Virgin Money PIN Security Hole Warning

0dd8a11

Just a warning to fellow Virgin Money credit card holders (maybe all MBNA customers).

Out of the blue - for no reason at all Virgin Money have decided to publish my secret PIN in a letter and send it to my address. I have not requested the PIN and had no warning that it was coming so could have got into anyone's hands without me knowing that it never turned up.

Amazingly the last paragraph of the letter is "Shhhh. Remember, you must keep your PIN secret at all times and never disclose it to anyone."

Up until the date of the letter the PIN had never been written down, the Marketing Director, Trevor Field has even helped whoever reads the letter know the last 4 digits of my card by including it in the letter. This together with the known initial digits that ALL Virgin Cards have obviously assigned to MBNA almost gives away the card number.

I await their comments on this security flaw. I sure some people would love to know Richard Branson's Credit Card Number and PIN - I bet he has quite a high limit.

James

You might consider contacting Virgin and asking them for a Chip & Signature Credit Card.

Then YOU needn't worry about keeping YOUR PIN secret, or ever be held responsible for PIN misuse.

AdamB

James wrote: »

You might consider contacting Virgin and asking them for a Chip & Signature Credit Card.

Then YOU needn't worry about keeping YOUR PIN secret, or ever be held responsible for PIN misuse.

:rolleyes:

Gordon_the_Moron

Someone could still get a cash advance on your card if they had the PIN.

Da Moron

dazed

Hmmmm first post and I see flaws in the post already.

Please forward MBNA a copy of the letter *scan and email* or email virgin with the details asap.

0dd8a11

Virgin Money have got back to me and say

Our colleagues at MBNA are responsible for the administration and servicing of the Virgin Credit Card, therefore, I have been liaising with them in
order to respond.

MBNA have confirmed the reason you were sent your PIN is your card is due
to expire and it is normal practice for a PIN reminder to be sent in this
instance.

I feel this has just raised more issues.

1. So if my PIN had got into the wrong hands (delivered by Royal Mail / left in a communal letter box), there is now the opportunity for those hands to get hold of my card.

2. The question has not been answered - why was it necessary to send out my PIN? I would understand if the replacement card comes with a new temporary PIN. All my other card issuers require a security check before they activate the card meaning if you do get a temporary PIN and card they are useless you can answer personal questions to activate the card. With the Virgin Money MBNA card and PIN this would not be the case.

3. I was not informed that the PIN was coming so even if I get the new card I would still be unaware that a letter with my address on it, and the majority of my card number had been printed which could lead to my property being burgled / me mugged for the card to match the PIN for a criminal to empty the account / spend to the limit.

thesaint

I received a new Virgin card about a month ago, I had to call to activate it.

Do you sit in the house all day with the curtain closed and don a tin hat?

jay78

Can you change the pin at a bank?

jay78

thesaint wrote: »

I received a new Virgin card about a month ago, I had to call to activate it.

Do you sit in the house all day with the curtain closed and don a tin hat?

Sorry, but what's your point?

[Deleted User]

jay78 wrote: »

Can you change the pin at a bank?

Should be able to change it at any machine.

I had a little bright idea a moment ago, what if i change the pin to 1111 or all the 2s etc before i go out to dodgy places like using the card in a restraunt/bar or garage and then change it back afterwards. Would protect you from skimming.

Bloke_with_a_simple_life

0dd8a11 wrote: »

Just a warning to fellow Virgin Money credit card holders (maybe all MBNA customers).

Out of the blue - for no reason at all Virgin Money have decided to publish my secret PIN in a letter and send it to my address. .

Is this an accurate and complete description of the letter? I have an MBNA Card and get notified of the PIN in a secure letter - i.e. it is under a tamper evident flap with a "silver scratch" panel which has to be removed. IT is not printed in the middle of the letter etc. Is this what you have received?

If the PIN security flap has been tampered with or is printed in the middle of the letter then it is cause for concern - and you should get intouch with Virgin/MBNA

I get reminded of the PIN if my old card is coming close to the expiry date and needs to be replaced. Which is ok as afar as I can see.

Thanks.