Caisses Desjardins du Québec and Caisses populaires de l'Ontario [Change site]
FAQ
General questions
- What is a chip card?
- What kind of chip cards does Desjardins issue?
- What are the main differences between magnetic stripe cards and chip cards?
- Does that mean that magnetic stripe cards are no longer secure?
- Just how do chip cards protect me against card skimming?
- Are chip cards accepted everywhere magnetic stripe cards are?
- Do I still have to sign the back of my card?
- Do I get to choose whether I use my PIN or sign the receipt for a credit transaction?
- Do I have to put a PIN on my magnetic stripe credit card immediately?
- Do they work the same way as in Europe?
- When did Desjardins begin issuing chip cards?
- Will my magnetic stripe card still be accepted in ATMs throughout the world?
VISA Desjardins chip cardholders
- I’ve forgotten my PIN. How can I get a new one?
- I’d like to change my PIN. How do I do this?
- I’ve heard that magnetic stripe cards are no longer accepted in Europe. Is this true?
- How do I use my chip and PIN card to pay for items purchased over the phone?
- What should I do if a merchant asks me for my PIN to enter it into the terminal?
Businesses
- When will my business have to convert its credit card?
- I’m the primary cardholder on an account on which there are several cards with different expiry dates. Will they all be replaced at the same time?
Merchants
- Will chip cards completely eliminate chargebacks?
- Who will be in charge of training the merchants for the transition period?
- Will chip cards that include other payment methods such as contactless payment be accepted by Desjardins point of sale terminals?
- When will Desjardins replace my existing POS terminal with a chip-enabled terminal?
- How much will it cost to replace my terminal?
- Will it be difficult for me to adapt to the new terminals?
- Do I have to change my POS terminal?
General questions
- What is a chip card?
- What kind of chip cards does Desjardins issue?
- What are the main differences between magnetic stripe cards and chip cards?
- Chip credit card transactions are authenticated by a personal identification number (PIN) instead of a signature, which adds an additional level of security and speed up transaction time at merchant terminals.
- Chip cards must be inserted and remain in the point of sale terminal until the transaction is completed.
- Does that mean magnetic stripe cards are no longer secure?
- Just how do chip cards protect me against card skimming?
- Are chip cards accepted everywhere magnetic stripe cards are?
- Do I still have to sign the back of my card?
- Do I get to choose whether I use my PIN or sign the receipt for a credit transaction?
- Do I have to put a PIN on my magnetic stripe credit card immediately?
- Do they work the same way as in Europe?
- When did Desjardins begin issuing chip cards?
- Will my magnetic stripe card still be accepted in ATMs throughout the world?
A chip card is a credit or debit card with a built-in microchip. Because of its features and the way it works, chip cards are the most secure solution on the market to prevent card skimming.
Desjardins chip cards are used just like magnetic stripe cards but allow you to make transactions that are even more secure since they reduce card skimming.
Chip card technology offers increased security because it reduces the risk of card skimming. The way chip cards are used differs slightly from magnetic stripe cards.
Magnetic stripe cards are secure and chip card technology will only step up this security.
Chip card technology increases protection against card skimming. But it only does so if transactions are made entirely using chip card technology, meaning on chip-enabled point of sale terminals.
Chip card technology requires new equipment, which is being implemented on a gradual basis with merchants everywhere. For transitional purposes, VISA Desjardins credit cards and Desjardins Access cards will have both a microchip and a magnetic stripe so they can be accepted everywhere whether chip card technology is available or not, including abroad.
Yes, you need to sign the back of your new debit or chip card, in the indicated area. At terminals that have not yet been upgraded to accept chip and PIN, you will still be asked tto sign the receipt to authorize the transaction.
When you use a chip card at a chip-enabled terminal, you will be asked to follow the prompts, which in most instances will require PIN entry. You cannot choose to sign rather than enter a PIN. If the terminal is not chip-enabled, you will be asked to sign the receipt to authorize the transaction.
You don't have to put a PIN on your credit card right away. However, PINs are useful if you want cash advances at Desjardins, Interac, Plus and VISA ATMs.
Our chip card technology is the same as the one currently used in Europe. Desjardins cards are compatible with chip-enabled equipment on that continent.
Desjardins began issuing Desjardins Access Cards and VISA Desjardins cards with chips in spring 2008 in the Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario, and Saint-Jérôme, Quebec, areas.
Since the fall of 2008, expiring VISA Desjardins credit 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 issued gradually beginning January 2009.
Magnetic stripe credit and debit cards (as well as all chip credit and debit cards) will still be accepted at ATMS in the PLUS network worldwide and the Interac network in Canada.
VISA Desjardins chip cardholders
- I’ve forgotten my PIN. How can I get a new one?
- I’d like to change my PIN. How do I do this?
- I’ve heard that magnetic stripe cards are no longer accepted in Europe. Is this true?
- How do I use my chip and PIN card to pay for items purchased over the phone?
- What should I do if a merchant asks me for my PIN to enter it into the terminal?
To get a new PIN, you must call the Customer Service Department of Desjardins Card Services at 514-397-4415 or 1-800-363-3380 (personal cards), or 514-397-4600 or 1-800-266-5662 (business cards).
To change your PIN, you must call the Customer Service Department of Desjardins Card Services at 514-397-4415 or 1-800-363-3380 (personal cards), or 514-397-4600 or 1-800-566-5662 (business cards).
No. VISA Desjardins cardholders should be able to use their magnetic stripe card in Europe without problem. However, some transactions made when no attendant is present, such as pay-at-the-pump transactions at self-service gas stations, may require a chip card. If you need assistance and there is no one there to help you, call the Customer Service Department of Desjardins Card Services at 514-397-4415 or 1-800-363-3380 (personal cards), or 514-397-4600 or 1-800-566-5662 (business cards).
A PIN is never required when you use your credit card for telephone order purchases. Only you should know your PIN - it should never be shared or disclosed with the merchant, or anyone else.
The PIN is a number that only you should know. If a merchant asks you for your PIN, ask the merchant to pass the terminal to you so you can enter the PIN into the terminal and authorize your purchase.
Businesses
- When will my business have to convert its credit card?
- I’m the primary cardholder on an account on which there are several cards with different expiry dates. Will they all be replaced at the same time?
The conversion began in 2008 and will span a few years. Your company Business Card will be replaced with a chip card when it next expires.
Cards with different expiry dates will be replaced one at a time, and cards with the same expiry date will all be replaced at the same time.
Merchants
- Do chip cards completely eliminate chargebacks?
- Who is in charge of training the merchants for the transition period?
- Are chip credit cards that include other payment methods such as contactless payment accepted by Desjardins point of sale terminals?
- When will Desjardins replace my existing POS terminal with a chip-enabled terminal?
- How much will it cost to replace my terminal?
- Will it be difficult for me to adapt to the new terminals?
- Do I have to change my POS terminal?
Chip card technology reduces skimming fraud, which will considerably reduce chargebacks.
Desjardins Card Services trains both merchants and personnel.
Yes. Desjardins POS terminals can securely process contactless payment transactions whether they accept chip cards or not.
Desjardins will begin implementing chip-enabled POS terminals in January 2009. From that point on, merchants may contact Desjardins Card Services to request their terminal be replaced.
All charges associated with replacing POS terminals is the responsibility of Desjardins.
No, the terminal prompts you so you will know what to do. Also, when tes new terminal is installed, the technician will provide training and give you the terminal user mannual. You will then be able to make transactions on your new terminal.
Yes, the Canadian Payments Association is making the transition to chip card technology. All Canadian payment service company terminals will be replaced to comply with the new standards.
