Chip and Pin deemed a success

By Clement James on Nov 17, 2006 9:54 AM
Filed under Security

Card users generally happy with security technology.

The introduction of chip and Pin has been received positively by users of the card security technology, according to new research.

A study conducted by Harris Interactive among credit card holders in the UK found that over half of the 2,120 adults interviewed welcomed the introduction, with about two thirds agreeing that they felt 'comfortable' using the technology.

Around 46 percent of respondents agreed that chip and Pin is 'more secure', while a similar percentage said that chip and Pin is quicker than signing a receipt.

Harris Interactive claimed that its findings correspond with the view reported by Apacs, which claimed that a smooth and trouble-free implementation of chip and Pin had provided a "safer retailing environment".

However, the outlook is not all positive. A substantial minority (17 per cent) of credit card holders viewed the introduction negatively, and 14 per cent felt uncomfortable using chip and Pin.

Interestingly, 68 percent of those who felt uncomfortable using chip and Pin disagreed that it is more secure than signing their name.

Furthermore, just under two-thirds (63 percent) of credit card holders said that they are conscious of people watching them enter their Pin.

Almost nine in 10 of those who felt negative about chip and Pin are conscious of being watched while entering their Pin.

Frances Green, director of financial research at Harris Interactive, said: "Levels of comfort and positive attitudes towards chip and Pin are good news for the industry.

"However, it is clear that a small, but not insignificant, proportion of consumers still feel uncomfortable and unfamiliar with some aspects of the process."