zippo--with the chip and PIN, you don't put in your PIN everytime. The card is randomly selected so that you have to use the PIN some of time time. Just got my card, and still trying to remember yet another PIN.

I have never once had a clerk in the US look at my signature on a credit card to check it. However, while living in Northern Ireland, I have never once NOT had a clerk check the signature. And I was unable to use my card one time because I hadn't signed my new card yet.

This signature thing is certainly no deterrent for anything.

I mean if they forge a card, they put their own signature on the card. For a while, there were a lot of cards stolen right from the US Post Office, they simply put their own signature on it. To some degree, that has been aleviated by insisting the card be activated from your own telephone; although I'm sure sophisticated scum like those running these operations have figured out ways around it.

I always chuckle when they check the signature and yes it is true that in London especially I have hardly ever used my card and not had the signature checked or at least looked at.

Of course there are many places where signatures are not required (I guess mostly for small ticket items) like McD's and the underground ticketing machines. Also self service gas stations.

But an interesting story. Seveal years ago, I was a victim of the forged card syndrome at home. So when the bill came, I saw a charge at the start of the escapade from a gas station. Ha ha I told the investigator, all they have to do is check the license plate they put on cc slips. He just laughed and laughed.

The signature thing certainly <i>is</i> a deterrent - but only if the clerk's head is in daylight.

That's why an ID check is always performed on high-ticket items.

(p.s. My mother never signed her credit cards. Why? &quot;Because then if anyone stole your card, they'd know how to make your signature.&quot; The same lady accumulated a million dollars in real estate dealing.)