How will chip and PIN affect you?
Most UK clients who use cards when paying in person for goods and services will be issued with new chip and PIN cards over the next few years.

Most UK retail outlets and suppliers will be upgrading their systems to accept the new cards.

HSBC Private Bank clients need to take no action – we will do it for you

All of our clients will get new chip and PIN debit cards and Gold MasterCards® over the coming months. These will replace your existing cards. You do not need to contact us, we will replace your cards automatically. Until we get in touch with you, use your existing cards as normal.

Punch the same PIN into the retailer’s PIN pad when you make a purchase as you currently use at cash machines. If you have a new account you will be sent a PIN advice within three weeks of your card. If the card is a replacement, part of your card number will be shown on the PIN advice, so you know which card your PIN relates to.

Gold MasterCard® holders will be sent a PIN advice within three weeks of your card being sent.

If there are any additional cardholders on your Gold MasterCard® account, each of them will receive a PIN advice.

Do not forget that you can change your PIN at any HSBC cash machine throughout the UK, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. Please note - chip and PIN does not affect purchases made by telephone, mail order or Internet.

Chip and PIN technology will be introduced to the United Kingdom, Channel Islands and Isle of Man over the next two years.

The new way to pay
Chip and PIN combines new technology in a chip card with the security of a PIN (Personal Identification Number) to offer you a more secure way to pay.

In future, instead of signing a receipt when buying goods in person, you will be asked to key in your 4-digit PIN into a secure PIN pad.

Chip - evolution...
The banking industry is upgrading its cards to chip and PIN to help combat fraud
A new type of microchip is being introduced to the front of the card - you will notice a gold square on the left.

Chip technology has been proven to reduce card crime since it is harder to copy or alter than traditional cards and so safeguards against counterfeiting.

...PIN - revolution
A 4-digit PIN will confirm your transaction instead of your signature.

Because it is checked by technology rather than by eye, the new PIN system is more secure, and it cannot be forged easily - unlike your signature.

There is no need to worry about entering your PIN into a retailer's PIN pad - it will not be kept or recorded in any way.

Getting started
The new chip and PIN terminals come in different shapes and sizes - some are handheld, others are fixed in place. In each case, however, the payment process is always the same. When you are ready to pay with your new chip and PIN card, the retailer will either:

Take care when entering your PIN
Always be careful when keying in your PIN.

Security measures to protect your card
When paying in person for goods and services, you will have three consecutive chances to enter your PIN correctly. If you are unsuccessful after the first attempt, just try again, but to protect your card against unlawful use, three consecutive failed attempts will “lock” your PIN. Do not worry if you make a mistake, the payment terminal or PIN pad will not “swallow” your card. To avoid any inconvenience we recommend that you enter your PIN twice, and if you still cannot remember it, use another form of payment and request a PIN re-advice from your bank.

PIN services
You can quickly and easily unlock your PIN (provided you remember your PIN), or change your PIN at any HSBC cash machine in the UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man by selecting the PIN Services option and following the on-screen instructions. If you have locked the PIN and cannot remember it you will need to ask your Relationship Manager to request a PIN re-advice.

Chip and PIN going worldwide
The UK is one of the first countries to implement the global chip and PIN system. Some countries, like France, currently have their own system but they and other countries around the world are planning to adopt the global chip and PIN system over the next few years.

If you are planning to travel abroad, you will increasingly find that you need your chip and PIN card as other countries change over to the new system. Where countries are not using chip and PIN or have not adopted it yet, you can still sign a receipt as you do now.

With HSBC you can still use your new chip and PIN card to access 900,000 cash machines globally.

Changing your PIN is quick and simple
If you do not find your PIN easy to remember, change it to something more memorable – you can choose a new PIN at any HSBC cash machine in the UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man.

Simply follow the on-screen instructions
Choose a memorable number – the date of a favourite holiday, part of a close friend’s phone number Do not choose a PIN that could easily be guessed – your date of birth, current telephone number, consecutive (1234) or repeating (2222) numbers, or any numbers which can be found on your card.

View a demonstration

Protecting your card and PIN
Keep your PIN safe and protect it!

If you think that someone has discovered your PIN, change it immediately.

If you have lost your HSBC Private Bank card, please contact your Relationship Manager immediately or call out of hours on: 08456 007 010 in the UK (+44 1442 422 929 outside the UK).

Your card

Does chip and PIN only affect UK cardholders?
No - over the next few years countries all over the world will be adopting the new global chip and PIN system. If you are planning to travel overseas, you will increasingly find that you need to enter your PIN when using your chip and PIN card as other countries change over to the new system.

Why are some people still signing for goods?
It will take some time for all UK banks to rollout chip and PIN cards across the UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man and for retailers to upgrade their equipment to accept them. You will therefore still see people signing receipts for their purchases. However, during 2005 it will become common for you to enter your PIN instead of signing a receipt.

Why do I still need a magnetic stripe on my card?
This is to ensure your card can still be used where payment terminals have not been upgraded to accept chip and PIN.

Why do I still need to sign my card?
There will still be occasions where a retailer needs to check your signature. For example, where retailers have yet to upgrade their payment equipment to accept PIN, or when using a cheque and a cheque guarantee card.

Your PIN

Will the PIN I use for making purchases be the same as the PIN used for cash machine withdrawals?
Yes. The PIN is the same.

I have never used a bank's PIN before and might not remember it, what can I do?
Change your PIN to a more memorable number such as a friend's birthday or a relative's house number.

What happens if someone has found out my PIN and stolen my chip card?
As now, it is extremely important that you report any missing card or any security concerns about your card to your card issuer immediately.

Who else knows my PIN and who is it safe to reveal my PIN to?
No one. Your PIN must not be disclosed to anyone. If you are concerned that someone has seen your PIN you should change it immediately.

Will I be asked for my PIN while overseas?
In those countries yet to adopt chip and PIN you will continue to sign for your transactions as you do today. Where chip and PIN equipment has been installed abroad you may be asked to key in your PIN.

Before you travel abroad it is very important you know and remember your PIN - you will not be able to change or unlock your PIN at cash machines overseas.

Paying by Chip and PIN

Can I ask someone else to enter my PIN for me?
No. For security reasons, the PIN must never be disclosed to anyone.

When I key in my PIN, does it go electronically to my bank to be matched?
No. The PIN pad passes the four digits you have entered to the card. The chip on the card then determines whether the four digits are correct or not.

Will a record of my PIN be stored in the retailer's equipment?
No, it will not be stored in the PIN pad or the retailer's equipment.

Will my PIN be printed on my till receipt?
No, it will not be printed on your till receipt.

Will my card be swallowed if I get the number wrong three times?
No, your card will not be swallowed, nor will the retailer keep your card because you have forgotten or incorrectly keyed in your PIN.

Can I still get cashback?
Yes, on your debit card.

Can I still give tips at a restaurant?
Yes - a tip can be added to your bill before you are asked to confirm the total amount by entering your PIN.
If you have any questions about the system or cannot enter a PIN, please speak to your Relationship Manager.