What Is Chip Technology?

Chip technology is an international security standard for in-store purchases and ATM transactions.


Added Security
 

An embedded microchip creates unique transaction data when the card is used at chip-enabled terminals or ATM's.


Same Fraud Protection
 

As always, you're never responsible for unauthorized credit card, debit card, online, or mobile banking transactions on your Discover accounts.

How Can I Get a Chip-Enabled Credit Card or Debit Card?

We're currently sending updated chip-enabled cards to our customers. Please contact Discover at 1-800-347-3085 for information about our credit cards or 1-800-347-7000 for information about our debit card.

Where Can I Use It?

Use your chip-enabled card anywhere merchants are chip-ready and accept Discover. If a merchant isn't chip-ready, you can still swipe it to complete your transaction like you have in the past.

 

Easy to Use


Step 1

Insert the chip end of your card into the terminal.


Step 2

Follow the prompts on the screen.


Step 3

Remove when the terminal says the transaction is complete

 

Additional Tips

 

  • If a retailer doesn't have chip-enabled terminals yet, swipe your card's magnetic stripe.
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  • There are no changes in phone or online transactions. Simply complete your transactions as you do today.
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  • If you are a retailer looking to adopt chip cards, learn more nowhow to adopt chip cards?.
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No, Discover credit and debit chip cards do not have RFID capabilities. The chip card must be inserted or swiped at a terminal to complete a transaction.

Remote scanners cannot read ANY Discover credit or debit card (Including Chip and Mag-Stripe only cards). The data on the chip does not store any additional personal information beyond what is included on the magnetic stripe and is more secure. And as always, you are never responsible for unauthorized purchases, or online or mobile banking transactions on your Discover credit card or debit card.

All cards now issued by Discover will be chip-enabled cards.

Generally, the processing time for a chip card is similar to that of a magnetic stripe card. However, there are a couple of differences with chip cards.

  • First, rather than a customer swiping their card and putting it back in their wallet, the chip card remains in the terminal and the consumer may perceive that the transaction takes longer.
  • Secondly, how an EMV terminal is installed can have some influence on processing times. As the U.S. continues to migrate to chip cards, purchasing processes will be refined to increase speed of checkout.
The chip helps protect against fraud because it creates unique transaction data when the card is used at chip enabled terminals in stores and at chip-enabled ATMs.
A chip-enabled terminal is a point-of-sale terminal equipped to accept chip card payments. As chip technology is adopted in the U.S, these terminals will be available in more merchant locations. These terminals are able to accommodate both chip cards and magnetic stripe-only cards. If you are unsure whether the terminal you are using is chip-enabled, swipe the card's magnetic stripe and follow the on-screen prompts.
Chip technology reduces the risk of fraud as the technology makes it more difficult for your information to be accessed and used by hackers.
Chip technology is a step forward in card security. Chip cards used at chip terminals make it difficult for hackers to use your card information. And as always, you are never responsible for unauthorized purchases, or online or mobile banking transactions on your Discover credit card or debit card.
Remote scanners cannot read your Discover chip credit or debit card. The data on the chip doesn't store any additional personal information beyond what’s included on the magnetic stripe.

Chip and PIN cards can be helpful when a card is lost or stolen, while chip and signature can be helpful in fraud situations. For that reason, many U.S. card issuers and merchants are starting with chip and signature technology for both credit and debit cards. Please see below for more information about how chip and signature and chip and PIN works for your card:

Discover Credit Card

  • Discover credit cards are set up as chip and signature
  • In some cases, depending on the amount of the transactions or the merchant, you may not be prompted to sign all the time
  • A PIN is required at an ATM when requesting a cash advance (same functionality as your magnetic stripe card)

Discover Debit Card

  • The Discover debit card is set up as chip and PIN and chip and signature
  • Depending on whether you select credit or debit at the time of purchase, you may be prompted for a signature or a PIN
  • In some cases, depending on the amount of the transaction or the merchant, you may not be asked for a signature or a PIN
  • A PIN is required at an ATM when withdrawing cash (same functionality as your magnetic stripe debit card)
When in doubt, swipe your card. If the terminal is chip-enabled, it will recognize that your card has a chip and will prompt you to insert it instead.
Everywhere Discover is accepted, whether or not the merchant or ATM has a chip terminal, because your new card also has a magnetic stripe
No, Discover chip cards must be inserted or swiped at terminals in order to submit transaction information.
You will use your card the same way as you always have with online transactions. For auto bill pay with your credit card, your account number will stay the same, however, your expiration date and/or 3 digit security code might change. For auto or online bill pay with your debit card, your debit card number will change along with your expiration date and 3-digit security code found in the signature line on the back of your card. Because of this, you will need to update any automatic payments tied to your old card.

If you have requested a new chip credit or debit card, you'll receive your chip card in the mail in the next 3-10 business days.

Once you receive your chip card you can choose to activate it online, through the mobile app, or over the phone by calling the number found on the back of the card.

Your credit card account number will remain the same; however, your expiration date and 3-digit security code found on the back of your card will change. When you receive your debit chip card, your card number will change along with your expiration date and 3-digit security code found in the signature line on the back of your card.
  • Your credit card can be used wherever Discover is accepted, whether there is a chip-enabled terminal or not. Certain markets may prefer you use chip cards for enhanced security.

    At this time, you can use your debit card to withdraw cash at ATMs and make purchases at participating merchants in Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean wherever you see the Discover®, PULSE®, or Diners Club International® symbols.

If an international merchant requires a PIN, for a Discover credit card transaction, please use your Discover cash PIN. Please note, the transaction will process as merchandise and not as cash advance. For a debit card transaction, use your debit card PIN.