When you pay with a debit card, you typically need to punch in your PIN. But if it’s been a while since you’ve used your card — maybe because you’ve been paying with a rewards credit card or a mobile wallet — you might find that you’ve forgotten the PIN entirely.
In this situation and others in which you want to use a debit card without a PIN, you fortunately have options. Here’s how to use a debit card without a PIN, and how to go through the steps for recovering your PIN from your bank.
Key Points
• Running a debit card as credit at the point of sale requires a signature instead of a PIN.
• Linking a debit card to a mobile wallet or P2P app allows payments without a PIN.
• Debit cards can be used online without a PIN by providing the card number and expiration date.
• Some merchants permit small purchases (under $25) with a debit card without needing a PIN.
• Cardless ATM withdrawals can be done using a mobile app without a physical card or PIN.
Understanding Debit Card Technology
First, a little intel on how debit cards operate. EMV chips are now the standard in the United States for credit and debit cards. These chips are embedded in cards and add a heightened layer of security to these payment methods. (EMV stands for Europay, Mastercard, and Visa, the card issuers that pioneered this technology.)
However, there are two different types of chip cards: chip-and-PIN and chip-and-signature. The former, as you might guess, requires that you enter a PIN as added security. The latter requires only a signature.
Here in the U.S., credit cards are commonly chip-and-signature, and debit cards, connected to a bank account, are chip-and-PIN.
Recommended: Credit Card vs. Debit Card
What Happens When You Forget Your PIN?
When you forget the PIN for your debit card, it’s important to contact your bank as soon as possible to recover it and/or reset it.
But if you’re about to make a purchase when you’ve suddenly realized you can’t remember the number, your more immediate need is figuring out just how you’re going to pay what you owe. That’s where the following workarounds will come in handy.
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7 Ways to Use a Debit Card Without a PIN
Forgot your debit card PIN? Don’t panic: Here’s info on how to use a debit card without a PIN.
1. Running Your Debit Card as a Credit Card
The easiest way to use your debit card when you’ve forgotten your PIN is to run the transaction as credit. You may have to sign for the purchase when you use this option.
Worth noting: The money will still come out of your checking account, though it may take longer to do so, and you won’t be charged interest. However, keep in mind that transactions processed this way typically won’t help you build credit with a debit card because it’s unlikely that they will be reported to the credit bureaus.
2. Using a P2P App or Mobile Wallet
If your debit card is already tied to a peer-to-peer payment app, you should be able to send friends and family money without your PIN.
Similarly, if your debit card information is already stored in a mobile wallet, you can pay with your phone at places where digital wallets are accepted.
3. Shopping Online Instead
When shopping online, you may not need to enter your debit card’s PIN. Instead, the online retailer might only require the card number and expiration date.
Sometimes, the site may also prompt you to enter your billing address and the three-digit security code on the back of the card.
4. Making Your Purchase Over the Phone
Similarly, you may not have to share your PIN over the phone when making purchases.
5. Making Smaller Purchases
In some cases, you might be able to use your debit card without punching in the PIN if the purchase is under $25. This can be quite convenient if you just need to top off the gas tank or pick up some milk and cereal on the way home.
Recommended: How to Combat Impulse Spending
6. Making a Cardless Withdrawal From an ATM
Not every financial institution offers cardless withdrawal at an ATM, but if yours does, you should be able to take out cash without using your PIN — or even your debit card.
Instead, you’ll set up the withdrawal in your mobile banking app, head to the ATM, and use your phone to complete the transaction. This would give you the cash you need to complete purchases.
7. Visiting Your Local Bank Branch and Withdrawing Cash
With or without your debit card, you should be able to withdraw cash from your checking account in person if your bank has physical branches.
You can fill out a withdrawal slip (you’ll need your bank account information) or just work with a teller, who will walk you through the process. You’ll probably need your photo ID.
Checking Your Account Balance Without a PIN
Many consumers rely on ATMs to check their account balance. The only problem? You need your PIN to get started.
Never fear: There are other ways to check your account balance without a PIN.
1. Asking a Teller at Your Bank
If you know your account number and have a photo ID, you can visit your bank in person. Once a teller has confirmed your identity, they should be able to help you access your account balance.
2. Accessing Your Mobile Banking App
If you don’t want to leave the couch to find out your balance, you can just log in to your mobile app on your phone or the online account on a computer. Rather than a PIN, most mobile apps require a username (or email) and password to log in.
Some accounts may have multi-factor authentication (MFA) or biometric screening to log in. That means you may have a code sent to your phone or email or you might use your thumbprint or face ID to log in. These features help make mobile banking safe.
Recommended: How to Keep Your Bank Account Safe Online
3. Setting Up Mobile Balance Alerts
Some banks will allow you to set up mobile balance alerts. You can receive updates via text, email, or in-app push notifications, including low-balance alerts that let you know when your checking account is running low.
Tips for Remembering Your PIN
Your PIN should be unique and random so that it’s hard for criminals to guess. PINs like 1234, 1111, and 0000 may be easy for you to remember, but they’re also easy targets for fraud.
But if you make your PIN more challenging to guess, it may be more challenging to remember. Here are two ways to help you remember your PIN:
1. Checking Your Banking App for a PIN
Some banks’ mobile apps may allow you to see your PIN. Doing so might require some type of identification confirmation, like two-step authentication or answering a security question.
Recommended: How to Manage a Checking Account
2. Contacting Your Bank
You can also try contacting your bank if you forgot your PIN, either over the phone or in person. In this event, the bank may require that you reset the PIN for your security.
The process to reset your PIN will vary depending on your financial institution. You can typically reset your PIN over the phone, online, or in person. Some banks let you reset your PIN at an ATM, but you may need to know your current PIN to do so.
The Takeaway
Using your debit card without a PIN is possible. You could complete a cardless withdrawal at an ATM, use your mobile wallet, or otherwise access funds without your PIN. However, if you’ve forgotten your PIN, it’s a good idea to contact your bank to retrieve or reset it.
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FAQ
Can a debit card be swiped without a PIN?
You can swipe a debit card without a PIN in certain circumstances. For example, some merchants let you run your debit card as credit, in which case you may just have to sign for the purchase. Sometimes, smaller purchases (under $25) don’t require a PIN either.
How much can you spend on a debit card without a PIN?
How much you can spend on a debit card without a PIN will vary with the way you access funds. For instance, you may be able to use a debit card without a PIN for smaller purchases (say, $25 and under). You could also use your debit card without a PIN by running it as credit, if the merchant permits this. The limit on this would probably follow your bank’s policies. (You might have a daily spending limit, or you might be able to spend up to the amount of funds in your account.)
You may also be able to use your debit card without a PIN when shopping online or over the phone, paying someone via a P2P money transfer app, or making a cardless withdrawal at an ATM. Again, limits may apply depending on the specific process and your bank’s or money transfer app’s policies.
Can I use my debit card in a store without a PIN?
Some stores allow shoppers to run their debit cards as credit at the point of sale. In this case, you don’t need your PIN to use your debit card when shopping. Also, if a purchase is fairly small (perhaps $25 or less), you may be allowed to use your debit card without a PIN.
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