i manage to type my pin in 3 times and now its locked - how do i unlock it and is there anyway i can still use it if i sign itsted of use the pin?

contact your bank, explain, they can sort it... need to send you out a new card/pin tho i believe..

You can unlock it at a cash machine belonging to your bank.

If it's not issued by a bank, then give the issuer a call and they'll tell you how to unlock it. If you can remember the PIN you shouldn't need a new one.

did this at the trafford centre, bu tnot chip & pin.it was a cash card so i was knackered.phoned bank helpline who transferred cash to another account with a pin i could remember.
they then issued the pin number to me by post.
happened saturday new pin arrived monday.

I forgot my number so I rang the bank who told me to go to the ATM at my own branch and I could change it as there is an option to set a new number if you forget yours (Natwest Bank)

The ATM relies on the card pin number as proof that you are the card owner

until you get it sorted a retailer may accept the card with a signature - but it is at their discretion (if they accept a fraudulent signed transaction they now suffer the loss themselves, unlike before when the card issuer took the hit). worth checking with the retailer before starting the transaction to prevent embarrassment.
something else to check is that your bank may be able to give you an over the counter cash advance

Andys post is corect. Some of the others are not!
I know for a fact HSBC machines have an option "Unlock PIN" which is on the main menu, alongside the other options such as Cash, Balance etc.

I don't think you will be able to simply put your card in an ATM and unlock the PIN. You would need to know your PIN to be able to use the ATM. Otherwise what's to stop a thief from stealing your card and unlocking/changing the PIN at an ATM.

If you lock/forget your PIN you will have to contact your card issuer and they will talk you through what you need to do (probably go through standard security questions with you to establish you are the card holder and then give you a 'temporary PIN' so you can use the nearest ATM to unlock your card).

Also, as from 14th Feb 2006 you are not guaranteed to be given the option to sign for goods if you forget your PIN.

You'll probably be getting warnings about this from your card issuer shortly (I've had Barclay's warning with my last bill).
In the meantime check out Chip & Pin site (http://www.chipandpin.co.uk/consumer/index.html) for more details.

some places are already refusing (I know because i've locked one of my cards and not sorted it yet).

Huh?? If you lock your pin you have to apply for a new one. How can you re-set it at a cash machine if you need your pin to use the cash machine? *scratches head*.

WHAT??? :o What a crock! Chip & pin is much less safe than a signature! For example: The other day, I forgot something we needed at the store and so I handed my brother my card and said "my pin number is ****" and he was able to pay for the items. Why? Because the cashier doesn't see your details when you pay (just your 1st initial & last name). Granted it's up to people if they want to tell their pin to people, but at the end of the day you can't cut off your hand and give it to someone else to go and sign for goods...


Originally posted by Ginner

Also, as from 14th Feb 2006 you are not guaranteed to be given the option to sign for goods if you forget your PIN.

Originally posted by stars_gazing
Huh?? If you lock your pin you have to apply for a new one. How can you re-set it at a cash machine if you need your pin to use the cash machine? *scratches head*.
Dont know about yours but my number for the chip & pin is different from the number I use in the ATM

On mine, the chip & pin munber had locked but was still able to use it in the ATM....thats how I did it so dont tell me it cant be done.

yes you have to differentiate between the PIN on the chip, and the PIN on the strip.

Send me your card and email me your number, I may be able to get it to work...

:heyhey:


Er, just kidding....

Originally posted by Dj_Shadowman
Dont know about yours but my number for the chip & pin is different from the number I use in the ATM
On mine, the chip & pin munber had locked but was still able to use it in the ATM....thats how I did it so dont tell me it cant be done.
Yeah, I see the Barclay website actually tells you to do this so I assume the C&P pin and the card (ATM) pin are independent of each other, regardless of whether you use the same number for both purposes.
Originally posted by stars_gazing
WHAT??? What a crock! Chip & pin is much less safe than a signature!
How do you figure that out? Chip & Pin is much more secure than a forgeable signature (many cashiers don't even check sigs anyway). The only way Chip & Pin could be abused is if you tell someone your PIN.
Originally posted by stars_gazing
....The other day, I forgot something we needed at the store and so I handed my brother my card and said "my pin number is ****" and he was able to pay for the items.
Ah. Err, memo to the Financial Industry - "I think you're going to need to re-think your new multi-million pound Chip & Pin security initiative. Seems we've discovered a potential obvious weakness....." :help:

There really is no hope...... :rolleyes:

I did this recently. Lloyds TSB told me to go to the cashpoint, choose 'other options' and you can do it there. It's DEAD easy.

