar store that charges a dollar to get cash back is a transaction fee they charge. I can't say who is doing it as I want to be descrete.
@rebelann (111430)
• El Paso, Texas
13 Jun 17
At least if it were mandatory they'd have no excuse not to plus they'd raise their prices to cover the cost @lookatdesktop
@lookatdesktop (27129)
• Dallas, Texas
13 Jun 17
They would do it in a heartbeat if it in fact did become Mandatory by law. 
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• United States
13 Jun 17
I know it is crazy isn't it.
Chips for what..I know.
And I still can't say how much good this is doing.
And yes it is mandatory in some stores.
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• United States
13 Jun 17
@lookatdesktop Yes they always make me use that dang chip at the grocery store.
1 person likes this
@lookatdesktop (27129)
• Dallas, Texas
13 Jun 17
I read that it is not mandatory by federal law, but is more aptly Liability Shifting to protect the banks against credit card duplication and paying for losses on the retail end ...
October 1, 2015, is the day of the much-discussed EMV liability shift — the reason your credit cards now have or will soon have chips embedded in them. But who decided…
1 person likes this
@Mike197602 (15487)
• United Kingdom
13 Jun 17
I don't think the slide things exist here anymore.
It is all chip and pin and for small purchases below £30 (I think it is £30) we have contactless payment where you just put your card over the machine and it beeps and purchase done...no typing pins or anything...very handy and quick
On the picture (my card is this exact one just different details) you can see the chip and next to it the semi circles which indicate a contactless card.
On the picture (my card is this exact one just different details) you can see the chip and next to it the semi circles which indicate a contactless card.1 person likes this
@Mike197602 (15487)
• United Kingdom
13 Jun 17
@lookatdesktop It is pretty neat and fast too.
Below a certain amount you just put your card over the machine for a second then it beeps and you're good to go
Above a certain amount you do need to type your pin in.
Above a certain amount you do need to type your pin in.
@jezhead (13)
• Toronto, Ontario
13 Jun 17
@lookatdesktop They can just as easily see what you are punching in, as well as have a keylogger.
1 person likes this
@lookatdesktop (27129)
• Dallas, Texas
13 Jun 17
@jezhead The magnetic strip can be read from a remote device that is designed to read the strip using advanced stealth hacker technology. It is illegal but they get their hands on these devices and can rip off your money out of the air if they get close enough to the strip. As to the reason a chip is more secure at the checkout stand,
Why Is EMV More Secure? Chip and Pin Credit Cards (EMV cards) are primarily designed to prevent fraud. So what exactly helps chip cards fight fraud?
@lookatdesktop (27129)
• Dallas, Texas
13 Jun 17
I wish it were not true that hackers even existed, then there would be no problem with either method. IN fact I wish we could go back to a Cash Only system. No checks to bounce, no debit cards to be hacked or over draw fees for purchasing against a negative balance. Cash is still king whenever possible. They can't keep a record of your spending habits using cash either.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (62735)
• United States
13 Jun 17
Chip readers probably cost more, so some businesses don't want to invest in the more expensive, albeit safer, chip readers.
Of course, if there's credit card fraud and the store does not have chip readers, they have to eat the cost, so it could be much cheaper to just go ahead and get the reader.
1 person likes this
@thislittlepennyearns (58422)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
13 Jun 17
Why do you think it is mandatory to use a chip? I have never heard of that being mandatory anywhere. And ALOT of people don't have chip cards. I know I dont/
1 person likes this
