does anybody remember an article about Wal-mart only accepting PIN entered transactions on debit cards starting Jan. 1? I read this somewhere a month or so ago and cannot locate the information.

I don't remember the article, but we were commenting the other day that our new 'Rewards' program cannot be used at Wal*Mart because you must enter your PIN when the card is swiped.

I do recall something about that however I'm not sure where to locate it. When I use my debit card at Wal-Mart, it defaults to a PIN based transaction, however I can 'cancel' the PIN identifier and sign like a credit card. I know Wal-mart doesn't want it done that way but it still can be. Not to mention, I can never remember my computer generated PIN#.

Oh - thanks for the info Mck401. I'll try to remember that when our rewards kick in.

Our Walmart wouldn't take them without the PIN either, but after a WHOLE BUNCH of complaints as customers were then charged by their bank for a PIN based transaction, then they changed their policy. They can do either now.

I know that is how it is now, but I am looking for the article about how starting Jan. 1 this won't be the case.

The grocery store chain in this area is like that. When you pay with your debit card it automatically prompts you to use your PIN even if you say "credit card" to the cashier. I'm not sure if you can override it - but the good thing is that they don't charge a fee when the transaction hits your account and we (the Bank) do not charge our fee either. Not sure how that one works out but no complaints here...

Heres the Wal-Mart article:

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/retail/2003-12-03-walmart-mc_x.htm

Since we still charge a small fee for PIN-based transactions, we heavily promote "sign you save, PIN you pay, (cancel you can)" to our debit card holders.

But the Wal-Mart vs. MasterCard and Visa suit resulted in Visa and MasterCard dropping their "must accept" rule, so Wal-Mart and others now have the right to refuse to accept signature-debit if they wish.

True, but as someone else noted, that can make for some very unhappy customers. Luckily for us, we're in a small community and many of the cashiers are our customers and they will actually help someone through the process of cancelling and signing if they look confused (or can't remember their PIN).