What is chip technology?
Chip technology is the global standard for debit card and credit card payments. The technology features embedded microprocessor chips that protect the cardholder’s data.
How does chip technology work?
Chip technology is an evolution in our payment system that will help increase card security and reduce fraud when a chip card is used at merchants that are able to process chip transactions as opposed to using the magnetic strip on the back of the card. The microprocessor chip changes one of the values every time in the information sent for processing a transaction. That way if the transaction were intercepted by someone trying to steal the information it would be useless going forward.
Debit chip cards
New card. Chip technology. Added security.
Citizens debit cards have the latest chip card technology which provides you with enhanced security when used at merchants who accept chip cards both here and abroad!
Easy to use:
- Insert your card (face up) into the merchant’s chip card reader.
- Follow the prompts. Sign or enter your PIN, if asked, and keep your card in the merchant card reader until the transaction is complete.
- Remove your card when prompted.
For phone or online purchases, complete your purchases just as you’ve always done before. Your card will continue to work at merchants who are not able to accept chip cards. For those merchants, you can swipe your card using the magnetic stripe on the back of your card.
Credit chip cards
Citizens credit cards have the latest chip card technology which provides you with enhanced security when used at merchants who accept chip cards both here and abroad!
Easy to use:
- Instead of swiping your card, simply insert it face up into the merchant's chip card reader.
- Keep your card in the merchant card reader as you follow the prompts. Continue until the transaction is complete.
- Remove your card when prompted.
For phone or online purchases, complete your purchases just as you’ve always done before. Your card will continue to work at merchants who are not able to accept chip cards. For those merchants, you can swipe your card using the magnetic stripe on the back of your card.
Learn more about this topic
Citizens chip cards provide greater protection against fraud. Chip cards are becoming the security standard in the U.S. Chip technology is already used in over 130 countries around the world, including Canada, Mexico, South America, Europe, and Asia, so you’ll enjoy greater protection when making purchases at home or when travelling internationally.
Chip technology is the global standard for debit card and credit card payments. A chip card contains an embedded microchip as well as the magnetic stripe. The chip encrypts information to help increase data security when making transactions at chip-enabled terminals.
Chip-enabled cards provide greater fraud protection. Every time you make purchases at a chip-activated terminal, a unique transaction code is generated. This prevents stolen data from being fraudulently used. In addition to the embedded chips, Citizens cards also have a magnetic stripe on the back. That way you can continue to make purchases by swiping your card and signing a receipt. While magnetic stripe cards are considered secure, chip technology is the next step to providing enhanced security to our customers.
If you are an existing Citizens cardholder, there is no need to request a card. You’ll automatically receive a chip-enabled card when your current card expires or needs to be reissued. If you wish to receive a chip card sooner, please call 1-800-922-9999.
You can use your card at all the same locations that you do today.
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Credit cards are issued by Citizens Bank, N.A.