New Look. New Security. New Protection.

Steinbach Credit Union is introducing a new chip-enabled Member Card debit card to our members.

Beginning December 2010 until December, 2011 Steinbach Credit Union will be issuing new Member Cards with chip-enabled technology. The roll-out of the new card will be phased, with members receiving their new cards based on the expiry date of existing cards. You will be notified prior to receiving your new card, so please be sure to watch your mailbox for this important information in the months ahead.

Chip technology is the next evolution of electronic payments, and is helping to make an already secure payment system even more secure. A chip card, containing an embedded computer chip, has the ability to store and process data and provides increased protection against lost, stolen or counterfeit card fraud.

Once you receive your new chip-enabled SCU Member Card, begin to use your new card to access your SCU accounts through Member Direct® online banking, CUbyPhone telephone banking, at retailers, and through automated teller machine (ATM) networks.

When you receive your new card cut up and destroy your old card (beginning with the number series 5821) – as it will be disabled after your new card is mailed to you and it will not enable access to your accounts.

If you would like to change the PIN on your chip card, re-pinning can be done at any SCU ATM or any other credit union ATM in Manitoba. If you do not know your PIN, or have forgotten your PIN, please visit your SCU Branch with your chip card. For your added protection, please bring two pieces of valid identification with you.

Questions? Contact us for more information or click on the green link above to view answers to some frequently asked questions.
 

When using your new SCU chip-enabled Member Card to make a purchase at a chip-enabled terminal, simply insert your card into the terminal. Follow the terminal prompts, enter your confidential PIN, and when prompted remove your Member Card from the terminal and take your receipt.
It will take time for all stores and restaurants to be set up with chip-enabled terminals. To ensure your chip-enabled Member Card continues to be accepted everywhere, it contains a magnetic stripe in addition to the chip. You can therefore expect to experience two types of transactions for some time to come.
• Chip-enabled – the card is inserted and left in the terminal as you input your PIN for validation.
• Swipe – the magnetic stripe is swiped and validated by entering your PIN.
Rest assured that all transactions are just as secure as ever.

If you have questions about the new SCU chip-enabled Member Card, please contact us. Or, click on the green link above to view answers to some frequently asked questions.

 

Here are some tips to help you remember and protect your PIN:

• Memorize your PIN. Do not write down your PIN or store it electronically.
• Avoid numbers that are associated with your personal information, such as date of birth, address, phone number, Social Insurance Number, etc. You should also consider changing your PIN from time to time.
• Do not disclose your PIN to anyone. Keep your Member Card in a safe place, and never lend it to anyone.
• Never provide your PIN for transactions made over the phone or online. Only conduct transactions when and where you feel secure.
• If you suspect your PIN has been compromised, change it immediately.
• Never let your debit card out of your sight when conducting a transaction at the point-of-sale. Always remember to take your Member Card and transaction record with you once your transaction is complete.
• Use your hand, body or other blocking method such as a piece of paper or envelope to shield your PIN when you are conducting transaction at an ATM or at the point-of-sale.
• Regularly check your statements and balances to verify all transactions have been properly documented. If entries do not accurately reflect your transaction activities – if there are missing transactions or additional unknown transactions, you should contact SCU immediately.
• Be aware of any changes regarding the look of the device you are using. Has it changed in any manner that might indicate a skimming device is attached? Report any changes to the owner of the device or to SCU.
• If your Member Card is lost, stolen or retained by an ATM, notify SCU as soon as you become aware of the problem.

If you have questions about the new SCU chip-enabled Member Card, please contact us. Or. click on the green link above to view answers to some frequently asked questions.

 

1. What is a chip card?
A chip debit card contains an embedded computer chip, providing increased protection against debit card skimming and the creation of counterfeit debit cards.

2. Why is SCU moving to chip?
Steinbach Credit Union’s move to chip card technology is part of our long-term commitment to provide security to our members. Chip technology is a new generation of payment card technology that will make it virtually impossible for fraudsters to duplicate.

3. When will the transition to chip technology begin?
SCU is adopting a phased roll-out of chip-enabled debit cards to our members commencing December 2010. Members will receive their new personal identification number (PIN) and their new Member Card based on a schedule derived by existing card expiry dates. The complete migration to chip-enabled cards will be completed by December 2011.

4. When will I receive my new chip card?
You will be notified by mail prior to receiving your new chip-enabled card. To avoid delays, please ensure that SCU has current address information. If you have a seasonal address and wish to receive important mailings from SCU while you are away, please contact us.

5. Will I still require a PIN?
Yes. Chip-enabled automated teller machines (ATMs) and retail terminals will still require that you enter your PIN just as you do today. The PIN remains a key security element of the transaction.

6. Will chip debit card transactions be conducted differently than magnetic stripe transactions?
You will experience only a minor change in the way you interact with the retail terminal. When conducting a chip debit transaction, you will no longer swipe the card through the machine. Instead, you will insert your debit card chip first, and leave it in the terminal for the duration of the transaction. You will follow the prompts just as you do today. At the conclusion of your transaction, remember to remove your card from the terminal and take your receipt.

