How to Recover or Reset Your PIN Number: 3 Easy Ways

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A quick and easy guide to get a new PIN for your card

Co-authored by Devin McSween Reviewed by Andrew Lokenauth

Last Updated: September 30, 2025 Fact Checked

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By Phone

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Online

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In Person

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Changing Your PIN

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Tips

Whenever you apply for a credit, debit, or banking card, you’re typically assigned a 4- or 6-digit personal identification number (“PIN” for short) that makes it possible to authorize payments and withdraw funds from your account with ease. But forgetting your PIN can be more than just a minor inconvenience—it could leave you temporarily unable to access your hard-earned money. Fortunately, all it takes is a phone call, a few clicks on your bank’s website or app, or a visit to your bank to retrieve a lost PIN number or reset it to something you’ll have an easier time remembering. Keep reading to learn how!

Best Tips to Recover Your PIN number

Call the phone number printed on the back of your card to retrieve your PIN number or reset it. If you prefer to recover your PIN in person, visit your nearest bank for help. Or, log in to your account on your bank’s website or app and follow the instructions to recover your PIN.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Requesting a New PIN by Phone

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1
Call the 1-800 number printed on the back of your card. Check for the number along the bottom portion of the card. The customer service hotlines for most banks and financial institutions are usually available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and are almost always toll-free, which means you won’t be billed for your call.^{[1]
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- If you don’t happen to have your card on hand, you can also call the company directly and ask to be connected to the customer service department.
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Follow the instructions for resetting your PIN if you're on an automated hotline. After a short greeting, you’ll be instructed to make a series of button presses, each of which corresponds to a different service. Wait until you hear the phrase, “account information” or “card information,” and press the indicated button. Then, follow the subsequent prompts until you arrive at the option to reset your PIN.^{[2]
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- You will be prompted to verify your identity, which may include providing your account number or social security number.
- Listen carefully—if you press the wrong button, you may be forced to start over from the beginning.
- If you’re uncertain about what to do next, choose the option to be connected with a customer service agent.
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Explain your situation to a customer service agent if you get a real person. Tell the agent that you’ve forgotten your PIN and either need a reminder or wish to set a new one. Be ready to provide details like your full name, the last 4 digits of your social security number, and/or your card or account number, as they’ll need some verification that you are who you say you are.^{[3]
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- Getting in touch with a live customer service rep may be your best bet if it’s your first time experiencing an issue with your card, or if you’re running into technical difficulties with the automated service system.
4
Enter your new PIN when prompted. Punch in the number using your phone’s keypad. As a rule, banks and card issuers ask that users designate a PIN that’s either 4 or 6 digits in length. To avoid similar issues in the future, try to pick a number that will stick in your mind. This could be a coded word, a meaningful date, or another series of numbers that has some special significance to you.^{[4]
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- Steer clear of obvious go-tos like your birth year, your zip code, or the last 4 digits of your street address. Anyone could figure out one of these numbers if they were to get hold of your wallet.
- You may be asked to input your new PIN multiple times in order to confirm that it’s correct.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Requesting a New PIN Online

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1
Visit the website or app of the bank that issued your card. Most banking websites and apps contain a section where users can view their account details and make changes to various settings and preferences. This is where you’ll be resetting your PIN.
- If you’re not sure how to find a particular bank or company’s website, simply type their name into Google. You’ll also typically find an organization’s web address printed somewhere on the back of the card itself.
- Most banking institutions have a mobile banking app. The link to download the app is usually featured prominently on the front page of their website.
2
Sign in to your online banking account. On the website or app, enter your email address or custom username and password, then hit “Sign In.” Once your login credentials are verified, you’ll be redirected to an overview page that provides a summary of your transaction history and presents different actions that you can perform as the account holder.^{[5]
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U.S. government agency for protecting consumers in the financial sector

