PONTYPOOL shoppers could get more than they bargained for on Valentine's Day if paying with a chip and PIN card.

From Tuesday, February 14, any customer with a chip and pin card should expect to use their personal identification number when paying for their goods, as most shops, which have upgraded to the new system, wave good bye to signatures. Those with chip and PIN cards are being urged to ensure they know their PIN and to change the number at a cash machine to something more memorable if they have trouble remembering it.

Stores such as Woolworths, Boots and Wilkinson's, in Pontypool, are adopting the move and have been displaying posters to inform customers of the changes, although those cardholders who have yet to be upgraded to chip and PIN will still be able to sign for their purchases.

The system was first introduced in 2003 and is part of a global initiative to cut fraud. The first six months of 2005 saw a £36 million reduction in counterfeit, lost and stolen fraud on plastic cards in the UK.

With this in mind the Pontypool Free Press took to the street to see how prepared local shoppers are for the new system.

David Charles, 48, of Pontypool, said he wasn't aware signatures are being phased out on Valentine's day.

"I have two PIN numbers, and I have an awful memory so I have to use something memorable. It can be a bit embarrassing when you forget and I think it is a concern for elderly people who may have difficulty remembering their PIN numbers."

l Julie Sheals, 49, of Blaenavon, uses plastic when shopping and said she is cautious when paying by card.

"I have two cards and separate numbers for each. I struggle sometimes to recall the numbers but I have never failed to remember them" she said.

"I am sure the system offers security but I am very careful, I hate it in supermarket queues when people are standing over you."

l Paul Smith, 49, of Sebastopol, said: "You can always change your pin numbers to suit you. I use the numbers the bank gave me, it took a while to remember them. I think chip and PIN is a lot easier and it's quicker, but we will have to wait and see if it's completely safe. If tricksters want something they will find a way."

Mr Smith added he was concerned for elderly people who may have difficulty using the system.

"My 75-year-old mother has a card and I use it on her behalf, but it could be open to abuse. When she was first using her card she had the number written down to remember it, which isn't safe."

Emma Hadfield, 25, of Pontnewydd, Cwmbran said: "I was aware of the change and I use cards myself, it's easier. Because I have got two or three cards I do find it difficult to remember the pin numbers sometimes. In the past when I have typed in the wrong number they asked me to sign, but that is stopping."

She said she was concerned that chip and PIN could still be used fraudulently.

"I know the pin numbers of my partner's cards and I could use his without shops knowing, because retailers don't check the card.

l Irving Read, 68, of Pentropiod, doesn't use plastic cards for shopping, but has to use the chip and PIN system to collect his pension

"You need a damn good memory to remember all your account numbers. I have a plastic card but I don't use it to buy anything. I use a card to get my pension and that was difficult to get used to. I think the elderly will have more trouble."