7. Does the move to chip mean that the magnetic stripe is not secure?
Magnetic stripe technology continues to be a safe form of electronic payment. The migration to chip card technology represents an evolution of the electronic payments system designed to make an already safe payments system even more secure.

8. What makes chip technology more secure than magnetic stripe?
A chip is a mini-computer, which will give the card the ability to store and process data securely. Unlike a magnetic stripe, this processing power makes it extremely difficult to copy and reproduce cards and card information.

Secondly, this processing power is used together with a series of mathematical algorithms to allow the card and terminal to communicate with one another and carry out security checks to ensure the card is valid.

9. What type of information will the chip contain?
The chip stores the same type of information that is currently on magnetic stripe cards today. Only payment related information that will allow the debit transaction to be authorized and processed is on the chip, no personal information is included. While the information is the same, since it is stored within the chip, it is virtually impossible to duplicate.

10. What information would a merchant obtain from a chip card versus a magnetic stripe card?
With chip cards, merchants do not have access to any other data than what they have today with a magnetic stripe card. The only information that merchants are allowed to store is the basic transaction data, such as the time, date, and purchase amount and debit card number. This basic information is necessary in the event that a cardholder requests a trace. The only information stored from the debit card itself is the debit card number, which alone is not sufficient enough to create a counterfeit card.

11. What if I don’t want a chip card? Can I continue to use my existing card?
Over the next few years all credit unions, banks, other financial institutions and retailers will be converting to chip. The migration to chip technology represents an evolution of the electronic payments system designed to make a safe payment system even more secure. It will not be our practice to convert chip cards back to magnetic stripe once the cards have been converted to chip. Your old card will be disabled in 90 days and can no longer be used to access your accounts.

12. Why is there still a magnetic stripe on the chip card?
The magnetic stripe will remain on the SCU Member Card to allow members to use their cards at Canadian ATMs, stores and restaurant terminals that have not yet been upgraded, and in countries that have not been migrated to chip technology. Magnetic stripe technology continues to be a secure method of payment for members.

13. Can a chip card be compromised?
At this time, we are not aware of the chip being compromised on any chip-enabled cards. Your new chip card comes with proven technology already in wide use around the world. Any compromised issues that have arisen have been due to the magnetic stripe that is also on the card. If the magnetic stripe and PIN information are stolen or compromised from a chip card in order to make a counterfeit magnetic stripe card, we will replace the chip card.

SCU maintains aggressive fraud prevention practices to reduce card fraud and to ensure members are protected. In addition, in proven cases of fraud, victims are protected by the Canadian Code of Practice for Consumer Debit Card Services and will not suffer any financial losses.

The magnetic stripe must remain on the chip card to allow members to conduct transactions at retailers that have not yet transitioned to chip technology. Transactions completed with the magnetic stripe on your card are still safe and secure. Members should continue to shield their PIN and check their financial statements regularly.

14. Will my chip card be accepted at all terminals?
Yes, chip cards will continue to have a magnetic stripe so the card will work at non-chip terminals.

15. Are there any additional fees on the new chip-enabled SCU Member Card?
No, there are no additional fees related to chip. The same fees that currently apply to your products will apply to your SCU chip card. If your chip card is lost or stolen we will replace it at no charge. Our current business practice of issuing up to 2 cards annually and charging a $5 fee on the 3rd replacement card will remain the same.

16. Where can I go to change my PIN?
If you know your existing PIN but would like to change it, please visit your SCU Branch, SCU ATM or any other credit union ATM in Manitoba. If you do not know your PIN, or have forgotten your PIN, please visit your SCU Branch with your chip card. For your added protection, please bring two pieces of valid identification with you.

17. Will I still be able to use my old magnetic stripe card once I have received my new chip card?
No, once you receive your new chip card destroy your old magnetic stripe card. Your old magnetic stripe card (the blue card starting with the number series 5821) will be disabled after your new card is mailed to you.

18. Why has the look of the SCU Member Card changed?
With the launch of chip, it was a great opportunity to provide our members with a card offering both new technology and a fresh look. This new card draws attention to members and merchants alike, making it easy to identify our new chip cards from our older magnetic stripe cards.

19. Will I be able to use my new chip card outside of the country?
Yes. SCU chip Member Cards will work in countries that utilize chip technology. You will still be able to use your chip debit card at retailers or in countries that have not yet migrated to chip technology, as your card will contain both a chip and magnetic stripe.

We recommend that when travelling internationally, you carry more than one method of payment (credit card, debit card, travelers cheques or small amounts of local currency) in the event that you encounter potential service disruption issues.

20. When will Canada be fully converted to chip cards?
The complete changeover to chip technology will take several years, given the vast number of ATMs, retail terminals and debit cards across Canada that must be converted. The complete conversion of chip debit cards across the country is scheduled to be completed by 2015.