Debit Chip Card FAQ

About Chip Cards

What is a chip card?

A chip card is a debit card that contains an embedded microchip. The chip encrypts information to increase data security when making transactions at a chip-enabled terminal. All cards will continue to include the magnetic strip, so you can still use your card at ATMs and merchant terminals that aren’t chip-enabled.

What is an EMV card?

You may hear chip cards referred to as “EMV cards” – different ways of referring to the same type of card. Similarly, an EMV terminal is the same as a chip-enabled terminal. EMV stands for Europay, Mastercard, Visa, the three companies that originally created the standard of chip technology.

Are chip cards secure?

Yes. Chip technology has been around for over two decades and is already the security standard in many countries around the world. When purchases are made using the chip feature at chip-enabled terminals, the transaction is more secure because of a unique process that is used to determine if the card is authentic. This makes the card more difficult to counterfeit or copy.

While magnetic strip cards are still considered secure, chip technology is the next step to providing enhanced security to our customers. Whether you use the magnetic strip or the chip to make your purchase, you can have confidence in the protection and security features we provide for all debit card accounts.

Remember, if you notice any suspicious activity on your account, notify us immediately at 307.352.0485 or after hours by calling the number on the back of your card.

What information is stored in the chip?

The chip contains information used to process your transactions at a merchant terminal or ATM. No personal information is stored on the chip.

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. RSNB Bank will continue to provide 24-hour fraud monitoring.

Using your chip card

How does a chip card work?

It's easy. If the merchant has a chip-enabled terminal, simply insert your chip card face up in the terminal. The chip card will remain in the terminal while the transaction is processed. To authorize your transaction, just follow the prompts as you do today.

You'll be prompted to enter your PIN or to provide a signature as you normally would to verify the transaction. You may not be asked for a PIN when travelling internationally. Your card is available to be removed from the terminal once the transaction is completed.

If the merchant is not equipped to read the chip card, just swipe as you do today. For transactions made over the phone or online, nothing changes. Simply provide your card information and complete the transaction.

Are there any situations where my chip card may not work when inserted into the chip terminal?

Yes, during this transition, you may encounter the following situations:

• The chip terminal is installed, but not turned on.Some merchants are not yet allowing any chip cards to be inserted. This will occur frequently in the short-term while terminals are becoming chip-enabled. If you insert your chip debit card and nothing happens, please swipe your card to complete your transaction.
• The chip terminal is turned on for chip credit cards only.Some merchants are only allowing chip credit cards to be inserted and plan to allow chip debit cards at a later date. If you insert your chip debit card and nothing happens, please swipe your card and complete your transaction. This does not mean there is anything wrong with the chip on your card.

You may always choose to swipe your card first, and if the merchant accepts chip debit cards, you’ll be instructed to insert your card into the terminal.

Can I use my chip card at ATMs?

Yes, your card will work at both a chip-enabled ATM and at ATMs where only magnetic stripe transactions are accepted. 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.

Now that I have a chip card, do I need to notify the bank before I travel internationally?

We block most international transactions on debit cards. If you plan to travel outside the US or conduct international transactions, contact a Personal Banker to temporarily unblock your card.

What should I do if I’m not able to select either ‘debit’ or ‘credit’ to verify my transactions, or request cash back when using a chip card?

Once you insert your chip debit card in to the terminal, you’ll be prompted to either enter your PIN (debit) or provide your signature (credit) to verify your transaction. Both ways are secure and help protect you from counterfeit fraud. The transaction is processed the same way and funds are taken directly from your checking account. If the merchant won’t allow you to enter your PIN (debit), you will not be able to request cash back.