10/10/2005

Chip and PIN reducing card fraud

Chip and PIN cash cards are helping to reduce credit and debit card fraud in the UK, a banking body has reported.

The Association of Payment Clearing Services (Apacs) reported that the cost of counterfeit and lost and stolen card fraud between January and June 2005 was £89.9 million – a drop of nearly a third from £126.6 million during the same period in 2004.

The figures have been announced as the final roll out of the new chip and PIN scheme is almost completed. Apacs has announced that, from February 14 2006, it will become compulsory for cardholders to use their PIN in order to pay by credit and debit card. Currently, retailers can accept a signature from customers if they do not know their PIN number.

Apacs has launched a consumer awareness campaign, in order to ensure that all consumers begin using their PIN before the deadline.

Sandra Quinn, spokesperson for the Chip and PIN programme, said: “The vast majority of people are already successfully using PIN. 97% of transactions on chip and PIN debit cards are already successfully verified by PIN. This announcement is targeted at the minority of consumers who have chip and PIN cards, but are not yet using PIN. There are four months left to ensure they find out, remember and use their PINs. The best way to get ready is to start using PIN now.”

The British Retail Consortium said that the complete switchover to the sole use of PIN numbers should not prove difficult for consumers. Paul Smith, Director of the BRC, said: “Our experience in shops shows that most people have taken to chip and PIN like ducks to water. They find it simple, quick and convenient. Now is the time to encourage those not using PIN to get ready to do so by February 14 next year, so that we can drive even more fraud out of our shops.”

There will be some occasions when cardholders will be able to continue using signatures with their cards after the February 14 deadline. These include: purchases from outlets not yet using chip and PIN technology; purchases on cards not yet upgraded to the new technology; and purchases in countries who are not yet using chip and PIN.

(KMcA/SP)

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