Cardholders

The functions and security features of chip cards are based on a proven technology.

Features

• Chip credit card transactions don't require a signature, and are authorized using personal identification numbers (PIN), just like debit card transactions.
• A PIN is used to authenticate all (credit and debit) transactions made with chip cards.
• 
  Chip cards are inserted into the point-of-sale terminal (not swiped) and remain there until the transaction is completed.

Advantages

• Chip cards provide increased transaction security because they feature perfected mechanisms that effectively protect against card fraud and skimming.
• Transactions are authenticated using a PIN, which further reduces incidents of fraud.
• Chip cards have a magnetic stripe that allows them to be used when chip card technology is not available.
• The new cards are completely compatible with the payment systems that are already in place abroad.
• Chip credit cards simplify and reduce transaction processing time since merchants don't have to check cardholder signatures.

When?

Desjardins participated in a trial in Kitchener-Waterloo (Ontario), Kitchener-Waterloo (Ontario), led by the entire Canadian payment industry.

In addition, Desjardins selected the St-Jérôme area to launch the chip cards, and issued its first credit and debit chip cards in the spring of 2008. Many Desjardins merchants in the Saint-Jérôme area have chip-enabled point of sale terminals.

Since the fall of 2008, expiring VISA Desjardins cards are being replaced with chip cards. Remaining VISA Desjardins cards will be replaced gradually over the next few years.

As for debit card transactions, Desjardins Access Cards will be gradually replaced with chip cards beginning in January 2009.

Will magnetic strip cards still be accepted?

Yes. Magnetic stripe cards are still safe and will continue to be accepted until all financial institutions and merchants have equipment that accepts chip card technology.

Note that merchants’ new terminals accept both chip cards and magnetic stripe cards.

All cards work with all equipment, whether they are:

• chip cards
• magnetic stripe cards

VISA Desjardins Business Card holders	Montreal area: 514-397-4600 Elsewhere in Canada: 1-800-266-5662
VISA Desjardins credit cardholders	Montreal area: 514 397-4415 Elsewhere in Canada: 1-800-363-3380
Desjardins Access Card users	1-800-CAISSES (1-800-224-7737) 1-877-ACCESD A (business members)