What is EMV?

EMV is a fraud-reducing technology that can help protect issuers, merchants and consumers against losses from the use of counterfeit and lost or stolen payment cards at the point-of-sale.

Data Security

EMV cards are embedded with a microprocessor or smart chip that interacts with the merchant’s point-of-sale device to make sure that the payment card is valid and with the use of a PIN that it belongs to the person using the card.

Fraud Protection

This kind of chip technology adds layers of security against fraud and is virtually impossible to duplicate. At the moment of transaction- when the cardholder is most susceptible to fraud- an EMV cryptogram is what keeps sensitive data away from cyber-thieves.

What is the Timing for EMV in the U.S.?

Chip–based EMV payments are coming to the United States.

2011 – Starting in 2011, the four major payment brands introduced their roadmaps for EMV technology and encourage its adoption.

2013 – In April 2013, the first domestic milestone required processors like First Data to accept EMV–based payments from merchants.

2015 – First Data met this milestone and is already approved by MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express in the US as a transaction processor and is processing EMV transactions for one large retailer on U.S.–based chip cards.

Now – October 1, 2015 marked another major milestone where the fraud liability shifted to merchants for all point of sale devices (except Automated Fuel Dispensers). Liability shifts for Automated Fuel Dispensers begins in 2017.

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