It’s very frustrating when you enter the wrong PIN for your convenience store ATM cash card or credit card several times, or if you inadvertently forget it, making your card unusable. Especially when you’re in a hurry, you might be at a loss as to what to do.
This article explains in detail what happens when you enter the wrong PIN or forget it at a convenience store ATM, how to unlock your card if it gets locked, and the procedures for resetting or retrieving your PIN. It also touches upon precautions to prevent future troubles and alternative measures in case of an emergency.
- What Happens If You Enter the Wrong PIN at a Convenience Store ATM? Main Effects and Locking Mechanism
- Initial Checks if You’ve Forgotten Your PIN or It’s Locked
- How to Unlock a Card Locked Due to Incorrect PIN Entry at a Convenience Store ATM
- Procedures for Resetting/Retrieving PIN if Completely Forgotten
- Precautions to Prevent PIN Troubles When Using Convenience Store ATMs
- Memorize Your PIN Accurately and Enter It Carefully
- Avoid Easily Guessable PINs (Birthdays, Phone Numbers, etc.)
- If You Write Down Your PIN, Manage It Strictly Away from Prying Eyes
- Regular PIN Changes are Also Effective as a Security Measure (If Possible)
- Carefully Check Instructions on the ATM Operation Screen
- Alternative Methods if You Can’t Remember and Need Urgent Use (Reference)
What Happens If You Enter the Wrong PIN at a Convenience Store ATM? Main Effects and Locking Mechanism
First, let’s understand what can happen if you enter the wrong PIN at a convenience store ATM.
PIN Entry Error Allowance Count and Basic Locking Flow
For security reasons, most financial institutions set an allowed number of incorrect PIN entries for cash cards and credit cards. This allowance varies depending on the financial institution and card type but is generally around 3 to 5 times.
If you consecutively enter the wrong PIN exceeding the allowed number of times, your card will be locked on suspicion of unauthorized use. This is an important mechanism to prevent third parties from guessing the PIN and fraudulently withdrawing cash or using services.
Cases Where the Card is Swallowed (Retained) by the ATM
As a result of repeated incorrect PIN entries, if the card is locked, the ATM may retain the card internally and not return it, a situation known as “card swallowing (retention).” This is one of the measures to prevent a locked card from falling into the hands of a third party. This is particularly likely to happen if the system determines that a stolen card, for example, is being used fraudulently.
Card Becomes Unusable for a Certain Period (Temporary Lock)
Even if the card is not swallowed by the ATM, if it gets locked due to incorrect PIN entries, the card will be temporarily unusable. Not only ATM transactions, but in some cases, online services and in-store payments may also become unavailable. The extent of the lock and the unlocking method depend on the card issuer’s regulations.
Potential Differences Between Credit Cards and Cash Cards
The behavior and locking mechanism when a wrong PIN is entered may differ between cash cards and credit cards. Also, even for the same type of card, the response varies depending on the policy of the issuing financial institution (bank or credit card company). Therefore, it is important to check the regulations of your card issuer regarding specific impacts.
Initial Checks if You’ve Forgotten Your PIN or It’s Locked
If you’ve forgotten your PIN or think it might have been locked due to incorrect entries, first check the following points.
Check if Usable at Other ATMs or Online Services (In Case of Minor Lock)
If you have the card with you and it hasn’t been swallowed by the ATM, there’s a slight possibility of a very minor lock (e.g., temporarily unusable only at that specific ATM). However, fundamentally, a lock due to incorrect PIN entry applies to the card itself, so it’s often unusable at other ATMs or online services as well. It’s wise not to try forcibly and proceed to the next step.
Prepare to Find Contact Information for the Card Issuer
In any case, contacting the card issuer is essential to resolve PIN-related issues. Look up the inquiry desk or emergency contact phone number on the back of your card or on the card issuer’s official website. To ensure a smooth inquiry, it’s good to have something that shows your card number (the card itself, statements, etc.) handy.
How to Unlock a Card Locked Due to Incorrect PIN Entry at a Convenience Store ATM
If your card gets locked at a convenience store ATM due to incorrect PIN entries, how can you unlock it?
Recognize That Automatic Unlocking at an ATM is Basically Not Possible
The first thing to understand is that once a card is locked due to incorrect PIN entries, the user generally cannot unlock it themselves through ATM operations. You also usually cannot expect it to unlock automatically after a certain amount of time.
Contacting the Card Issuer (Bank/Credit Card Company) is Essential
To unlock your card, you need to contact the financial institution that issued the card (bank or credit card company) directly and follow their procedures.
Information to Provide When Contacting (Name, Card Number, Situation, etc.)
When contacting the card issuer, be prepared to accurately provide the following information for identity verification and situation assessment:
- Full name
- Card number
- Date of birth
- Registered address and phone number
- When and at which ATM you entered the wrong PIN
- Approximately how many times you entered it incorrectly (if you remember)
- Current status of the card (whether it was swallowed by the ATM, if you have it, etc.)
Follow the operator’s instructions and provide the necessary information.
General Flow of Time and Procedures for Unlocking
The time it takes to unlock the card and the specific procedures vary depending on the card issuer and the lock situation.
