I am so confused. In several books and posts I've read that you have to have a 3 or 4 digit pin number in order to access the atm's in italy....what's the story here? My bank tells me this is not so. <BR>Please help <BR>[email protected] <BR>Thanks!

If the bank you asked is in the US, the odds are excellent they have no idea what they're talking about. <BR> <BR>Some/many ATM systems in Europe will not process a pin longer than four digits. That's a fact. <BR> <BR>Some of them will only process the four digits, but will accept your transaction as long as the first four digits you key in match the first four digits of your PIN. Others will burp. <BR> <BR>If you want to have the best chance of getting funds from a European ATM you should make sure you have a four-digit PIN. <BR> <BR>Some PINS, here, use letters. Many European ATM machine keypads have no letters. So, if you use letters in your PIN, make sure you know the numeric equivalent for use in Europe. <BR> <BR>twenj

I don't know about Italy but had been told I would need 4 digits in England. However, I contacted Barkley's Bank in London and they said any length of pin number is good as long as your home bank accepts it. But to be on the safe side I changed my 6 digits to 4. My bank here had no clue. I just returned from Paris and converted my alpha pin number to numberical - good thing as all the ATMs in Paris had only numbers. Better safe than sorry.

I have used 5 digits in London- no problem. However, in Italy, I needed to switch to 4 digits- again as people told you- make sure you know the numeric equivalent. If you forget, the telephone numbers are just like a keypad for ATM.

Concur w. Ed--your bank does not operate the ATMs (Bancomats) in Italy. Just check w. the bank(s) that issues your credit card(s)--there will be an 800 number on your monthly statement for you to call-- to get your 4 digit PIN and be sure to let them know that you will be using it in Italy and the months you will be using it. There are Bancomats EVERYWHERE--we used one last week in a tiny seacoast village south of Salerno--just insert your card, and the screen will give you a choice of languages and go from there--takes maybe 60 seconds to get up to a max of L500,000.

I used a 4 digit (numerical) code. <BR>I called my bank and told them I was going to Europe--ask to speak to your personal banker and tell them the countries you will be visiting...Most all European banks use a 4 digit numerical code--not letters....but get it straight from your bank--you may have to change you pin prior to leaving the US