Chip and PIN cards

[drron]

My Amex can be used with touch,chip or swipe.So no doubt a DJ Amex can be used the same way.

 

[AV8]

My Amex can be used with touch,chip or swipe........

I have upgraded my QF Ultimate Amex with a chip after calling Amex and got a new card number - did not fuss me as I do not have direct debit attached to this card and also saw it as a good opportunity to start fresh for o/s transactions.

 

[zig]

My Platinum Charge and Platinum Edge both have chips and pins, and I have had them for some time, so I'm surprised to hear that there are so many Amex card holders who don't have the chip and pin. I thought it became standard on Amex cards a couple of years ago. The only thing that doesn't work on my cards is the payWave - I have reported this to Amex, but of course it 'isn't their problem' it is the retailers.

 

[equus]

The Amex rep I spoke to about this said my non-chip Amex charge which doesn't expire until 2016 would be automatically force reissued with the same number around July/August so that a chip/pin version would issue.

 

[Pozza]

If your card is damaged, but you still have possession of it (i.e. not lost or stolen) then they should replace it with a new card with the same number and expiry date. So all you have to do is "accidentally" damage your card

I did this a couple months ago (legitimate wear) and they wouldn't reissue same number

 

[TonyHancock]

I did this a couple months ago (legitimate wear) and they wouldn't reissue same number

Same here....again legitimate wear - the last five digits on the card differ.

 

[Homer]

My AMEX Centurion cards have chips and PINs. Last week my AMEX relationship manager called to tell me that Marge had not yet setup a PIN on her card and that she would be unable to use her card from 1 August unless she called them to setup a PIN. I queried this as my understanding was that if a card didn't have a PIN then you would be asked to sign. She (the RM) was adamant that this was not the case; that without a PIN the card would be unusable.

As I have a business with merchant facilities (via Westpac) I looked into this further and my RM is correct - if a customer's card has a chip then from 1 August the terminal will only accept a PIN and not a signature. However if the card has no chip then we will be able to swipe the card and customers will be able to sign if they do not have a PIN.

 

[koonyaflyer]

My AMEX Centurion cards have chips and PINs. Last week my AMEX relationship manager called to tell me that Marge had not yet setup a PIN on her card and that she would be unable to use her card from 1 August unless she called them to setup a PIN. I queried this as my understanding was that if a card didn't have a PIN then you would be asked to sign. She (the RM) was adamant that this was not the case; that without a PIN the card would be unusable.

As I have a business with merchant facilities (via Westpac) I looked into this further and my RM is correct - if a customer's card has a chip then from 1 August the terminal will only accept a PIN and not a signature. However if the card has no chip then we will be able to swipe the card and customers will be able to sign if they do not have a PIN.

It is my understanding that this will apply for Australian issued cards used in Australia, I have been told that if a international card is presented with a chip the terminal will recognise this and not force the PIN to be entered.

It is probably good security, but I have times when senility has set in .....I have forgotten my PIN momentarily and resorted to signature instead

 

[Homer]

It is my understanding that this will apply for Australian issued cards used in Australia, I have been told that if a international card is presented with a chip the terminal will recognise this and not force the PIN to be entered.

I don't know who told you that but I can tell you that for some time now every single overseas credit card presented in my business with a chip has required a PIN. The only overseas cards that don't yet require a PIN seem to come from the US where they are still very mag-stripe centric. But cards from Europe and the UK have all required a PIN for at least a year or so.

 

[ejd711]

This is not exactly the same but I have a pin and chip on my Platinum Edge. My problem is some eftpos machines don't like the chip and make you swipe, and then I seem to always have to sign (doesn't recognise the pin as sufficient to process the transaction). I haven't called Amex yet but it was odd and has happened a few times. I wonder whether this will be an issue when it is pin only.

 

[Plutonus]

This is not exactly the same but I have a pin and chip on my Platinum Edge. My problem is some eftpos machines don't like the chip and make you swipe, and then I seem to always have to sign (doesn't recognise the pin as sufficient to process the transaction). I haven't called Amex yet but it was odd and has happened a few times. I wonder whether this will be an issue when it is pin only.

I wonder the same. I did recall it's something to do with the machines the merchant is using rather than Amex. Caltex is one place it happens all the time to me.

 

[Cynicor]

I wonder the same. I did recall it's something to do with the machines the merchant is using rather than Amex. Caltex is one place it happens all the time to me.

It is old merchant terminals that haven't been updated. Caltex is one of the few remaining places it occurs. Even woollies at the start had issues, and a few IGAs but most places have updated their technology.

 

[coles525]

One of the major shopping centre brands also makes a customer swipe/sign their amex cards......

 

[ejd711]

I wonder the same. I did recall it's something to do with the machines the merchant is using rather than Amex. Caltex is one place it happens all the time to me.

Yep - Caltex is one. Local pharmac_ another.

The Amex equivalent of Paywave or Paypass (contactless) at Woolies and a few other places is great though.

 

[TomVexille]

I wonder the same. I did recall it's something to do with the machines the merchant is using rather than Amex. Caltex is one place it happens all the time to me.

I have issues with the local Caltex down the road, but every other one I've been to the PIN is fine

 

[remedial]

The Amex rep I spoke to about this said my non-chip Amex charge which doesn't expire until 2016 would be automatically force reissued with the same number around July/August so that a chip/pin version would issue.

I had a new card mailed to me a few months ago with a chip for my Gold Charge Card. Different number, which is why I am still using my sticky-taped together broken current card because I can't be bothered updating all my direct debits.

The thing I don't like about Amex and their Pins is the Pin number is stored on the card, not at a central location that requires online verification through the terminal meaning it is easier to steal the pin number, despite the fact it is encrypted (its not that hard for scammers to break the encryption)

If my memory also serves me correctly I don't think you can change your pin once you set it on your card, the card needs to be re-issued. They might have implemented a work-around to fix this but during the early stages of introducing Chip & Pin a few years ago this was the case.

Good and back thing though if you replace a damaged card, Amex will generally process existing direct debits from the old card onto the new account, sometimes even if you replace a card as "lost or stolen" which could be frustrating for people trying to get out of paying their gym fees!

 

[nicky286]

if you card is damaged, they will replace your card and the last 5 number will be different, including expiry date

You still can your old (direct debit)

Pin is NOT stored in the card, they can but not allowed to change the PIN.

They can change it in their Mainframe - database (only done allowed to be done by Team Leader - mainly centurion who lost their cards)

Hope it helps

 

[Homer]

if you card is damaged, they will replace your card and the last 5 number will be different, including expiry date

And a Centurion can even get their old number reissued for a damaged card if they push hard enough.

 

[nicky286]

That is correct like the old saying

they not allowed but they can

 

[lovestotravel]

The thing I don't like about Amex and their Pins is the Pin number is stored on the card, not at a central location that requires online verification through the terminal meaning it is easier to steal the pin number, despite the fact it is encrypted (its not that hard for scammers to break the encryption)

Good and back thing though if you replace a damaged card, Amex will generally process existing direct debits from the old card onto the new account, sometimes even if you replace a card as "lost or stolen" which could be frustrating for people trying to get out of paying their gym fees!

Ah that explains why EFTPOS machines say "Pin Accepted" before it's even communicated with the host!

Yep Amex is annoying if you want to cancel a direct debit by changing cards!