M&T Debit & Credit Cards with Chip Technology FAQs
We're here to answer your questions.
A chip card is built with a microchip that provides increased security and convenience when using your card at a chip-enabled terminal. Benefits include:
- The chip stores information required to authenticate, authorize and process your transactions
- The chip is encrypted, which means that it is difficult to copy or counterfeit
You may also hear cards with chip technology referred to as EMV® cards or Smartcards. EMV stands for Europay, MasterCard® and Visa®, the original organizations that created the specifications.
Chip technology provides stronger transaction security features and other encryption capabilities not possible with traditional magnetic stripe cards.
You can use your M&T card with chip technology at all locations that accept Visa® – with or without chip technology. The chip allows you to pay at international merchant locations where chip cards are the standard.
In addition to the embedded chip that provides an added layer of security at chip-enabled terminals, your card will also continue to have the traditional magnetic stripe, enabling you to use it at merchants who do not yet have a chip-enabled terminal.
No additional fees apply – please refer to your cardholder agreement for standard card fees.
You may load your M&T card with chip to any digital wallet that accepts M&T cards for payment.
Chip card technology provides an additional layer of security to help reduce certain types of fraud resulting from data breaches. However, it will not prevent a data breach.
No. As the industry continues to develop new ways to protect consumers, criminals continue to look for new ways to commit fraud. Chip cards provide an additional layer of security at chip-enabled terminals, on top of the fraud prevention monitoring we currently provide. You are also covered by the Visa Zero Liability Policy.{{d195*}}
No. Chip card technology is not a locator system. The chip on your card is limited to supporting authentication of card data.
M&T Bank is committed to your security and continues to provide you with Visa Zero Liability Policy{{d195*}}, 24/7/365 real time fraud monitoring and security alerts{{d70*}}.
You should never give out your PIN. M&T will never call customers asking for a PIN.
Yes. You can continue to use your card as you do today by following the instructions at an ATM.
To find out if the card reader is chip-enabled, swipe your card and then follow the prompts on screen. If the card reader is chip-enabled, you will be instructed to insert your card into the slot at the front of the reader. Keep your card in the reader and enter your PIN, or sign as needed. Follow the prompts on screen until your transaction is complete, and always remember to take your card when you're done.
If you don’t know your PIN or would like to change it, call 1-800-724-2440 or visit an M&T branch.
You may be asked to enter your PIN when using your new M&T Visa® Credit Card at a chip-enabled merchant location. In other instances, you may simply be asked to sign a receipt. Just follow the prompts on the merchant terminal. The merchant terminal will guide you through the transaction.
Your PIN adds an extra layer of security to the transaction. Only you, as the cardholder, will know your PIN.
If you don't know your PIN or would like to change it, call
- 1-800-724-2440 for Debit Card
- 1-866-279-0888 for Credit Card
You can visit mtb.com/chipcard for more information or call 1-866-279-0888 (Mon–Fri 6am–9pm and Sat–Sun 9am–5pm ET).
