Friday 12th February, 2006
Chaos on the cards? Introduction of Chip and PIN Forwarns of ID Card Troubles
Adam Pegley, www.idcardandyou.co.uk
Chaos on the cards? Introduction of Chip and PIN Forwarns of ID Card Troubles
Adam Pegley, www.idcardandyou.co.uk
In almost eerie parallels, the widespread introduction of personal identification numbers (PIN) for credit and debit cards has forewarned of the chaos that could await the introduction of biometric identification.
From midnight on 14th February, retailers can ask you to provide a PIN or refuse your transaction. Consumer groups and charities have warned of the problems facing members of the public who can’t remember their PIN.
Whilst banks have put considerable effort into publicising the deadline to use PIN, they have done little to inform the public of alternative (non-PIN cards) or that cards can continue to be used with just a signature. As a result, it is expected from Tuesday that ill-informed shop staff will refuse customers who don’t know their PIN.
Adding to consumers woes are the problems of the mobile card readers which are most commonly used in small shops, bars and restaurants. These frequently fail to connect properly to banks and refuse the card. So if you are planning a romantic dinner in a fancy restaurant on St. Valentines Day, remember it may be wise to pay before midnight.
As one of the three pillars of biometric identification (‘something you hold, something you know, something you are’), the governments proposed identity card and biometric passport will include PIN. It will be a requirement that you provide this to verify the card before you can access services. If you can’t remember the PIN you will be refused access to social benefits and health services. Failure to confirm your identity can result in your arrest and detention.
The ID card and biometric passport can be required as proof of identity in conjunction with large credit card purchases. That’s two PIN numbers to remember and two separate card readers to deal with, thus quadrupling the chance of default.
So this week when you are stuck at the check-out with a trolley full of shopping and two miserable kids and the assistant tells you, “sorry you’ll have to put it all back”, spare a thought that one day it could be an immigration official refusing you entry to the U.K. because you can’t remember the PIN for your biometric ID.