Is The PIN Number For An Individual Encoded In The Magnetic Strip On Their Debit Card?

Question

Is The PIN Number For An Individual Encoded In The Magnetic Strip On Their Debit Card?

2 Answers

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Answer 1

Yes, the magnetic strip cards such as debit, credit, and other similar function cards have PIN code encoded on them. PIN stands for Personal Identification Number and is known for the access control to ensure proper security of the data. According to what PIN is, the user will be allowed access to certain data and parts of the system, but forbidden access to other parts.

Debit cards are either magnetic strip cards or smart cards. Magnetic strip cards are small plastic cards that have some form of magnetic encoded strips on its exterior. The encoding of this information is according to ISO standards such as, ISO 7810, 7811, 7812.

An example of authorization systems with PIN's is cash cards for bank or building society cash dispensers. The cash dispenser checks the PIN code on the magnetic strip of the cash card against the code number keyed in by the card holder, and the two codes must match before the card holder is allowed to withdraw the cash.

PIN often comprises of four-digit number that must be given to access information. Previously there were Debit cards without PIN. Now debit cards require PIN codes to access information, thus making difficult for debit card thieves to access information.

Answer 2

The banking and credit industry has come a long way since its inception. The credit companies and agencies make funds available to their customers via various credit models. The most popular credit models used today are debit cards and credit cards. The use of 'plastic' is catching up fast and practically everyone uses the facility. The difference between a debit card and a credit card is that in the former, you access your own funds, while in the latter, you access money lent to you by the credit company.

The designs of the debit and credit cards are not very different. They feel the same to handle and use, especially at the ATM. The Automatic Teller Machine decodes information that is encoded on the back of the credit card. Until recently, only the ATM machine was expected to decode the personal information at the back of the card. However, there have been many fraudulent attempts by 'hackers' to decode the information and they have met with much success. This has created a wave of awareness among users. The credit card has identifying data, like your personal account number with the credit card company and your name concealed for electronic decoding in the 'magstripes' or magnetic strips at the back of the card. The card also has a microprocessor memory chip that bears the personal PIN number that is allotted to you, when you qualify for possession of the card.