Frequently asked questions from consumers
Can a shop charge me for making an PIN payment?
Can I increase the limit on my PIN card?
What is the limit on my PIN card?
I’d like to apply for a PIN card. What do I have to do?
Can I use my PIN card abroad?
I’ve lost my PIN card/had my PIN card stolen. What should I do?
My PIN card has been damaged. What should I do?
I got my pin code wrong three times in a row. What should I do?
Can I change my PIN code?
I have reason to suspect unauthorised use of my PIN card. What should I do?
I have inadvertently let someone else know my PIN code. What should I do?
What methods are used by criminals to discover my PIN code?
Can a PIN code be cracked?
Where can I get tips on using my PIN card safely?
What number do I have to call to get my PIN card blocked?
Can a shop charge me for making an PIN payment?
Any business is free to impose a charge for making PIN payments, regardless of the friendliness or otherwise of such action towards customers and whether the charge bears any relation to the true costs involved. What we have, after all, is a transaction between you and the business concerned. Either you agree to the charge or you reject it (pay by some other means or take your business elsewhere).
It is not legally possible to prohibit merchants from making a charge for PIN payments. It should, of course, be made clear before the transaction is entered into exactly how much the charge is to which you will be agreeing by pressing the ‘OK’ key.
Can I increase the limit on my PIN card?
PIN B.V. cannot comment on this. It is up to a cardholder’s bank to decide whether the limit can be raised (either temporarily or permanently), based on such things as regular income, state of the account etc.
What is the limit on my PIN card?
This is fixed by the bank issuing your PIN card, although there is in principle no maximum limit. However, most banks impose a fixed maximum amount per day for cash withdrawals and payments made using POS terminals, partly in order to protect account holders in case of loss or theft of cards. Banks will alter the maximum amount on request, depending on the financial position of the individual account holder concerned. You should contact your bank for information with regard to your specific situation and what is possible.
I’d like to apply for a PIN card. What do I have to do?
To apply for a PIN card, you should contact your bank. PIN B.V. does not itself issue bank cards.
Can I use my PIN card abroad?
PIN is a Dutch payment product for use in POS terminals. Card purchases made by holders of Dutch bank cards in countries outside the Netherlands are transacted via the Maestro system operated by MasterCard. You are therefore not using the PIN payment product as such, even though the process is popularly perceived as being the same.
When you make payments in countries outside the Netherlands, you are using the Maestro functionality of your PIN card. You will find the Maestro logo on the front of many bank cards issued by Dutch banks.
I’ve lost my PIN card/had my PIN card stolen. What should I do?
If your PIN card or PIN code has been lost or stolen, you should call the appropriate number immediately.
Click here for the relevant telephone numbers.
My PIN card has been damaged. What should I do?
If your PIN card has been damaged you should contact the bank which issued the card.
I got my PIN code wrong three times in a row. What should I do?
Your PIN card will have been blocked. You should contact the bank which issued the card.
Can I change my PIN code?
It is only possible to change your PIN code if you have an ABN AMRO bank card. To find out more, contact your bank.
I have reason to suspect unauthorised use of my PIN card. What should I do?
Contact your bank immediately to have your PIN card blocked.
Click here for the relevant telephone numbers. If you lose money as a result of your card being misused, you should report the matter to the police.
I have inadvertently let someone else know my PIN code. What should I do?
If anyone else knows your PIN code, it is a good idea to have your PIN card blocked or your PIN code changed (the latter applies only to ABN AMRO customers). This will prevent your PIN card from being misused.
Click here for relevant telephone numbers.
What methods are used by criminals to discover my pin code?
- Criminals could be looking over your shoulder as you key in your PIN code. You should therefore always shield the keypad with your other hand or your purse, for example.
- Criminals have been known to place false fronts over POS terminals (and ATMs), which capture any PIN codes that are keyed in. Alert shop staff if you suspect that a POS terminal has been interfered with.
- Criminals may pretend to be bank staff and ask you to confirm your PIN code. Genuine bank staff will never ask you for your PIN code. You should never divulge your PIN code to anyone.
Can a PIN code be cracked?
It is not possible for the PIN code to your PIN card to be cracked. The PIN code is not stored on the magnetic stripe.
Where can I get tips on using my PIN card safely?
Go to the page PIN payments: play safe! for tips on using your PIN card safely. You will also find information on www.veiligbankieren.nl and on the websites of the various banks.
What number do I have to call to get my PIN card blocked?
ABN AMRO (inside the Netherlands) 0900 0024
ABN AMRO (from outside the Netherlands) +31 (0) 10 282 07 24
Fortis Bank (inside the Netherlands) 0900 8170
Fortis Bank (from outside the Netherlands) +31 (0) 20 588 18 81
ING (inside and from outside the Netherlands) +31 (0) 58 212 60 00
Rabobank (inside and from outside the Netherlands) +31 (0) 499 499 112
Other banks (inside the Netherlands) 0800 0313
Other banks (from outside the Netherlands) +31 (0) 30 283 53 72 (reverse-charge/call-collect calls also accepted)
These call centres are manned 24 hours a day and staff will ensure that your card is blocked immediately.