A credit card is a financial tool that enables users to borrow money from their bank to cover essential expenses, allowing for repayment at a later date. It provides a line of credit for making necessary payments. Obtaining a credit card is relatively easy, but maintaining one requires careful management. Your credit card usage directly impacts your financial health and future borrowing eligibility. To effectively manage your credit card, it’s important to understand how to use it properly and familiarise yourself with common terms and their applications.
Let’s start by exploring what a Credit Card PIN is.
What is a Credit Card PIN?
A credit card PIN (Personal Identification Number) is a four-digit code used to confirm the identity of the cardholder. Entering this PIN is essential to complete any transaction. When you use your credit card, you’re prompted to enter your PIN, which authorises the payment. Once entered, the system verifies the PIN against your user ID to process the transaction. This step ensures that only you can authorise payments, adding a layer of security to your credit card use. For this reason, keeping your PIN confidential is crucial to protect your account from fraudulent activities.
How to Generate Credit Card PIN?
When you receive your new credit card, you will receive a welcome kit from the issuer. Inside, there’s a confidential document containing your PIN. While you can use this PIN for your initial transactions, changing it as soon as possible is important. Also, never share your PIN with anyone to protect your account from misuse.
There are many ways in which you can generate a credit card PIN, including:
- 01
Through Internet Banking
- Log in to your internet banking account using your credentials.
- Go to the ‘Credit Card’ section and select ‘Change PIN.’
- Verify your action with the OTP sent to your registered mobile number.
- Enter your new PIN twice and click ‘Submit.’
- 02
Through Mobile Application
- Log in to your bank’s or credit card issuer’s mobile banking app.
- Navigate to the ‘Credit Card’ section and select ‘Change PIN.’
- Verify your identity by entering the OTP sent to your registered mobile number.
- Enter your new PIN twice and click ‘Submit.’
- 03
Through the Bank’s Official Website
- Visit your bank’s official website and log in to your online account using your credentials.
- Go to the ‘Credit Card PIN change’ section.
- Enter your credit card details, including the card number, CVV, and expiry date.
- Input your new PIN twice and click ‘Submit.’
- 04
Through Email
- Draft an email requesting your bank’s officials to generate a PIN for your credit card.
- Send the email to the official email address of your bank.
- After receiving your email, the bank officials will contact you with further instructions.
- 05
Through ATM
- Visit the nearest ATM and insert your credit card.
- Select the option ‘Create PIN using OTP’ from the menu.
- Enter the OTP sent to your registered mobile number.
- Input your new 4-digit PIN.
- Re-enter the PIN and click ‘Submit.’
- 06
Through Customer Care
If you’re not comfortable using net banking, an ATM, or a mobile app, you can always contact your bank’s customer care to generate or change your credit card PIN. The customer care executive will walk you through the process, providing guidance and assistance to help you securely create or update your PIN.
- 07
Visit the Bank’s Branch
- Visit your nearest bank branch and connect with a relevant official.
- Submit your request for credit card PIN generation.
- The bank will verify your details and process your request.
How to Protect Your Credit Card Pin
Once you have generated your credit card’s PIN, it’s time to take the right steps to protect it and avoid being scammed. Here are some of the best practices to protect your card PIN:
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Use a Strong PIN
Steer clear of simple or easily guessable PINs, like 1234 or your birth year. Instead, opt for a random combination of numbers that would be challenging for anyone to figure out. A strong tip is to avoid keeping numbers that are either your birthdate or anniversaries.
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Memorise Your PIN
Rather than writing it down on a physical or digital notepad, memorising your PIN is better. This is a great tip to avoid accidentally sharing your PIN with anyone.
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Cover Keypad
When entering your PIN at an ATM or point-of-sale terminal, be sure to cover the keypad with your hand or body to keep others from seeing your PIN.
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Change PIN Regularly
Regularly changing your PIN can enhance the security of your credit card. It’s advisable to update your PIN at least once every six months for added protection.
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Beware of Phishing Scams
Make it a point to keep your credit card PIN private from everyone. If you get a call or email asking for your credit card PIN, it is a scam call because a bank will never ask you for your credit card PIN unless you feed it during a transaction.
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Monitor Your Account Regularly
Consistently monitor your credit card account for any unauthorised transactions or suspicious activity. Make sure you make it a habit to check your bank account statement every month. If you notice anything unusual, contact your bank or credit card company immediately.
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Use Secure and Trusted ATMs
You may have heard of various ATM scams where false ATM machines were located to scam customers. Make sure you always use a trusted and secure ATM to withdraw cash. Avoid using ATMs in secluded and poorly maintained areas.
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Avoid Public WiFis
When in public, avoid accessing your bank account through a public and unsecured network connection and making financial transactions over such networks.
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Report Stolen or Lost Cards
In case you lose your credit card or it gets stolen, it’s best to report this issue to your credit card issuer immediately. Reporting it immediately will let the issuer know the problem, and they can block your card to avoid any transactions.
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Use Two-Factor Authentication
Using two-factor authentication for your credit cards allows an added layer of security for transactions you make on it.
Bottom Line
Once you generate your credit card PIN, it is extremely essential to guard that PIN to avoid any financial fraud. Make sure you never share your card PIN with anyone under any circumstances. Remember that banks will never ask for your PIN. If you get a call or an email under the bank’s name saying to share your card PIN, you should immediately report such calls to the bank.
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