Retailers warned not to refuse signatures

Retail staff are being urgently reminded that visually impaired consumers and other disabled patients can continue to sign for their purchases after next Tuesday's chip and pin deadline day.

Concern has been raised after a national radio programme this week broadcast the experiences of visually impaired shoppers who were refused by stores already exclusively using the fraud prevention method whereby customers enter a four digit number - rather than sign - for their purchase.

The new system does not end the method of signing for purchases. Current old style cards can still be used and for those who need them banks are issuing chip and signature cards that prompt the retailer to ask the customer to sign.

Interviewed on BBC Radio 4's In Touch programme this week Sandra Quinn, APACS spokeswoman, said she had heard of some retailers whose staff appeared to be unaware that certain groups were still allowed to sign and said a publicity campaign was needed.

She urged listeners, many of whom are blind or disabled, to email her via the programme if they had bad experiences in the high street 'and highlight individual cases with banks or retailers' so that stores could be better informed.

'For chip and signature card users the chip on the card will make sure that a signature is always requested,' Quinn told the programme.
She added that she was disappointed that visually impaired people had received 'such bad advice' and said the chip and pin scheme had always accounted for disabled people, including those who have Parkinson's disease and hand mobility difficulties. She confirmed it was the responsibility of the user to ask their bank for a chip and signature card.

The chip and pin programme has reassured overseas card holders that they will be able to continue to sign for their purchases after February 14.