The chip provides more protection than traditional credit cards because it has a tamper-resistant microprocessor with private storage.
An electronic chip could add to Ohio University students' security and peace of mind.
Some students now have the option to switch to credit cards with chip technology, also called EMV credit cards, which offer safety features not available with traditional credit cards. Meanwhile, some Athens businesses are seeing an increase in the usage of the new types of cards.
According to a Huffington Post report, the chip provides more protection than traditional credit cards because it has a tamper resistant microprocessor with private storage.
Students should be warned, though, that the EMV credit card does not offer complete protection from hackers.
As more and more companies switch to EMV credit cards, over time, traditional credit cards will no longer be accepted at most places, according to the report. Some banks are even issuing updated cards with chips to all of their customers.
Drake Heth, a sophomore studying marketing, recently upgraded to a card with chip technology. His bank, Simple, issued new cards to all of its customers with the chip installed.
“With the new cards, everyone is switching to it," Heth said. "I don’t really care or see a difference, but it's sometimes annoying as some machines require you to input it a different way."
The growing popularity of EMV cards can be seen in Athens, as Court Street businesses are purchasing credit card swipers that accept both traditional and EMV cards to accommodate the growing number of students and Athens residents getting credit cards with chips. That is the case for local store The Other Place, 43 S. Court St.
Ashley Spencer and Martina VonBargen, cashiers at The Other Place, say they have noticed an increase in the amount of customers that have EMV cards.
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“I would definitely say I have seen more people coming in here using cards with chips on them,” Spencer said.
While The Other Place accepts both traditional and EMV cards, VonBargen predicts soon that credit cards with chips will become the norm.
“It’s like the transition from DVD to VHS, there is a transition period for the switch to happen, but soon it will just all switch over to chips,” VonBargen said.
As to whether EMV cards provide more security than traditional cards, Spencer and VonBargen are doubtful.
“I guess it could be in some cases and that’s what they say, but I’m not sure,” Spencer said.
VonBargen agreed, “as soon as you come up with new technology, someone will find a way to hack it," she said.
Both employees have conflicting views on the chip. Spencer said the chip takes longer, and she had experienced problems with it, while VonBargen said she loves using the chip.
“I really like it," VonBargen said. "I think it’s so much quicker, but I don’t know, maybe I just like it because it’s new.”
Liz Palma, a cashier at Mountain Laurel Gifts, 25 S. Court St., echoed similar sentiments. She said she noticed an increase in the usage of EMV credit cards, and while she doesn’t have a preference between traditional or chip, she wants a standard card.
“I think if we transfer to the chip, we should just switch over. It makes things easier really," Palma said.
Yewande Oyesola, a freshman studying biology, says she has had trouble with the chip not working with certain machines.
“In some establishments that don’t yet have the chip technology, my card gets declined,” Oyesola said.
Some students, such as Milan Starr, a freshman studying chemical engineering, who have traditional credit cards, don’t yet see the point in trying to switch to EMV cards.
“I don’t know anything about the chip, so I don’t see the point in switching to it," Starr said.
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