From: Mark 
Newsgroups: uk.finance
Subject: Re: Chip & Pin ready?
Date: Thu, 02 Feb 2006 09:49:41 +0000

On Wed, 1 Feb 2006 21:51:20 +0000, GSV Three Minds in a Can
 wrote:

>Bitstring <43e11f47$1_2@mk-nntp-2.news.uk.tiscali.com>, from the 
>wonderful person Peter N  said
>>I have an American Express card that is not chip and pin - they haven't sent
>>me one yet. How will this affect me after 14 Feb? Can I still use the card?

B&Q and Waitrose don't have C&P machines yet in my area.

>Yep, but you need a reasonably intelligent shop assistant who 
>understands the concept of Chips without Pins (in general) and Amex (in 
>particular).

An intelligent shop assistant - as rare as hen's teeth.

>The rule is that after 14th if you have a PIN you have to use it 
>(although the shop can still override that). If you don't have a PIN 
>(for some good reason, e.g. your card is not Chip+PIn card!) you can 
>still sign. Shop assistants are not noted for high IQ and may have 
>trouble comprehending that.

I have asked a few assitants in stores with the machines about C&P.
All of them had been told that this will be the _only_ way to pay from
14th Feb (apart from cash).  They had never heard of chip and sig.  Do
these cards really exist?  I don't believe it.  My credit card company
says they don't when I asked for one.

M