[lep_78]

just wondering if anyone else has noticed that at some outlets where you spend under $35 and use a visa card that you dont need to sign or pin - the transaction just goes through? i used my card at Maccas drive through the other night and didnt have to sign/pin. had the kids in the car and only thought about it when i got home. rang my bank to find out about how they could charge me without sign or pin and was told that it is something Visa is trialling for transactions under $35. shocked me as i would have to question the security of my card if it can be used without any varification from me. i know that visa does protection for unautherised transactions, but how could they prove it if they dont require verification? might have to think about changing to mastercard!

[Mummy2RyanandAle...]

I was also wondering about this,it happened to me at maccas last week.
It does not sound very safe to me.

[~ZiggyStardust~]

Happened to me last week at Maccas too. They have a small sign up I'm sure explaining it. Hadn't paid that much attention though to be honest.

[Gloriosa]

Well, you are able to use your cc over the phone without verifying anything that isn't already on the card.

[sealeys]

Mastercard are doing it too I think - is it them with the advert for that swipe thing where the guy is getting ready for the date and chucks all his stuff in the oven???

[dadathome]

Admit to being a little non-plussed at McD's the other night when no PIN, but remembered it has happened before.

Basically, the amounts people put on their card there are so small, there is little point in validation - I'd supect that McD's are prepared to wear the cost of a limited amount of fraud just to speed up queues....

[surprisebaby]

I bought a handbag on the weekend on my mastercard ($30 on sale) and this happened to me too.
No biggie, mine is one you need to sign anyway, more than 50% of people hand it back without checking the sig in any case.

[MightyMummy]

I was also wondering about this,it happened to me at maccas last week.
It does not sound very safe to me.

Its been around in the US for years, usually only for $20 or less transactions. Not sure what the record is on problems with security but really how is it worse than buying something over the phone or internet using the number? That doesn't require signature either.

[lsolaBella]

Here is a US bit about it

http://usa.visa.com/download/merchants/vis...ransactions.pdf

Purchases of $25 or less represent a significant share of all U.S. consumer spending, and Visa has enhanced the No Signature Required program to deliver greater efficiency and convenience to both merchants and consumers.
The No Signature Required program provides face-to-face merchants with the ability to accept a U.S.-issued Visa card for purchases without requiring a cardholder signature or providing a receipt (unless requested by the cardholder).

This program has the potential to increase speed at the point-of-sale, enhance customer satisfaction and deliver operating efficiencies for merchants.

It can boost customer throughput and build customer loyalty by helping consumers use their Visa cards safely, quickly and easily.

Effective 1 July, 2010, transactions on U.S.-issued cards of $25 or less from all MCCs (except those listed in Table 1 on the next page) will be eligible to qualify for the program

[JRA]

It has been like that for ages for car parks. The airport must have been like that for probably 7+ years. And that is a hell of a lot more than $35.