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See answers to common questions.
Added Security for Your PNC Bank Visa® Card
Chip Card Technology
PNC utilizes chip card technology that will help protect your card from unauthorized use. We’re committed to safeguarding your PNC Bank Visa card.
Have questions?
Dip the Chip or Swipe the Stripe?
As merchants continue to adopt chip-enabled terminals, you’ve probably encountered different payment experiences at the checkout. Some merchants have a chip-enabled terminal while others don’t. Even though some merchants may have a chip-enabled terminal, it may not be activated and ready to accept a chip. If you are not sure if the merchant is set-up to process a chip transaction, you can ask the merchant or simply swipe your card.
Get Big Protection in a Tiny Chip
Whether you checkout using chip technology, or by swiping your card, you can pay with confidence worldwide.
- When you use your card at a chip-enabled terminal, the embedded chip generates a unique transaction code that is shared with the merchant. This makes it difficult to copy the card.
- Your PNC Bank Visa Card comes with PNC security & privacy, 24-hour fraud monitoring and Zero Liability Fraud Protection.[1]
- If your card or card number is ever lost or stolen, your money will be replaced when you notify us promptly of unauthorized use.[1]
It's easy to use your chip card
How to pay using a chip-enabled terminal
Step 1
Insert the chip end of your card into the terminal with the chip facing up.Step 2
Keep your card in the terminal and follow the prompts on screen.Step 3
Remove your card when prompted and take your receipt. You may have to sign for your purchase or enter your PIN if using a debit or SmartAccess® card.
Remember: The chip card still has a magnetic stripe, just in case you need to use it with a traditional terminal.
How to use your card at a chip-enabled ATM
When using your card at a chip-enabled ATM, you may be asked to insert your card a second time into the ATM, or your card may be retained by the machine until the transaction has completed. Don't forget to take your card when you are done.
All PNC Bank ATMs are equipped to take chip-enabled cards. Follow instructions on the ATM screen to complete your transaction.
About chip technology
What is chip technology?
A chip card enhances card security for electronic payments when inserted in the chip card reader (not swiped) of a chip-enabled terminal. The chip generates a unique transaction code which is shared with the merchant. This makes the card difficult to copy.
Will my chip card prevent all fraudulent activity?
No. Your chip card provides an additional layer of security at chip-enabled terminals; however, perpetrators continue to look for new opportunities to commit fraud. PNC will continue to provide 24 hour fraud monitoring and, as always, your PNC Visa debit, credit, and SmartAccess cards come with Zero Liability Fraud Protection.[1]
Using your chip card
Should I swipe my card or insert it into the terminal?
That depends on the merchant. If the merchant has a chip-enabled terminal, you will insert your card into the terminal. Please follow the prompts displayed on the terminal screen to complete your transaction. If the merchant does not have a chip-enabled terminal, you will swipe your card. If you are in doubt, you can ask the merchant or simply swipe your card.
Where can I use my chip card?
You can use your chip card anywhere Visa® cards are accepted – in stores, online, over the phone and at ATMs. Some merchants are already equipped with chip-enabled terminals. If a merchant is not yet chip-enabled, you can continue to swipe your card, as it still contains a magnetic strip.
Can I use my chip card at ATMs?
Yes, however your transaction experience may change depending on the ATM. You may be asked to insert your card a second time into the ATM, or your card may be retained by the machine until the transaction has completed. As ATMs are updated to support chip cards, the transaction experience may change over time. Just follow the instructions on the ATM screen.
How do I use my chip card to complete a transaction?
The transaction process is simple.
- If the merchant has a chip-enabled terminal, simply insert your chip card in the terminal and sign or enter your PIN (for debit or SmartAccess cards) to authorize the transaction.
- If the merchant is not yet equipped with a chip-enabled terminal, just swipe your card and sign your name or enter your PIN (for debit or SmartAccess cards), as usual.
- The process for online and phone transactions does not change. Simply provide the card number and other verification information as you do today.
Do I need a chip card for making purchases and ATM withdrawals overseas?
