Elderly advised on PIN (From Gazette Series)

Elderly advised on PIN

OLDER people in Gloucestershire are being urged to prepare for widespread use of Chip and PIN cards from February 14 by changing their PIN numbers to something memorable.

The system becomes mandatory from Valentine's Day when chip and PIN cardholders will no longer have the option of signing if they forget their PIN number.

County charity Age Concern Gloucestershire (ACG) says this spells disaster for older people who struggle to remember their PINs and face embarrassment at check-outs where they may even lose their cards after abortive attempts.

The charity is particularly worried by a spate of recent handbag thefts when worried pensioners had their PINs written down in their purse or bags, enabling thieves to steal every penny.

In such circumstances older people are not protected by either bank or insurance policy and are left penniless and devastated.

"This is yet another example of the needs of older people being overlooked," said ACG senior manager Linda Shepherd.

"How distressing for older people to feel they've no option but to risk keeping their PIN number written down and to then lose everything.

"We are urging older people to be aware that they can and should change their PIN numbers to something more memorable - maybe a birthday or anniversary date - then if they do need a written reminder it won't help thieves.

"It is also possible to retain a chip and signature card. This has already been approved for disabled people, but the banks aren't advertising this fact and the needs of older people were not considered in the consultation process.

This system has really let older people down," said Miss Shepherd.

The charity is also concerned about an increase of so-called "shoulder surfers" - thieves who watch people input their PIN's inside shops, then follow and mug them outside.

Despite evidence of a sharp rise in this activity in other countries following the introduction of Chip and PIN, APACS spokesman Paul Smee insisted this is not likely in the UK because card fraud criminals are a different breed from street criminals.

"This is a ridiculous thing to say, the reality is that criminality of any kind is often linked and this is worryingly nave speculation," said Miss Shepherd.

"Never disclose your PIN to anyone and don't be afraid to cover the keypad when you type your number in."