Publix prepares to switch to smart-card system

The new credit-card terminals started appearing in Publix Super Markets stores a few weeks ago with little fanfare. But the new smart-card terminals represent a big step for Publix and are part of a nationwide project to thwart credit card fraud with microchip-enabled cards. There may be several years of transition for shoppers and merchants, but when the new systems are fully implemented, shoppers at every gas station, grocery, retail store and mall in the nation will need to learn how to use the new credit cards and start using a secret PIN with every purchase, much the same as debit cards require now.