MasterCard Extends Zero-Liability on Cards to ATM, PIN-Based Transactions

Following several data breaches at U.S. companies, MasterCard Inc, the second-largest debit and credit card company in the world, is extending its zero-liability policy for cardholders in the United States to include all PIN-based and ATM transactions.

According to Reuters, zero-liability protection currently ensures that cardholders will not be held responsible for unauthorized card transactions that require a customer’s signature, but it does not apply for unauthorized transactions using a customer’s PIN. The new policy is set to take effect in October.

The move is part of an effort to enable a smoother transition to more secure EMV chip technology on credit and debit cards, as both MasterCard and Visa are urging banks and retailers to meet an October 2015 deadline for adopting the technology.