Just wondering if anyone had used a Wells Fargo Visa chip based card at the automated pump? The card apparently uses the latest chip security that does not seem to be backward compatible when trying to use a PIN, and falls back to requiring a signature which renders the card useless in older automated kiosks.
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Does a Wells Fargo Visa chip card work at the gas station in St Jean?
- Thread starter aewscs
- Start date
I was also wondering about the chip and pin situation at the gas station. If you have a chip, it sounds like now you do not need a pin? In the US, I am not aware of any card that actually uses the chip part of the card, so I have no experience with using the chip here. Thanks for any clarification on this to the members.
KevinS
Senior Insider
DM,
I can't answer the OPs questions, as my card isn't issued by Wells Fargo. I do know that if you want to use the gas station after hours then you must have a chip-and-pin card that works with the automated pump. If the pump doesn't recognize the chip in the card then it won't work at all, just as it won't work for non-chip cards.
My understanding of the OPs question is that there is a concern that if the automated pump does not work with the Wells Fargo card then a signature is required, meaning the card can only be used when the gas station is open and the attendant is there.
I've also used my card in SBH restaurants. My card is placed in the handheld credit card machine, the waiter enters the charge amount, and the machine is presented to me. I enter my PIN, and a receipt prints. If my card's chip were not recognised then the card could be swiped, and a slip would be printed for my signature.
I can't answer the OPs questions, as my card isn't issued by Wells Fargo. I do know that if you want to use the gas station after hours then you must have a chip-and-pin card that works with the automated pump. If the pump doesn't recognize the chip in the card then it won't work at all, just as it won't work for non-chip cards.
My understanding of the OPs question is that there is a concern that if the automated pump does not work with the Wells Fargo card then a signature is required, meaning the card can only be used when the gas station is open and the attendant is there.
I've also used my card in SBH restaurants. My card is placed in the handheld credit card machine, the waiter enters the charge amount, and the machine is presented to me. I enter my PIN, and a receipt prints. If my card's chip were not recognised then the card could be swiped, and a slip would be printed for my signature.
KevinS
Senior Insider
Yes, but I'm grandfathered with Diners. They no longer issue cards to individuals, only to businesses.
While my card may be issued by a US Bank, bothe Diners Club and the US bank are owned by a Canadian bank.
Ellen, US banks seem to be slowly getting with the program on chip-and-pin cards, starting with their high-value clients who are more likely to be travelling internationally. Call customer service for the cards that you currently hold and ask them if they have a chip-and-pin card as one of their offerings.
I have a Visa Sig from US Bank and it has a chip in it. They are sending me a pin so I will have it for the trip. I will try it out at the gas station and let you know what happens. I'm not holding out hope, but it might work. According to US Bank, they say it will work. I prefer AMEX as they do not charge me any currency fees. Visa charges 3%. I really don't like Visa but I have to have some non AMEX as everyone does not choose to take AMEX. Some people like the Visa rewards benefits, but I really do not. You can transfer AMEX points just about anywhere, though! (AMEX owes me for this commercial..!) I really should get an alternative to Visa..they haven't done anything for me lately...
Petri
Senior Insider
https://www.wellsfargo.com/press/2011/20110413_EMV says Wells Fargo Visa would use the same EMV as is used across Europe and rest of the world.
The chip itself can include a number of options how it will work (it's a small computer really) so even if the technology is exactly the same, the banks may have chosen not to provide the service yet. It may even include multiple pin codes for different purposes. I'd call the bank and ask how the card works abroad and if there's something extra you need from them.
I don't remember seeing chip-and-sign cards in Europe, for example my (European) Amex has a chip and it works with a pin.
The chip itself can include a number of options how it will work (it's a small computer really) so even if the technology is exactly the same, the banks may have chosen not to provide the service yet. It may even include multiple pin codes for different purposes. I'd call the bank and ask how the card works abroad and if there's something extra you need from them.
I don't remember seeing chip-and-sign cards in Europe, for example my (European) Amex has a chip and it works with a pin.
KevinS
Senior Insider
Petri,
I wonder if the US chip-and-pin "state of the art" technology isn't similar to the US GSM technology - a generation behind, and at the lowest acceptable level of the standard for that generation.
The Wells Fargo document that you linked to suggests that they are using the most current technology. What I don't know is how much they can be believed.
I wonder if the US chip-and-pin "state of the art" technology isn't similar to the US GSM technology - a generation behind, and at the lowest acceptable level of the standard for that generation.
The Wells Fargo document that you linked to suggests that they are using the most current technology. What I don't know is how much they can be believed.
Petri
Senior Insider
Not sure where you got that. I didn't write a single cc signature during our Asia tournee in Dec/Jan, pin everywhere. Even back in 2008-2009 in Aus/NZ I used the pin code a lot, sometimes a new experience to the shop -- they told they've got the machines but not domestic users yet.
http://www.visa-asia.com/ap/au/mediacenter/pressrelease/NR_Au_021109_security_plan.shtml indicates that in a few weeks the folks in Australia cannot use signatures any longer.
