What information does the chip contain?
How do I know if I have a Chip card?
What are the benefits of a chip credit card?
How does credit card chip security work?
How does the chip provide additional security and help to prevent fraud?
How do I use my chip credit card?
Where do I find a chip terminal?
What about using my chip card online?
What do I do when I get my new chip credit card?
What should I do if I do not know my PIN?
Do I have to use a PIN to make chip credit card purchases or can I still sign for authorisation?
Will my chip credit card work in an ATM?
I have changed my PIN does this mean I will have to do it again?
What if my chosen PIN doesn't work?
Can I use my chip credit card overseas?
I am travelling overseas. Can I use a non-chip credit card in other countries?
Is there a change to how I use my chip credit card overseas?
Are other countries planning to use chip credit cards?
Why do chip cards still retain the magnetic stripe?
Can I continue to use my magnetic stripe card?
How does a chip credit card differ from a card with just a magnetic stripe?
Does the introduction of chip credit cards mean that the magnetic stripe is not secure?
What is a chip and what does it do?
A chip credit card has an embedded security microchip. Your card has all the same benefits as a magnetic stripe credit card but with one major difference. The secure chip provides greater security because it is more difficult to fraudulently copy the details of your card.
However, there are still a large number of magnetic stripe only terminals in the world. So to ensure you can transact anywhere you go, your chip card also comes with a magnetic stripe.
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What information does the chip contain?
The chip securely stores the data previously held on the magnetic stripe on the back of your card (eg. cardholder name, card number and expiry date). This data is stored in a secure format within the chip. The chip does not hold any personal information about you or any additional cardholders.
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How do I know if I have a Chip card?
You will be able to see the chip on your card - a small metallic square on the left-hand side of your card above your card number. You will receive a Bankwest chip credit card brochure with your new Bankwest chip credit card which explains the additional features of your card.
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What are the benefits of a chip credit card?
A credit card with a security chip is more secure than one with just the magnetic stripe on the back of the card, as the security chip makes it more difficult to fraudulently copy the credit card details.
Chip technology is fast becoming the global standard for credit card security and is a more effective counter-measure against counterfeit and skimming fraud. In Europe and Asia, it is already being widely used and has proven to be effective in preventing fraud.
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How does credit card chip security work?
Chip credit cards are embedded with a microchip. This enhances the security of credit card transactions and helps protect your credit card from fraudulent usage. The chip contains security data and software that ensures every transaction you make is extensively authenticated.
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How does the chip provide additional security and help to prevent fraud?
Chip credit cards store encrypted information, which significantly helps to protect the card against counterfeit fraud. A chip transaction generates a unique transaction code and because each transaction generates a different ID, this makes the counterfeit production of the card more difficult. It does not use any additional personal data.
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Chip represents the highest level of security currently available to protect payment information and prevent fraud. Chip cards employ a range of security features and measures that work together to protect your card.
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Using a chip credit card
How do I use my chip credit card?
In Australia, payment terminals are being progressively upgraded to support chip processing. As more retailers update their terminals to the new chip terminals, there will be slight changes to the way the process works.
At a chip terminal:
- Your chip credit card will be inserted into the card reader on the terminal,
- The card will need to remain in the terminal while the transaction takes place,
- You can either enter your PIN or sign to authorise the transaction,
- Once the transaction has been accepted, your card will be returned to you with a receipt.
Follow the prompts on the terminal and the merchant will guide you through this process
At a magnetic stripe terminal:
- Use your chip credit card just like you use your magnetic stripe card. Swipe it at the terminal and sign or enter your PIN.
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Where do I find a chip terminal?
In Australia, payment terminals are being progressively upgraded to support chip processing. We have noted that both Woolworths and Coles have commenced upgrading their supermarket checkouts in Australia during October. Some retailers are using stickers that show that the terminal now accepts chip.
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What about using my chip card online?
Chip credit cards do not provide extra security for online shopping. If you're worried about card security, only shop online with reputable merchants who use protective encryption technology to transfer information during the shopping transaction. You should only shop from merchants you know and trust.
To confirm if a merchant is secure look for a website URL that changes from http to https, where the 's' indicates it is a secure site, or a padlock symbol 
or a key symbol 
is in the bottom left hand corner. This can indicate that the page is secure.
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What do I do when I get my new chip credit card?
1. Sign your new chip credit card immediately
2. Activate your card
3. Start using it straight away for all new purchases
4. Please ensure your old card is disposed of securely. We recommend that you cut it up into small pieces before disposing of it.
Please note that if you want to use your new chip card to withdraw cash from ATMs, and currently use a PIN, you can continue to use your existing PIN. If you cannot remember your PIN, please call us on 13 17 18 or visit any Bankwest store.
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What should I do if I do not know my PIN?
