Can I authorize my partner to use my Chip & Pin card?

[polarsub]

She has been using it for a while on a bank account I never use and today she got treated like a criminal because a checkout girl saw a male name on the card and called the manager. I'm so mad!!! She felt humiliated and like a criminal. All she had was a bottle of wine and a carton of mushrooms. Surely I auhorized her if she uses the pin. I dont get it. Thanks for your answers.

[bednobs]

i dont think you can authorize someone else to use your card - its fraud. You woud be glad if someone had stolen your card, and tried to use it that the shop assisstant was so thorough and stopped them .... I dont understand why you/partner are so upset about this - you wouldn't have expected her to sign your name would you?

[Sammy Snake]

No - chip and PIN is there to help stop fraud by ensuring only the owner of the card can use it.

How would the checkout girl know that she was your partner and not just some woman who had intercepted your mail or something?

Even if she knew it was your partner, what if you had recently split up or separated and your partner was using your card without your knowledge or consent?

You will find that it is against the terms and condiitons of your card to let a third party know your pin number, partner or not.

[dzug]

You shouldn't, but many people do - but it's against the T&C. You should be able to get an extra card for her to use it legitimately.

Using chip and PIN the shop should NOT really handle your card at all. You should put it in the machine and take it out yourself.

[Sammy Snake]

The shop HAS to handle it where I work, the machine is behind the counter!

[Gef]

Good points made in other answers.

However, just to emphasise:

If you make your PIN known to others then you are breaking the T&C and you have no comeback if your card is used fraudulently.

If the retailer has a chip and pin machine then inspect it carefully and use it like you would an ATM - don't let anyone (including the CCTV) see your PIN.

Nerver let the card out of your sight. if you cannot see the card reader that the assisstant is using don't give it to them.

Recently, a friend of mine used his card at Heathrow and by the time he had got to Australia over �2000 had been lifted from his account. Thankfully he got it all back.

[Mrs_Pegasus]

In response to Sammy Snakes reply.

I was told that the idea of chip and pin was not for anyone but the legal owner of the card to handle it. Thats why the machine says, insert YOUR card, enter YOUR number and remover YOUR card.

In Next stores, I was told that the cashiers are not to handle the card at any time during the transaction.

If its not your name on the card, then you shouldnt be using it!

[dzug]

Sammy, if it's behind the counter how does the customer enter his PIN?

[kempie]

Chip & Pin...

When I am at the point-of-sale, will I insert my card into the terminal or will the cashier do it?

This will vary from store to store. In many stores the cashier will continue to handle the card during the transaction, but others will ask you to insert the card yourself.

http://www.chipandpin.co.uk/faqs/keypads.html

Who else knows my PIN and who is it safe to reveal my PIN to?

No one except you (not even the card issuing staff) knows your PIN. The PIN must not be disclosed to anyone - and this includes your card company, the police and shop staff.

http://www.chipandpin.co.uk/faqs/yourpin.html# safe

[Sammy Snake]

The machine is behind the counter but it has the bit that thet card goes into attached by a telephone wire type thing. We put the card in to the handheld bit, type the amount etc into the actual machine and then pass the hand held part over to the customer for them to enter their PIN.

[atolhurst]

Add her to the account and get her a card in her name. Problem solved.

[EverClean]

What planet are you on? Of course she can't use your card. Do you know how much money is stolen through credit card fraud every year? Why do you think these checks are in place? She should have been nicked. Humiliation isn't enough punishment for you people. What don't you get? Put yourself in the shoes of the checkout girl being given a card from someone who CLEARLY wasn't the card holder - what do you think would be the right course of action?
It is crass stupidity like this that causes the majority of the problems in this country today and the dumb Sun readers don't realise what's going on around them. Please get educated and join in with normal society.

[stevie21]

Agree 100% with all of Gef's info, although I don't know his friend in Oz.
If the bank know you've disclosed your PIN then you alone are liable for any losses through the card and they'll do nothing to refund any fraud.

You're "so mad" lol.

[Gef]

Thanks for the support stevie - us "muppets" need to stick together.

As an aside, I wonder how John Wayne would have managed if he had his real name (Marion Morrison) on his card. Would the checkout girl have challenged him? Lol.

[bednobs]

well how lovely! what a bout the people that helped you? Where was your "chill out" advice when your parter was having a breakdown over a bottle of wine and a tub of mushrooms?

[EverClean]

Get a life and chill out when "I'm so mad and my partner felt humiliated and like a criminal." I think a little perspective is needed here. You asked a stupid question and got quite tame answers in response. There were also some quite understanding and helpful responses from some. You need a reality check.

[polarsub]

My god! There are people being blown up and terror all over the world and you guys are acting like there has been a huge event here. Who needs the reality check? I "GAVE" my partner the PIN NUMBER. If I became laible for any fraud then I would have taken it on the chin, but this is my nearest and dearest. If the only card you owned had a pin number and you were bed ridden with starving children and you needed you wife to get supplies using your pin number. Would you still be so far up your own arse and say, I don't think so dear, it's against the T&C's of my card company. Take a good look at yourself and lighten up a little. Banks charge us billions of pounds every year. Do you really think they are worried about a little fraud. IS THE CONSUMER ACTUALLY LIABLE? I DON'T THINK SO. Do gooders make me sick. Wake up and look at the "REAL" problems in the world!

[bednobs]

i dont think you have been given unreasonable answers, but you seem to be the be acting all out of proportion to them ... people were merely explaining the reson your partner got stopped while in the shop : ie its fraud in legal terms for her to use it. You did ask, didnt you?
You admitted yourself "you dont get it" so people were explaining "it" to you (in my opinion, in a nice way actually) )W know its not on a par with world terrorism (few things actually are)
If do gooders make you sick,maybe you'd better stop asking questions on here ... after all, people dont answer for the good of their health, they do it to be helpful and to do good!

[EverClean]

I'm with bednobs.