The PIN Try Counter is a value stored on the card's chip that indicates the number of remaining offline PIN attempts for the card. Each incorrect offline PIN entry decreases the PIN Try Counter by 1. This value is reset when the correct PIN is entered.
It is stored in Tag 9F17 as a value 1 character long.
If the PIN Try Counter value is zero during a transaction, indicating there are no remaining PIN attempts, the terminal should not allow offline PIN entry.
This is very critical information for preventing fraud. If a card is obtained improperly, it can only be used for as many transactions as the number of attempts remaining in the PIN Try Counter.
PIN attempt limit
The initial value of the PIN try counter is set by the issuing bank when the card is personalized. This value is called the PIN Try Limit and is usually 3. The counter decreases with each incorrect offline PIN entry. When the counter reaches zero, the card no longer allows offline PIN verification.
The difference between online and offline PIN
The PIN Try Counter only decreases for offline PIN verifications performed by the card's chip. In online PIN verification, the PIN is sent to the issuing bank, and the number of incorrect attempts is tracked in the bank's own system. These two counters are independent of each other. For example, even if a card's chip has exhausted its PIN attempts, the card can still be used at a terminal that performs online PIN verification. This depends on the issuing bank's rules.
How is the counter reset?
- The counter returns to its initial value when the correct PIN is entered.
- The issuing bank can reset the counter by sending a PIN Unblock command to the card during the next online transaction.
- Some banks allow the cardholder to remove the PIN block through an ATM.
From the cardholder's perspective
If you enter your PIN incorrectly three times, your card may be blocked from transactions that require a PIN. In this case, you can remove the PIN block or set a new PIN through your bank's mobile app, call center, or ATMs.
