There are two main ways to process debit and credit card transactions. The first is to swipe the card on a machine that reads your information based on your strip. The strip will automatically take money from your debit account with a PIN authorizing the transaction. If you swipe a credit card, it will ask for a signature. Another way a machine can read your information is by use of a chip. The chip is embedded in the card and it reads and authorizes your information once its slid in and accepted.