OKEMOS - It's hard to forget the massive Target data breach just two years ago that exposed 40 million debit and credit card accounts. Since then, a national EMV implementation plan has been set in place to ensure safer in-store transactions for consumers.

Banks have begun issuing new chip cards, also known as EMV cards, which stands for Europay, Mastercard and Visa. Chip cards are said to be safer because chips are harder to clone and the card reader interacts with the chip instead of reading any information off a magnetic strip.

Some consumers who've already used their new cards say the new technology is quite simple.

"I haven't really noticed much of a difference other than it just plugs in the bottom of the card reader. It seems to be simpler. The times that I have used it, I didn't have to sign, which I kind of like that even though it's probably a security thing, but the easier the better for me," said Troy Brya, Meridian Township resident.

Unlike magnetic strips, chip cards can be easily used at checkout by simply inserting the card at the bottom of the reader and following the instructions on the screen. When finished, the reader will tell you when it's safe to remove the card.

Molly Snyder, Target's Senior Group Manager of Communications, said in an email that they've received positive feedback from guests regarding the new technology. Snyder also stated that Target is "in the process of reissuing all of their REDcard credit and debit cards as chip and PIN cards, because they believe it is the product that offers some of the greatest protections against fraud in the marketplace today."

All Target stores are now accepting chip payments and will continue reissuing REDcards over the next several months. In addition, Target stores still and will continue to accept cards without chips, however, the Federal Government expects all U.S. merchants, including gas stations, to be EMV enabled by the end of 2018.

If you're not sure if you have an EMV card, you can easily tell by locating a small gold or silver square on the front of your card.