What is EMV Card Authentication?

EMV Card Authentication, also known as Chip Authentication, is a process that provides an additional security measure for cards. The EMV chip adds dynamic data to all payment cards during the transaction which significantly increases card authentication and helps prevent credit card counterfeiting.

How does EMV Card Authentication work?

While merchants are using terminals that are enabled with EMV Card Authentication, customers insert their payment card into the terminal and follow a few simple steps to verify their identity during a transaction.

At its most basic level, when you insert your plastic in an enabled terminal, the inserted card is held inside of it at all times while you complete the transaction - even if you've made multiple purchases. That's because EMV doesn't automatically 'switch off' as soon as you take your card back, like magnetic stripe-only cards do.

The terminal keeps the card inside of it until the transaction is complete and then releases it afterward. Because the chip never leaves the reader throughout the process, security is increased because there are no instances of a chip 'dipping' without having the card go along with it.

This, along with some other security measures, makes chip cards more secure than magnetic stripe-only cards because they are extremely difficult to copy. If your payment card data is ever compromised, you'll rest easier knowing that there's less of a chance that your card details are being used to make fraudulent purchases.

Card Authentication also works at unattended terminals, such as self-service kiosks. When you insert your credit card, the machine prompts you to enter a PIN number - an extra step that adds another layer of security for transactions where the payee isn't present.

What are other benefits of EMV Card Authentication?

One of the ways that Card Authentication helps to protect you is by alerting cardholders if their card information has been compromised. If your card number is on a blacklist, you'll be able to unblock your account by calling your issuer - rather than having to issue a new payment method altogether. You can also rest assured that your card data isn't being stored on your receipt, as magnetic stripe cards still do.