How to check PIN on foreign cash/debit card without a transaction

blueberrypie

agrinnall wrote: »

As I don't have a card with either of these and other people are mentioning them I'll take your word for it. I am very surprised, it's a huge security hole, I would have expected VISA or Mastercard (whichever type of cards these are) to refuse to allow them to carry on issuing cards as they are bound to fail their annual audit - unless of course they conveniently forget to mention it. When I first worked on card issuing systems 25 years ago the PIN mailers were produced on a completely different system from all the other card systems precisely so that there could be no question raised about the PINs being accessible from anywhere else.

Indeed - that's why I said you raised an interesting question. It does definitely still work that way though - I remembered having seen the option on one of them, but couldn't remember which, so checked both before I posted my last reply to you.

[Deleted User]

Try using a self-service checkout for example to check pin as well

NFH

vinh1000 wrote: »

Try using a self-service checkout for example to check pin as well

That's the best idea yet. It makes think about other self-service retailers, preferably one where you enter your PIN at the beginning of the process before the transaction is finalised, like petrol pumps. Are there any other such retailers? I'm thinking along the lines of Argos, although I don't think it's suitable for this.

[Deleted User]

NFH wrote: »

That's the best idea yet. It makes think about other self-service retailers, preferably one where you enter your PIN at the beginning of the process before the transaction is finalised, like petrol pumps. Are there any other such retailers? I'm thinking along the lines of Argos, although I don't think it's suitable for this.

pay at pump is good (although it prob take a fair amount out as earmarked)
cant think of any which will
most major supermarkets have it now
argos u need to enter pin at transaction stage

samwsmith1

vinh1000 wrote: »

pay at pump is good (although it prob take a fair amount out as earmarked)
cant think of any which will
most major supermarkets have it now
argos u need to enter pin at transaction stage

It earmarks £1 everytime I use it.
pay@pump sounds like a good plan but not sure if that card would be accepted at the pump or not - I have found my debit card to be accepted at the ones marked "24 hours/pay@pump only" but not accepted at the others, so try it in one of those ones.

NFH

Careful_ly wrote: »

I don't know if this will work, but I would try another bank for example HSBC to change the pin or check the balance.

I've since tried several other banks, and they all give an error message along the lines of "unauthorised use" (Nationwide) or that the operation is not supported (Santander). Maybe PIN changes are possible only on Deutsche's own cash machines.

I still haven't managed to try a petrol pump or other machine with a similar pre-authorisation process.

slup_2

Is this really worth all the hassle? Just make a single low value transaction on the card and see if it works...

Dr_Cuckoo3

Have you tried a UK bank that issues Maestro / Mastercard debit cards ?

Metro Bank and Clydesdale are the main non VISA banks with ATMs

Clydesdale 88 Wood Street London EC2V 7QQ has an ATM (although it is not listed on their website)

I have only encountered an "unauthorised use" ATM message when using a credit card that I had reported lost to obtain a balance enquiry

"PIN change" will allow a new PIN number to be specified before rejecting the request on the grounds of the initial PIN being incorrect

I am not sure what the charges are - could you make a low value online charity donation in the currency of the issuing bank (to check the card is still active)"donate worldpay" will yield some results for that

Does this card issuer "lock" the card if an incorrect PIN is entered consecutively

coolesticeking

When I got my Debit Card for my NatWest account, I knew in the past I could not change the PIN from any other machine other than at Natwest, RBS or Tesco Personal Finance machines.. It did also state on the letter that you got but I thought I would give it a try to see if things moved on (about 5 months ago now).

Went to Lloyds TSB --> Card in --> PIN in --> Selected PIN Services and it was allowing me to change this! --> Put new PIN in two --> Result "Sorry, your request cannot be completed".

So maybe it can only be done from a cash machine of the bank in the homeland it was issued?

NFH

coolesticeking wrote: »

So maybe it can only be done from a cash machine of the bank in the homeland it was issued?

Yes, that's what I'm thinking now too. For example, has anyone here tried changing the PIN for a UK-issued card on a non-UK cash machine?