Warning: 8 digit ATM pins wont work in China! Need advice ASAP!

Posted Oct 25, 2011 9:03pm by Nihao2012

Nihao2012

Joined: Oct 25th, 2011
Posts: 3

Been here in Beijing many times and always used my debit card. This time it wont work. My bank in Canada recommended an 8 digit pin, but now I find that Chinese bank ATM's only accept 4 digits or 6 digits. Some ATMs just continue with the transaction after entering 4 digits, and the respond with an invalid pin message, which after 3 tries will flag my card at my bank.

What to do?

I have a Visa credit card, and a Mastercard credit, and two debit cards, but all have 8 digit pins and I kinda need to get some more money from the ATM.

Any suggestions? Are there any ATM machines that will accept the 8 digit pin? Or can I go to a bank and get a cash advance on my Visa card without entering a pin?

Which bank would be easiest to deal with?

Thanks

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Nihao2012

Joined: Oct 25th, 2011
Posts: 3

Re: Warning: 8 digit ATM pins wont work in China! Need ...

Posted by: Nihao2012 on Oct 29, 2011 10:42pm

Here's how I resolved the problem. First of all, my wife called around all our friends to see if a friend of a friend was in Beijing. Lucked out, and I was able to borrow some money.

Next, I had to call my bank and get them to send a new temporary 4 digit pin to my home address. That will take at least 5 business days. When it arrives, a person checking my mail will call and tell me the pin, and then I'll be able to use the card again.

The other thing I did, which could also work is that I went to the Bank of China and opened an account. Its easy to do now, with a hotel address, and passport.

BoC was helpful as they provided a card with all the routing info, so that in future I can get money wired to me.

I tried Western Union, but they need to verify identity through a credit check. If you have a common name, that process can fail even though you have a great credit rating. They cant identify you and Western Union cancels the transfer.

So there, be warned - if your bank allows an 8 digit pin, dont set it to anything more than 4 or 6 digits if you plan to travel!

gdbill

Joined: Feb 11th, 2007
Posts: 1,494

Re: Warning: 8 digit ATM pins wont work in China! Need ...

Posted by: gdbill on Dec 17, 2011 3:19pm

Nihao2012 wrote:

Here's how I resolved the problem. First of all, my wife called around all our friends to see if a friend of a friend was in Beijing. Lucked out, and I was able to borrow some money.

Next, I had to call my bank and get them to send a new temporary 4 digit pin to my home address. That will take at least 5 business days. When it arrives, a person checking my mail will call and tell me the pin, and then I'll be able to use the card again.

The other thing I did, which could also work is that I went to the Bank of China and opened an account. Its easy to do now, with a hotel address, and passport.

BoC was helpful as they provided a card with all the routing info, so that in future I can get money wired to me.

I tried Western Union, but they need to verify identity through a credit check. If you have a common name, that process can fail even though you have a great credit rating. They cant identify you and Western Union cancels the transfer.

So there, be warned - if your bank allows an 8 digit pin, dont set it to anything more than 4 or 6 digits if you plan to travel!

8 digit PIN is just asking for trouble in China.

"Truth is not a commodity in short supply: The problem is, there's very little demand for it." -- ???