SBI Customers Alert! Do you have a debit card? Your bank set to make it invalid; rush, you must do this

After banning SBI Buddy and mobile wallet in the beginning of this month, the largest lender, State Bank of India (SBI) is all set to shut another service from January 01, 2019. The service which will become invalid after December 31, will bring in lot of trouble to SBI customers as it would be their debit cards that no more be active. SBI has been asking its customers to link their debit cards with an EMV chip which it had launched from September month. Now that only few days are left for 2018 year end, you might want to make sure your SBI debit card is linked with EMV chip, if you want to make ATM transactions, digital banking and many other services. 

SBI via its official Twitter account said, "We're replacing ‘Magstripe Debit Cards’ with more secure ‘EMV Chip Debit Cards’, free of cost. Switch to an EMV Card today. Last day to upgrade your Debit Card: 31st December 2018."

What are Magstripe Card? 

Cards which are without EMV chip either be Mastercard or Visa card - they are called  Magstripe Cards. You can identify your Debit Card as a Magstripe Debit Card if there is no Chip located on the face (centerleft position) of the Debit Card. 

What are EMV chip? 

EMV Chip technology is the latest global standard for Debit Card payments. This technology features Debit Cards with embedded microprocessor chip that store and protect cardholder data.

This is a much secure technology as compared to Magstripe variants of Card. 

Based on RBI guidelines, SBI is replacing the Magstripe Debit cards with more secure EMV Chip

Debit Cards. After issuance and dispatch of such Debit Cards, Bank will block the old Magstripe Debit Card after giving sufficient time to the Cardholder.

The main agenda to replace debit cards with EMV chip is to ensure transparency and eliminate fraud that occur at ATM or through any other form of transactions. 

What should you do? 

You should check with your Branch if the replacement Card has been issued. The Branch will provide you the details of the dispatch of the new EMV Chip Card issued to you. If no new Card has been issued in your account, you can apply for the replacement EMV Chip Debit Card by visiting your home Branch. 

Alternatively, you can also request for issuance of the replacement EMV Chip Debit Card through internet banking (www.onlinesbi.com).

How to apply via online? 

Login to www.onlinesbi.com using user id and password and follow the below path to request for a new EMV Chip Debit Card.

“Login to Internet Banking >> e-Services >> ATM Card Services >> Request ATM/Debit Card”

It needs to be noted that,  there will be no change in Annual Maintenance Charge as compared to Magstripe Card. 

Not replaced by December 2018? 

SBI says in its notification,  "Please do not wait for the deadline. Please visit you home branch to check if any replacement EMV Card has been issued in your account. You can get the tracking details of the dispatch of the Debit." 

If the replacement Debit Card has not been issued in your account, you can request the branch to issue a new EMV Chip Debit Card without any charges.

The returned Cards are sent to Home Branch. Hence visit your home branch for getting delivery of the Card and to know the status of the Card.