How to use debit card without pin in store

How do debit cards work?

When you open a checking account at a bank or credit union, you usually get a debit card. 

A debit card lets you spend money from your checking account without writing a check. 

• You can use your debit card to buy things in a store
• You can use it at an ATM to get cash

When you pay with a debit card, the money comes out of your checking account immediately.  There is no bill to pay later.

How do I know where I used my debit card?

Your bank or credit union gives you a “statement” every month.  Your statement shows:

• where you paid with your debit card and how much you spent
• where you used the ATM, how much you withdrew, and what fees you paid
• who you wrote a check to and for how much

Your statement can help you track your spending and create a budget.

How is a debit card different from a credit card?

When you buy something with a credit card, you are borrowing money from the credit card company. The credit card company will send you a bill every month for the money you borrowed to buy things.

When you use a debit card, you are using money in your checking account to buy things.

For example, with debit cards:

• You can get a debit card from the bank when you open a checking account
• Money comes out of your checking account when you pay with a debit card
• You don’t pay extra money in interest when you pay with a debit card
• You can use a debit card at an ATM to get money from your checking account
• You do not build a credit history using a debit card

With credit cards:

• You apply for a credit card at a bank or store
• You get a bill once a month for everything you buy with a credit card
• You might pay extra money in interest if you don’t pay all of your credit card bill every month
• You can use a credit card as a safer way to pay for things online
• You can build a credit history using a credit card if you pay the whole bill every month when it is due

Can I use my debit card to buy things online?

Your debit card will work online.  But debit cards are not a good way to pay when you shop online.

Credit cards are safer to use when you buy things online:

• You might have a problem with something you buy online.  It is easier to get your money back if you use a credit card.
• Someone might steal your credit card number online. The law says you can lose only $50 if you report it right away.
• Someone might steal your debit card number online. The thief can take all your money out of your bank account.

What if I use all the money in my checking account?

You might not have enough money in your checking account.  That means your debit card will be “declined.” You will not be able to buy things.

Some banks and credit unions might let you sign up for “overdraft protection.”  That means you can use your debit card even when you do not have enough money to pay for the things you are buying. But you might have to pay a fee to the bank. Some banks might charge this fee for every purchase until you put enough money in your account to pay for the things you are buying.

For Example

• I did not know my checking account balance was $1.78.
• I used my debit card three times.  I paid for groceries, coffee, and my cable bill. 
• My bank charged a $25 overdraft fee every time I used my card. 
• The good part:  My debit card was never declined.  I could buy what I wanted. 
• The bad part:  Now I owe the bank $75, plus the money I spent.

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As payments by card grow in popularity – due to an increase in online shopping and contactless payments during COVID-19 – there has been less of a need to ‘enter your PIN’ (personal identification number) at either an ATM or at a card terminal. 

And without regularly using your PIN, it can be easy to forget.

Here’s what to do if you forget your PIN – or inadvertently ‘lock’ it by entering the incorrect number too many times.

View your PIN securely online

If you are signed up to online banking, this should be your first port of call as some banks – such as Barclays – allow you to ‘view it securely’ online. Look for a tab such as ‘account services’ or the equivalent.

However, if you are only an additional cardholder to the account (and therefore typically won’t have access to online banking), you will need to ask the primary account holder to log on and retrieve your PIN for you. They will have access to all of PINs associated with the account.

You may also be able to retrieve your PIN from your bank’s personal banking app if you have it downloaded.

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Request a PIN reminder

Some banks, such as NatWest, send a PIN reminder to postal address. You’ll need to make the request either on the bank’s website or via its banking app, and have the long number across your debit card to hand.

If you prefer, you could call your bank’s customer services department for a PIN reminder instead. Typically, you should receive your PIN within 3 – 10 working days, depending on your bank.

Use contactless payments…

Of course, you can still make purchases with your card in the meantime using contactless which doesn’t require a PIN at all (the card reader uses radio waves instead to communicate with your card).

To make a contactless payment, wait for a prompt from the card reader, then tap or hover your card above the card terminal to complete the transaction.

The limit transaction on contactless payments increased from £30 to £45 in April 2o2o to make the ‘hands-off’ method of payment more widely available for consumers during the pandemic.

Bear in mind you cannot make contactless payments using a card that is ‘locked’ – more on this below.

Use your smartphone

If you have downloaded Apple Pay on your iPhone, or Google Pay for android, you can make contactless payments without your PIN or your bank card. Just open the ‘wallet’ app on your phone and hover above the card terminal.

With their own biometric security in place, Apple Pay and Google Pay don’t have official limits on transactions but many retailers limit them at £45 just the same.

Withdraw cash in branch

You can still withdraw cash at the counter at any branch of your bank even if your PIN is locked. But remember to take two forms of ID with you to be on the safe side, such as your passport or photo driving licence.

How to unlock your PIN

Your PIN becomes ‘locked’ if you forget it and enter it incorrectly three times. This means you won’t be able to use your card. 

If you do remember your PIN later on, you can an find an option to ‘unlock’ it at a cash machine owned, or specified, by your bank. You will need to key in your existing PIN, select the tab for PIN-related services, and follow the instructions.

Change your PIN

If you have a habit of forgetting your PIN, or you think someone else could know it, you may want to change it.

Some banks, such as Barclays and Halifax, allow you to set a new PIN at one of their cash machines or other specified ATMs. However, you will need to know your current PIN at the time of changing it.

Just insert your card into the cash machine and enter your current PIN. Select the option PIN-related services, and then ‘change your PIN’. Choose a number that can’t be guessed by someone else, avoiding simple number patterns such as 1,2,3,4. 

Halifax recommends choosing a sequence of numbers that is significant to you so it’s easier to remember, but not too ‘close to home’. For example, 2103 if a friend’s birthday falls on 21 March.

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