What is Chip and PIN?

Payment card fraud is a serious issue, currently costing the UK over £1 million a year.  With Chip and PIN, you can feel secure in the knowledge that it's a lot less likely to happen to you.

This is the new way of shopping, paying bills and withdrawing cash. It's designed with clever Chip technology but you'll be glad to know that it's easy as pie to use.

Instead of signing a till receipt, you enter a four-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN) into a special key pad, in the same way as you would at a cash machine.  The PIN authorises the transaction.

Some shops and restaurants still use the old signature method, but eventually this will be replaced by Chip and PIN.

Why is Chip and PIN safer?

Whereas a signature can be forged, Chip and PIN technology is extremely difficult for criminals to crack.

There's just one thing to remember- you must memorize your PIN.

I've got another question...

Check through our frequently asked questions.

If you don't find the answer here, call our PIN helpline on 0844 811 9011 (call charges info).

We may monitor or record calls to make sure we're doing things properly.