THE Royal National Institute of the Blind warned that many blind and partially sighted people were not being offered a chip and signature card instead of a chip and pin one by their bank.

The group conducted a mystery shopping exercise among high street card issuers and found that only one in five institutions were offering people a choice of card.

Bill Alker, of the RNIB, said: "We want blind and partially sighted customers who may not realise they have a choice of card to ask for a new chip and signature card if they find it difficult to use chip and pin cards .

"We also want card issuers to make it clear about the choice that is available to people with sight problems.

"We are urging blind and partially sighted people who want to continue to sign for credit card purchases not to take this for granted and to contact their bank or building society before February 14 and request a chip and signature card."

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