Soon “chip” or “EMV” cards, using smart technology providing enhanced security, will be replacing everyone’s magnetic-stripe cards. The letters “EMV” refer to the technology’s originating team: Europay, MasterCard and Visa.
Having a “chip” means that a customer’s payment method includes a tiny but powerful microprocessor, working around the clock to store and secure consumer data. The chip can’t be duplicated by criminals like a magnetic stripe card can, and it creates a unique code sequence for each individual transaction.