When you receive a debit card, the bank advises you to be careful when opening the PIN listed on the envelope. However, did you know that there are other things you can do to protect your PIN number so that your card is not used by irresponsible parties? Debit cards are more attractive to thieves, because debit cards contain cash, unlike credit cards, which have to be used to buy things. A few simple steps below will help you protect the PIN number on your debit card.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Choosing a Good PIN Number
Step 1. Choose a PIN number that is not easy to guess
Birthdays, wedding anniversaries, mobile phone numbers, and home addresses are easy-to-guess information, so it's not recommended to use them as PIN numbers. Choose a number that is not related to your life as the PIN number.
- One good way to choose a PIN is to divide the six-digit PIN into three, and choose a different year for each. For example, the PIN "801827" means "1980", "1918", and "1927". After selecting the year, find personal events or historical events that not many people know about that occurred during that year. From these events, find an interesting phrase that connects the two events that is not easy to guess. Write this phrase instead of your PIN.
- Another way to choose a PIN that is easy to remember is to convert the numbers to numbers, in the order of the keys on your phone. For example, WIKI becomes 9454. Keys on ATMs usually also include letters next to numbers.
Step 2. Use different PINs on different cards
Don't use the same PIN for every debit card. This way if you lose your wallet, your PIN will be harder to guess.
Method 2 of 3: Keeping PIN Confidential
Step 1. Do not share your PIN with others
You may think that entrusting your PIN to friends or family is fine, but it's actually not recommended. Circumstances can change at any time, and sometimes people you trust can stab you in the back, or be forced to divulge your PIN because they're threatened. It's best not to share your PIN with anyone.
Step 2. Don't provide your PIN if prompted by email or phone
Email scams usually require you to provide your bank account details, password and PIN. Delete the email without thinking, and don't reply to it. Your bank never asks for banking information via email. Also, never give out your PIN number over the phone. A request for a PIN number over the phone can be ascertained to be a fraud, because it is not necessary.
Step 3. Cover the PIN number while in use
Use your hand, checkbook, paper, or other object to cover the PIN when you enter it at an ATM machine, either at a bank or in stores. Be careful when entering your PIN at the store's ATM machine, as other queues may be watching you. Also, be careful with skimmers at ATMs. This machine installed in the slot of the ATM card can extract the information in the debit card, and your PIN information will be found through the camera or sight. If you cover the keys when entering your PIN, attempting theft via a skimmer will be more difficult.
Step 4. Never write a PIN number on a card, or even a personal note
If you need to write a PIN, don't let your writing be known as a PIN number, or place the number far from the debit card, such as in the middle of the Laskar Pelangi book.
Method 3 of 3: Prevent PIN Theft
Step 1. Monitor your account for suspicious transactions
Don't be lazy to check your bank account to make sure there are no strange transactions made with your card. Most banks will contact you if a suspicious transaction occurs, but you are still advised to check your account regularly. If possible, check accounts online, instead of waiting for a checking account or printing a passbook.
Step 2. Contact the bank immediately if your card is lost or stolen
Notify the bank if there are things that might cause your PIN to be stolen, such as a PIN that is easy to guess, a lost identity card, or a PIN written on a wallet or card. Contact the bank to cancel the debit card as soon as the card is lost.
Step 3. Be proactive
If you find suspicious activity on your account, even though the debit card is still in hand, contact the bank, police, and change the PIN number.
Tips
- Don't disguise your PIN as a phone number. Thieves usually know this trick, and one of the first things they look for is a phone number in your phone book.
- Use a 5-6 digit PIN if your bank provides this feature (most banks in Indonesia even require a 6-digit PIN). However, certain ATM machines in other countries may only accept a 4-digit PIN.
- You can write the PIN on the card quite securely in this way: (1) Find a unique number that you will always remember. (2) Add or subtract the number from your PIN. (3) Write the calculation result on your card. The results of this calculation will make novice thieves feel annoyed. (4) Use the formula on your other PINs, so that you only need to remember the formula, not your PIN number.
- If you're really forgetful, try remembering your PIN with various memorization techniques.
- You can use an app to randomize your PIN, such as SafePin which is available for iOS. The app lets you hide the PIN in colored segments of the matrix in the shape of your choice. Enter the PIN into the segment of your choice in a specific place (e.g. top left corner). Enter your PIN when no one is looking at you. Now, your PIN will be stored securely, and you can see it in public.
- Instead of signing the card, write "Ask for ID". Most ID cards that you have will contain a signature. Most cashiers now check your signature so they can see the photo and match the signature.
Warning
- Ignore suggestions that ask you not to sign the back of the card. When your card is stolen, if the card is unsigned, the store does not need to refund your money, because its employees cannot determine the validity of your identity. In this case, when the debit card is used in credit card mode, any signature will be considered valid.
- Keep in mind that if you lend your debit card and PIN, the bank may refuse your refund request if the card is misused. Borrowing a card will be considered as your negligence.
- Don't worry about magnetism when storing credit or debit cards. Magnetic attraction will not remove the information on the card. However, rubbing the card directly with a strong magnet can erase or damage data.
- Use the same ATM for security, and pay attention to the machine's surroundings, such as the height of the keypad, the difference around the monitor, or anything new to the machine to prevent skimming. If in doubt, contact the bank that owns the ATM machine.
- Contact your bank immediately if the ATM machine swallows your card. An ATM swallowing a card could be evidence of skimming.
- Never write a PIN on a postcard or on the outside of an envelope.
