Ireland: Chip and PIN to be introduced from March 17

Shoppers will be able to use their PIN numbers to pay with their debit or credit cards from March 17, when new measures to protect banks against fraud are coming into force.

The changes mark the final stages of the switch to chip and PIN card technology, and will mean a reduction on bank fraud, according to the Irish Payment Services Organisation (Ipso). Chip and PIN makes 'skimming' or counterfeiting cards more difficult, as ATMs read the micro-chip on bank cards, as well as the magnetic strip. Forgers can currently simply copy a cardholder's details onto another card with a magnetic strip.

Retailers may now turn away customers who do not know or remember their PIN numbers and could still accept payment by signature from customers with older cards or overseas visitors, but they could be held liable in the event of fraud.
Link to original article in English