Visa/Mastercard

Hi everyone,

Quick question, do you need to know your visa pin number when in New York or do you sign for purchases? Or does it vary from shop to shop? Can never remember pin numbers!

I take it this works out at the cheapest way to buy clothes etc.

Thanks

Visa/Mastercard

mellowyellow';

hello';

You would sign for all your purchases-stores--hotels--meals--etc....Pin numbers are only needed for cash advances at the banking institution...

Try to remember that pin #----

Regards.

Visa/Mastercard

Pin numbers in shops seems to be a wonderful thing that only the EU uses - personally I hate it and cannot see how it%26#39;s safer than signing anyone could be stood behind you when you%26#39;re paying note your pin number and nick off with your card......it%26#39;s one thing that really irritates me because it%26#39;s not a choice here now if you don%26#39;t know your pin you don%26#39;t get served! Climbing off soap box now.....

Of course if someone nicks your card and it%26#39;s not chip and pin they only have to copy the signature on the back to make purchases. The only advantage of using the signature system is that no-one can use your card at a cashpoint without your pin number.

At a lot of places in New York, you have the option of either entering your pin or signing. (It%26#39;s the whole credit/debit phenomenon.) The only difference being that when you enter your pin, you have the option of getting cash back (instead of going to an ATM). But even lately, at some places paying ';credit'; with a signature gives you that option as well.

You need the PIN # if it is a debit card. If it is a credit card, you just sign.

Make sure to notify your credit card company of your intended travel before you leave. Often their security is so good now they%26#39;ll put a stop on your card if they detect card activity or unusual spending (sure to happen!) in another country.

I have recently returned from travelling in the US and found that the best credit card to use is Nationwide they give you a really good exchange rate and it is accepted in all stores. If you also get a debit card from them you are not charged for withdrawing cash from machines and again you get a really good exchange rate. I believe it is the only card that offers you this free transaction and it saves you having to take vast amounts of $ with you or travellers cheques.

If you have a Visa/MasterCard debit card, you can use it in stores and restaurants with just your signature. This will be a debit card not a credit card purchase (the money will come out of your current account). If you want to use the card to get money from an ATM (which is the best exchange rate as someone already mentioned) you will have to remember your pin.

At the risk of repeating myself....... oh go on then!

We were asked for both PIN and signature when using both credit and debit cards in NY.

On the mention of security, folks from the UK may complain about using their PIN but in the US they have a pad similar to the one we use here, only you sign this one - the clerk never sees your card - so how can they check your signature?

I actually tested this by using hubbys card - the name on his card MR, me (hopefully!) appearing to be female! When they didn%26#39;t question this in one particular shop, I then tried again - using hubbys card but instead of signing one of our names, I signed M. Mouse.

Still worked!

i was never asked for my pin number and people kept wondering off with my credit card!! it all seems a little bit lax over there but dont worry nothing happened to it, pin numbers.......... some days i cant remeber my name!!/ or is that just my age....... which im not prepared to tell!!

streamreader