PIN: the number that protects your card abroad
-
Key takeaways
A PIN, or Personal Identification Number, verifies that the person using a card at an ATM or payment terminal is the rightful user.
Many countries rely more heavily on PIN verification than a signature for card transactions.
Protecting a PIN matters more when using a card internationally, where fraud patterns can differ from a home country.
Never writing a PIN on a card, or keeping it with the card, protects against loss or theft.
A compromised PIN doesn’t eliminate liability protections, but reporting it quickly still matters.
Being asked to enter a PIN at an ATM or payment terminal abroad shows why it matters. Here’s exactly how PIN works, and what to know when using a card internationally.
What is a PIN?
A PIN, or Personal Identification Number, is a numeric code that verifies the authorized user of a card when withdrawing cash or making certain purchases. It functions as a security check, confirming that whoever is using the card also knows this private code, which a thief who’s only obtained the physical card wouldn’t necessarily know.
How PIN works step by step
A PIN is set up when a card is issued, choosing a code known only to the cardholder.
It’s entered at an ATM or payment terminal, when withdrawing cash or completing certain transactions.
The system verifies the PIN matches the card’s record, authorizing the transaction if it does.
Repeated incorrect attempts typically lock the card temporarily, as a security measure against guessing.
Common mistakes with PIN security
Writing the PIN on the card itself, or on paper kept with it. This defeats the entire purpose of the PIN as a separate security check.
Sharing a PIN over the phone. Legitimate banks and card issuers don’t ask for a PIN this way, and any such request should be treated as suspicious.
Not covering the keypad when entering a PIN in public. This simple habit reduces the risk of someone observing and recording the PIN.
PIN and international money transfers
For senders and recipients relying on a card to fund or receive an international transfer, PIN security matters directly, since a compromised PIN alongside a lost or stolen card gives a thief everything needed to access funds. The FTC’s guidance on protecting your cards(opens in new window) specifically recommends never writing a PIN on a card or carrying it alongside the card in a wallet, advice that applies just as much to a card receiving transferred funds as to any other.
For related card security codes(opens in new window), understanding the difference between a PIN and a CVV helps clarify which number protects which type of transaction, since the two serve different, complementary purposes.
PIN versus signature transactions
In many countries, particularly across Europe and much of the world outside the U.S., chip-and-PIN has long been the standard way to authenticate a card transaction, while signature-based verification has historically been more common in parts of the U.S., though this has shifted considerably as more U.S. merchants adopt PIN-based verification as well. Someone traveling internationally or sending money to be accessed via card abroad may find a recipient needs to know their PIN specifically, since a signature alone may not be accepted at many international terminals, particularly unattended ones like a train ticket kiosk or a fuel pump. Confirming that a recipient knows and can reliably enter their PIN, rather than assuming a signature will always work as a backup, avoids a frustrating situation when they actually try to access funds.
Choosing and updating a secure PIN
A surprising number of PIN-related security incidents trace back to an easily guessed number, such as a birth year, a repeated digit, or a simple sequence. Choosing a PIN that isn’t tied to any publicly knowable personal information, and that isn’t reused across multiple cards or accounts, meaningfully reduces the risk of someone guessing it even with some personal information in hand. Suspecting a PIN may have been observed or compromised means changing it promptly through a bank’s app, website, or an ATM, rather than waiting to see if anything happens, is the safest response.
Common questions about PIN
-
Do I need a PIN to use a debit card internationally?
Often, yes, since many countries rely more heavily on PIN verification than a signature, unlike some card transactions in the U.S. Confirming a PIN works before traveling, or checking with the card issuer, avoids being caught without a functioning PIN abroad.
-
What should I do if I forget my PIN?
Contacting the card issuer directly to reset it, rather than guessing repeatedly, matters since multiple incorrect attempts can temporarily lock the card. Most issuers offer a straightforward reset process through their app or customer service line.
-
If someone learns my PIN and uses my card, am I still protected?
Liability protections still generally apply, but reporting the loss or theft promptly remains essential to limiting responsibility. Changing the PIN immediately and reporting the situation to the card issuer as soon as anything unusual is noticed matters most.
In Summary
A PIN is a small but essential security check, and protecting it carefully, especially when using a card internationally, reduces the risk of unauthorized access to funds sent or received. Simple habits, like never writing it down or sharing it, go a long way toward keeping a transfer secure from start to finish.
This publication is provided for general information purposes only and is not intended to cover all aspects of the topics discussed herein. This publication is not a substitute for seeking advice from an applicable specialist or professional. The content in this publication does not constitute legal, tax, or other professional advice from Remitly or any of its affiliates and should not be relied upon as such. While we strive to keep our posts up to date and accurate, we cannot represent, warrant, or otherwise guarantee that the content is accurate, complete, or up to date.