3m Struggle with Chip and PIN
The National Consumer Council warns that up to 3m people struggle to use Chip and PIN
30th January 2006
The National Consumer Council (NCC) has warned that up to 3 million cardholders, mainly elderly and disabled people, find it difficult to use Chip and Pin technology, either because they have trouble remembering their pin number or find it difficultto key in properly.
Currently, holders of chip and pin cards can still verify their identity by signing the credit card receipt, but this option is to be removed from 14th February when all transactions must use the pin method if the card supports it.
The NCC says that banks should be doing more to inform their 'vulnerable' customers that alternatives to chip and pin are available for those who need it, with deputy director of policy Claire Whyley commenting:
"We are really disappointed that banks haven't taken their responsibilitiesto vulnerable customers more seriously. Three million people could find themselves high and dry at the checkout."
Apacs, the body who represent the banking and credit card industries, acknowledged that some disabled card users may find chip and pin cards more difficult to use, and that signature-only cards were available on request, but pointed out that their research had shown that most visually impaired or otherwise disabled cardholders found chip and pin no more difficult than the old system.
Read More: BBC: Three million facing card hurdle
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