The Chip Card

When I was a kid I used to practice my signature, so that when I got my first credit card, I would be ready to spend immediately. (and I did…thank you VISA…)

But signing your life away to the credit card companies is about to become a thing of the past. You won’t sign for purchases anymore, because you’ll have the Chip Card. By 2011, your credit and debit cards will be replaced with a similar looking plastic card, except it will have a microchip on the front. That’s where your (encrypted) information is stored.

Asia and Europe are already using chip cards, and Canada is starting to roll them out this month. The purpose is to reduce fraud. Instead of using a signature, you’ll use a PIN number.

On Friday we’ll be interviewing Tracey Black. Tracy is leading the chip card trial taking place in Kitchener-Waterloo right now. She can answer all your questions about how the cards work.

If you have a question for Tracey, post it below and we’ll ask her. You can read up on chip cards by clicking here.