When using our debit card in Japan at the ATM will it only require 4 digits?
I am asking as in Australia we use 8 digits for this card. Next question is : if it only requires 4 digits I guess we would only use the first four of our eight?
Thanks
Using Our Debit Card in ATM in Japan
Essy on 22/09/2018 - 13:49
Last edited 22/09/2018 - 14:21 by 1 other user
Last edited 22/09/2018 - 14:21 by 1 other user
Comments
Ask your bank
I'm using 12 digits, seriously. Is that overkill?
Yes
Yes, it is overkill because unlike an internet password, your pin is used in conjunction with your card. Authentication involves not only something you know (your PIN) but also something you have (your card). 4 digits will suffice because a potential thief must first have your card to attempt to gain access with your PIN.
Even where a thief has managed to obtain your card, they must correctly guess the PIN in a reasonable number of attempts or else the issuer will block the card as a security measure. Assuming 10 attempts are allowed (most Australian banks allow 3 attempts), the thief has only a 1% chance of guessing the PIN.
I like this. Now I can go back to 4 digits. :D
What did your card provider say when you asked them about the number of digits?
かけ直します
I have ten digits.. but at the atm I normally only use one.
Thanks for the imput from you all. I had asked my bank and they didn't know what was normal for Japan so that's why I decided to put it out there in case anyone had just visited Japan.
My understanding is that only your bank can validate your PIN, so theoretically you would have to use your actual PIN. Shouldn't matter where in the world you are.
I've only ever used 4 digits with my Citibank Plus debit Mastercard. Seven-Bank ATMs, those in 7-Eleven convenience stores and ATMs in post offices accept these cards.
No idea about other cards or ATMs as the Citibank card is the one recommended by all experienced travellers and works in most countries.
Doesn't directly answer your question but I used to have 8 digits with CBA and I had trouble using it in Hong Kong as some ATMs use 6 digits max. So I changed mine to 4.
And I've used my CBA card in Japan with no issues.
Hi, just checked at a 7/11 ATM at Kozunomori and They take up to 10 digits.
Please note : my Citibank debit only has a 4 digit PIN. But there was space for 10 digits
I was told by CBA that only 4 numbers 'register' and the other numbers mean nothing. I.e. I think my pin is abcdef and that's what I enter but it's actually abcd. I have tried just entering abcd and it works. In Australia, pins are only 4 digits even if you think you have more.
I thought they stopped capping them due to the different requirements globally
Probably best answer would come from your bank/institution and if it's a concern change it to before you leave and restore it once you return.
Good question though, one I would never have contemplated asking anyone including my bank