Banks issue debit cards to customers so they can withdraw their money at their convenience. The debit cards let you withdraw your funds with a Personal Identification Number (PIN) – usually a 4-digit code. However, there may be a case whereby you’ve forgotten your PIN, but you want to pay for your purchased items at in-store, how will you get this done? Well, that’s why you’re reading this post. Let’s know more about Debit Card Without A Pin Number
Firstly, can you use a debit card without a pin? Yes. You can do this in a number of ways, one of which is to use your debit card as a credit card. Purchases below $25 might also require no pin. Most importantly, when you’re shopping online, you can bypass the PIN requirement.
Note: You must understand that you can’t withdraw money from any Automated Teller Machine (ATM) or get a cashback back at a store using a credit card without your Identification Number (PIN)
Ways to Use Debit Card Without a PIN
The first and the most effective way to use a debit card without a PIN is to run the debit card as a credit card.
- Run debit card as a credit card
Another name for this option is Chip-without-PIN or Chip-and-Signature. To use this feature, you must first convert your debit transaction to a credit transaction. This is how it works: a card can either be Chip-and-Signature or Chip-and-PIN or sometimes both and it’s used as a means of security to prevent fraudsters from gaining access to your cards.
As their names imply, the Chip-and-Signature requires a signature as the verification medium and the Chi-and-PIN requires a PIN to verify. For instance, in the U.S., debit cards require a PIN while credit cards require a signature.
So, if you switch from a debit card to a credit card (i.e. from Chip-and-PIN to Chip-and-Signature), you would be using a signature to perform a transaction instead of a PIN.
How to run a debit card as credit?
Now that you knew running a debit card as a credit card can save you from the PIN requirement, it’s ideal to know how to run a debit card as credit. The process is not difficult. After purchasing your items at a store, the cashier at the checkout terminal will ask you to choose your payment option. If you use a debit card, you’ll need to provide your PIN in order to complete the transaction.
But, if you don’t remember your PIN, well, you’ll have to choose the credit card option at the checkout terminal. By selecting the credit card alternative, you will avoid having to enter your PIN and will instead be asked to sign a receipt to authorize your transaction. The credit card network will help complete your payment and you’re good to go.
However, unlike the debit card option where your money is deducted immediately, deduction of money when you run your debit card as a credit may take up to 1-3 days.
- Online payment using a mobile app
Here is another way to use your debit card without a PIN. When you purchase items online or through your bank’s mobile app, you can bypass the PIN requirement. It’s quick and easy to use this technique; all you have to do is input your debit card number, expiration date, and CVV (the three or four-digit number on the back of your debit card) to complete your transaction.
However, this option is risky as fraudsters may make use of your card to make an online purchase and then manage to steal your card or know your card details. For your convenience, you can consider linking your debit card to any online payment platform like PayPal. You may also purchase directly online on your mobile app without entering your PIN.
- Buying money orders with a debit card
You can also use this method to bypass PIN requirements when you buy a money order from companies like Moneygram, Western Union, etc. Also, contactless payment platforms like Cash App, Venmo, PayPal, etc. can help you with your transactions if you can’t remember your PIN.
Debit and Credit Transactions: What’s the Difference?
Understanding the differences between these two will assist you in better understanding how they function. A debit card, as you may know, is a card that is linked to your bank account and withdraws funds directly from it anytime you make a payment.
A credit card on the other hand allows you to complete a payment using the fund of your card issuer and pay back at a later date. Failure to pay back in full attracts high-interest rates on your balance. You may benefit from using a credit card for your transactions provided you pay back in full and at the due time – a credit card builds your credit history and improve your credit scores.
Conclusion
You shouldn’t panic when you can’t remember your PIN, you can still make use of your debit card to complete your transactions or make payments. When you run your debit card as credit, you can shop online without any complications. Also, you can complete your transaction on your bank’s mobile app. However, this convenience comes with a price; you’re at risk of PIN-less debit card fraud. So, be careful.
Frequently Asked Questions
• Is it possible to use an insufficient-funds debit card as a credit card?
Yes, you certainly can. However, if you have overdraft protection or an overdraft line of credit with your bank, you may not be allowed to do so.
- Can I get a cashback from my debit card without my PIN?
No. you can’t. You can’t get funds from your debit card without supplying a PIN, according to the policy.
