Happy

What are all these talks on TESTING PIN are about?

1) if you set your PIN with something you can easily remember, instead of some exotic combo you dream up (in the name of security), why would you forget about your PIN? You can easily use a familiar date with some modification, like adding or subtracting a number. There is no need to set up an exotic PIN that you NEED to remember.

We use the SAME PIN for all our ATM cards and have never had one issue in 20 years of travel when ATMs were not as popular as now. Even when we were pickpocketed on 2 separate trips, the thieves were only interested in the cash, none of our debit cards / credit cards had any fraudulent charge attempts, between the long hours from the loss to the time being reported. On the first time we took the trouble to call (and Chase was the WORST in response). On the second time we did not bother to call, just used SMs to inform the banks, based on the experiences from the first time.

2) Bring more than one ATM card with you when you travel. You never know whether your card would work even it is tested flawlessly at home, or whether it would be eaten by the ATM when you were making a transaction. Or you could lose it or it is stolen... Needless to say, carry them separately. Also if it is a JT account, bring both cards they have different number - even one is lost, the other one can still be used.

3) If anyone knows of a US based bank that would send a PIN to you other than the address in records, then this is a worthy info to post.

4) The act of testing ATMs all around town gives all the look of the card is being stolen and the crooks are testing random PINs. Your card might be locked before you are satisfied that your PIN is set correctly.

5) Isn't it all banks ATMs are required to display a message of a fee would be charged if you want to take cash out, and ask you if you want to proceed? At that point you can simply decline the transaction.

6) Know your own banks Fee Schedule if you are so concerned about being dinged, DONT assume, read the Fee Schedule of your account, that should be mailed to you periodically if there are changes, and can be found on bank's website. Otherwise, dont complain if you are being dinged. Fees are DISCLOSED, not a secret hidden from you.

7) Finally, how much money are we talking about here, that it needs so much effort (trouble) to run around town testing the PIN?