EMV Chip Card

A chip card is a standard-size plastic debit or credit card that contains an embedded microchip as well as the traditional magnetic stripe. The chip encrypts information to increase data security when making transactions at a chip-enabled terminal.

You may hear chip cards referred to as 'smart cards' or 'EMV cards' - they're all different ways of referring to the same type of card. Similarly, an EMV terminal is the same as a chip-enabled terminal.

Chip card technology provides an additional layer of security to help reduce certain types of fraud resulting from data breaches; however, it will not prevent a data breach.

No. As the industry continues to develop new ways to protect consumers, perpetrators continue to look for new ways to commit fraud. Chip cards provide an additional layer of security at chip-enabled terminals, on top of the fraud prevention monitoring we currently provide. As always, your purchases are also covered by Visa's Zero Liability policy (restrictions apply).

No. Chip card technology is not a locator system. The chip on your card is limited to supporting authentication of card data when you make a purchase.