Originally posted by noseyrosie
I did this recently. Lloyds TSB told me to go to the cashpoint, choose 'other options' and you can do it there. It's DEAD easy.

See, I told ya....:D

Really?? :o Mine is the same. When my chip and pin card arrived, I was informed that the pin was the same. Therefore if I forget the pin for the ATM, then I'm done for. It makes sense that they should be different! *silly Natwest* :shakes:

Originally posted by Dj_Shadowman
Dont know about yours but my number for the chip & pin is different from the number I use in the ATM

On mine, the chip & pin munber had locked but was still able to use it in the ATM....thats how I did it so dont tell me it cant be done.

Originally posted by Ginner
Yeah, I see the Barclay website actually tells you to do this so I assume the C&P pin and the card (ATM) pin are independent of each other, regardless of whether you use the same number for both purposes.

Speaking as someone whose card arrived with the same pin number... they can. I'm sure I could change it, but don't see the point. Afterall, the more you use it, the easier it is to remember. Perhaps people forget their C&P #s because they don't use them as often...

How do you figure that out? Chip & Pin is much more secure than a forgeable signature (many cashiers don't even check sigs anyway). The only way Chip & Pin could be abused is if you tell someone your PIN.

It depends on the signature. Mine is all swirls and swiggles and someone'd have to spend quite a lot of time learning to emulating it. I still think signature is better. However, the comparison should not be made from the signature strip but from a computer copy eg. the ones on the banks' system.
Whatever it is, just something that solely the account owner can do/use.
The fact that people can share their pins automatically shows that it is not as safe as they make it out to be.


Ah. Err, memo to the Financial Industry - "I think you're going to need to re-think your new multi-million pound Chip & Pin security initiative. Seems we've discovered a potential obvious weakness....." :help:

There really is no hope...... :rolleyes:

*Takes bow*

Thank you... Thank you... :clap:

I went to my banks cash point and managed to unlock it by the option on there thanks for all your help

if someone stole your card, learning to passably forge your signature might require an hour.
Guessing your pin would be basically impossible as it locks.

I know which I think is more secure.

If you're stupid enough to a) tell people your pin, b) say it outloud in public, then it's not chip and pin that needs revising, it's your brain.

Glad you got it sorted.

The fact that people can share their pins automatically shows that it is not as safe as they make it out to be.
Revealing your PIN to someone else is very different from a fraudulently signed transaction. For a start, it's a security breach on your side, rather than the card issuer's. If you choose to reveal your PIN to someone else and fraudulent transactions are then made it is clearly your fault. The other thing to consider is that fake magnetic strip cards can be made extremely easily, or existing cards can have the strip rewritten. It's really is very easy. Chip & PIN cards, by the nature of the chip, are much harder to forge.
I wouldn't have thought they need to rethink the whole system just because some people decide to lay themselves open to fraud by revealing their PIN - no workable system could ever fully counter the problem of user stupidity, could it?

Originally posted by stars_gazing
WHAT??? :o What a crock! Chip & pin is much less safe than a signature! For example: The other day, I forgot something we needed at the store and so I handed my brother my card and said "my pin number is ****" and he was able to pay for the items. Why? Because the cashier doesn't see your details when you pay (just your 1st initial & last name). Granted it's up to people if they want to tell their pin to people, but at the end of the day you can't cut off your hand and give it to someone else to go and sign for goods...

Speaking as someone who works for a financial institution in a dept called "ATM & POS Systems", I despair that someone would give their PIN to someone else.
I also am amazed that you think signature is safer. It isnt.
The continent have been using chip and PIN for years, and their fraud figures are much lower than the UKs. There really isnt a debate.
It isnt perfect, but its a step forward. It relies on people not being stupid. In this case I think that rule has been broken.

Totally agree - what if your brother decided to clear out your account? Who would be to blame? Certainly not the bank. But then would you own up to the fact that you gave him your pin when I believe its states in the banks T&C's that it is private to you and should not be revealed?

Some people honestly!

ps this is from someone who probably works in the same financial "institution" as Guderian who gets a bit narked when we see our bonus drop due to the bank paying out to the Lloyds and Harrys of this world who pass on their pin numbers!

