#1 DD is NOT the statement of one's opinions gleaned from past statements. The card of the past has been GREATLY improved upon into a working debit/credit card. Circumstances change, new information is acquired and past statements and decisions should not be held up as bad or fraudulent promises in the face of them. I would see such action as good management.
#2 Non-demonstration of The Card does NOT mean or can it be concluded that The Card does not function as described.
#3 Use of stock for payment of services is a reasonable way to conserve one's cash position.
#4 Working at a major retail company at the POS terminal for over 7 years I can attest that fraudulent use of a card with the chip is possible.