How to Get a Credit Card PIN [3 Different Ways]  

Credit cards have become a key part of the personal finances toolkit, offering convenience, security and rewards such as points and miles, discounts, and more. To further expand the functionality of your credit card, you can get a Personal Identification Number (PIN) for your credit card, which will enable you to use your credit card at ATMs–locally and around the world. The best part is that many of the best travel rewards credit cards have no foreign transaction fee, so it can be a more affordable way of obtaining foreign currency while traveling abroad compared to using a money exchange which typically have high exchange rates. 

What is a Credit Card PIN? 

PIN stands for Personal Identification Number. It is used for the identification of the possessor and to safeguard the use of the card. It consists of 4 numbers arranged in a unique sequence, making it a secret passcode. You can choose your pin and change it whenever you want. 

Credit cards usually don’t come with a PIN, but people eventually choose to get it as it gives additional security to their card usage and lets them withdraw advance cash. PIN restricts the usage of cards and only allows the cardholder to make transactions using it. It also makes your banking experience effortless, freeing you from drawing physical signatures. 

What’s the Difference Between a Chip and PIN Credit Cards? 

It is always a challenge to protect the credit card from imposters. Earlier, banks used physical signatures as a measure of ensuring the security of your card. With the advent of technology, physical signatures are replaced by chips and PINs. They both give improved security and are meant to stop the fraudster from making transactions from your card. 

Chip credit cards verify the originality of the cardholder with the help of a small metallic chip built-in on the side of the card. When the card is swiped for payment, this chip produces a unique code different for every transaction. In the case of fake and counterfeit cards, the chip won’t be efficient enough to generate the code, resulting in payment failure.

On the other hand, the credit card PIN is a 4-digit numeric code generated by the cardholder and can be changed anytime. During the transactions and cash withdrawals, cardholders are required to enter the confidential PIN which proceeds the transactions. It doesn’t require any signatures from the card owner. You must remember your PIN to use your card. Therefore, you should always choose a PIN that is easily memorizable for you. 

Do All Credit Cards Allow You to Create a PIN? 

Not all credit cards allow you to create a Personal Identification Number (PIN). While most credit cards have a PIN, it is primarily used for ATM cash advances and other specific transactions rather than for regular credit card purchases.

A confidential credit card pin ensures the safety of your card from swindlers. It gives all the card control solely to the card owner, safeguarding the in-person transactions and payments. Also, you must need a PIN to withdraw cash advances.  

Considering these benefits and their role in securing a scam-free banking experience, all major credit card providers allow you to create your credit card PIN. However, there are still some companies that do not allow you to create a PIN for your credit card. 

Reasons to Get a PIN For Your Credit Card 

Credit cards are always at risk of fraud and fraudulent payment activities. Therefore, getting a PIN is essential to maximize your card’s security and ensure that no one other than you makes any transaction from your card. The following points explain a few reasons to get a PIN for your credit card. 

• A credit card PIN is an extra shield of protection against your card usage. Even if you lose it, the imposters can only make successful transactions from your card if they know the PIN. 
• Credit card PIN allows you to control your card usage completely as the PIN is confidential. It gives you a sense of security and protects you from unauthorized use. 
• When cashing the advance money or a loan, ATMs require verification of the actual card owner. This is where PIN can be beneficial as it helps with the verification at the time of withdrawing money from the ATM.  
• You should create a Credit card PIN, especially if you are planning to travel, as in many countries, card usage can only be done with a unique personalized PIN. 
• Creating a credit card PIN lets you perform transactions without the hassle of signatures and gives you an effortless banking experience. 

How to Get a PIN For Your Credit Card [3 Ways] 

It is better to get a credit card PIN along with the card. However, if you didn’t create it when taking your card, you can still ask the card provider to assign you one or let you create your PIN. You can get your credit card through different ways, including online banking, ATMs, bank visit, phone call, email, and bank mobile applications. Here are the four best ways to get a PIN for your credit card. 

1. Get a Credit Card PIN Via Your Online Account 

Follow these steps to get your credit card PIN via Internet banking. Remember, these steps can vary from each bank and may require some additional actions or fewer steps than this. 

1. Log into your online banking account.
2. Look for the credit card section.
3. Navigate to the PIN-related option, which can be displayed as “Manage PIN” or “Create PIN.” 
4. Answer the required information to proceed with the PIN-generating process. It is used for your verification. 
5. Demand and create a PIN. Try to create a unique one so it can not be replicated easily. 
6. Receive your PIN through mail at your home address and activate it.

2. Get a Credit Card PIN Via Your Bank

If you fear doing something wrong while generating a credit card PIN, you should visit the nearest bank and ask for the PIN. You can also use this method to reset your PIN. Follow these steps to get your credit card PIN via Bank.  

1. Go to the bank and meet the person associated with the credit card department. 
2. Inquire about the PIN and request it. 
3. They will ask for your basic information to verify you. 
4. Submit all the required documents and wait for the PIN. 

3. Get a Credit Card PIN By Calling Your Credit Card Issuer 

One of the easiest ways of getting a credit card PIN is to call the relevant bank while sitting in your comfort zone. The steps to do this are as follows.

1. Look for the bank’s contact information on their website, and call on their number. 
2. Ask them for the credit card PIN. 
3. Give them all the required information for identification purposes. 
4. The agent will help you set up the PIN via your phone. 

Bottom Line

To ensure the safety of card usage and to enable people to use their credit cards at ATMs, banks have implemented chips and PINs. Nowadays, all credit card providers allow users to create their PIN. Obtaining a PIN is a straightforward process, as it can be done through Internet banking, a bank visit, an ATM, or phone calls. To get maximum security, don’t share your PIN with anyone, and enjoy complete authority over your credit card. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)