Chip N Pin Memory Solution: Pin Safe Review 9 October 2004 at 8:06PM edited 30 November -1 at 12:00AM in Credit Cards 25 replies 20.3K views

MSE_Martin

Chip'n'pin, the process where rather than signing for goods in shops you need a pin number, is gradually rolling in.  

Before reading on - read the full Chip'n'Pin article

Pinsafe via https://www.chipnpin.org is a cute little system.  It's only going to be useful for those with a number of cards struggling to remember them.

How it works.

First pick a code word - e.g.  PANTS

Then take your first card pin number e.g. 6969  

You are then given a little sticker to put in your wallet/purse with each cards name on.  The sticker lists all letters of the alphabet and you write your pin number on it under the corresponding letters to your word.  (note don't put it on the card as it will jam in the machines)

e.g P 6, A 9, N 6, T 9

This is then put on your sticker

A9 B C D E F G H I J K L M N6 O P6 Q R S T9 U V W X Y Z
                                             
Then the rest of the letters are filled in by random number (either yourself or using a random number generator).

So your sticker now looks like this
A9 B7 C3 D9 E6 F4 G5 H6 I1 J1 K1 L0 M6 N6 O9 P6 Q3 R8 S8 T9 U8 V6 W3 X2 Y1 Z0

Then when you come to use the card simply look up your PANTS (or in this case as it's four numbers PANT) and you know your pin number.

You use the same word to store each pin code, but change the random letters.  So you only need to remember one word even for ten pin codes.

This may seem like if someone looked over your shoulder and saw you put in 6969 and understood the system - they'd be able to work out  your pin word.  Actually take a look at the example, even someone who knew your pin wouldn't be able to work out the word.  They still wouldn't be able to work out your pin word from it - so the same word can be used for all stickers.  

My Review:  Not a bad little system, the maths works out, so that using a pin word is better than using just one pin number.  It would of course be possible to create the stickers yourself, however in many ways for £2 it's not a bad idea to order it.   This has been put together not by a company but an individual, and it's quite a cute little system.  I've no proof he will fulfill all the orders, but he had one sent to me with one days notice, so its seems a reasonable bet.

The Problems: It's only worth it for those really stuggling to remember pin numbers.   Most people should be fine and there are many other methods to remember pin numbers, however it's not bad for those who want a ready made solution if you're struggling.

Isn't this writing down your pin? Thought you couldn't do that  I spoke to Sandra Quinn of APACS (who are in charge of all payment transactions and the like).  Providing you don't write your pin down normally, this won't invalidate and protection at all - as long as you follow the instructions carefully.  IN fact they said they (the card industry) are very much in favour of anything like this that helps people remember there pin - so there's no probs.


How to get it: Go to https://www.chipnpin.org.  Also the company has agreed it will supply a code for MoneySavers so that they can buy it for 20% off.  
Go to the website and then on the Order page, there is a link >>Click here for moneysavingexpert Offer

This link calls up a login box........

the Username is-    chip
the password is-     pin

Martin

Joe_Bloggs

Putting a sticker on the back of a card is not a good idea. perhaps putting the sticker in a wallet near the card is better so that you can refer to the information whilst the card is in an ATM machine.
J_B.

Robert_Sterling_3

Does any one have any bright ideas for remembering all the four letter pass words I use for my many different cards?

Jane.tweedynn

I don’t know about memorising but you could use codes by hiding your pin in a bogus telephone number you have in your mobile.

First decide if you want to use a friend’s telephone number or create an imaginary friend.

Then decide if you want your pin to be a valid telephone number or one you have made up.

If you decide to use a friend’s telephone number then you may have to change your pin number to that of their telephone number. If you decide to create an imaginary friend you can use the first character of their name to determine the card issuer.

For example if you have an egg card you can create your imaginary friend under E, if you have an MBNA card you can create your imaginary friend under M, etc.

From the telephone number which is say 6 or 7 numbers for land lines or 11 numbers for mobiles you can decide on any combination of how the numbers are organised.

As an example

Telephone number excluding area code is 506985 you can decide on a pin of the first four numbers of 5069 or the last four of 6985 or the middle four numbers of 0698 or the first two and last two 5085 or any other combination you like. It is best that whichever method you choose to stick with it.

