EMV LIABILITY

Protect yourself from EMV payment disputes.

EMV Liability

Liability shift

What are EMV cards?

EMV cards include a computer chip that creates an extra layer of security, protecting your payment details with a new code each time the card is used. This makes them far less susceptible to fraud.

Learn more about EMV >

What is this “liability shift”?

Previously, credit card issuers were responsible for funds stolen during a fraudulent transaction. Now liability for fraud or payment disputes goes to whichever party is least compliant with the new EMV system. So if you swipe a chip card when you should have dipped, issuers won’t reimburse you.


Liability for magstripe and EMV chip cards.

Magstripe cards (without chips)

As long as it doesn’t have a chip and you swipe it, you won’t be liable for an EMV payment dispute. Make sure to always check your cardholder’s ID and have them authorize the payment.

  • Swipe: You won’t be liable for EMV payment disputes.

EMV chip cards

You need to dip any chip cards presented to you in order to protect yourself.

  • Dip: You won’t be liable for an EMV payment dispute.
  • Swipe: You’ll be liable for an EMV payment dispute.

Protect your money with Square Reader for contactless and chip.

With over 90% of Square customers using chip cards, chances are you see them every day. Payment disputes from swiping instead of dipping a chip card are usually resolved in the customer’s favor, which means you have to cover the loss.

“If you're not equipped to run chip card transactions, fraudulent charges may now be your responsibility to cover.”

Terri Teshiba, Aikido Cultural Institute

“The ultimate goal is to reduce fraud, and the chip reader will reduce it.”

Peter Granger, My Peak Performance Coach

“We're all going to need a credit card with a chip. And therefore we'll need a card reader that reads those chipped credit cards.”

Melissa Keller, Artless Corporation

Square for chip cards

Order your Square Reader for contactless and chip.

It’s fast, secure, wireless, and designed for every business—everywhere.

  • Accept NFC payments (including Apple Pay) and chip cards anywhere your business takes you.

  • Works with iPhone, iPad, and Android devices. Check device compatibility.

  • Switch to EMV and NFC without long-term contracts or reterminalization fees.


Dip the chip.

EMV chip cards are the new standard in payment cards. Insert the chip card into the reader and leave it in place until the lights turn green (usually around 3 seconds).

Tap for mobile.

Take mobile payments like Apple Pay or Google Wallet by having your customers hold their phone above the reader until the sale is complete.


Pricing

$59

Order your Square Reader for contactless and chip for $59 and process credit cards right out of the box. Pay 2.6% + 10¢ per tap, dip, or swipe for Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express. Get your money as fast as the next business day. No monthly fees, no commitments, no surprises.