Debit Or Credit Cards.

[padi56]

I have a deep secret. I have a strong fetish, for the smell of freshly cut pine timber,perhaps I am going kinky in my mature age.


Yesterday morning I took my regular constitutional to the local Wickes for a browse around the timber section. I decided to do more than a bit of foraging and purchased a pack of timber, with the intention of making something with it when I got home.

I got to the till and when asked to enter my PIN for my card, I pressed the wrong button. Yes,what a silly bugger. I pressed the red 'cancel' button after doing this, and the attractive young lady (not as attractive as the wood mind you, cue salivating like a rabid dog) behind the till asked if I could sign for it instead. Of course I can sign for it, but what is the point in having all this Chip & PIN b@ll@cks if they are not going to use it properly?

A number of places round my area, have a number of different policies. This gets right up my nose. These are something like:

1. Certainly Sir, you can ignore this new Chip & PIN technology that has specifically been installed to prevent card fraud and simply make any sort of bloody doodle you think appropriate, on this receipt which will in turn be ignored by everyone in this establishment.

2. Since we had Chip & PIN installed you MUST provide your PIN, otherwise we will be unable to authorise this sale.

3. What is Chip & PIN? (applicable to the places that have not yet had the equipment installed, despite the fact that this Government promised that it would be compulsory to use Chip & PIN for all purchases from 1st January 2005)The whole idea of Chip & Pin is to prevent fraud and has now been stated, if a retailer allows you to sign for the transaction then they bear the loss.

As the system is now I think this chip and pin stuff is a load of old ars#! IMHO signing could be made much more secure. How many older people do you think there are, that have their pin number written on a piece of paper next to their card, or worse ON THE BLOODY CARD!!

Also its not exactly the most inconspicuous method of authorisation is it?? It doesn't take a secret agent with a 100x zoom lens to see what the poor bugger in front of you is typing. What in gods name was the designer thinking?? "I know I'll put some little 2 inch sides on, and no one will be able to see what you type!".OH YES YOU BLOODY CAN

This new chip and pin system as it is now, will increased violent crimes because it allows thieves to watch people, enter their pin number, then steal their wallet/purse outside the shop; now they have the pin number they can use the card where ever they like (without question) and withdraw cash before the card is stopped.

I also feel its a complete scam when it comes to credit card companies, Most people with (credit cards only), do not even want to know their bloody pin number, because it means they cant withdraw cash, at an extortionate rate when they feel desperate..

Well if they manage to ever get the system working uniformly across the country I think it may be a good idea.A much better designed place to key in your pin without being seen.It may be be better than signing for it. After all anybody can forge a signature, and part time shop assistants, on £4 an hour aren't exactly known for their vigilance against forgery.

[AJC]

Hey Peter,

They recently had a news show here in Oz do a story on signatures for card purchases.It turned out that about 5% of sales people checked the signature against the card.

The test shopper was signing,"I am god" or "help I've been kidnapped" or "I'am not going to pay for this".Not one person checked.

At least some of the card companies allow you to choose your own pin number.

Aaron

[Gedanken]

Originally Posted by AJC

They recently had a news show here in Oz do a story on signatures for card purchases.It turned out that about 5% of sales people checked the signature against the card.

The test shopper was signing,"I am god" or "help I've been kidnapped" or "I'am not going to pay for this".Not one person checked.

Yeah, I saw that one - I think it was on either "A Current Affair" or "Today Tonight" - pissed myself laughing at that one.

[padi56]

yes I would agree with you Aaron,but the system we have in the UK
its quite easy to see what number pin you are typing in.Yes most shop
assistants in the UK never look at signature.

[JJ Irani]

Now you know why I hate credit cards? Cash only, baby.....always gets those cleavages drooping and drooling!!!

[padi56]

Debit cards are just as good as cash in the UK JJ.