If your credit card code is on this list, it’s a good idea to change it

The secret code of your bank card opens the door to your money: you need to know how to protect it without risk. In France, card withdrawal fraud represents 3% of all fraud, causing losses of more than 37 million euros per year. Crooks are always more clever, and the technique of the Marseille collar, for example, can cause great damage.

Warnings in payment terminals, ATMs and bank communications are not always sufficient. Many users modify the secret code sent to them by default… simplifying it. In a few clicks, the user can change his code from the banking application or through his personal space on the Internet. A very simple code can be dangerous to your savings and should be avoided.

A list of codes is (very) easy to remember

Although many countries such as Switzerland impose 6-digit secret codes, France still does not. Banking institutions require a 4-digit secret code to secure transactions through a bank card. In other words, the scammer has a 1 in 10,000 chance of finding the right combination.

Unfortunately, the French are often tempted to simplify the code as much as possible and make it easier to remember. Nick Berry, a data scientist at Meta (a Facebook group), has published a list of the most easily guessed codes by thieves – which are also the most used. This is the same principle as passwords, some of which should not be used by Internet users.

Below is a list of secret codes to avoid:

• 1234
• 1111
• 0000
• 1212
• 7777
• 1004
• 2000
• 4444
• 2222
• 6969

If your current bank code is on this list, you are strongly advised to change it as soon as possible. Banks also recommend avoiding a secret code related to your date of birth. Moreover, it is better not to reuse this code for other services. A credit card secret code is very sensitive: a thief can take advantage of it to steal your account within your credit card’s payment/withdrawal limit.

In the same study, Nick Berry also compiled a list of secret codes to prioritize – because they are rarely used. The list below, now that it’s official, may prompt hackers to try these combinations to gain access to your bank account. The best way to keep your card code safe is to burn it into your head without a handwritten trace.