19/05/2003

Card fraud pilot scheme begins

A new fraud-busting pilot scheme got under way in Northampton today that will see the end of signatures as a method for transacting credit card business.

As part of the Chip and PIN Programme, retailers in the town have received new technology over the past few weeks that allow customers to type in a four-digit PIN rather than simply sign a receipt. Microchip technology has also been installed on the debit/credit card which more securely stores personal data more than the current magnetic stripe – so it is much harder to counterfeit.

Shops, pubs and hotels, restaurants, supermarkets and garages across the town are beginning to trial the system and, in coming weeks, a total of 150,000 people in Northampton – more than half the adult population – will be sent new cards from their banks.

Spokesperson for the Chip and PIN Programme, Sandra Quinn, said: “It’s really exciting to see the first chip and PIN transactions take place. We’re learning valuable lessons in Northampton for the national roll out which will tackle UK card fraud head-on, on an unprecedented scale.”

The trial will continue throughout June and July and it is then expected to be rolled out across the UK. Over the next 18 months, more than 850,000 retailer terminals, 120 million cards and 40,000 cash machines will be upgraded as the scheme progresses.

Safeway store manager Graham Pye said: "The introduction of chip and PIN in our store has gone really smoothly. Our customers seem to be quite comfortable with entering a PIN instead of signing their names and people are certainly keen that it foils the fraudsters.”

The Chip and PIN Programme is backed by banks, card companies, building societies and retailers, coordinated by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and the Association for Payment Clearing Services (APACS). They have joined forces to combat the serious problem of card fraud in the UK.

Chip and PIN is a more secure way for the UK's 40 million consumers to use their credit, debit and charge cards. Most UK cardholders will be using it by 2005.

(GMcG)

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