I have a bancomat card from Banco San Marco and with it I have a 5 digit pin number. I am going to be traveling soon out of the country and have been reading that most atm's use a 4 digit pin number does anyone know anything about this?

You should be able to use your 5-digit PIN in other countries. It's the account you're sourcing that matters, not the ATM you're using. Australia has 4-digit PINs and I use my 4-digit PIN to access my Australian account from Italian ATMs.

Unless, of course, Italy does things differently!

quote:

Originally posted by Graeme:
You should be able to use your 5-digit PIN in other countries. It's the account you're sourcing that matters, not the ATM you're using. Australia has 4-digit PINs and I use my 4-digit PIN to access my Australian account from Italian ATMs.

Unless, of course, Italy does things differently!

well that is what I am worried about...was hoping someone who has the Italian 5 digit can tell me tht they had no problem...

The problem will be if it is only a bancomat card - they only work in Italy. It has to be maestro and/or cirrus as well to be used in other countries.

My 5-digit Italian Visa Electron debit card works in Paris and the UK (both countries have 4-digit codes) for withdrawing money (except in Sainsbury's bank so worth trying a different bank if it doesn't work first time). However, it doesn't work for paying in shops abroad.

quote:

Originally posted by alyson:
The problem will be if it is only a bancomat card - they only work in Italy. It has to be maestro and/or cirrus as well to be used in other countries.

it is a maestro card...so hopefully it will work...I just got back from the bank and my bander said it should be no problem...if there is only room for 4 numbers put the first 4 numbers in...but for some reason i don't think that should work because someone else can have the same 4 numbers with the 5th one bing different.......this all came up when I was on TA forum for Prague and someone said it had to be 4 digits...so I guess it will be a wait and see...thanks everyone...

What's the link to this T&A forum? Sounds interesting.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g274707-i96-k22031...-Prague_Bohemia.html

this is where it started...also I emailed the woman who we are taking a tour with and she said
4 digit pin numbers ... this is an interesting problem

I have called one of the biggest banks KB - http://www.kb.cz/en/index.shtml

and they said all ATMs in the world accept only 4 digit pin code n.

They said your card must have some 4 digit Pin code if it is Visa or Master.

I would recommend:


Try to ask the provider of your card if they can give you the 4 digit pin code.

Make sure you know the "another access to your money " ... so you can go to the bank give them the security codes and withdraw the money directly from your account.


anyway my bank said I should not have a problem ...let us hope he is right...

I'd definitely take along a credit card as a back up.

Trip Advisor wasn't quite what you were hoping for now is it Bill2...

I already decided that...my Italian one and my American one....tell me again why I am living in Italy?

quote:

Originally posted by JoanSi:

quote:

Originally posted by alyson:
The problem will be if it is only a bancomat card - they only work in Italy. It has to be maestro and/or cirrus as well to be used in other countries.

it is a maestro card...so hopefully it will work...I just got back from the bank and my bander said it should be no problem...if there is only room for 4 numbers put the first 4 numbers in...but for some reason i don't think that should work because someone else can have the same 4 numbers with the 5th one bing different.......this all came up when I was on TA forum for Prague and someone said it had to be 4 digits...so I guess it will be a wait and see...thanks everyone...

But the card is attached your account and if you think about it the ATM pre-authorises your card with your bank before you put your pin in, so as long as those 4 digits are recognised as going with your account, sort code etc. I think it will be okay. Think about telephone banking where you put in all your account details then only one or two numbers from your PIN code for that facility and your realise it is just an extra line of security.

I'm pretty sure you won't have any problems as long as your card bears the Maestro/Cirrus logo, and you will need all 5 digits, no matter what Country you go to.
On the other hand credit cards have 4 digits PINs, but cash advance or ATM withdrowal is rather expensive.

allyson you are right I wasn't thinking....thanks everyone not going until id december but will let you all know how it works out...