Originally posted by stars_gazing
....The other day, I forgot something we needed at the store and so I handed my brother my card and said "my pin number is ****" and he was able to pay for the items.
Originally posted by Ginner
Ah. Err, memo to the Financial Industry - "I think you're going to need to re-think your new multi-million pound Chip & Pin security initiative. Seems we've discovered a potential obvious weakness....."
There really is no hope......
Originally posted by stars_gazing
*Takes bow*
Thank you... Thank you... :clap:

I guess my sarcasm went right over everyone's heads then?

Let's try again.....

[/sarcasm]

As someone else has kindly, and bluntly, pointed out, divulging your PIN voluntarily to ANYONE is a breach of the Terms & Conditions of your debit/credit card. You would be liable for any losses you incur as a result of doing that.

As someone else has kindly, and bluntly, pointed out, so long as you do not divulge your PIN then Chip & Pin remains the more secure method.

Memo to financial industry - "Stand down with regard the re-think of Chip & Pin. The perceived potential weakness was simply due to someone's crap attempt at taking the ****. Sorry. Won't happen again."

Originally posted by Ginner
I don't think you will be able to simply put your card in an ATM and unlock the PIN. You would need to know your PIN to be able to use the ATM. Otherwise what's to stop a thief from stealing your card and unlocking/changing the PIN at an ATM.


My reply above was correct (as FG confirmed). I was not guessing when I typed my reply, it was based on having worked in Financial Services for the past four years. FG didn't say she'd forgotten her PIN - if she had, then obviously she would need to be re-advised of it. But eh, why bother with the truth when we can guess and speculate?

:suspect:

Chip and Pin is more secure for the banks, which is why they have introduced it. YOU are liable for anything done with your card/PIN, so losses to the bank will reduce dramatically.

Should you have a separate pin for ATMs and C&P then?

:confused:

I think Andy's saying that if you put your locked Chip & PIN card in an ATM and CORRECTLY enter the PIN, you can unlock the card?

Originally posted by Andy
My reply above was correct (as FG confirmed). I was not guessing when I typed my reply, it was based on having worked in Financial Services for the past four years. FG didn't say she'd forgotten her PIN - if she had, then obviously she would need to be re-advised of it. But eh, why bother with the truth when we can guess and speculate?
:suspect: .....
And after further research I concurred with that in a subsequent post....
Originally posted by Dj_Shadowman
Dont know about yours but my number for the chip & pin is different from the number I use in the ATM
On mine, the chip & pin munber had locked but was still able to use it in the ATM....thats how I did it so dont tell me it cant be done.
Originally posted by Ginner
Yeah, I see the Barclay website actually tells you to do this so I assume the C&P pin and the card (ATM) pin are independent of each other, regardless of whether you use the same number for both purposes.
I forgot to apologise for doubting you and Dj.... I apologise now. Sorry. OK?
Originally posted by Andy
Chip and Pin is more secure for the banks, which is why they have introduced it. YOU are liable for anything done with your card/PIN, so losses to the bank will reduce dramatically.
That's not for my benefit is it? Thought I'd made my position clear in the last post.
I have no issues with C&P. Never have had. Always thought it more secure than signatures. Am well aware why it was brought in. Obviously wasn't sure of un-locking procedure... am now.
I love C&P. I'm a big believer in C&P. C&P is GREAT.

Isn't that a bit hopeless if the reason your card got locked was because you forgot your pin?
(in the event that ATM pin and C&P pin are one and the same)

So your best bet is to contact your bank isn't it?

OK. A quick call to Barclays has clarified the following (as far as Barclays are concerned):

Your ATM PIN is called the "online PIN"
Your Chip & Pin PIN is called the "offline PIN"

These PINS are treated as separate PINs so if you lock your Chip & Pin "offline PIN" you can still use your card in an ATM (as you will be using the "online PIN") and therefore use the ATM function to unlock your Chip and Pin PIN.

It doesn't matter if both offline and online PINs are the same number.

In fact, currently, Barclays can only provide the same PIN number for both offline and online PINs.

If you change your Barclaycard PIN at an ATM it changes for both offline and online purposes.

Not sure about other institutions as posters have confirmed their offline and online PINs are different.

Also, you can use most ATM's to unlock your particular card's Chip and Pin PIN, with the exception of the dodgy independent ones you see in newsagents/petrol stations. It doesn't have to be your card provider's ATM.

