The glory days of the old hand-operated credit card machines
are gone as we now swipe our cards to make purchases. Credit cards with raised information, once designed
to prevent crooks from counterfeiting cards, are disappearing.
Many companies and financial institutions – including
Community Financial Credit Union - have shifting to customizable, un-embossed
cards that are easier to produce and don’t feature the raised letters and
numbers.
Visa and MasterCard have also begun offering customers flat
cards that are missing the classic 3-D lettering, according to a recent article from Credit.com
that was posted on MSNBC.
Customers have probably noticed other changes to their cards
in recent years, including new aesthetics designed to make cards look more unique and
difficult for thieves to recreate. The three-digit CVV code is a mainstay, but
other changes such as holograms within the magnetic strip with unique logos and
subtle background graphics, as well as one-of-a-kind designs, have also been
added.
Finally, perhaps the biggest change the industry has seen
recently is the inclusion of chips within
“smart” cards. Magnetic strips figure to be used for years to come, but
cards with chips in them are being adopted due to their durability and ease of
use. Customers simply wave or tap their credit card in front of a sensor, and
off they go.
Smart cards aren’t quite as popular here as they are in Europe,
but many Americans have used them as school or work IDs.
Community Financial Credit Union currently offers branded,
smoother Visa® credit and debit cards, which are printed at each office on an
as need bases. Members walk out with
their new card and can pick from several designs.
For more information on the credit union’s card services,
visit www.cfcu.org or stop by one of our eight convenient locations
today.
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