About PIN

Roland

PINwise MERCHANT STAFF TRAINING

From 1 August 2014, Australian chip cards will require a PIN instead of signature to transact at point of sale (POS). As a merchant there are some simple steps you can follow to ensure the PIN requirement does not adversely impact you or your customers. Most importantly this means knowing when PIN is required and following the terminal prompts.   

When is a PIN required?

·        Australian chip cards will require a PIN. This includes Australian debit, credit and reloadable pre-paid cards.

When is a PIN not required?  

·        Contactless transactions under $100

·        Transactions under $35 that do not require PIN or signature today

·        Magneticstripe only cards - cards without a chip

·        Transactions made over the internet and phone.

Who is exempt?

·        Overseascardholders (i.e. cards issued overseas)

·        A small number of Australians will be issued cards that allow them to sign due totheir individual circumstances.  

Starting 1 August, POS terminals across the country will gradually be upgraded to request PIN when an Australian chip card is inserted. This means you simply need to follow the terminal prompts to know when PIN is required and when signature is allowed.

If the terminal reads:

ENTER PIN or OK – Signature is allowed

ENTER PIN – PIN is required

How can you take payment if the cardholder doesnot know their PIN?

1.      Ask the customer if they have another card that they know the PIN for and use that card.

2.      If the terminal and the card are contactless enabled and the transaction is under$100, conduct a contactless transaction for which you will not require a PIN.

3.       Contact your acquirer to ask how you can accept the transaction where the cardholder cannot remember their PIN.

Remember from 1 August 2014, to be PIN wise, follow the terminal prompts!