How to create a secure debit card PIN (that you’ll actually remember)

You can likely guess the most popular banking PIN in 2024 — it’s probably the first PIN that comes to mind.

That’s right, of the 10,000 combinations you can choose for a four-digit PIN, the option chosen by some 11% of bank customers is “1234.” The second and third most popular PINs are “1111” and “0000,” respectively.

Sure, these PINs are convenient choices because they’re easy to remember. But when a hacker guesses your banking PIN — which they can do in an instant — the fallout is anything but convenient. Want to stop that from happening? Here’s how to create and remember a more secure debit card PIN.

Why do you need a debit card PIN?

A Personal Identification Number (PIN) is a security code linked to your debit card (or credit card). PINs help keep your financial accounts safe by preventing unauthorized access. Without the PIN, someone who steals your debit card might be able to make purchases online, but they can’t perform other account activities, including:

• Making in-person payments on a keypad

• Withdrawing funds or viewing account information at an ATM

If someone steals or guesses your debit card PIN, however, they can gain unlimited use of your checking account. That’s why it’s important to ditch popular PINs like 1234, and choose unique and strong PINs for each of your accounts.

Tips for creating a secure debit card PIN

A secure PIN is one that’s long, unique, and random, making it impossible for someone to guess. You can use these guidelines to avoid choosing weak PINs and choose more solid options for your accounts:

Safe:

• A sequence that spells an uncommon word on the pin pad
• A significant number from your past that only you would know
• Eight digits or more
• A PIN you don’t use for any other account
• Unrepeated pairs of numbers greater than 50

Unsafe:

• Repeating numbers like 2222
• Number sequences like 1234
• Patterns like 2468
• Identifying information like your birthday, birth year, street address, or last four digits of your SSN
• A PIN you use for other accounts

How to remember your debit card PIN

A strong PIN is usually difficult to remember. Instead of writing it down and keeping it near your debit card, where it can potentially be compromised, try storing it digitally.

For example, you might save it in your phone as a contact number under a fake name, or keep it in a spreadsheet or note that’s password protected.

For even more security, try a password manager. Password managers generate and store strong passwords and PINs for each of your accounts. The information they store is encrypted end-to-end, and you have to use multi-factor authentication to gain access.

Password managers are also convenient since you’ll only have to remember one master password in order to access your information.

When do you need to change your debit card PIN?

A debit card PIN should not stay with you for life. If you have an unsafe PIN (like the previously shared examples), it needs to be changed right away. Here are some other events that require a change:

• You receive a new debit card

• You forgot your PIN

• Your debit card was lost or stolen

• Your bank account was compromised

• You’ve been impacted by a data breach

This article is taken from Yahoo Finance written by Sarah C. Brady.