Chip 'n' Pin - A Quick Guide Discussion Area

MSE_Martin

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System

hi
could you use the same pin for all cards such as using existing pin on debit card for credit cards too

Sarahsaver

I lived in France for a year in 1991, they had this system already. Again this country lagging behind. It makes perfect sense and im delighted to see it here at last ;D

laminki

hi
could you use the same pin for all cards such as using existing pin on debit card for credit cards too

if a thief "flukes" the pin number on one card, first thing they'll do is try the same number on all the other cards.

david78

Karen,

Yes you can use the same PIN. Just change each card to the PIN you want to use. This practise will probably be frowned on by the card issuers. But let them frown! You need to use a system which works for you.

I have thought of using the same 3 digit pin for my cards with a different 4th digit (you need less than 10 cards for this to work). All I need to do then is remember which 4th digit applies to each card but this should not be too difficult as you can count the letters(e.g. Egg = 3, Halifax = 7).

Overall, I am not too bothered that the new system is being introduced as I'm quite good at remembering passwords/etc. But I am not convinced the new system will cut down on card crime.

System

Will the UK Chip n Pin system be compatible with the french system. For example will I be able to use my card to fill up at the automated petrol filling stations in France something at the moment we cannot do

Sarahsaver

a quick look on some french websites indicates it should be ok, hopefully someone whos been there more recently can tell us. Last time I was in France I had no need to use cards so i can only go by the rather technical French business websites i just saw.

isasmurf

Yes you can use the same PIN. Just change each card to the PIN you want to use. This practise will probably be frowned on by the card issuers. But let them frown! You need to use a system which works for you.

Far from the card issuers frowning on this all the guidance I've seen from them seem to be encouraging you to use the same PIN for all your cards.

System

The system in France is actually not as good as the one Britain is introducing at the moment. The financial institutions have been waiting for more secure technology so it has better protection.

You can change your PIN to pretty much what you want - some banks will put restrictions on the numbers you choose, but you can make all your cards the same if you wish.

isasmurf

Amex won't give you a PIN because, according to them, 'Chip and PIN' is only available in Northampton. They said it wasn't being rolled out nationally until next year. Funny how most stores in London now have those keypads. I wasn't going to bother arguing with the Indian lass who was onyl reading off her manual anyway.

I wonder if they will see a massive drop in card usage later this year when everybody else is using Chip and Pin?

divadee

I havent seen any keypads in the bournemouth area yet, been waiting for it to come out for ages.

America have had it for ages(but only on debit cards), when i went there last year it was so simple you dont even give your card to the till operator you just swipe yourself and put your pin number in. But then this is the only country in the world that you can use someone elses credit card!! To test it i used mr divadee's credit card signed it faking his signature and no one batted an eye lid!! no aint we glad that dont happen here!!

Belgium have had it for years as well no probs there either!!! this country does slack behind