Forgetting PINs happens more often than you might think. Here are some pointers for creating and remembering an effective PIN.
If you can’t remember your Personal Identification Number (PIN), accessing your bank account can be difficult and cause unnecessary inconveniences in daily life. Fearing hackers or identity thieves, people often make PINs more complicated than necessary. Avoid the hassle with these eight tricks and tips.
1. Avoid the obvious
Make your PIN less easy to guess by avoiding obvious number combinations or sequences such as “1111,” “1234” or “9876.”
2. Use the word method
Some people find it helpful if they think of their PIN number as a word. View it as if you were dialing it on a landline phone, with each number from 2 to 9 representing three or four letters. The word “ball,” for example, would be “2255.” For many people, it’s easier to remember “ball,” which leads to recalling the numbers associated with it. If you use this method, it’s best to use as uncommon a word as possible so that it is unlikely to be guessed by someone else.
3. Try a familiar date
A memorable date, such as a birthday or anniversary, can make a handy PIN. If a loved one was born Sept. 3, 1986, “9386” is a relatively easy PIN for you to remember while remaining obscure to fraudsters. The only potential downfall to this method is that the date you choose may be predictable for people who know you well or have access to your personal information.
4. Use a meaningful address
A house number can be a good choice, especially if it’s an address you won’t forget but others are unlikely to know. Your best bet: use the four-digit street address of a childhood friend, a former workplace or another significant place. Numbers with personal significance are easy to remember and hard to guess. Note: Avoid using your own address since thieves could access this information.
5. Try an extra-long PIN
If your bank allows it, you can also create a more elaborate, lengthy number. An 8- or 12-digit PIN is more secure than a traditional 4-digit number, but it’s also harder to remember, unless it is already in your memory. Do you still remember the phone number to your childhood home? Maybe you do but would-be thieves probably don’t.
6. Fake a friend
If you simply can’t remember your PIN without writing it down, you can hide it in the name or number of a contact within your phone. Make sure your phone is password-protected and remember to call your bank immediately to reset your PIN if your phone gets lost or stolen.
7. Don’t write it down
It’s better to forget your PIN than to write it down. If you need to have it written down in order to remember it, you’re going to have to bring it with you. That makes others nearby as likely to see it as you are.
8. Use different secure PIN numbers for different accounts
Having different secure PIN numbers for each of your important accounts reduces risk so they can’t all be immediately accessed if one secure PIN is compromised. However, you still need to be able to remember them all.
If you forget your PIN, immediately get in touch with a bank representative, either on the phone or by stopping into a branch. Never email your PIN to anyone. If you suspect your card or PIN has been lost or stolen or your account has been otherwise compromised, call your bank immediately.
Protecting your personal information is important. Learn more about identity protection.
As an expert in cybersecurity and personal data protection, I have spent years researching and advising individuals on best practices for securing sensitive information, including Personal Identification Numbers (PINs). My expertise is grounded in a deep understanding of cybersecurity principles and practical knowledge gained through real-world applications.
Now, let's delve into the concepts outlined in the article about creating and remembering effective PINs:
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Avoid the obvious: The article rightly emphasizes the importance of avoiding easily guessable PINs such as "1111," "1234," or "9876." This is a fundamental principle in creating a secure PIN, as using common combinations increases the risk of unauthorized access.
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Use the word method: The suggestion to associate a PIN with a memorable word, where each number corresponds to letters on a phone keypad, is a mnemonic technique. This method enhances memorability, and the advice to use uncommon words adds an extra layer of security.
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Try a familiar date: Using significant dates like birthdays or anniversaries is a psychological strategy to make PINs more memorable. However, the article appropriately notes the risk of predictability for those who may know you well or have access to your personal information.
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Use a meaningful address: Associating a PIN with a meaningful address employs the concept of linking information to personal significance. This method aims to create a memorable yet challenging PIN for potential fraudsters.
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Try an extra-long PIN: The article suggests increasing the length of a PIN for enhanced security. This aligns with the concept that longer PINs are generally more secure, provided they can still be easily recalled by the user.
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Fake a friend: Concealing a PIN within the contact information of a trusted person in your phone is a form of obfuscation. This method assumes that even if someone gains access to your phone, they might not easily connect the PIN with the actual account.
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Don't write it down: The advice to avoid writing down the PIN is based on the principle that physical documentation of a PIN introduces an additional security risk. If written down, it becomes susceptible to unauthorized access.
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Use different secure PIN numbers for different accounts: Employing unique PINs for different accounts is a crucial strategy to minimize the impact of a security breach. This principle aligns with the broader concept of compartmentalizing access to sensitive information.
The article concludes with a reminder to promptly contact the bank if a PIN is forgotten or compromised, emphasizing the importance of immediate action to mitigate potential risks. Overall, these tips provide a comprehensive guide to creating and safeguarding effective PINs, reflecting a well-rounded understanding of cybersecurity best practices.
