PenFed chip cards are regular plastic credit or debit cards with an embedded microchip. The chip protects in-store payments because it generates a unique, one-time code that is needed for each transaction to be approved. It is extremely effective in reducing counterfeit fraud and providing greater security and peace of mind when used in-store. A chip card also has a magnetic stripe on the back of the card and includes contactless technology for contactless payments. Look for the Contactless Indicator on the front of the card.

The Contactless Symbol and Contactless Indicator are trademarks owned by and used with permission of EMVCo LLC.

In most cases, you will sign for credit purchases and either sign or enter your PIN for debit purchases. You may not be required to do either for certain types of transactions involving small purchase amounts.

Yes, you can still make purchases as you always have—by entering the card number online or swiping your card at merchant locations that do not yet have chip readers. You can also continue to use your card at ATMs but will require a PIN.

You can use your PenFed chip card around the world. You can swipe your card just like you do today using the magnetic stripe on the back of the card, if a chip-activated terminal is not yet available. The terminal or the cashier will prompt you to insert and leave the card in the terminal until the transaction is complete if it is activated for chip.

Absolutely. Your PenFed card will work over the phone and online just like it always has.

If the terminal isn’t chip-activated, a prompt on the screen will advise you to swipe your card using the magnetic stripe on the back as you do today.

Your card will always work either by swipe or insertion. The terminal or the cashier will prompt you to insert the card into the terminal if it’s activated for chip technology. If the terminal is not yet chip-activated, you can always swipe your card to complete the purchase.

All PenFed cards offer protection from unauthorized use of your card or account information. The chip technology offers another layer of security when used at a chip-activated terminal, because it generates a unique, one-time code that is needed for each transaction to be approved.

All PenFed cards offer protection from unauthorized use of your card or account information. While chip technology generates a one-time use code that’s difficult to counterfeit, the account information may still be subject to compromise. Notify PenFed immediately of any unauthorized use and know you are protected with Visa's Zero Liability Policy^±.

• Visa’s Zero Liability Policy^± does not apply to transactions not processed by Visa. Cardholders must use care in protecting their card and notify PenFed immediately of any unauthorized use.