This depends on where you are traveling. Most countries have converted to using chip cards. Rest assured that your PNC chip cards will be accepted internationally wherever you see the Visa logo. Your card provides enhanced acceptance at retailers that prefer chip cards.
Do I need a PIN to make purchases?
For debit or SmartAccess cards, you can either use your PIN or signature to make your purchase.
For credit card, your card utilizes a chip & signature process, so you would just sign your name as you do today with your existing non-chip card.
What is Chip & Signature vs. Chip & PIN?
The terms "PIN" or "Signature" refers to how a customer authorizes a chip transaction – either by entering a PIN or by providing a signature. When using your PNC chip-enabled card, you'll be prompted for a signature or PIN (for debit and SmartAccess cards) to complete the transaction, just as you are today. The chip helps to make the transaction more secure by encrypting information when completing a transaction at a chip-enabled terminal. You should continue to use your existing credit card PIN for cash advances and your existing debit card or SmartAccess card PIN when completing a PIN based transaction.
I requested "debit" at a chip merchant, but why wasn't I prompted to enter my PIN or given the option of cash back?
You may encounter merchants or terminals that aren't fully enabled to process chip "debit" purchases, but rather only chip "credit" purchases. In this instance, your transaction will be debited from your available balance just like a debit purchase, and you may have to sign for your purchase, if required by the merchant. If you desire cash back, remember that you can always visit any PNC ATM or branch to withdraw funds free of charge.
What do I select if given the choice of "VISA DEBIT" or "US DEBIT" at a chip enabled ATM?
Either option can be selected. Follow the remaining screen prompts to complete your withdrawal.
How do I use my new chip card overseas?
You use your new card overseas the same way as you do here in the United States. When using a PNC Credit Card, after inserting your card into the chip enabled terminal, you will be prompted to sign for the purchase. A PIN will not be required for your PNC credit card purchases. With a PNC Debit or SmartAccess card, after inserting your card in the chip enabled terminal, you will be prompted to either enter your PIN or sign for the purchase. After the transaction is complete, remember to take your card.
Impact on other services and settings
If I have set up recurring transactions with merchants/billers, do I need to provide them with my new card information?
Yes. Once you activate your new card, be sure to contact all merchants/billers and provide them with your new card information. For example, if you instructed your wireless provider to automatically charge your card each month for your wireless bill, you will need to contact your wireless provider and update your card information.
What will happen to my online and mobile transaction history?
Your online and mobile transaction history will remain intact.
I have alerts set up on my exisiting card. What will happen when I get my new card?
You will not need to re-establish alerts for your new card.
However, if you are a debit cardholder who receives a new card number, you will need to re-establish alerts for your new card.
I have enrolled my account in Visa Checkout and/or a mobile wallet (e.g. ApplePay), do I need to do anything else when my chip card arrives?
No, there is nothing that you will need to do. Your new card will continue to work with Visa Checkout and your mobile wallet as it did with your old card.
SmartAccess Prepaid Card
I have text and/or email alerts set up on my SmartAccess card. What will happen when I get my new card?
Because the expiration date and the 3-digit security code on the back of the card are changing, you will need to remove your existing card and add your new card via the PNC SmartAccess Mobile App. No updates are necessary for text and/or email alerts established via the cardholder website.
If I have direct deposit(s) to my existing SmartAccess card, will I need to do anything with respect to these deposits when I receive my new card?
No. Any existing direct deposit(s) to your existing card will be made to your new card, once it is activated.
Business Credit Cards
If my business uses Account View, do I need to re-enroll my new business credit card(s) in Account View?
No, since the 16-digit card numbers are not changing, you will not need to re-enroll your new card(s).
Important Information and Disclosures
Limitations apply. Notify PNC Bank immediately of any unauthorized use. For specific time restrictions, limitations and other details regarding unauthorized use, see your account agreement.
Visa is a registered trademark of Visa International Service Association and used under license.
PNC SmartAccess and SmartAccess are registered trademarks of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.
Bank deposit products and services provided by PNC Bank, National Association. Member FDIC
Read a summary of privacy rights for California residents which outlines the types of information we collect, and how and why we use that information.
