Signature Cards
See answers to common
Chip and Signature card questions.
Protect your PNC Bank Visa® Card Information
Chip Card Technology
Signature Cards
PIN Cards
See answers to common
Chip and PIN card questions.
Get Big Protection in a Tiny Chip
PNC offers 2 Chip Card options for commercial cards:
- Chips and Signature cards require a signature to authenticate the cardholder for purchases much like cards with magnetic strips.
- Chip and PIN cards require a 4 digit number to authenticate each transaction. These cards provide an additional level of security and may increase acceptance for international travelers in countries which have adopted a preference for PIN transactions or that may have unattended kiosks.
Both types of chip card also have a magnetic stripe and can be used at non-chip-enabled terminals.
Chip Cards offer a number of benefits to your cardholders:
- Stronger fraud protection: Counterfeit fraud occurs when a duplicate card is created using data taken from the magnetic stripe of a genuine card. The data stored on the embedded chip in a chip card is encrypted and a unique decryption key is generated with each transaction. It is nearly impossible to clone the chip on the card.
- Increased acceptance: Most countries outside the U.S. have already adopted chip technology. Chip terminals at the point of sale are standard and many merchants require a chip card when processing purchases. As the U.S. becomes chip capable, merchants may require chip cards for credit card transactions.
Using your PNC Chip Card is Easy
How to pay using a card reader
Step 1
Insert the chip end of your card into the terminalwith the chip facing up.
Step 2
Keep your card in the terminal and follow the prompts on screen. Cards equipped with PIN verification may be prompted for a PIN number.Step 3
Remove your card when prompted and take your receipt. You may have to sign for your purchase.
Remember: The chip card still has a magnetic stripe, in case you need to use it at non-chip-enabled terminals.
Chip Card Technology Overview
About EMV Chip Technology
EMV chip technology is a term that is often used to describe the microprocessor chip embedded on the face of a credit or debit card, or within a mobile phone. Named for its founders, Europay, MasterCard and Visa, EMV refers to industry specifications, managed by the member organizations of EMVco, which facilitate global operability and acceptance of secure payment transactions. Payment cards equipped with an EMV chip provide an increased level of security when used at a chip enabled payment device. EMV chip cards are also known as Chip and Signature, Chip and PIN or smart cards.
Although magnetic stripe, signature-based transactions continue to be the most common type of transaction in the United States today, other countries have been using chip technology for many years. EMVco is encouraging merchants and credit card issuers to migrate to EMV chip technology for payment processing. PNC Commercial Card Services has been offering chip cards since 2011 and will begin to issue chip cards as our standard in 2015. Throughout 2015 many merchants in the United States will begin to adopt EMV chip technology at their point-of-sale terminals.
Fraud Liability Shift
The major card associations have announced an upcoming shift in fraud liability beginning October 1, 2015 with the goal of driving adoption of chip technology. Issuers will be liable for counterfeit card transactions which occur at chip-enabled POS terminals with a card that does not have an EMV chip; similarly merchant processors will be liable for counterfeit card transactions which occur with a chip card at payment terminals that do not support EMV chip transactions.
What is a Chip and Signature Card?
A chip card or “smart card” is a credit card that has a microchip embedded on the front of the plastic. The chip is encrypted and provides stronger security and protection against fraud. A chip card also has a magnetic stripe on the back of the card.
About Your Chip and Signature Card
Why did you send me a new chip card?
Although magnetic stripe cards continue to be the most common type of card in the United States, many other countries, especially in Europe, are switching to chip cards. Replacing your magnetic stripe card with a chip card is one way we can help simplify your purchase experience when you’re traveling outside the United States.
What are the benefits of my new chip card?
The embedded microchip makes the card extremely difficult to copy, which enhances security if it is lost or stolen and makes a card more difficult to counterfeit. Chip cards securely store information and process data safely and efficiently.
What does a chip card look like?
Many features of a chip card are the same as a magnetic stripe card. Both cards are embossed on the front with the card number, cardholder name and expiration date and provide the three-digit security code on the back of the card. The key difference is the silver colored embedded chip on the front left side of the card.
I’ve never heard of a chip terminal before. Is this something new?
Around the world, chip technology has been used for many years to help protect cardholders from fraudulent activity. Today, the United States has very few chip-enabled terminals. Merchants in the U.S. are beginning to introduce chip terminals and over time chip-enabled merchant terminals will become more prevalent across the country.