Thank you Ginner for clearing that up for me :thumbsup:

Originally posted by Ginner

I forgot to apologise for doubting you and Dj.... I apologise now. Sorry. OK?


Yeah, sorry I was a bit nasty there. I was in a bad mood. Sorry. :thumbsup:

Originally posted by Andy
Yeah, sorry I was a bit nasty there. I was in a bad mood. Sorry. :thumbsup:

No worries. :thumbsup:

I'm just sorry a simple query turned into a 3 page thread, partly due to my ignorance.

At least we (I) got there in the end :clap:

First & foremost, I would like to comment on the fact that it amazes me how some people forget basic courtesy when addressing others on this forum. Understand that before you call somebody stupid etc. you DO NOT KNOW THEM and have no right to be rude to them. So keep your personal comments on others to yourself.

Cyclone
” If you're stupid enough to a) tell people your pin, b) say it outloud in public, then it's not chip and pin that needs revising, it's your brain..”
My, don’t we think a lot of ourselves there – you couldn’t find a more polite way to get your point across? Why anyone would say their pin out loud, I don’t know. However, people write their pins down, receive pins by post etc. they are not safe. My point was that getting cash from your account should be something *only* the user *can* (as in physically) do.

Hotphil
I wouldn't have thought they need to rethink the whole system just because some people decide to lay themselves open to fraud by revealing their PIN - no workable system could ever fully counter the problem of user stupidity, could it?

Which is what I am saying is the problem. The fact that user naivety/carelessness (how does stupidity come into it?) should be eliminated. For example at the bank *only* you can do anything relating to your account. They go through various security checks etc. Why should these rigorous checks only be at the bank? Is there no way for them to be extended to store purchases & ATMs??

To Guderian and coopster1974 – I see working at a financial institution means you lose the ability to think as a regular person(?) I come from a solid home, where people in it do not steal from each other – so yes, I can feel secure giving my pin # to my little brother without a worry in the world. It is sometimes more convenient than taking him to a cash point etc. etc. However, it is the fact that I *can* that makes me lose faith in C&P.
Banks are making Chip & Pin seem like the best thing since sliced bread. It is not. There is still acres for improvement. Having spoken to a BANK MANAGER at NATWEST he admitted he gave his pin # to his daughter and that it is something people do (and will continue to do) on the hush. Remove the ability to share access = problem solved and no more complaints from fraud victims.

As for Ginner; I was merely responding to your inanity with a little of my own, numpty. Your holier than thou attitude really does make me :hihi:

Originally posted by stars_gazing
Remove the ability to share access

Its already there, its called KEEP YOUR DAMN PIN SECRET!!!! that means not even your family should know it whether its a close family or not. It is in the T&C's of your "contract" with the bank. Or do you often not do as you're told?

Its not often that I agree with Cyclone but on this occasion, young lady I do.

I hate the chip and pin thing. I am dyscalculic and I have a hell of a job reading, remembering numbers or inputting them. In desperation, I had to resort to making each card bear the same number, but somehow or other, I have still managed to put a wrong number on one and cannot use it (probably just as well).

I wish there was some other answer for the likes of me.

Originally posted by parcher
I hate the chip and pin thing. I am dyscalculic and I have a hell of a job reading, remembering numbers or inputting them. In desperation, I had to resort to making each card bear the same number, but somehow or other, I have still managed to put a wrong number on one and cannot use it (probably just as well).

I wish there was some other answer for the likes of me.

Again, using the Barclays website Chip & Pin info section they say:
"If you have a disability that will make it difficult for you to use or remember a PIN, call your card issuer for advice."

It may be that your card can be 'flagged' on the systems to let the retailer know that you have to sign for your transaction. I don't know for sure, I'm just speculating.

Give your card issuer a call and see what they can offer you.

Oh dear. I know I shouldn't bite cos this isn't going to go anywhere meaningful, but dammit, I... just... can't... help myself...

Here goes....
Originally posted by stars_gazing
First & foremost, I would like to comment on the fact that it amazes me how some people forget basic courtesy when addressing others on this forum.....you DO NOT KNOW THEM and have no right to be rude to them. So keep your personal comments on others to yourself.
Errrr, first and foremost, Pot, Kettle and Black ring any bells with you? ---->
Originally posted by stars_gazing
As for Ginner; I was merely responding to your inanity with a little of my own, numpty.

