Frequently asked questions  

Chip & PIN technology provides better protection against fraud, with the added security of a Personal Identification Number (PIN). These Chip &PIN cards also feature an embedded microchip that encrypts cardholder information into a unique code improving security when making purchases at Chip-activated terminals. 

Every time you use your card at a chip-activated terminal, the embedded chip generates a unique, one-time use code for each transaction. This makes it difficult for the card to be copied or counterfeited, and your information is protected. 

Putting a chip on a card adds an extra level of data encryption, since it allows you to authorize transactions by entering your PIN. Additionally, Chip & PIN cards can make it more convenient for you to use the Card internationally, since this technology is already common in many countries.

A Personal Identification Number (PIN) is a four-digit numerical code chosen by you. The PIN is used as an extra layer of security. In addition to your signature and card’s chip and your pin will be used to confirm your identity at chip-activated terminals that support PIN validation. 

Never share your PIN with anyone, including friends, family, merchants or customer service representatives.  You'll never be asked to provide your PIN by any Scotiabank representative. Also remember the following tips:

• Do not write your PIN down anywhere, including on your Card.
• Do not keep you Card and PIN in the same place, such as in your wallet or purse.
• Do cover the keypad with your hand or body when you're entering your PIN at an ATM or on a PIN pad at a store.

Insert the Chip-end of your card into the terminal with the chip facing up (leave the card in the terminal until you are prompted to remove it). Approve the amount and follow the prompts to enter your PIN or provide your signature. Remove the card when prompted. 

If you swipe your card at a merchant who supports Chip technology, a message will be displayed instructing you to insert your card into the terminal.

Scotiabank Chip & PIN cards will continue to have a magnetic stripe to allow for use at merchants who have not yet adopted Chip technology.

Scotiabank does not control the options presented for payment at a merchant. The merchant determines whether you are required to enter your PIN or use a signature for the transaction.

You will need your PIN to complete transactions at an ABM. Note that the card will be retained in the ABM until your transaction is complete. Please remember to remove your card when leaving the terminal.

With your ScotiaCard^TM Mastercard® Debit you can withdraw and deposit cash, check your balance and transfer funds between accounts. Services are subjected to the ABM configuration. Fees apply for ABMs transactions..

No, these security enhancements for chip and contactless technology are provided by Scotiabank at no cost to you.

A secure and convenient payment method that speeds up checkout as cardholders can pay by tapping or waving their card over the POS reader.

The card provides a wireless link with the terminal, creating a unique one-time transaction code every time the card is tapped. 

1.  Look for the contactless symbol at the terminal
2. Wait for the merchant to start the transaction on the contactless terminal
3. Tap to pay at the terminal
4. if purchase is over US$50/JMD equivalent, enter your PIN or sign.

Yes, absolutely. With secure encryption technology, your contactless payment is as safe as a chip and PIN payment.

• When paying contactless you can always keep the card in your hands, so you won’t forget it or lose it.
• Not billed twice: Even if you tap more than once at the checkout, you'll only get billed once for your purchase.

Contactless payments are not only more secure but allows you to speed through checkout. A contactless transaction takes less than half a second. It is 10 times faster than swiping or dipping your card.

Although it looks very simply to make a transaction, Scotiabank contactless cards are protected in many different ways. The bank sets a limit on the number/value of contactless transactions that can be made before a cardholder is asked to perform a contact transaction.

Every now and then, you will be asked to perform a contact transaction and verify your transaction with your PIN to prove that it is you in possession of your card (for chip and PIN cards), or verify your transaction by signing for your purchase to prove that it is you in possession of your card (for chip and signature cards).

For your security, there is a limit for a contactless transaction. If the transaction is over $50USD/JMD equivalent, the merchant will ask you to insert the card and enter your PIN or sign to complete your purchase.

For security reasons, you will need to make one Chip and PIN / signature transaction before you can use your contactless card. From time to time, when making a contactless transaction you will be asked to insert your card and enter your PIN / provide your signature for additional security.

Mastercard is accepted in shops and ABMs in more than 210 countries and territories around the world. 

Where you see this symbol at checkout, you can tap to pay with your contactless card. If you don't see the symbol, your contactless card can still be used by inserting in the terminal at checkout. 

You can insert the chip-end of your card into the terminal with the chip facing up and follow the instructions. Cards will continue to have a magnetic stripe to allow for use at merchants who have not yet adopted Chip and PIN and/or Contactless technology.

No. You do not have to hand over your card to a clerk during a contactless transaction. You keep the card with you and tap to pay.

Transactions are conducted only when the payment device is between 0–4 cm (centimeters) of the terminal and if the merchant has initiated the transaction.

The contactless feature cannot be disabled; however, the contactless card has the flexibility to allow transactions to be processed through Chip & PIN. If you do not wish to pay using contactless technology, simply insert the chip-end of your card into the terminal with the chip facing up and follow the instructions.

You should treat your contactless card as you would treat any credit or debit card. Always know where your contactless card is and keep it in a safe place.

Contactless purchases will be displayed on your statement just like any other purchase you make with a regular card.

While smart phones have applications that enable the phone to read some of the data from a contactless enabled card or device do exist, it can only read the account number and expiration date. Plus, the thief would need to be physically close to the card in order to get this information.

When a contactless transaction takes place the card or device provides the reader with a dynamic, one-time-only number that uniquely and securely identifies each specific transaction. It would be extremely difficult for a fraudster to copy the advanced encryption technology that is used to generate this dynamic number and create a functioning counterfeit version of a contactless card.

Mastercard protects consumers against fraudulent charges with a global zero liability policy. That means you are not held liable for unauthorized fraudulent transactions.

Yes, you may use your Chip and PIN for online and phone purchases.

No, you won't need to provide your PIN for online purchases or account services. Your PIN is different from the 4-digit number on the front of your Card (often required for online purchases). Never share your PIN with anyone, including merchants or customer service representatives.  

You can do any card on file purchases such as subscriptions and recurring payments such as music and video streaming, transportation apps and utilities payments.