With the introduction of the new anti credit card fraud system, Chip and Pin, at most major retailers, remembering your pin number has never been more important.

Right now if you don’t remember (or don’t have) your pin number, retailers can, at their discretion, accept a signature as before. Bear in mind though, that as of January, this will change and retailers using the pin keypads will only be able to accept your pin number.

Your four digit pin number is the same number that you would type into an ATM, so no problem for cards that you use to withdraw cash on a regular basis. But for those of us who only ever use the ‘maestro’ (formally Switch) function on our cards, or for credit cards where you might have forgotten you ever had a pin number for it in the first place, the time is now to get that pin and remember it!

GETTING YOUR PIN

First thing’s first. If you can’t remember your pin number for any card with which you might conduct a Point of Sale transaction, contact the ISSUER of the card, that is, the place who you get your statement from. If this is your maestro card, it’s the bank you have your account with. Most paperwork has the relevant number to call, or call telephone banking if you’re a member. You won’t need a new credit card, and your pin will usually be sent out within ten working days.

REMEMBERING IT!

Try these six suggestions:

1. Instead of trying to remember the actual number, try and remember the pattern your finger traces out when typing it.
2. Use a number with some relevance, like a friend’s birthday. However, don’t use a number too easily associated with you, like your own birthday, or digits from your own telephone number.
3. There are gadgets just on the market that can remember pins for you! Programme your pin numbers into them, then you can access the numbers by opening the gadgetr with a two digit pin. Of course, this is another number to remember (although smaller) and if you lost it, you might have a problem!
4. Make all your pins the same. Most banks allow clients to do this at their own issuing cash machines. Of course, if one were compromised, you’d have to change them all.
5. Say your pin out loud to yourself several times. The added element of sound can help jog your memory.
6. Write it down! No, don’t carry it around with you, but writing the number over and over can help you remember. Just make sure any paper you’ve used is thoroughly destroyed.