Look, Chip & Pin has been statistically proven to be more secure than using card signatures. Card crime on the continent (where C&P has been in place for a few years) has been significantly cut since the introduction of C&P.

Your arguement that C&P isn't secure because a card holder can divulge their PIN to anyone just doesn't hold water. That's your choice to divulge your PIN. You are told NOT to by your card issuer. By doing so you are compromising your card's security.
It's like me saying the signature method was crap because I choose to sign my card with an X. Then I should make my signature harder to forge (unless my name is X, ....which it isn't...)

"But PINs come in the post. They're liable to theft." But if your PIN doesn't arrive, or arrives in a tampered state, then you would ask your card issuer for a replacement, yeah? And the card is sent separate to the PIN. The card and the PIN are needed together, yeah? And usually the card requires activation by the card holder before it can be used.

Your arguement against C&P is based on card holders being negligent with their PINs. C&P is perfectly secure if you keep your gob shut.

Originally posted by parcher
I hate the chip and pin thing. I am dyscalculic and I have a hell of a job reading, remembering numbers or inputting them. In desperation, I had to resort to making each card bear the same number, but somehow or other, I have still managed to put a wrong number on one and cannot use it (probably just as well).

I wish there was some other answer for the likes of me.

There is - you can ask for a chip and signature card. These cards go in the chip and pin machine, but the machine will prompt for a signature rather than asking for a PIN. Retailers shouldn't have any problem with this because - they're not over-riding the Chip and Pin system so won't be liable for losses. You may however get one or two being funny about it.

If the call centre at your bank tell you it can't be done, ask to speak to someone else. It can be done (mention the DDA) but, certainly in the bank I work for, very few staff actually know how to do it.

The other option, if your card is a cheque guarantee card, is to dig your chequebook out and go back to the old fashoned way.

Originally posted by Andy
...The other option, if your card is a cheque guarantee card, is to dig your chequebook out and go back to the old fashoned way.

Except some retailers are refusing cheques now. I noticed a sign on a BP (Crystal Peaks) petrol pump that said they were refusing cheques from (last) July.

Not sure this is widespread but I guess you can understand why retailers want/will want to go that route.

Originally posted by stars_gazing
First & foremost, I would like to comment on the fact that it amazes me how some people forget basic courtesy when addressing others on this forum. Understand that before you call somebody stupid etc. you DO NOT KNOW THEM and have no right to be rude to them. So keep your personal comments on others to yourself.

Cyclone

My, don’t we think a lot of ourselves there – you couldn’t find a more polite way to get your point across? Why anyone would say their pin out loud, I don’t know. However, people write their pins down, receive pins by post etc. they are not safe. My point was that getting cash from your account should be something *only* the user *can* (as in physically) do.


I didn't call any one person stupid, I said that the particular action was a stupid one, and I stand by it. You really shouldn't tell your pin to anyone, you may trust them, but technically you are in breach of your t's&c's.
And to actually tell them your pin in public (where someone might overhear), that's just dumb.
Any security measure can be countered by the user. The most common cause of IT security breaches is that users did not follow the security procedures.
Basically chip and pin as a technology is secure. If you as an end user circumvent that by telling people your pin, writing it down, or tipexing to the back of your card, then it's not chip and pin that failed, it's the user.

Originally posted by stars_gazing
First & foremost, I would like to comment on the fact that it amazes me how some people forget basic courtesy when addressing others on this forum. Understand that before you call somebody stupid etc. you DO NOT KNOW THEM and have no right to be rude to them. So keep your personal comments on others to yourself.

Which is what I am saying is the problem. The fact that user naivety/carelessness (how does stupidity come into it?) should be eliminated. For example at the bank *only* you can do anything relating to your account. They go through various security checks etc. Why should these rigorous checks only be at the bank? Is there no way for them to be extended to store purchases & ATMs??

To Guderian and coopster1974 – I see working at a financial institution means you lose the ability to think as a regular person(?) I come from a solid home, where people in it do not steal from each other – so yes, I can feel secure giving my pin # to my little brother without a worry in the world. It is sometimes more convenient than taking him to a cash point etc. etc. However, it is the fact that I *can* that makes me lose faith in C&P.
Banks are making Chip & Pin seem like the best thing since sliced bread. It is not. There is still acres for improvement. Having spoken to a BANK MANAGER at NATWEST he admitted he gave his pin # to his daughter and that it is something people do (and will continue to do) on the hush. Remove the ability to share access = problem solved and no more complaints from fraud victims.