You were sent a PIN when your Bankwest credit card was issued. If you cannot remember your PIN, please call us on 13 17 18 or visit any Bankwest store.
Remember to keep your PIN a secret
- Don't allow anyone else to use your card, PIN or other security information.
- Always memorise your PIN. If you need advice on managing your PIN, please call us.
- We will NEVER ask you to disclose your PIN.
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Do I have to use a PIN to make chip credit card purchases or can I still sign for authorisation?
Within Australia you can choose to use a PIN or sign when verifying your transactions.
If you are travelling overseas, we strongly recommend that you have a PIN on your credit card. Many countries have recently migrated to chip and PIN technology, which means that merchants in those countries may not process your transaction if you do not have a PIN.
If you do not already have a PIN on your card please call us on 13 17 18 or visit your local Bankwest store.
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Will my chip credit card work in an ATM?
Yes. There is no change to the way you use an ATM in Australia or overseas. Simply continue your ATM banking requirements as usual. Remember to cover your PIN when you type it in.
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I have changed my PIN does this mean I will have to do it again?
No. Your new card will automatically have your PIN stored in the chip so there should be no need to change it again.
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What if my chosen PIN doesn't work?
You were sent a PIN when your Bankwest credit card was issued. If you cannot remember your PIN, please call us on 13 17 18 or visit any Bankwest store and we will re-issue it for you. Once received you can change the PIN at any of our ATM's to the PIN of your choice.
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Going overseas?
Can I use my chip credit card overseas?
Yes, your chip card can be used in exactly the same locations as your current card.
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If your Bankwest credit card is available as a chip card, you can request for a replacement chip card to be issued to you. To request a replacement chip credit card, please call our Customer Help Centre on 13 17 18.
If you are travelling overseas, we strongly recommend that you have a PIN on your credit card. In some countries you may be asked to use your PIN instead of signing to authorise your purchase or you may even be asked for both a PIN and a signature. For this reason, we recommend that you always know your PIN when travelling overseas.
To protect you further please advise the bank when you are travelling overseas. You can email cardfraud@bankwest.com.au quoting your full name, contact details whilst overseas and the last 4 digits of the cards you intend to use overseas.
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I am travelling overseas. Can I use a non-chip credit card in other countries?
Yes. A credit card without a chip can continue to be used in the same locations as a chip credit card. However, in some countries you may be asked to use your PIN instead of signing to authorise your purchase or you may even be asked for both a PIN and a signature. For this reason, we recommend that you always know your PIN when travelling overseas.
If you require further assistance when overseas please call:
Visa Global Customer Assistance: +1 443 641 2004
MasterCard Global Assistance: +1 636 722 7111
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Is there a change to how I use my chip credit card overseas?
Generally, you will use your chip credit card in exactly the same way as your current card.
However, in some countries in Europe, you may be asked to key in your PIN instead of signing to authorise your purchase. For this reason, we recommend that you always know your PIN when travelling overseas.
Many countries have recently migrated to chip and PIN technology. You can still use your card wherever Visa and MasterCard are accepted and most countries will require that you sign for verification of the transaction, as you normally do in Australia.
However merchants in some countries may not process your transaction unless you use your PIN. This is why we strongly recommend you have a PIN on your chip credit card. If you do not already have a PIN on your card, please call us on 13 17 18 or visit any Bankwest store.
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Are other countries planning to use chip credit cards?
Chip is fast becoming the global standard for credit card security. Chip cards are now the dominant card type for transactions throughout Europe and Asia. Many countries are in the process of changing over to chip card technology. Visa and MasterCard issuers worldwide have issued more than 700 million chip cards.
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Chip versus Magnetic Stripe
Why do chip cards still retain the magnetic stripe?
There are still a large number of magnetic stripe only terminals in the world. So to ensure you can transact anywhere you go, your chip card also comes with a magnetic stripe so that you can use your card when chip card terminals are not available. You will still need your magnetic stripe to support terminals that haven't yet been upgraded to chip technology.
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Can I continue to use my magnetic stripe card?
Yes. Although chip cards are becoming more widely used, magnetic stripe cards continue to be the standard type of card issued in Australia and many parts of the world. ATMs and merchant terminals remain fully compatible with both chip and magnetic stripe cards, so your card will continue to work in all the places you currently shop.
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How does a chip credit card differ from a card with just a magnetic stripe?
A security chip credit card is more secure than one with just a magnetic stripe on the back of the card, because it is more difficult for someone to fraudulently copy your card.
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Does the introduction of chip credit cards mean that the magnetic stripe is not secure?
Protecting your credit card from fraud and theft is very important to us. You should have full confidence in the security of your magnetic stripe cards. The migration to chip technology represents a further enhancement and evolution of the electronic payments system and is designed to make your credit card even more secure.
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