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Printed by customer 2012.05.24

Chip card

Chip card use is becoming more and more common

Chip cards will replace cards with a magnetic stripe within the next few years. The use of the chip prevents fraud and counterfeit activities. Nordea’s MasterCards, Visa and Visa Electron cards already contain the chip and are therefore safer. Chip cards are widely used in many European countries.

To a cardholder the chip technology means a change in card use. When you pay for your purchases, you insert the card in the chip card reader of the payment terminal and accept the payment with your PIN. Cover the PIN entry with your hand, if necessary. Signature is used as a back-up system.

Consumers are already familiar with this type of self-service use of cards at ATMs and petrol stations. Self-service will expand gradually to all points of sale. This is why remembering the PIN is important and you need to memorise it. It is also good to be prepared if the merchant requires acceptance of payment with the PIN instead of your signature.

Identifying yourself with the PIN requires that the shop has a chip card terminal. Different chip card terminals are available for different environments. For instance, a separate device that can be handed over to the customer has been developed for restaurants and similar places.

 How to pay with a chip card

  • Insert the card into the chip card reader and follow the instructions on the display.
  • Choose the method of payment if the terminal asks for it (eg, MasterCard or debit). If your card only has one payment option, the terminal does not ask you to choose the method of payment (eg, Visa Electron or Visa Debit).
  • Check the total sum on the display.
  • Accept the payment by keying in your PIN and push the green button (Enter/OK). Cover the PIN entry with your hand, if necessary.
  • Remember to take the card from the reader. The sales person gives you a receipt.

If a shop has a chip payment terminal, the merchant may require you to accept the payment only by entering your PIN instead of signing a receipt.

You can also pay with your chip card in shops that have not yet transferred to chip card terminals. In such cases, you accept the payment with your signature, as before.

In Finland you can withdraw cash at Otto.ATMs using the blue card reader. In this case the card is not seized by the ATM. Abroad ATMs, however, usually have only one card reader, and they may seize the card. After entering the PIN you always accept it by pressing OK.

Bill payments with chip cards at payment ATMs

If you have forgotten your PIN, you can order a new one in Netbank, at a Nordea branchOpens new window or Nordea Customer Service.