Every major credit card brand has eliminated the signature requirement for in-store sales transactions. As of April 2018, signatures are optional. Note that Visa’s elimination of this requirement applies only to EMV contact or contactless chip-enabled merchants.

In making this decision, the card brands point out that they had already eliminated the need for a signature for sales below a certain amount, and the increased security measures built into point of sale technology now make obtaining a signature unnecessary at all levels. Additionally, removing the signature requirement for sales of any amount will help provide a more consistent and faster checkout for customers and reduce merchants’ operating costs associated with retaining signatures.

While the card brands will no longer require a signature, please note the following:

• Businesses may continue to obtain the cardholder’s signature if they desire, regardless of the transaction amount. Chip-enabled point of sale systems will still support signature as a cardholder verification method as part of standard EMV processing.
• Point of sale solutions may be updated to not capture a signature or not print a signature line on a paper receipt.
• Dispute rules will reflect the changes, meaning that where a signature was previously required, it will no longer be necessary for merchants and acquirers to produce the receipt bearing a signature in supporting documentation.

Is a complete paperless society far away? The credit card industry is moving that way, BUT the rest of society may take a while to catch up!

Review each card brand’s ‘No More Signatures’ announcements below: