31 May 2017
Signature to be Obsolete for Card Transactions effective 1 July 2017
Kuala Lumpur: CIMB Bank Berhad (“CIMB” or “the Bank”) is calling on all its merchants and customers to switch to PIN (Personal Identification Number) instead of signature as verification for all locally issued debit, credit, prepaid and charge cards (“payment cards”) transactions performed at point-of-sale (“POS”) terminals in Malaysia. From 1 July 2017 onwards, signature cannot be used as verification for shopping and purchases at POS terminals. Instead, a six-digit PIN will be required at POS terminals.
Tengku Dato’ Sri Zafrul Aziz, Group Chief Executive, CIMB Group and CEO of CIMB Bank Berhad said, “CIMB is fully supportive of Bank Negara Malaysia’s move from signature to PIN for all payment card transactions in Malaysia. In view of this mandatory switch from 1 July 2017, we have ramped up our communications and engagement efforts to ensure a smooth adoption of the PIN-based feature for both our valued cardholders and merchants. I would like to encourage all our cardholders to insist on using their PIN when making any payment transactions as the usage of PIN is faster, simpler and more secure.”
Prior to 1 January 2017, signature-based payment cards were gradually replaced with PIN- enabled payment cards. A six-month grace period, from 1 January to 30 June 2017, allows cardholders and merchants to familiarise themselves with the new PIN-based system. From 1 July 2017, merchants could likely lose business and customers could face a major inconvenience if they have yet to adopt or use the PIN-based system. Hence, merchants, including hotels, should start requesting for the six-digit PIN from their customers instead of bypassing the PIN request at POS terminals.
Using smart analytics, the Bank is also targeting customers who have yet to activate their PIN-enabled payment card so they can start using their six-digit PIN instead of signature, to facilitate the usage of their PIN-enabled payment cards from 1 July 2017 onwards.
To avoid any unwanted interruptions in their payment card usage:-
For CIMB debit cardholders:
- Those who have received the new PIN-enabled card bearing the MyDebit logo via mail but have not activated the card, should activate it at any CIMB ATM.
- Those who have not replaced their card at a CIMB branch or have not received the PIN-enabled card via mail, please visit any CIMB branch to get the new card with the MyDebit logo.
For CIMB credit cardholders:
- Those who have received the new PIN-enabled card but have not activated it, please contact the number on the back of the card or SMS CA <space> last four digits of card number and send to 68833.
- Those who have activated the card but have not changed their temporary PIN to a six-digit permanent PIN could change it via CIMB Clicks or at any CIMB ATM.
- Those who have not received their PIN-enabled card via mail, or whose PIN has been disabled are advised to contact CIMB call centre at 03 - 6204 7788.
For further information, please visit www.cimbbank.com.my/pinandpay
