Retailers who have not upgraded equipment to accept chip-enabled credit and debit cards are now liable for fraudulent activity.
The chip in the card encrypts with financial data a unique code, which should be safer and more secure than magnetic strips on traditional cards. Chip readers are not required, but retailers without the technology are responsible for theft after Thursday's deadline passed.
Some small business owners, like Revolving Closet owner Melissa Harwood, said upgrading their equipment isn't affordable.
"The ones that I saw were between $300 and $500," she said. "So it's not a drop in the bucket."
Ooh La La owner Sylvia Helton said her processing company sent her a new machine out of the blue. She said researching the chips quelled her initial fear of the switch.
"I'm no longer worried because I also read on their website that they are going to be responsible for six months," she said.
Trey Stewart's bank recently sent him a card with a chip. He said the switch will take some getting used to.
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"[The transaction] did take a little bit more time and it was kind of weird that I had to type my tip in right there as the waiter is watching," he said.
The liability switch is the first of several changes that will continue for the next several months.
NBC 5's Ellen Bryan contributed to this report.
