The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has granted interim authorisation to Visa and MasterCard to jointly fund and coordinate a public communications campaign.
The campaign will encourage cardholders to set PINs (personal identification numbers) and use them for credit card transactions completed at points of sale.
The ACCC has been advised that American Express and Diners Club will also have the ability to have their logos included on the advertising materials.
“A single message from industry is likely to lead to less confusion for customers and merchants,” ACCC commissioner Jill Walker said.
The interim authorisation commences immediately and will remain in place until the ACCC’s final determination comes into effect or it is revoked.
The ACCC is also currently considering whether Visa, MasterCard, American Express and specific financial institutions should be able to coordinate activities in relation to the proposed removal of signatures as a method of authorisation.
Submissions have been sought from interested parties in relation to the application for authorisation and an additional request for interim authorisation regarding American Express’s involvement.
A draft decision is expected to be issued in October 2013.