- Cases where immediate unlocking by phone is possible: Depending on the situation, the lock may be released relatively quickly with only identity verification over the phone.
- Cases requiring written procedures: If stricter security is required or if PIN resetting is also involved, written procedures may be necessary, which can take several days to several weeks.
- Cases requiring procedures at a branch: For bank cash cards, you may be required to go through procedures at a bank branch.
In any case, follow the instructions of the card issuer to proceed with the unlocking process.
(Note) Direct Unlocking Cannot Be Done by the ATM Operating Institution (Convenience Store ATM Operating Company)
An important point is that companies operating convenience store ATMs (such as Seven Bank, Lawson Bank, etc.) cannot directly unlock cards issued by other companies or handle PIN inquiry/change procedures. They manage the ATM systems but do not have access to individual card security information. Be sure to contact the bank or credit card company that issued your card.
Procedures for Resetting/Retrieving PIN if Completely Forgotten
If you have completely forgotten your PIN, you will need to not only unlock the card but also go through procedures to reset or retrieve your PIN.
How to Reset/Retrieve Cash Card PIN (Overview of Procedures by Bank)
If you forget the PIN for your bank cash card, many banks do not offer “PIN inquiry (being told the current PIN)” for security reasons, and it generally involves a “reset (re-registering a new PIN)” procedure.
Procedure at the Branch (Required Documents: ID, Registered Seal, Passbook, Card)
The most reliable method is to carry out the procedure at a bank branch. Generally, the following items are required:
- Cash card
- Registered seal
- Passbook
- Identification documents such as a driver’s license, My Number Card, or health insurance card
The required items may vary by bank, so it’s smoother if you check by phone in advance.
Procedure by Mail (Requesting and Returning Application Form)
Some banks may allow you to request a PIN reset application form by mail, fill in the necessary information, affix your seal, and return it to complete the procedure. In this case, the new PIN will be mailed to you, or a card with the reset PIN will be sent.
Availability of Procedures via Internet Banking or Phone (Varies by Bank)
Some banks may allow you to initiate PIN reset procedures via internet banking or phone. However, it often ultimately requires exchanging documents or mailing a new card. The availability and details of the procedure depend on each bank’s regulations.
How to Retrieve/Change Credit Card PIN (Overview of Procedures by Card Company)
If you forget your credit card PIN, some card companies offer a service to “retrieve” the current PIN. “Changing” the PIN is also possible.
Retrieval/Change via Online Services (Member Page)
Many credit card companies allow PIN retrieval or change procedures through their members-only online services (website or app). For retrieval, a PIN notification letter is typically mailed to your registered address for security reasons. For changes, you may be able to set a new PIN online.
PIN Retrieval Request by Phone (Response Usually by Mail)
You can also request PIN retrieval by calling the card company’s call center. In this case as well, after identity verification, a document containing the PIN is generally mailed to your registered address.
Change Procedure by Mail
There is also a method of submitting a PIN change request form by mail. Application forms can be downloaded from the card company’s website or requested by phone.
Time and Fees for Resetting/Retrieval (Varies by Financial Institution)
The number of days required for PIN resetting or retrieval varies depending on the procedure method and the financial institution. If mail is involved, it may take about one to two weeks, or even longer.
Regarding fees, it is often free, but some financial institutions or procedures may incur a fee, so check in advance.
Precautions to Prevent PIN Troubles When Using Convenience Store ATMs
PIN-related troubles can be prevented with a little daily caution.
Memorize Your PIN Accurately and Enter It Carefully
This is the most basic thing, but memorize your PIN accurately, and when entering it at an ATM, don’t rush, and enter it carefully, digit by digit. It’s also important to carefully check the input screen.
Avoid Easily Guessable PINs (Birthdays, Phone Numbers, etc.)
Avoid setting PINs that are easily guessable by others, such as your date of birth, phone number, address numbers, or car license plate numbers. If you lose your card, the risk of unauthorized use increases.
If You Write Down Your PIN, Manage It Strictly Away from Prying Eyes
If you absolutely must write down your PIN, never keep it with your card, and manage it strictly in a place hidden from others. It’s also effective to devise a hint that only you can understand, rather than writing down the PIN itself.
Regular PIN Changes are Also Effective as a Security Measure (If Possible)
If possible, regularly changing your PIN is also a security measure. However, if you forget the changed PIN, it defeats the purpose, so manage it carefully. Frequent changes are not recommended for all cards.
Carefully Check Instructions on the ATM Operation Screen
The ATM operation screen may display cautions or instructions regarding input. Reading these carefully and operating calmly can help prevent trouble.
Alternative Methods if You Can’t Remember and Need Urgent Use (Reference)
If you’ve forgotten your PIN and resetting it will take time, but you absolutely need cash or need to make a payment, consider the following alternative methods.
Cash Withdrawal at the Counter (For Cash Cards, During Bank Business Hours)
For a bank cash card, you can withdraw cash at the bank counter during business hours using your passbook, registered seal, and identification documents. However, this is limited to when the bank counter is open.
Use Other Payment Methods (Mobile Payments, Another Card, etc.)
If you have other usable credit cards, debit cards, or charged mobile payment services, you can use them to get by in an emergency. Having multiple payment methods prepared is also a precaution for unforeseen circumstances.