Credit cards and Debit cards question

[Zander]

Actually the UK is testing a cardless system now where you use your thumb print. I like that idea, a lot.

I don't. I was asked to provide a thumbprint to "verify" a credit card purchase of some shoes in Ealing, west London. I refused on the grounds that it's a gross invasion of privacy. They accepted the card without my thumbprint.

 

[Ravellion]

Hello, Rav

As a retail technology analyst, I should point out that the system that is to be introduced in the UK is more sophisticated than the one that already exists in continental Europe. The UK technology is called "Chip & Pin" and, as its name suggests, requires a chip in the card, not just a strip as is the case on the continent.

The US system is currently the same as the continental one.

Oh, like the Chip I have had on my card since 1999?



Rav "the Netherlands has always been a banking country" ...er... ellion.

 

[Wilphe]

So basically by not signing your card, you are saving someone the trouble of forging your signature by being able to write what they like on there.
The only upside is that they can't forge your signature, on, um something else. Like what exactly? Are you worried they will forge your will or something?


The new debit/credit card machines in the UK are fitted with chip readers, and some places are using them. Most, and me included, are still swiping. I believe full introduction with PIN is scheduled for 2004.

 

[Bagpuss]

I don't. I was asked to provide a thumbprint to "verify" a credit card purchase of some shoes in Ealing, west London. I refused on the grounds that it's a gross invasion of privacy. They accepted the card without my thumbprint.

How can it be a gross invasion of privacy? You probably left your thumb print all over that store while looking at items.

 

[Bagpuss]

Is this http://www.in.gov/dfi/consumer/pdfs/id.pdf information about the fact stores are not allowed to ask for additional ID if the card is signed, and should ask you to sign the card if it is not correct and also true outside the USA?

Its just in Spain it seems routine to ask for a passport or national ID card before excepting a credit card purchase, I just want to know if I can start reporting El Corte Ingles when I shop there its a pain having to carry my passport around. Also dangerous when you consider it could be stolen.

 

[GamerMan12]

My wife and I once, accidently swapped credit cards, she used mine without problems for a few days, and we have different surnames, and our signatures are not remotely similar, her signature is large and flowery and mine short and spiky. My credit card had Mr in front of my name and hers had Ms.

No shop assistant noticed.


GamerMan12

 

[Zander]

How can it be a gross invasion of privacy? You probably left your thumb print all over that store while looking at items.

Mine mixed with hundreds or even thousands of others. Also, any I did leave in the shop weren't linked to my personal details through my credit card.

 

[Zander]

Oh, like the Chip I have had on my card since 1999?

I have chips on my cards too. The difference is that you could use a card without a chip in the Netherlands. But the system that is being introduced in the UK will in due course only work with a chip for UK cards (it will accept non-chip foreign cards for longer).