Debit PIN vs. Debit Signature Fees

This article explains the difference between debit PIN, debit signature, and credit card transactions when using ResalePay with CardPointe / Propelr payment processing.

The most important point is that a debit card is still treated as a debit card, even if the customer does not enter a PIN. Running a debit card without a PIN does not turn it into a credit card transaction.

Debit cards are identified by the payment processor based on the card information. This means a debit card can still be recognized as debit whether it is:

Inserted
Tapped
Swiped
Processed without a PIN
Processed through the Visa or Mastercard network
Processed as PIN debit on supported hardware

If your merchant account is set up for credit card surcharging, eligible credit card transactions may include a surcharge. Debit and prepaid cards are not treated the same way as credit cards for surcharge purposes.

Note: Debit and prepaid cards generally cannot be surcharged under card brand rules. If a card is identified as debit, the debit processing cost remains the merchant's responsibility.

A debit signature transaction is a debit card transaction that is processed without the customer entering a PIN. Some terminals or payment flows may process debit cards this way.

For this type of transaction:

The card is still a debit card.
The customer is not charged a credit card surcharge because of the missing PIN.
The merchant is responsible for the applicable debit processing cost.
The exact debit cost depends on the merchant account and processing agreement.

A debit PIN transaction is a debit card transaction where the customer enters their PIN at the payment terminal.

PIN debit can add another authorization step for the transaction. However, adding PIN debit does not automatically mean the merchant's debit processing cost will be lower. The exact cost depends on the merchant's payment processing setup.

In this ResalePay / CardPointe / Propelr setup, Clover devices may process debit cards without prompting for a PIN. That does not mean debit cards are being processed as credit cards.

If a card specifically requires PIN debit, such as a card branded as Maestro or Interlink Debit, the transaction will typically decline on a Clover device. In some cases, the transaction may still go through without PIN debit depending on the bank settings for that specific card.

Ingenico devices may support debit PIN transactions, depending on the merchant setup. If PIN debit is enabled and supported, the customer can enter their PIN during a debit card transaction.

The practical difference is how the customer authorizes the debit transaction. The card is still identified as debit either way.

Not necessarily. PIN debit may add security or a familiar debit-card checkout flow, but it does not automatically reduce debit processing costs.

If you need to confirm your exact debit rate or transaction fee, contact Resaleworld Support or your payment processing contact. Your actual debit pricing is based on your merchant account setup.

When a customer pays with a debit card:

The card should be identified as debit by the payment processor.
The customer should not receive a credit card surcharge just because the transaction does not use a PIN.
The merchant remains responsible for the debit processing fee.
If the hardware and account setup support PIN debit, the customer may be prompted to enter a PIN.

Common Questions

If Clover does not ask for a PIN, is the debit card being surcharged?
No. A debit card can be processed without a PIN and still be treated as debit. The missing PIN does not make it a credit card.

If a debit card is run without a PIN, is it charged like a credit card?
No. A debit card processed without a PIN is commonly called signature debit. It is still a debit transaction.

Would switching to an Ingenico device lower debit fees?
Not automatically. Ingenico devices may allow PIN debit when supported by the account setup, but PIN debit does not guarantee lower processing costs.

Who pays the debit processing fee?
The merchant is responsible for debit processing fees. Debit cards are not handled the same way as eligible credit cards for surcharge purposes.