These changes were implemented in 2018, when different credit card companies started to flexibilize this requirement, with the arrival of new technologies that help validate customer identities without the need to sign payment receipts.
What Does This Mean for the Merchant?
This is an important innovation in terms of security, like EMV chips, contactless payments, and advanced technologies against fraud. These improvements offer greater security and a simpler way to pay.
Now, the merchant will not need to ask for a signature on payment receipt, with additional options to offer customers an expedited experience.
For the Common Good
Given the current pandemic situation, with the spread of the novel coronavirus, brands such as Visa and Amex have announced their efforts to reduce contact at POS terminals and support merchants.
Recently, Visa announced that it will be extending the option of not requiring signatures to all merchants, even if they don’t have the ability to process EMV chip payments, in order to reduce contact at POS terminals.
Meanwhile, American Express, in its effort to support both cardholders and merchants, will not require the cardholder’s signature at POS terminals for current card transactions.
VISA:
https://usa.visa.com/dam/VCOM/global/support-legal/documents/visa-nosigflyer-us-can-040518.pdf
AMEX:
https://www.americanexpress.com/us/merchant/index.html?inav=gb_sitefooter_merchant
