ATM PIN code issues in Ireland?
 

I was hoping to resolve this question by contacting my bank directly, but unfortunately the CSR I spoke with seemed... well, clueless (thanks Citizens Bank!).

I remember a few years ago when I was traveling to France that I was advised to change my ATM PIN code, as codes with the number 1 or 0 would not work in French ATMs. Does Ireland have any such quirky rules?

BTW- the customer service rep. advised me to "ask someone" about this issue before I go to IRE... I kind of paused and laughed a little... isn't that what I was trying to do?!?! ;;)
( In all fairness, my bank was just bought out by Citizens Bank- so this is my first "real" interaction with them... but still... )

Well the bit about 1 or 0 not working in French ATMs is simply wrong - i have both a 0 and a 1 in my and they've worked annually for years not only in France but all over Europe. Just have a 4-digit PIN and that's it, all you need anywhere in Europe.

I was in France and Spain a few weeks ago and my pins with both a 1 and 0 in them worked. But I would be interested to hear about Ireland. I am planning a summer trip in 2006.

The issue is not PINs w/ a 0 or 1 IN them but a PIN STARTING w/ a 0 or 1.

I don't think 1's were ever a problem. But for many years PINS starting w/ a 0 were another story. There have been many threads on here in the last couple of years that imply leading 0's aren't a problem anymore.

But just to be on the safe side - don't use a PIN starting w/ 0. If yours does, you can change it.

Hi Katya, I used the ATM's in Ireland last month and my pin number includes a 0 and I had no trouble with it. One member of my traveling party used her card at the airport successfully, but when she tried to use it a couple of days later got a message that she had insufficient funds and could not withdraw any money. Panic ensued, along with calls home to her husband and bank as she envisioned someone with her account number who had cleaned out her account! It turned out that there was plenty of money in her account, but that particular ATM did not take her card. I don't know why they couldn't just say that, instead of "insufficient funds".....