Chip card overview

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.

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.

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!

• 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.

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!

• 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.