17 Dec
2003
17 Dec
'03
11:17 p.m.
For AMEX, it apears not! Or at least there is a requirement for the assistant to enter the extra four digits in certain cases. The precise nature of the circumstance when they are required to be card present I am not sure (in fact I would bet they vary). There is no reason why the magnetic strip should necessarily be considered to be card present. It is easy enough to forge, readers need not be attended (eg petrol pumps). I'm not sure on the exact rules, I don't pay $80 for the privillege of having plastic! Thew main point I was responding to was the "add information to card that is not on the stripe" point of the original poster. Phill