The point most have missed is that a signiture transaction if disputed the merchant has to send the signed slip to the card center so the signiture can be verified.
If they dont match or they fail to provide the slip, the transaction is reversed and merchant is out of pocket for being slack.

In my case not one of the 4 transaction for over $800 even appeared on my card when the statement turned up.

All reversed and I would hope the business owners kicked the slack staff bums.
I use to worry about them not checking the signiture to, but now I know its not my problem and dont care anymore.

Hawkie,
As a signer, could you explain your comment re the 4 Transactions.
ie did someone used your card number( did not have the card?) to purchase gear at over $800 x 4 and the purchases did not appear on your statement, how could this happen, if the credit card reader is on line when the fraud purchases were made.

Peter

Here's 2 simple facts:

If your card is stolen, either physically or electronically (by a modified eftpos or skimmer) and duplicated and you sign, then you wont need to pay for disputed transactions. IE someone steals your card and charges 10,000 at the porno store, if the guy behind the counter takes their dodgy impersonation of your signature, its his problem, you don't pay.

If you pin, and your pin is stolen along with the card, the dodgy transactions (the 10,000 porno bill) are your problem to deal with, be warned!!!

Sean,
I don't think you are correct when you say that if your card and pin are stolen and a fraudster takes money from the card it is your poroblem. To understand the situation one needs to take a look at the merchant agreements between the mercant and the merchant banker. (these are availbe in the public domain) From my understanding (45 years in the finance industry) and a quick read of a merchant agreement a card transaction is invalid where:

• The cardholder did not participate in the transaction, and or

• The cardholder disputes liability of the transaction.

It then becomes a matter of dispute and genrealy works out in the card holders favour wher fraud is proven.

Credit card fraudsters in my opinion are some of the lowest scum with there violation of our being and are as bad a rapist.

Anyone who would keep their P.I.N within a bulls roar of their card deserves everything they get.

Whether you use it or not, all cards come with an allocated P.I.N which you can change if you wish

If you select a number of reasonable length, unless you keep that number near your card it is highly improbable that your number will be compromised in a physical theft of your card.

OT,

With my battered carcass and memory failing simultaneously and rapidly I tend to sign as I find remembering my PIN difficult and the constant signing of my name reminds me who I am.

Now what my signature, ah yes!

DS.

Don't start worrying about your mind until you begin signing as "S Dog"!

Shaggy,

That must be when they check out your "daddle".

Ummm.......more of a craft problem, but by using the pin you don't have to hand your card over and can insist on scanning the card yourself, the card never leaves your hand.

With signing, the vendor normally takes the card from you and after scanning puts it down on the counter then gets you to sign the slip and checks your signature before giving your card back.

Even if you do use a pin, I know with my card it can still be used with a signature so if it is stolen someone can use a signature of some sort for the transaction. ie; the pin will not stop it being used for signature also.

A recent even made me decide to return to the pin instead of signing. As a caravanner, I paid for fuel with a signature. Although I am just as much to blame, the attendant forgot to hand my card back to me and I forgot to retrieve it. Some 160kms later, I went to pay for some more fuel and found I didn't have my card. If I had used a pin for the fuel I would have still had my card as it wouldn't have left my hands. Thankfully, being in a remote area where a new card was not an option, the place I left it arranged for a regular customer truckie to drop it off to me the same day as he was coming that way.

I do think the poster here who said instead of having your signature on the back of your card have "pin and photo ID" only (eg; photo drivers licence) written in the signature space has the right idea.