A personal identification number (PIN) is a four-digit number that serves as a password to use and access information on a credit card. Most systems have a security measure in place that blocks the use of a card if its PIN is entered incorrectly three times in a row. This is meant to be a safeguard against theft. If a thief steals a credit card and tries to randomly guess the PIN, it is extremely unlikely that he or she will figure it out in just three attempts. In fact, the odds of doing so are less than one-tenth of one percent. Even if some other information about the card holder is known, the thief will probably not guess the right PIN before use of the card is blocked.

These safeguards are very important to deter and undermine criminals, but it's not unusual for the actual card holder to incorrectly enter the PIN three times in a row. Sometimes people are in a hurry and accidentally push the wrong buttons. If the credit card hasn't been used in a long time, or the PIN is difficult to remember, it's also easy to use up the three tries by attempting to guess the right combination of digits. Many people don't realize that the security feature exists and are unpleasantly surprised to find themselves locked out of using their own credit cards.

When this happens, it is possible to reset the PIN on a credit card. The exact process for resetting a PIN can vary somewhat between different banks, cards, and companies. If the card was issued through a local bank, it may be possible to go in with photo identification and get it taken care of immediately. Some companies and banks have forms on the internet that need to be submitted online or filled out and mailed in order to reset a PIN. It may also be possible to get the issue resolved over the phone. When the right course of action for a particular card is unknown, either visit the website or call the company to find out what needs to be done.

If the PIN has been forgotten, the company will typically mail the customer a letter that contains the numbers. This is sent to the address on file for the account. This way, a thief cannot call pretending to be the card holder and simply get the PIN number over the phone.

Sometimes people are able to change their PIN numbers to make them something that they can more easily remember. This can be very helpful if someone just finds it especially difficult to remember the original combination of numbers issued with the credit card. The process for changing a PIN is usually similar to the steps that need to be taken to reset one. Whether this option is available to customers depends on the policy of the individual bank or company that issued the credit card. In order to find out whether a number can be changed upon request, call the credit card company and speak with a customer service representative.