We notice you are visiting from a U.S. Internet provider. 
14/06/2010 -
In a report Canadian retailers with credit card processing systems should be aware of, USA Today recently said that Americans traveling in other countries often have trouble using payment cards.The main reason for these problems is the variety of technology standards for payment processing, which differ depending on location. Jack Jania of the digital security company Gemalto told the paper that while cards issued in the United States are dependent on magnetic strips, those in many other countries have encrypted microprocessor chips.
Businesses have adjusted accordingly to the new technology, which Jania said is "being deployed everywhere else," but not the U.S. The cards are known as chip-and-PIN cards because they require a personal identification number.
Citing the trade group Smart Card Alliance, the paper reported that 22 countries are switching to the more secure chip-and-PIN standard including Canada, Mexico, parts of Asia and much of Western Europe.
Canadian merchants who accept Visa may already be familiar with the new system. According to the card company's official website, its new cards feature the microchip and identification number combination for added security. Visa says chip technology is already used in more than 86 countries.
