Visa card security

You should not have to worry about your credit card security and privacy. At MBNA, we have taken specific measures to make sure your valuable information remains protected.

  • Our secure encryption technology keeps your information confidential.
  • If a fraudulent charge appears upon your statement, we can help make it right.

With MBNA, you won't be held responsible for any unauthorized use of your credit device (i.e. card plastic), PIN or account number, provided you take reasonable steps to protect each of them against loss and theft and you cooperate fully with any investigation into any such unauthorized use. You can feel comfortable knowing your information is being valued and protected.

See your Account Agreement for full details.

Your security is a top priority at MBNA. Our real-time fraud detection system monitors your account 24/7 days a week for any transactions that appear out of character or that we suspect may be fraudulent. Here are the key features you will get with your MBNA credit card:

  • Visa Zero Liability Policy: Use your Visa® card to shop anywhere--whether it's on the Internet or in a store--and you are protected from unauthorized use of your VISA card. The Visa Zero Liability policy eliminates consumer liability for fraudulent transactions.
  • Card Verification Code (CVC): All our credit cards use a CVC code that can normally be found on the signature strip on the back of a credit card (the last 3 digits). The purpose of this is to verify that the genuine credit card is being used to make the purchase.
  • Chip & PIN: We continue to convert all of our credit cards to Chip & PIN technology, one of the most secure ways to pay by credit or debit card. Instead of a signature, you will be asked to enter a 4-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN) known only to you. Learn more about Chip & PIN.
Expand What is Chip & PIN security?
Chip & PIN is state-of-the art technology that is already widely used in many parts of the world. It's the next evolution of the Canadian payments industry, helping to make an already safe system even more secure by providing enhanced protection against lost, stolen and counterfeit card fraud. Over the next few years, MBNA, along with the rest of the financial services industry in Canada, will continue incorporating Chip & PIN technology into credit card products.
Expand What is a Chip & PIN credit card and how does it work?

The introduction of Chip & PIN involves embedding a microchip into your credit card. The encrypted chip securely stores and processes data and provides enhanced security and protection to help guard against fraud.

Chip & PIN credit cards are virtually impossible to copy due to the encrypted chip in the card. When used at retail locations and automated teller machines (ATMs) with chip-enabled terminals, the system validates the chip as well as your PIN. This provides you with an extra layer of security above and beyond the chip, because your PIN is unique to you. Chip & PIN credit cards are the future of electronic payments.
Expand Are Chip & PIN credit cards more secure than other credit cards?

Yes. The encrypted chip from the Chip & PIN credit card includes a range of security measures that work together to provide multi-layered protection against fraud. The enhanced security features of Chip & PIN credit cards also make them virtually impossible to replicate and therefore less likely to be a target for criminals.

In addition, MBNA's fraud detection systems continue to protect you around-the-clock.
Expand Where can I use my Chip & PIN credit card?
You can use your Chip & PIN card at any retail location or ATM around the world where Visa credit cards are accepted. If you shop at a merchant that does not yet have a chip-reading terminal, the merchant will swipe the card and you will sign the receipt as usual.
Expand How can I use my Chip & PIN credit card to make a purchase?
If a retail store does not yet have a chip-enabled terminal, your credit card will be swiped and your card's magnetic stripe with your signature will complete the purchase.

