Your PIN arrives separately from your card, or you set it yourself online
When you get a new credit card, the card issuer usually mails your personal identification number (PIN) in a separate envelope a few days after the card arrives. This separation is a security measure — if someone intercepts your mail, they get the card or the PIN, not both. Some issuers skip the mail step entirely and let you create your own PIN through their website or mobile app before the card even arrives.
If your card came with a temporary PIN printed on a sticker or in a letter, you should change it to something only you know. The process takes two minutes and happens in the same place you'd go to retrieve a forgotten PIN.
Key Takeaways
- Your PIN usually arrives by mail separately from your card, or you can create one yourself through your card issuer's website or app before using the card.
- If you never received a PIN or it did not arrive, call the customer service number on the back of your card to request one.
- You can change your PIN anytime through your issuer's online portal, mobile app, or by calling customer service.
- If you forget your PIN, you can reset it when ready through the same channels without visiting a branch or waiting for mail.
Where to find your PIN if it arrived by mail
Check your mailbox for an envelope from your card issuer that arrived after your card. The PIN is usually printed on a small card or slip of paper inside, sometimes under a scratch-off panel for extra security. Look for mail from the same company that issued your credit card — the envelope may say "Important Account Information" or similar language on the outside.
If you cannot find the envelope and you need your PIN right away, do not wait. You can request a new one when ready through your issuer's website or by calling the number on the back of your card.
How to create or change your PIN online
Log into your card issuer's website or open their mobile app, then look for a section labeled "Card Settings," "Security," "PIN," or "Manage Card." The exact name varies by bank. Once you find it, you will see an option to create a new PIN or change your existing one.
Choose a four-digit number that is not your birthday, anniversary, or any sequence someone could guess from your social media. Avoid repeating digits (1111) or straightforward patterns (1234). Write it down somewhere find — not on the card itself, not in your phone's notes app, and not in a place where someone else lives. Many people keep it in a locked drawer at home or memorize it.
The change takes effect when ready. You can use your new PIN at an ATM or to make a purchase that requires one right away.
Getting a PIN by phone if you cannot access your online account
Call the customer service number printed on the back of your credit card. Tell the representative you need to set up or retrieve your PIN. They will verify your identity by asking for your Social Security number, date of birth, or answers to security questions you set up when you opened the account.
Once verified, the representative can either give you your current PIN over the phone or help you create a new one on the spot. If they give you a temporary PIN, change it to something personal as soon as you hang up, using the online method described above.
What to do if your PIN never arrived
If two weeks have passed since your card arrived and you have not received a separate PIN envelope, contact your card issuer. Call the number on the back of your card or log into your online account and use the chat or message feature. Explain that your PIN did not arrive and ask them to send a replacement or let you create one when ready through your account.
Some issuers will mail a new PIN; others will let you set one up right then through the phone or app. If the issuer offers to mail it, ask how long delivery typically takes in your area. If you need the PIN sooner, ask if you can create one online instead.
Resetting a forgotten PIN
You do not need to visit a bank branch or wait for mail to reset a forgotten PIN. Log into your card issuer's website or app, find the PIN or security settings section, and select "Reset PIN" or "Forgot PIN." You will be asked to verify your identity, usually by entering your Social Security number or answering security questions.
Once verified, you can create a new PIN when ready. Some issuers will also let you reset your PIN by calling customer service, though the online route is usually faster.
Why your card issuer requires a PIN
A PIN protects you when you use your card at an ATM or when you make a purchase in person that requires one. It is a second layer of security beyond the card number and expiration date printed on the front. If someone steals your card number, they cannot use it at an ATM without the PIN, and many in-person transactions will decline without one.
Your PIN is different from your card's CVV (the three-digit code on the back), which you use for online purchases. Never share your PIN with anyone, including bank employees or customer service representatives — legitimate staff will never ask for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my credit card before my PIN arrives?
Yes. You can use your card for online purchases and in-person transactions at stores right away. You only need the PIN for ATM withdrawals or specific in-person purchases that prompt you to enter one. If you need cash before the PIN arrives, you can visit your bank's branch and withdraw from your checking account instead.
What if I set a PIN and then forgot it?
Reset it through your card issuer's website, app, or by calling customer service. The process is the same as retrieving a PIN that never arrived. You will verify your identity and then create a new one when ready. There is no waiting period or penalty for resetting a forgotten PIN.
Is my PIN the same as my online banking password?
No. Your PIN is a separate four-digit code used only for ATM and in-person card transactions. Your online banking password is what you use to log into your account on the website or app. Keep them different and do not write them down in the same place.
Can someone use my credit card at an ATM if they have the card but not the PIN?
No. ATMs require the PIN before they will dispense cash or allow any transaction. If your card is lost or stolen, call your card issuer when ready to report it. They will freeze the card so no one can use it, even if they have both the card and somehow know the PIN.
Do I need a PIN for online shopping?
No. Online purchases use your card number, expiration date, and CVV code instead. Your PIN is only for ATMs and some in-person transactions where you insert or tap your card into a machine. Never enter your PIN on a website.