So as a full example

If you have an Egg card, create an imaginary friend in your phone book as say Wendy Etherington or Emma S if your phonebook is not formal and if your pin is 6985 and you choose to use the last four numbers of the phone number, you create the bogus telephone number of 0114 506985.

MSE_Martin

Sorry, to clarify

You use one word for all passwords (it works that way) as the random numbers are different,not mutiple words.  

I will amend the original post.  And yes you could put the sticker on your wallet or the card, but this idea is only for those with mutliple cards and teh stickers differ with each card. As i say i am checking whether this invalidates your protection.

To be honest though even if someone had the sticker they'd be hard pressed to work the code out. And the leaflet does warn you to write with equal pressure all numbers.

student100

So what exactly are they selling on the site? A couple of stickers with space to write on them??

Robert_Sterling_3

Like a lot of things it will suit some people but not others.
Whatever it is they sell you can get 10 of them for £5 if you want to and then sell them on I suppose to your friends at £1 each.  That's  not what friends are for really but it saves them paying a lot more for a single one of them!
I was surprised when my daughter bought 500ml of water for £1 in a motorway service station ( actually it was me who paid the £1).
Horses for courses is i think the saying.
There is a link to the site in an earlier post in this thread.

MSE_Martin

Yes it's not far from a couple of stickers - but it is in fact a whole pack which explains how to do it. As i said, it's rather neatly set out.

There is a slight worry here. For most MoneySavers and regular Chat Forum users who are good with their cash this is completely unnecessary and you will never need to use it.

However at some stage this will be going in the tip - and it's worth remembering the audience for that is far wider and with some people who have much greater issues with remembering pin numbers.

So i'd ask highly money savvy regulars, to step back a second from this one, truth is it isn't for you anyway.

martin

James

If you have problems with PINs, maybe you can't remember them, don't want to write your PIN in any disguised form, can't handle a PIN due to lack of dexterity, or through a sight impairment or maybe you think, if I don't have a PIN then I can't loose it, compromise it, lock it out, or be held responsible for it in any way then a Chip & Signature Card is an option.

Here is what two card issuers say on their websites:
EGG:

Do I have to have a Chip and PIN card?
Yes. All your credit and debit cards will be replaced with Chip and PIN cards over the next two years. If you feel there are circumstances why you cannot use a Chip and PIN card and you'd like to be issued with a signature Egg Card instead, please get in touch. We can review this on an individual basis.


NATIONWIDE.
Chip and PIN technology and disabled people
Chip and PIN technology will have benefits for many disabled people. However, a small number of people may find it difficult, or impossible, to use a PIN. Customers in this position may request a Chip and Signature card to allow them to use their debit or credit cards without the use of a PIN. This card will allow people to continue to authorise transactions by signature. If a disability prevents you from using a PIN, please ask for a Chip and Signature card. Your local branch will be pleased to help you, or contact Nationwide's Call Centre on 08457 30 20 10.

IMHO at first glance I would suggest that these card issuers would have you believe you have to be disabled to quality for a Chip & Signature Card. This is part of the sPIN surrounding Chip & PIN.

If anyone wants to learn how Chip & Signature Cards are processed then the answer is on page 7 of the following pdf file.

http://www.atoc.org/rsp/chip_pin/docs/tisop_procedures.pdf

Many credit card issuer are loathed to tell you that there is such as beast as a Chip & Signature Card.

Martins artilce on Chip & PIN drew our attention to higher debt levels because a PIN gives everyone (including crooks) easy access to hard cash!

Can anyone remember the tick box that used to appear on card application forms, tick here if you want a PIN so you can use your credit card at an ATM? In other words nobody has asked us the consumers if we want a PIN?

Chip & PIN is not compulsory you have a choice, Chip & Signature, it's just your not being told about it, I wonder why?


James

KG

Thanks Martin. Just orded one of these for Mr KG who always uses the excuse that he can't remember his pin number to make me go to the cash machine...

KG

cport80

There is a slight worry here. For most MoneySavers and regular Chat Forum users who are good with their cash this is completely unnecessary and you will never need to use it.

Since finding this site I've had more cards than at any time before (although I don't keep them as long these days )

There are plenty of books about memory enhancement techniques in which numbers are turned into words (I borrowed one by Tony Buzan from my local library and couldn't beleive I'd never been taught something so useful in my school days). I have had days when I'm only half-awake though and it's taken a couple of tries to remember pin numbers so this might be a good alternative.