# Chip and Pin credit card used in the US - what happens? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 16, 2019, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chip-and-pin-credit-card-used-in-the-us-what-happens/832642 "2019-04-16T20:27:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2019, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chip-and-pin-credit-card-used-in-the-us-what-happens/832642/21 "2019-04-17T22:24:18Z")
> [@icbm](#): > > I have the same problem with pay before pump as a Canadian, but I just found this. It may not work with UK postcodes but I’m going to give it a try it next time I’m in the US. > > [Mastercard Travel Tip | Pay at Pump](https://www.mastercard.ca/en-ca/consumers/features-benefits/travel-tips/mastercard-pay-at-pump.html) I’ve used it and it works. But it is something the Canadian banks do. When asked the ZIP code check they compute as described in the link and verify it. It also works to fill a NY City Metro Card which requires a ZIP (although you can also pay cash at a kiosk, if there is one open). Unless the British bank has made a similar arrangement, it will likely not work for Brits. Or for residents of other countries. ---
**Author:** ![sisu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@sisu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sisu)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2019, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chip-and-pin-credit-card-used-in-the-us-what-happens/832642/22 "2019-04-18T00:34:19Z")
> [@Balthisar](#): > > My two Chase cards aren’t embossed at all. In Australia we mainly use contactless chip and require a pin if over $100, works great and yes my card is also non embossed. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2019, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chip-and-pin-credit-card-used-in-the-us-what-happens/832642/23 "2019-04-18T01:18:54Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > This drove me crazy. If I lose my wallet, my zip code would be right there on my driver’s license! True enough, but the main reason they ask for it is to (theoretically) prevent fraud from spoofed cards. I say “theoretically” because my card was compromised a month or two ago, and several gasoline purchases were made in New Jersey. Maybe the thief put “90210”! ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2019, 8:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chip-and-pin-credit-card-used-in-the-us-what-happens/832642/24 "2019-04-18T08:56:47Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > This drove me crazy. If I lose my wallet, my zip code would be right there on my driver’s license! Why is your license in your wallet? I keep mine separate. Something I’ve not seen mentioned thus far is that here in the UK if chip and pin is not used, liability for any fraud is on the retailer; if chip and pin is used, liability for fraud is on the card provider. How does that work in America? ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2019, 9:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chip-and-pin-credit-card-used-in-the-us-what-happens/832642/25 "2019-04-18T09:25:34Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > Why is your license in your wallet? I keep mine separate. Unlike in the UK, we’re legally obligated to possess the actual document at all times when driving, though actually being cited is a sign that the cop was in a very grouchy mood. And depending on your usual habits (buying alcohol etc.), going around without ID can be an annoyance. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2019, 9:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chip-and-pin-credit-card-used-in-the-us-what-happens/832642/26 "2019-04-18T09:54:33Z")
> [@Lord\_Feldon](#): > > Unlike in the UK, we’re legally obligated to possess the actual document at all times when driving, Indeed, but why keep it in your wallet? I too keep my driving license on me, but separate, not in my wallet. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2019, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chip-and-pin-credit-card-used-in-the-us-what-happens/832642/27 "2019-04-18T14:12:13Z")
> [@ethelbert](#): > > For a while now in the US the major credit card companies no longer require a signature. Some places still ask for it, but I suspect they simply haven’t changed their procedures. As of three years ago\* the card associations _did_ require a sig but merchants could opt out under a certain amount (typically $25) if they wished. If it turned out the card was no longer valid, the merchant would eat the charge. It started with fast food places where speed is of the essence and presumably not many people presented a bad card but it has spread to others as well. > [@Balthisar](#): > > My two Chase cards aren’t embossed at all. My credit union debit card is no longer embossed. Made it really quick when I had to get it replaced – the teller disappeared in the back for a couple minutes and came back with the new card instead of my having to get it in the mail. My bank credit and debit cards are expiring this fall. It’ll be interesting to see if they’re still embossed or not. \*I retired and things may have changed since then. ---
**Author:** ![md2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@md2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md2000)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2019, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chip-and-pin-credit-card-used-in-the-us-what-happens/832642/28 "2019-04-18T14:28:59Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > True enough, but the main reason they ask for it is to (theoretically) prevent fraud from spoofed cards. > > I say “theoretically” because my card was compromised a month or two ago, and several gasoline purchases were made in New Jersey. Maybe the thief put “90210”! But with chip, it’s pretty hard to spoof the card. Presumably they made a copy of the magstripe, an the card was swiped. As I said, 00000 has worked fine too for me for over a decade. I don’t think foreign banks validate the credit card zip code at all. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2019, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chip-and-pin-credit-card-used-in-the-us-what-happens/832642/29 "2019-04-24T02:11:49Z")
> [@md2000](#): > > But with chip, it’s pretty hard to spoof the card. Presumably they made a copy of the magstripe, an the card was swiped. … Yep. There are still places that don’t have a chip-enabled reader. I forget where it was but I encountered one such fairly recently. I’d bet the restaurant didn’t have one, I’d bet the parking meter and vending machine didn’t either. The gas stations are a puzzlement. My understanding is that now, if a business doesn’t have a chip-enabled reader, it is liable for any fraudulent charges. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chip-and-pin-credit-card-used-in-the-us-what-happens/832642.md?page=1)