13th February 2005, 8:33 PM
No really, the computer can't tell the difference on that end. The data is encoded the same way, and the exact same thing is asked for and sent. That is, the account number, expiration date, verification code thingy, and amount charged are all sent. That data is encoded the same way despite the card. The return data is just "accepted" or "denied" (if it's denied, try managing your affairs better! yeesh...), so no, the card slider does not have to be modified to accept debit cards, because the exact same data is sent and recieved either way. The credit machine has NO idea of the details going on. It doesn't even CARE about any bank account or credit issues, just that it was accepted and is now filed with that place. The details on if the money will be coming from a bank account or from the credit card company, later collected on with interest, and also actually delivering the money into that company's account, is ALL up to the computers at that company. The slider just recieves that it was confirmed and, most likely, stores a record of that on it's computer. Since that's all the data that is transfered and recieved, why WOULD there be a problem accepting debit cards?
Really, that IS how it works, there is no problem!
Oh and, you mentioned some stores ONLY accept debit cards? I suspect that isn't due to data compatibility myself... I suspect rather it's because they don't want to risk any credit incidents, since credit is essentially borrowed money from the credit card company. The sale could end up having to be cancelled due to that person's negligence, and the product collected, likely in worse condition than when first sold. I dunno, some store policy like that? I mean, that might explain why they only take credit cards. I'm pretty sure if you managed to trick them into thinking it was a debit card it would work though :D.
There is one special bit of programming they can add though, purely for security, not nesecity. That is, I notice a lot of places have added a special debit option on the scanners that actuall send an extra bit of data that tells them it is a debit card specifically, so instead of handling it like a credit card, they actually ask you for your PIN number and it's managed more securely that way. Well, not really when you think about it. I mean, that security is supposed to prevent OTHERS from using the card, right? Well, if someone steals your card, do you really think they are going to select "debit"? Oh no, they'll just select "credit" (which works just fine, as I've said, because the card's data is in the same format as a credit card, also I've done it before myself) and won't even have to know your PIN number. Honestly, the whole method is just a placebo to make people think they are being more secure. Really, using that method yourself isn't making it any more secure at all.
Really, that IS how it works, there is no problem!
Oh and, you mentioned some stores ONLY accept debit cards? I suspect that isn't due to data compatibility myself... I suspect rather it's because they don't want to risk any credit incidents, since credit is essentially borrowed money from the credit card company. The sale could end up having to be cancelled due to that person's negligence, and the product collected, likely in worse condition than when first sold. I dunno, some store policy like that? I mean, that might explain why they only take credit cards. I'm pretty sure if you managed to trick them into thinking it was a debit card it would work though :D.
There is one special bit of programming they can add though, purely for security, not nesecity. That is, I notice a lot of places have added a special debit option on the scanners that actuall send an extra bit of data that tells them it is a debit card specifically, so instead of handling it like a credit card, they actually ask you for your PIN number and it's managed more securely that way. Well, not really when you think about it. I mean, that security is supposed to prevent OTHERS from using the card, right? Well, if someone steals your card, do you really think they are going to select "debit"? Oh no, they'll just select "credit" (which works just fine, as I've said, because the card's data is in the same format as a credit card, also I've done it before myself) and won't even have to know your PIN number. Honestly, the whole method is just a placebo to make people think they are being more secure. Really, using that method yourself isn't making it any more secure at all.
"On two occasions, I have been asked [by members of Parliament], 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?' I am not able to rightly apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question." ~ Charles Babbage (1791-1871)