Are there any additional fees on chip cards?
No additional fees apply to your new chip card.
Are chip cards safer to use than magnetic stripe cards?
Chip cards provide a higher level of security than magnetic stripe cards because the encrypted chip uses measures that create a complex level of security making a chip card difficult to copy or counterfeit.
Is PNC discontinuing magnetic stripes on cards?
The magnetic stripe will continue to be on the back of your Chip card so that your transactions can continue to be processed as signature transactions at merchant locations not yet equipped with new chip payment technology.
Can i still use my chip card at an ATM?
Yes. You can continue to use your existing PIN for ATM transactions if your company permits cash access.
Is this chip card the same as a chip-and-PIN card?
All chip cards have an embedded microchip which makes the chip extremely difficult to copy. The chip enhances security if a card is lost or stolen. Chip cards securely store information and process data safely and efficiently. This chip card does not require you to remember a PIN number to successfully process your chip card transactions.
PNC does offer chip-and-PIN cards. If you believe you need a chip-and-PIN card, contact your program administrator
Do chips cards get damaged?
Your chip card is just as durable as your previous magnetic stripe card. Just as magnetic stripe cards get damaged with use and wear, your chip card may get damaged over time. If your chip card is not working properly contact the customer service number on the back of your card or your program administrator for a replacement card.
Traveling Internationally
Now that I have a chip card, should I continue to notify you before I travel internationally?
Yes, advance notification for international travel will help to ensure legitimate purchases are approved.
What is a Chip and PIN Card?
A chip and PIN card is a credit card that includes microchip technology and a personal identification number (PIN) to securely verify a cardholder during a transaction. The embedded microchip is encrypted, and the cardholder must enter his/her PIN for each transaction processed through a chip payment terminal requiring a PIN.
The PIN will take the place of a signature at merchant locations providing chip/PIN payment terminals. A chip and PIN card also has a magnetic stripe on the back of the card so your transactions can continue to be processed as signature transactions at merchant locations not yet equipped with new chip payment technology.
About Your Chip and PIN Card
Why did you send me a new chip and PIN card?
Although signature-based transactions continue to be the most common type of transaction in the United States, many other countries are switching to chip and PIN cards. Upgrading your magnetic stripe card with the new chip and PIN card technology is one way we can help enhance your purchase experience when you are transacting with chip-enabled merchants.
What are the benefits of my new chip and PIN card?
Chip and PIN cards are more consistently accepted at unattended kiosks, such as at train stations or gas pumps that will only accept a PIN to validate a transaction.
The embedded microchip in the card helps protect you from fraudulent activity because the microchip is extremely difficult to copy, and the PIN validation requirement enhances the security of the card if it is lost or stolen.
What does a chip and PIN card look like?
Many features of a chip and PIN card are the same as a magnetic stripe card. Both cards are embossed on the front with the card number, cardholder name and expiration date, and provide the three-digit security code on the back of the card. The key difference is the silver-colored embedded chip on the front left side of the card.
I’ve never heard of a chip terminal before. Is this something new?
Around the world, chip technology has been used for many years to help protect cardholders from fraudulent activity. Today, the United States has very few chip-enabled terminals. Merchants in the U.S. are beginning to introduce chip terminals, and, over time,chip-enabled merchant terminals will become more prevalent across the country.
Are there any additional fees on chip and PIN cards?
No additional fees apply to your new chip and PIN card.
Are chip and PIN cards safer to use than magnetic stripe cards?
Chip cards provide a higher level of security than magnetic stripe cards because the encrypted chip uses measures that create a complex level of security that make a chip card difficult to copy or counterfeit.
Is PNC discontinuing magnetic stripes on cards?
The magnetic stripe will continue to be on the back of your chip and PIN card, so your transactions can continue to be processed as signature transactions at merchant locations that have not yet been equipped with new chip payment technology.
Do chip cards get damaged?
Your chip card is just as durable as your previous magnetic stripe card. Just as magnetic stripe cards get damaged with use and wear, your chip card may get damaged over time. If your chip card is not working properly, contact the customer service number on the back of your card or your program administrator for a replacement card.
About Your PIN
How will I know what my PIN is?
If you already have a PIN for cash withdrawals, your PIN will remain the same. If you do not currently have a PIN, you will receive an automatically generated PIN in a separate mailing. It will be important to memorize the PIN for your chip card.
Will the PIN I use for making purchases be the same PIN I use for cash withdrawals?
Each new chip and PIN card will have one PIN that can be used for purchases and allowable cash withdrawals. If your company does not allow cash withdrawals, then cash access will be blocked from usage on the chip card.
Will I always have to use a PIN when transacting with my new card?
Depending on the setup of the merchant that you are transacting with, you may not be prompted for a PIN with every transaction. Even merchants that have chip readers may not require a PIN. Follow the prompts on the screen of the terminal to complete your transaction.
What happens if I enter my PIN incorrectly?
If you enter your PIN incorrectly three times, your PIN will become blocked. This security measure is put in place to keep fraudsters from trying to guess your PIN should the chip card become lost or stolen.
If you remember your PIN after it has been blocked, you may contact customer service at 1-800-685-4039. You will be asked to enter your account number and answer several security questions. Select 0 from the menu to be connected with an operator who will assist you in unblocking your PIN. Once your PIN is unblocked, you may then continue to use your card normally.
If you do not remember your PIN, see the answers to the next question.
What if I forget my PIN or want to change my PIN?
If you do not remember or want to change your PIN, contact customer service (1-800-685-4039) and choose option 3 from the menu to select a new PIN. You will be required to answer security questions about your card account prior to selecting a new PIN. Complete the remaining prompts to select a new PIN for your chip and PIN card. This new PIN will be applicable for both cash withdrawals and chip card purchases.
When you next use your card at a chip and PIN terminal, you may receive an invalid PIN response several times while your new PIN syncs to the chip on the card. If you receive an invalid PIN response, continue to enter your newly selected PIN at the prompt until your transaction processes. If your transaction is declined, or if you receive a blocked PIN response, you should contact customer service and select 0 from the menu to speak to an operator.
Traveling Internationally
Now that I have a chip and PIN card, should I continue to notify you before I travel internationally?
Yes, advance notification will help to ensure that legitimate purchases are approved.
How else should I prepare when traveling internationally?
Make sure to memorize your PIN prior to traveling. If you forget your PIN and you would like to keep your existing PIN, contact customer service (1-800-685-4039) and select 0 from the menu to be connected with an operator who will assist you by sending your PIN in the mail. It may take 5–7 business days for a new PIN to be mailed to you. If you need your PIN immediately, contact customer service and select 3 from the menu to change your PIN.
FAQs - For Program Administrators
Transition to new cards for your employees
When will my employees receive their new chip cards?
Beginning in the spring of 2015, all new cards issued will be chip cards. If your employees are carrying PNC’s standard Visa Corporate Card, their card is likely already a chip card. Most PNC Visa Purchasing and Commercial cards are currently traditional magnetic strip cards. Starting in the summer of 2015, PNC will begin sending chip cards to replace any remaining magnetic stripe cards.
Will my employees get a new account number with their new chip card?
In most instances, chip replacement cards will have the same account number as the old magnetic stripe card. The new card will have a new expiration date and will need to be activated upon receipt.
Will my cardholders have to remember a PIN to use their new chip card?
As our standard, PNC will be issuing a chip card which requires a signature for verification, rather than a PIN. This will provide an easier transition for you and your employees. However, chip cards with PIN verification (“chip and PIN” cards) are available. If your company prefers to have a PIN number for verification, for some or all employees send an email to commercialchipcard@pnc.com.
Contact Us
For More Information
PNC’s cardholder customer service is available to assist with your card-related questions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The phone number for customer service is 1-800-685-4039 for calls made within the U.S. For calls from outside the U.S., the phone number is 1-706-644-3224. These phone numbers are also listed on the back of your PNC card.
For additional questions about your new card, please contact your Program Administrator.
Important Information & Disclosures
PNC is a registered mark of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (“PNC”).
EMV is a registered trademark in the U.S. and other countries, and is an unregistered trademark in other countries, owned by EMVCo.
Bank deposit, treasury management and lending products and services are provided by PNC Bank, National Association, a wholly-owned subsidiary of PNC and Member FDIC.
Lending and leasing products and services, including card services and merchant services, as well as certain other banking products and services, may require credit approval.
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