The indicator that tells the machine that "This card is a chip card" is a single bit on the mag stripe. Turn that bit off when cloning the card and the machine never knows it should have asked for a chip.
Hmm, I'd assumed it was known by the card's first few numbers, or similar, but you're correct.
I've had chip cards since 2004, and their use here is universal. To swipe without raising suspicion requires an American accent. It's no problem in McDonald's, but any expensive purchase will either be denied by the clerk, require the manager's approval, or a phone call to the card processor. Criminals simply don't do it any more -- it's far easier to send stolen numbers to the USA, or make purchases online.
I've had chip cards since 2004, and their use here is universal. To swipe without raising suspicion requires an American accent. It's no problem in McDonald's, but any expensive purchase will either be denied by the clerk, require the manager's approval, or a phone call to the card processor. Criminals simply don't do it any more -- it's far easier to send stolen numbers to the USA, or make purchases online.