The steps you have to take to retrieve a forgotten personal identification number (PIN) may depend on the organization through which you have the PIN. With some organizations, you can call or visit to retrieve your number. In such a case, you will typically have to provide proof of your identity or the answers to pertinent information about your account in order to retrieve it. Sometimes, however, an organization may have a policy against providing forgotten PIN number details. In such a case, a security question may be used to remind you of your number or to qualify you to receive a replacement.
Unfortunately, a forgotten PIN number isn’t always easy to retrieve. The steps you will have to take and whether the processes is easy or difficult depends on the organization involved. For example, a bank’s procedure for retrieving a forgotten PIN number may be far more extensive than that of a library. As such, the first step usually involves contacting the organization responsible for the account and requesting information about the process.
Some organizations will allow you to retrieve your forgotten PIN number if you can prove who you are and that you have a right to access the account. For example, if you lost the personal identification number for a debit card, you may have to visit the bank that issued your debit card and present a photo ID to prove your identity. Once you have done so, the bank may retrieve your number for you.
In some cases, you can retrieve a forgotten PIN number by phone. If, for example, you have forgotten the PIN for a telephone banking service, you might be able to call and ask a representative to retrieve it for you. Depending on the bank in question, the representative may ask you a series of questions intended to determine whether or not you are the account holder. For example, he may ask for your account and tax ID numbers, phone number and address, and birth date. He may also ask you to tell him the exact amounts of your last deposits or withdrawals.
Many organizations set up a system of security questions for use when an account holder forgets his PIN. For example, you may choose a couple of questions that no one else is likely to answer correctly. In the event that you forget your number, you can provide the answers to these questions to retrieve it or create a new personal identification number for your account.
