Visa finally gets on board with optional credit card signatures

As more and more credit card companies announced an end to the need for signatures on credit and debit card receipts, major player Visa kept holding out. Until today.

Finally, Visa announced Friday it was making signatures "optional" in North America starting in April.

Visa's move, which keeps signing an option for now, is a little different to MasterCard, Discover, and American Express who are straight-up eliminating the need for something on the dotted line. But it's essentially dumping signatures unless retailers decide they still want one.

The reasoning behind the change is the same for all the companies: better security. A signature pales in comparison to biometrics and chip technology to keep cards secure. It's just not doing much anymore to protect your identity and financial info.

As Visa also pointed out, taking out the need to sign makes purchases quicker.

Better late than never...Visa drops the signature requirement starting in April, following moves by Mastercard, Discover and Amex https://t.co/K511HAPxY9

— Jordan H. McKee (@jordanhmckee) January 12, 2018

With Visa's announcement it feels safe to say signing for purchases will soon be a forgotten experience looked back fondly with a nostalgic nod, like when you see a payphone.