May 9, 2006

By Peter Kenny

MBNA have just improved their customer service for MBNA credit card holders. Now MBNA card holders can call their service centre and obtain their PIN number in real time.

With most credit card suppliers, if you lose or have forgotten your PIN, you have to wait for your credit card supplier to send your PIN by mail. Mailing a PIN can often take up to two weeks to arrive. The problem gets worse if the credit card holder forgets their PIN at the point of sale as this can cause embarrassment.

Now MBNA have solved the problem by allowing their credit card holders to call their banking telephone service and request their PIN immediately. This has obvious advantages to the current method on how to obtain a PIN number.

Since February 14th this year it has been a requirement in retail outlets to enter your PIN when making a purchase.

A spokesman for MBNA said, “The ability to obtain a PIN over a telephone represents a significant customer service development for MBNA cardholders. Customers can now request their PIN when they require it, rather than having to wait for one to be sent through the post. This will be particularly beneficial when a customer finds himself or herself in a situation where they are unable to remember their PIN and have no alternative method of payment. As all chip and PIN cardholders are now required to use their PIN whenever they make a purchase, so it is vitally important that Customers remember their PIN at all times, and avoid embarrassment at the point of sale”

It is hoped other credit card companies and banks follow MBNA’s lead.