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- If you’ve never made use of your bank or card issuer’s online services before, you’ll need to register an account. This will require you to provide information like your name, email address, date of birth, and social security number. It may also be necessary for you to supply your card or bank account number.^{[6]
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  US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
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- Be prepared to answer one or more security questions if you haven’t signed in in a while. These generally take the form of highly-specific personal questions that only the account holder would know the answer to, such as, “What was the name of your first childhood pet?”^{[7]
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Navigate to your user settings. Different sites and apps are set up differently, but most of the time, you’ll find a link to your user settings somewhere near the upper right-hand corner of the main page. Click or tap this link to pull up a list of customizable options.^{[8]
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- The user hub on the website or app could also be labelled “Account Settings,” “Preferences,” “Controls,” or something similar.
4
Scan your user settings for an option that allows you to manage your card. You may see it in a drop-down list, or it may be displayed somewhere on the dashboard near the top of the screen. When you find what you’re looking for, click or tap the link. Almost there!^{[9]
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- If you don’t have any luck tracking down this option, search your bank’s website for instructions on how to reset your PIN. Or, call your bank.
5
Select the option to reset your PIN. This may also be phrased as, “Change Your PIN,” or, “Create a New PIN.” Click or tap the link to pull up a secure-encrypted PIN reset form. As you do, think about what you want your new number to be.^{[10]
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- Some banks send out helpful PIN reminders. Check to see if you have the option to receive a confidential reminder if you just need a little help remembering your PIN and don’t want a different one.^{[11]
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- Not all banks and card issuers permit their users to change their PINs online. If you hit a dead end, pick up the phone or head down to your bank.
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Enter your new preferred PIN. Most banks and financial institutions recommend that users specify a PIN that’s either 4 or 6 digits long. Try to choose a sequence of numbers that you’ll have no problem remembering. When you’re satisfied with your new number, click or tap “Submit” or “Confirm Your New PIN” to make it official.
- Don’t be surprised if you’re asked to type out your new PIN more than once. This just helps to ensure that you don't end up with the wrong number in the event that you accidentally make a typo.
- If your bank or card issuer doesn’t give you the option to create your own custom PIN, they’ll randomly generate a new number for you and send it to you by mail within 7-10 business days.
Warning: Avoid using your birthday, a portion of your address or phone number, or the same repeating number as your new PIN. These sorts of passcodes are all too easy for thieves and hackers to crack.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Requesting a New PIN in Person

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1
Visit your bank’s local branch and ask the teller to reset your PIN. If you’re not comfortable divulging your financial information over the phone or online, go to your bank or card issuer’s local branch to speak to a teller in person. Simply let them know that you’ve forgotten your PIN and would like to recover it or reset it to a new number.^{[12]
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- It’s a good idea to pop in for a face-to-face chat if you discover that your PIN has been blocked or invalidated inexplicably.
2
Fill out the form to receive your PIN. Most banks and institutions have a form for you to fill out to recover or reset your PIN. Simply complete the requested information, which may include your social security number or bank account number. When you’re done, give the form to the teller, who will process the information and give you a PIN reminder, or give you your new PIN.
- Most banks provide you with your PIN during your visit at the office. However, you can get your PIN mailed to you, if you prefer.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

How to Change Your PIN

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1
Change your PIN over the phone, online, at an ATM, or in person. If you know your ATM PIN and just want to change it to a different number, there are plenty of easy ways to create a new PIN. For instance:^{[13]
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- Over the phone: Call the 1-800 number on the back of your card, or find your bank’s customer service number on their website. Follow the automated prompts to change your PIN, or select the prompt to speak to a live customer agent.^{[14]
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- On your bank’s website or mobile app: Log in to your account on your bank’s website or mobile app. Navigate to the settings for your card and find the “Reset PIN” option. Enter your current PIN and then follow the prompts to set your new one.^{[15]
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- At an ATM: Insert your card into the ATM, enter your current PIN, and select “More Options.” Then, select “Change PIN” and enter your new number.^{[16]
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- At your bank: Visit your local branch and let the teller know that you want to change your PIN. Then, fill out the form to create your new number.^{[17]
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Tips

Once you receive your new PIN, jot it down on a piece of paper and stash it in a secure place (like a locked, private drawer at home—not something that could be lost or stolen, like your wallet). That way, you’ll have something to refer back to in case you ever forget it again.

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Some banks, like Chase, may allow you to change your PIN at the ATM—but you typically need to know your current PIN in order to do this, so if you've forgotten your PIN, changing it at the ATM probably isn't an option.

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