'Are you embarrassed to hide your pin code when paying in shops?' blog discussion

NBLondon

luckymannn wrote: »

I did nearly kick off about a month ago in ASDA cos some bloke was basically stood right next to me whilst I put my pin in and I could see him out the corner of my eye looking my way.

Indeed, If someone is that close I'm going to turn and glare at them before the card makes it to the machine. Normally, I'll do "all fingers on the keypad" rather than "one at a time" as a consequence of years of Excel and computer keyboards. Maybe there's a risk of clever analysis of the tendon movements but I think that's livable with - in South London there's a greater risk of being relieved of the just withdrawn cash at knifepoint.

Rude? Surely the only one who would be offended by someone hiding their PIN-entering hand is someone who is looking at said hand. Since I see no valid reason to do that - no problem. Most shop assistants and wait staff noticeably look away at that point so why would honest bystanders have a problem? You too, Martin! Why were you looking at her hand with enough interest to notice the numbers?

loracan1

Not as embarrassed as I get when a customer I'm serving mouths the numbers or tells their child the code to put in the machine - I always long to shake them by the shoulders and tell them to take more care! (or the one yesterday - "Oooh I should know this, it's my mum's telephone number")

LameWolf

I always shield my PIN, and if anyone thinks I'm rude, well it's their prerogative to think it; I don't care. I'd sooner know they can't get their mitts on my dosh.

As I'm a wheelchair user, I also get my husband to stand behind me to shield me as well.

Belt and braces, maybe, but better safe than sorry!

ladylouise62

I use my hand/purse over one side, lean over the other so close that I have had comments about the quality of my eyesight That also obscures my typing hand enough that the flexings couldn't be seen either.

vikingaero

I don't bother. There's not much in my account after Mrs V. has bought half of Bluewater.

Martins mum needs to stop posting on his articles:

Eileen Harper · GreenockI knew you'd do that Martin. You're too shrewd to do otherwise and that's not a complaint but is a compliment. You are just so clever and so savvy. I wish you were on tv more often as I used to really enjoy your programme which I'm sure will be back on at sometime.
Reply · 3 · · Tuesday at 12:52pm

smunchkinp

If i have to use them (which is rare) i'll turn the keypad away from the rest of the queue hold left hand over right while i key in my pin.

But usually i just go to the bank, withdraw my weekly budget over the counter and use the cash.
Then when i go shopping leave cards at home.

mosmof

all of you are being really dramatic over the whole 'protect your pin' idea!

i wont cover up and hide it, i'll literally push it in at arms distance. if they steal my card and a - go the nearest cash point, they are stupid b - make a run for it, i'll have cancelled it by the time they get anywhere..!

Biggles

I always do this.

There's no difficulty knowing which key to hit after you figure out which is the '5' key - it always has a little 'nipple' on it for this very purpose (same as the numeric keypad on your PC or phone).

TimBear

Ummm, why would I be embarrassed? In the same way as I'm not embarrassed when I close the door when I go to the bathroom - I don't want people to see!

I do try to rest all fingers on the key pad, although if I'm honest I only tend to do that at an ATM.

Eco_Miser

Biggles wrote: »

There's no difficulty knowing which key to hit after you figure out which is the '5' key - it always has a little 'nipple' on it for this very purpose (same as the numeric keypad on your PC or phone).

Is an ATM/cardreader keypad like a computer keypad or a phone keypad? Without that knowledge, knowing which is the 5 key only helps with 4, 5, & 6.