When making a purchase using your chip credit card at a chip-enabled terminal, rather than swiping your credit card, you insert it into the terminal and leave it there for the entire transaction. The chipenabled terminal will prompt you on next steps. You will enter your unique 4-digit PIN instead of verifying the transaction with a signature. Once the transaction is complete, remove your credit card when prompted. This completes the transaction.
Expand Will my Chip & PIN credit card be accepted at all ATM terminals?
Yes, Chip & PIN credit cards still have a magnetic stripe and will still work at any ATM showing the Visa logo.
Expand How does the chip technology work for online and telephone transactions?
Transactions made online or over the telephone with your Chip & PIN credit card are conducted the same as your non-chip credit card. This may include using your 3-digit verification code on the back of the card. Never give your PIN to anyone; it's not needed for online or telephone transactions.
Expand Will I be able to use my chip credit card for retail purchases and cash advances outside of Canada?
Yes, your Chip & PIN credit card can be used anywhere in the world where Visa is accepted. Many countries have already adopted chip technology and Canadian chip credit cards will be fully compatible with these systems. In countries that have yet to switch to chip technology or do not plan to, cardholders will be able to use the magnetic stripe on the back of their Chip & PIN credit cards.
Expand Will Chip & PIN technology eventually replace the magnetic stripe technology?
Over the next few years, all major Canadian banks will be converting to chip technology. For now, magnetic stripes will remain on credit cards to allow consumers to use their credit cards at Canadian ATMs and store terminals that have not yet been upgraded, and in countries that have not migrated to Chip & PIN. The transfer to chip technology represents an evolution of the electronic payments system designed to make a safe payment system even more secure.
Expand Is my magnetic stripe on my credit card still safe to use?
Yes. Magnetic stripe technology is safe, reliable and convenient. The migration to chip technology represents a forward-looking evolution of electronic payments systems designed to make an already safe payments system even more secure.
Expand Once I receive a new MBNA Chip & PIN credit card, can I use my original MBNA credit card instead of the new Chip & PIN credit card?
No. Once you're issued a new Chip & PIN credit card and it has been activated, destroy the old credit card and securely discard it.
Expand How do I get a PIN for my Chip & PIN card?
To securely obtain a PIN, or to change it at any time, call us at 1.888.876.6262. If you're registered for online banking, you can also securely view your PIN online by logging into Online Banking. A brochure detailing additional information about Chip & PIN technology will also be sent along with your new or replacement MBNA Chip & PIN Visa credit card.
Expand Do the other cardholders on my account need a PIN too?
Yes. All cardholders on the account will need a PIN to utilize their account at chip-enabled terminals.
Expand How can I protect my PIN number?
Your PIN is unique to you and it must be kept confidential. To protect yourself against unauthorized use of your account, you should memorize your PIN and not carry it with you. Never lend your card or disclose your PIN to anyone, including our own Customer Service Associates. Your PIN is only required at chip-enabled and ATM terminals. Never disclose your PIN over the phone, internet or when making a mail order transaction.
Expand How can I change my PIN or have it reset because I have forgotten it?
If you'd like to change your PIN or if you've forgotten your PIN, simply call us at 1.888.876.6262 and select the option to change your PIN.

Visa payWave®: a faster way to pay

Visa payWave is a convenient feature that lets you pay with your card or mobile device by simply waving it over a secure reader instead of inserting or swiping your card. The purchase will then be authorized, processed and billed in the same secure way it is today. All you have to do is check for this symbol on your card or check that your bank is participating in Visa payWave for mobile, and that you have downloaded the mobile app to your phone, wave it and go.

How Visa payWave transactions work

Visa payWave cards have an embedded antenna and microchip, enabling "contactless" communication with a reader at the checkout. No swiping, inserting, signing or PIN is required for purchases under the merchant's set limit. If your purchase is over the merchant's set limit, you may be asked to sign, swipe or insert your card instead.
Similarly, Visa payWave-enabled mobile devices with built-in near field communications (NFC) technology combined with an application, facilitates the same kind of instant communication with the reader. When you wave your phone in front of the contactless reader, the Visa payWave application safely transmits encrypted payment information to the reader. If your purchase is over the limit, you may be asked to insert your card or enter a PIN and tap a second time. 

Visa payWave security

Visa payWave uses EMV chip technology, which provides enhanced security and protection from fraud. Visa payWave transactions are processed through the same secure and reliable network used for all Visa transactions. And because your card or mobile device never leaves your hand during the entire Visa payWave transaction, the risk of your card being used for fraudulent transactions is reduced.
All Visa cards also carry the Visa Zero Liability policy, which provides you with protection against fraud. If your Visa card is lost or stolen, you pay nothing for any fraudulent purchases. *