Debit card declined when using pin

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Level 1

15 points

Debit card declined when using pin

Im having an issue when using Apple Pay and my pin for my debit card. I know I’m inputting the correct pin because I eventually use my physical card and the same pin works. I’ve called my bank, USAA, and they said the reason it’s declined is because of incorrect pin they’re receiving. Obviously the bank can’t do anything because the payment request is to them incorrectly. It’s definitely an issue with the Apple Pay app.

My card works fine with Apple Pay when I’m not required to enter my pin.

I have an iPhone 12pro max running iOS 17.3.1

These are the recent places where my Apple Pay fails due to invalid pin, it used to work at these places until around November.

target
costco
costco Gas
sprouts

iPhone 12 Pro Max, iOS 17

Posted on Feb 20, 2024 7:57 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

jespinoza81 Author

Level 1

15 points

Feb 27, 2024 6:00 PM in response to jhstarr

Using apply pay and my pin still an issue, I was able to track down when it stopped working and it was when I updated my card details from my old expired card to my newly issued card. Once I did that it stopped working. The things I've tried which hasn't worked:

resetting my card's pin
1. both online
2. through the app
3. with customer service
uninstalling Wallet
1. powering off phone for 15min
2. reinstall Wallet
3. readd all cards
Removing all my cards
1. settings --> "Wallet and apply pay"
2. under the payment cards section
3. select the card then "Remove Card"

However here's a workaround. After I reinstalled Wallet and readded my card I got an email from USAA which said that my card was successfully added to Apply Pay (I dont remember if I got one 3 years ago). This last time at Costco I noticed the keypad said something like "Press enter for CC transaction" so instead of entering a pin I just pressed enter and it worked. It's important to note my card is a Visa Debit Card. not just a regular bank card.

Workaround: Instead of entering the card pin just press the green button to bypass the pin screen and the card should be ran a CC and should work.

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Answer 2

Feb 28, 2024 4:02 AM in response to jespinoza81

So, the issue, as the poster figured out, is the use of the PIN. The merchant terminal is misconfigured slightly. When an Apple Pay transaction begins, the PIN requirement in the US should be disabled or reconfigured. Some merchants may still have to manually select Apple Pay for the PIN to be bypassed.

I’ve had to use a PIN in Europe and it works fine there. I’ve never been requested to provide a PIN in the US. I rarely use debit cards though because credit cards offer more fraud protection for the consumer.

The use of a PIN is actually less secure than Facial ID or biometrics that Apple uses.

Here is the developer book for you.

https://developer.apple.com/apple-pay/Apple-Pay-Merchant-Integration-Guide.pdf

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Answer 3

Feb 21, 2024 5:04 AM in response to jespinoza81

The Bank has to update the PIN it sent to Apple Pay. Apple can’t update the PIN.

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Answer 4

jespinoza81 Author

Level 1

15 points

Feb 27, 2024 6:19 PM in response to Jeff Donald

Can you explain what you mean by my bank has to update the PIN? that doesn't make sense I'm manually entering my pin at the POS system? IDK why Apply would store my PIN?

what i can say by building commerce websites there's typically 3 external actors the POS, ACH, and Banking Institution.

For scenario 1, using physical card at the POS, entering my PIN, the encrypted info would go to the ACH which would then decrypt the data and request the Auth through the bank system. Using my card works fine here.

In scenario 2, using apply pay at the POS, entering my PIN I get card declined. According to bank it's wrong PIN. The only difference here is that I'm using Apply Pay.

Using circumstantial evidence it would seem that when I use Apple Pay the information which is transferred to the POS system is incorrect, even though the same card on Apply Pay works fine at other places. So at least I know the card details are correct. Since I've worked with financial institutions before I know that sometimes for failures they'll mask it as a general error but have a specific code as to why it failed. For example it could be invalid pin with error code 123 where code 123 means the pin is correct but doesn't match the full name the bank requires.

If you know how the Apply Pay auth works please share the details and white paper so I can take that to the bank and show them what they need to do.

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Answer 5

jhstarr

Level 1

7 points

Feb 27, 2024 4:09 PM in response to jespinoza81

I am having exactly the same issue. I called usaa. While talking to the agent, i changed my pin online. Returned to store. Same problem. New pin worked with physical card.

i really wish usaa and apple would figure this out

costco

trader joes both a problem

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Answer 6

jhstarr

Level 1

7 points

Feb 27, 2024 6:59 PM in response to jespinoza81

@jespinoza81, I updated card details, too, within recent months. So, seems to be identical situation.

Thank you for posting. I figured I could bypass pin as CC but had not done it. I prefer the security of PIN debit.

We need to attract a few more USAA apple pay folks to pile on this thread so that it will get some attention.

But thank you for posting! I will as well if I learn anything new.

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Answer 7

jhstarr

Level 1

7 points

Feb 28, 2024 11:32 AM in response to jespinoza81

I've always had a vague thought: "Wait, if a thief has my iphone and my device pin, at POS, they can bypass debit PIN by hitting Credit Card. So, what security enhancement is it for me to select debit and use PIN? If crook can bypass, then it adds no value."

So, I guess I'm wasting effort choosing DEBIT. Just go CC at POS. It's more than a workaround...it's the faster way to get through checkout with no loss in security.

jespinoza81 and Jeff Donald, am I now thinking about this correctly?

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