4 digit , 6 digit card PINS

[DaLa]

Most of my credit/debit cards require a 4 digit PIN. However at several locations I have encountered a problem whereby the transaction has required a 6 digit PIN. I make it clear that the card only requires 4 digits but he sales person doesn't understand the situation or how to resolve the issue.

 

Any ideas would be welcome.....yeh OK , I'll pay cash. Seriously, do I type in space space 1234 or 1234 space space. To add to the confusion some of the transactions are completed without the PIN at one store (BigC) and require a PIN for a similar amount at another branch.

 

One serious side affect of this  is on trying multiple times to key in the PIN my card was blocked and it was like trying to break into my wife's nightie on an 'off' day to restore my credit.

[sandyf]

My understanding the PIN is embedded on the card (Chip & PIN) and nothing to do with a sales person.

It is down to the card reader to check number entered against that stored on the card.

Older card readers were Chip and Signature and they cannot read the PIN so you would be asked to  sign. That is quite common in Thailand.

I have used cards with 4 digits and 6 digits at the same ATM without a problem, my Thai card is 6 digits and the UK ones are 4 digits.

It could be that the card readers you encounter have been specifically set up for 6 digits which would effectively exclude other cards. A while back I lost my Thai card which was 4 digit but when I got the replacement I had to set up 6 digits so that may now be the Thai standard.

 

[Caldera]

Not like the sales person can do anything. Can't you just press the green / OK button after entering your 4 digit PIN? If that doesn't work, the terminal can't handle 4-digit PINs properly and I doubt there's anything you can do to fix it.

[hotandsticky]

I am going from memory but I think last year, on one occasion,  I had the same problem. I THINK I was successful when I entered 2 zeros first followed by my 4 digits.

[Stocky]

15 hours ago, hotandsticky said:

I am going from memory but I think last year, on one occasion,  I had the same problem. I THINK I was successful when I entered 2 zeros first followed by my 4 digits.

That's my understanding too, but I've tried it out.