Your bank account PIN number is one of the most important pieces of information you possess. It safeguards your financial assets from unauthorized access and ensures your security when conducting transactions. However, many people unknowingly compromise their safety by choosing easily guessable or common PINs. Here are some numbers you should never use as your bank account PIN—and why avoiding them is crucial to your financial security.
1. 1234
This is by far the most commonly used PIN. In fact, studies have shown that about 10% of all users set their PIN as 1234. Its sequence makes it easy to remember, but also incredibly easy for hackers or thieves to guess. If you’re using this, change it immediately.
2. 0000
Many people believe that setting all digits to zeros is a clever way to remember their PIN. However, this is one of the worst choices because it’s predictable. Hackers are well aware of the popularity of this PIN and often try it first when attempting to access accounts.
3. 1111
Repetitive numbers like 1111 might be easy to recall, but they offer no real protection. A potential thief looking to access your account will likely try repeating digits early on in their guessing attempts.
4. Dates of Birth
While using your birthdate (e.g., 1985 or 0724 for July 24th) might feel personal and unique, this information can often be easily found or guessed through social media or public records. Using these numbers significantly increases the risk of unauthorized access.
5. Last Four Digits of Your Phone Number
Many people rely on their phone number as a PIN because it’s always in mind. However, since your phone number is often easy to find or track, it becomes one of the first numbers that someone might try.
6. Reversed Sequences (4321, 8765, etc.)
Some think that reversing a common sequence makes it more secure. Unfortunately, reversing predictable sequences like 4321 or 8765 doesn’t add any complexity and is still easy to guess.
7. 1230 or 2468
Patterns like “1230” or “2468” may seem random but are just as risky. Many people tend to choose patterns that look familiar or follow an order on the keypad, and hackers know this.
8. Years of Important Events
Whether it’s your wedding year, the year you graduated, or another significant date, these numbers are often easier to guess than you might think. Friends or family members could easily know or deduce this information.
Why Is It Important to Avoid These Numbers?
The key to a secure PIN lies in unpredictability. The more predictable your PIN is, the more vulnerable your bank account becomes. Hackers use sophisticated techniques, but they also rely on human behavior—meaning they know that most people choose easy-to-remember numbers. By selecting a predictable or common PIN, you’re giving them an easier route to accessing your account.