Barista handing a card reader to a customer making a payment with a credit card at a coffee shop counter.

What is an EMV Chip?

4 min read
Published December 5, 2024

Table of contents

Key Takeaways

  1. EMV chips are integrated circuit computer chips found on debit and credit cards, designed to combat credit card fraud.

  2. EMV credit cards incorporate layers of security into each credit card transaction.

  3. Despite the added security of EMV chips, safe credit card habits are still necessary to prevent identity theft and fraud.

If you’ve had debit and credit cards for a long time, you may have noticed a gradual shift at the cash register from swiping your card to inserting or even tapping your card on the card reader. Many credit card issuers have moved away from relying on the magnetic stripe to instead use a small computer chip called an EMV chip for payment processing. The EMV chip offers more protection from credit card fraud. Read on to learn more about EMV chip technology and what it means for you.

What are EMV chips?

EMV chips are integrated circuit computer chips, usually embedded on the ends of debit and credit cards. They’re named for Europay, Mastercard, and Visa (EMV), the companies that developed EMV specifications to combat credit card fraud associated with magnetic stripe cards.

Technically, “EMV” refers to a set of standards and tools for secure credit card payments. EMV chip cards meet those standards. They offer protection from card fraud and identity theft by adding layers of security to each credit card transaction.

How do EMV chips work?

An EMV chip, like a magnetic stripe, contains a credit card’s data. However, EMV transactions work differently. First, the chip communicates with the terminal to verify its legitimacy. Every time you pay with the EMV card, it produces a unique code for the transaction. This encryption process means that even if a scammer somehow accesses purchase information, they can’t use it to complete a fraudulent transaction or create a counterfeit card.

EMV chip payments usually involve extra measures to verify cardmembers’ identities. You may have to input a PIN or sign a receipt in-person to validate your transaction. Some small purchases may not require this step.

What benefits do EMV chips offer credit card users?

Many merchants and credit card users have embraced EMV chip cards because they offer many advantages, including:

 

  • Advanced security: EMV credit card processing features encoding, encryption, and layers of added security that safeguard card data, leaving users much less vulnerable to fraud than magnetic stripe cards.  
  • More payment options: EMV chips offer more options at the register. For an EMV transaction, you typically dip the side of your card with the embedded chip into a payment terminal. However, many cards also allow you to make contactless payments by tapping the EMV chip on the terminal or even just waving it nearby. This convenient option could help you save time at checkout.  
  • Reduced liability: Before EMV specifications, liability for counterfeit cards and other fraud related to credit card transactions usually fell on the cardmember. In October 2015, however, guidelines changed to hold merchants accountable if they don’t use EMV technology on a transaction that results in fraud, according to the U.S. Bureau of the Fiscal Service. That means if a merchant swipes your EMV card instead of using the embedded chip, they’ll likely shoulder the cost of any fraud that occurs. 
  • Global acceptance: EMV chip cards have become the global standard for credit card purchases. If you frequently travel abroad, you’ll likely want to carry an EMV card to ensure you can rely on credit as needed.

Did you know?

Discover Card is accepted at millions of places around the world.1 If you’re a frequent traveler, you could earn rewards as you explore with the Discover it® Miles credit card. Turn Miles into cash. Or redeem as a statement credit for your travel purchases like airfare, hotels, rideshares, gas stations, restaurants, and more.2

What drawbacks do EMV chip cards have?

While EMV chip cards offer many advantages over traditional magnetic stripe cards, they still have a few drawbacks.

Although cards with EMV chips offer additional data protection, they aren’t foolproof. For example, if your merchant uses an unencrypted payment processing system, your information could still be compromised.

Cardmembers must maintain careful security practices when using their credit card to help prevent fraud. Be sure never to share your credit card information and to report stolen or lost cards right away. If you notice any questionable transactions on your credit statement, it’s a good idea to reach out to your credit card issuer right away.

The widespread adoption of EMV technology has made credit card transactions more secure through tools like encryption. However, precautions like credit monitoring and careful credit card habits are still critical for protecting your information.

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  1. Merchant acceptance rates vary by country. Prior to international travel, check Discover’s acceptance map. Register your travel plans to minimize purchase interruptions.

  2. Redeem Miles: Starting at 1 Mile, you can redeem your Miles as a credit to your account to pay for all or part of your bill, for cash as an electronic deposit to your bank account, or for a credit for Travel Purchases made on your statement within the last 180 days. Each Mile is equal to $0.01. Miles cannot be redeemed directly with a specific airline carrier. Travel Purchases include airline tickets, hotel rooms, car rentals, travel agents, online travel sites, commuter transportation, restaurants and gas stations. Restaurant purchases include those made at merchants classified as full-service restaurants, cafes, cafeterias, fast-food locations, and restaurant delivery services. Gas Station purchases include those made at merchants classified as places that sell automotive gasoline that can be bought at the pump or inside the station. Gas Stations affiliated with supermarkets, supercenters, and wholesale clubs may not be eligible.

    Even if a travel purchase on your statement appears to fit in a Travel Purchase category, the merchant may not have a merchant category code (MCC) in a Travel Purchase category. Merchants and payment processors are assigned an MCC based on their typical products and services. Discover Card does not assign MCCs to merchants. Certain third-party payment accounts and digital wallet transactions may not be eligible for credit redemption if the technology does not provide sufficient transaction details or a qualifying MCC. See Terms and Conditions for more information.

  • Legal Disclaimer: This site is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional advice. The material on this site is not intended to provide legal, investment, or financial advice and does not indicate the availability of any Discover product or service. It does not guarantee that Discover offers or endorses a product or service. For specific advice about your unique circumstances, you may wish to consult a qualified professional.