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The Truth About PINs: Protecting Banks, Not Just You!
PIN numbers have become a routine part of life—four digits standing between you and your money. But what are they really for? Spoiler: they might not be as much about protecting you as you think. Let’s break down why PINs exist and the strange quirks behind them.
BREEFX ✨
November 30, 2024
PINs (Personal Identification Numbers) were created to protect transactions at the time they happen. Unlike signatures or passwords, a PIN adds instant security to physical transactions by ensuring the person swiping the card knows a secret code. However, in places like the U.S., PINs are less about protecting you and more about protecting merchants from fraud.
With four digits, there are just 10,000 possible PIN combinations (0000–9999). That’s not a lot! To make matters worse, people often pick easy-to-guess numbers. “1234” is used by 11% of people, and repeating pairs like “1212” are also incredibly common.
On the flip side, certain combinations are almost never chosen. Two of the least common PINs are 8068 and 8093, making them great choices for anyone looking to secure their card. The reason? There’s no obvious pattern or personal significance tied to these numbers.
Strangely, “2580” is one of the most popular PINs. Why? Look at your keypad: the numbers form a straight vertical line. People seem to like easy patterns they can visualize, even if it makes their PIN easier to crack.
In the U.S., even if someone steals your card and PIN, they can often still run it as credit and skip the PIN entirely. PINs are more useful for merchants to prevent “chargebacks,” where customers claim they didn’t make a purchase after swiping their card.
A few years ago, someone leaked 3 million PIN numbers online, revealing patterns and popular choices. While the list didn’t match individual accounts, it showed how predictable people’s PIN habits can be.
To make your PIN harder to guess, avoid birthdays, repeating numbers, and easy patterns. Random combinations like 8068 are much safer than “1234” or “1111.”
PIN numbers may feel like a small barrier to thieves, but the truth is they’re as much about protecting businesses as they are about securing your cash.
Stay tuned,
BREEFX ✨
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