As for Ginner; I was merely responding to your inanity with a little of my own, numpty. Your holier than thou attitude really does make me :hihi:

Listen - you can give your PIN to whoever you like. But it serves you right if one day you get robbed.
Who on earth writes their PIN down? You should never do that.
What is the point. People who pass PINs on, write them down etc are asking for trouble.
And they invariably get it.
And then they start moaning that it "wasnt their fault"

Originally posted by Ginner
"But PINs come in the post. They're liable to theft." But if your PIN doesn't arrive, or arrives in a tampered state, then you would ask your card issuer for a replacement, yeah? And the card is sent separate to the PIN. The card and the PIN are needed together, yeah? And usually the card requires activation by the card holder before it can be used.

Your arguement against C&P is based on card holders being negligent with their PINs. C&P is perfectly secure if you keep your gob shut.

The one big problem with this is that Natwest (other banks may be guilty as well, I'm not sure) send PINs out in a way that it is simple to read them without the intended recipient knowing. The envelopes they use are presealed so not even bank employees know the contents - or so they think/hope. They use an impact printer to 'stamp' the PIN and account number onto the paper inside using a carbon copy process. Only problem with this is that it lightly damages the front of the envelope and in the right light you can read the contents easily so there's no need to open it and the tamper seal isn't touched :rolleyes:

I haven't received a PIN from them for about a year so don't know if they've changed the process but I doubt they have. You should make sure you change the PIN as soon as you get the card as you've no idea who may have read it enroute to you. If someone has your PIN they could easily bide their time until they find a good opportunity to nick the card and wipe it out before you know it's gone.

Basically you can keep perfectly schtum about your PIN and there's a chance someone has known it since before you even received it thus undermining the whole system in the first place.

HSBC have the stamped process, but it also has a backing label as well as being a sealed slip. You can't read the strip even in strong light until you've removed the backing label and you can't do that without opening the sealed flap.
I still change mine anyway.

Originally posted by fnkysknky
The one big problem with this is that Natwest (other banks may be guilty as well, I'm not sure) send PINs out in a way that it is simple to read them without the intended recipient knowing. The envelopes they use are presealed so not even bank employees know the contents - or so they think/hope. They use an impact printer to 'stamp' the PIN and account number onto the paper inside using a carbon copy process. Only problem with this is that it lightly damages the front of the envelope and in the right light you can read the contents easily so there's no need to open it and the tamper seal isn't touched :rolleyes:

I haven't received a PIN from them for about a year so don't know if they've changed the process but I doubt they have. You should make sure you change the PIN as soon as you get the card as you've no idea who may have read it enroute to you. If someone has your PIN they could easily bide their time until they find a good opportunity to nick the card and wipe it out before you know it's gone.

Basically you can keep perfectly schtum about your PIN and there's a chance someone has known it since before you even received it thus undermining the whole system in the first place.

Originally posted by Cyclone
HSBC have the stamped process, but it also has a backing label as well as being a sealed slip. You can't read the strip even in strong light until you've removed the backing label and you can't do that without opening the sealed flap.
I still change mine anyway.

Does the label go over where the printer impacts the envelope? It's not something you can see normally - you need a strong light at around the same level of the envelope so that it shows up any imperfections in the paper causing long shadows. Either way changing your PIN asap solves the problem. Now we just need the rest of the world to change to Chip & Pin and for the entire UK ATM network to stop using the magnetic stip... :)

when we were learning how the chip and pin works at work, im sure they said that the card would lock for 24 hours or until the next day or something if the pin was entered incorrectly 3 times but if the customer needed to use it before then they just had to contact their bank to get in unlocked?

Originally posted by fnkysknky
...Basically you can keep perfectly schtum about your PIN and there's a chance someone has known it since before you even received it thus undermining the whole system in the first place.

But without the card, knowledge of the PIN is useless.

I think the separate delivery of the card, the additional requirement to activate a card once you've received it, and the additional common sense step of changing your new PIN as soon as you get it, all combine to make it a pretty secure system.

It'd have to be a bizarre set of circumstances for someone to be able to use your new C&P card before you got hold of it.