I will be trying to use my ATM card for the first time overseas in Italy. According to my guidebook, the ATMs only take cards with four-digit pin numbers, mine has six. Is that true? How easy is it to use the ATMs without understanding a word of Italian? I have two cards-- Cirrus and Plus. <BR>

Hi Christy, <BR> <BR>Talk to your banker to change the PIN to four numbers, and at the same time advise your bank that you will be traveling in Italy so there won't be any problems about using your card in Europe. ATMs are all over, no problem to find, and I believe that Cirrus is readily available. By the way, you might want to notify your credit card companies also that you will be in Italy, and the dates, so they won't question or refuse any charges you make. Buon viaggio!

My friend had a six-number card, and although it didn't work in all, it worked in most. However, I would advise getting a four-digit card to be safe. Every machine I have used has instructions in Italian, French, German and English. <BR>

Why not get a VISA card- almost ubiquitous! and a four digit PIN. I ALWAYS use ATMs (you can select the language you prefer on screen) and have never had any problems <BR>Enjoy Italy!

When you switch to 4 digits make sure you pick numbers, not letters. Unlike ATMs in the US (assuming you are from the US) the European machines I've encountered only have numerals. If your PIN is letters you'll be standing there trying to remember which number the letter corresponds with!! Like others have said, ATMs are everywhere and you should have no problem.

It might be a good idea for you to keep records of all of your transactions and the dates, amounts and place. It is a good idea so that in case you do not get a receipt from the machine. Also, in case there is a problem when you get home if something shows up on your bank statement you aren't familiar with. We never had a problem with unauthorized charges or withdrawals, but it has been mentioned on the Forum from others that this is a good idea just for your peace of mind. Have a great time.

Another ATM tip: Get into your mind exactly how many Lire you need before you access the ATM. I always walk up on my first ATM trip in Europe, punch English and then stand there trying to figure out how much $100 in Lire is. My card gets returned, I then do it again. Sounds pretty basic and stupid, but trust me, it happens. The machine is in English, they ask for the amount in Lire. The suggestion on writing down amount is also good. I do not get a receipt about 25% of the time over there.

Christie, most ATMs have instructions is a variety of languages. Only once in my three weeks in Italy over the past yyear and half did I encouter a machine that had instructions only in Italian. After a moment of "panic" (fearing I would lose my card), I saw the word "annulla" next to a button. I pressed the button, got my card back and went to another ATM. However, as I said, that was the only time it happened. And, if it happens to you, just look for the "annulla" button!

I have seen more than one poster here complain that their bank in the US froze the account immediately after they made a withdrawal in Europe - some sort of security program interprets this as suspicious.Next time they tried to use the account it was locked. <BR> Call your bank first.Seems only to happen to a minority - wish they'd post the name of the bank. <BR>

I was informed by my bank(a major US bank)that they do not issue 4 diget pins. Too many cardholders for taht. Pin must be minumum of 6 digets with at least 2 letters. Will this work in Rome? Works on Cirrus, Star and Plus. Rick Steves 2001 guide says must have four digets-numbers only. How else get cash in Rome?

Well, i know everyone thinks they're part of the dinosaur era, but we still use traveller's cheques a lot of the time. A good thing, because we happened to have brought only ATM cards that spoke Interac or Plus, and most of the Italian ATMS seemed to speak only Cirrus. <BR> <BR>One thing about traveller's cheques; you always have a record of expenditures, and you can nail down all the details of the transaction (commission, exchange rate, etc.) with the agent, bank or whoever before surrendering the cheque. Try arguing with a machine.....

Also, American Express cards work nicely at ATM's, and you can get 4-digit pin number -- had no problem whatsoever in Spain, England, Greece (but did have problems in Israel). Expect to use AmEx at Atm's in Italy this summer -- hope we won't be disappointed.