SECURITY: Time to tap technology

Shoppers, are you concerned about the security of our credit/debit card use at big retail stores? Me too.

The theft of consumer information from big stores like Target and Neiman Marcus left me wondering why the USA doesn’t have a more secure system in place. Europe’s credit and debit cards are equipped with a higher level of security through “Chip and PIN” embedded microchip technology. In order to use a card, you must enter a code each time.

Why isn’t the USA using this technology?

Big Retailers have resisted implementing this technology because of the cost of new terminals. Their complaint would be far better received had they not recently received a Durbin Amendment $20 billion windfall in the form of dramatically reduced swipe fees.

Banks aren’t to blame.

It’s time to change over to chip and PIN technology. Big retailers need to stop dragging their feet.

WAYNE E. JOHNSON

Hayden Lake