How Many Times Can You Enter the Wrong ATM PIN Before It Locks? What to Do If Your Debit Card Is Locked

When withdrawing money at an ATM, many people suddenly forget their PIN and instinctively try again. However, if you've already entered the wrong password several times, continuing to guess could result in your debit card being locked. How many incorrect attempts trigger a lock? What should you do if your card is locked? Must you visit a branch in person?

According to regulations from the Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC), banks must set a minimum of three allowed incorrect PIN entries before locking a financial card. Currently, financial institutions such as CTBC Bank, Taishin Bank, Taipei Fubon Bank, and Chunghwa Post publicly state that three consecutive incorrect PIN entries will lock the card.

However, unlock procedures vary by bank. Some require in-person visits, while others allow self-service unlocking via mobile banking apps combined with ATMs.

(Note: The term 'ATM PIN' in this article refers primarily to the chip PIN on a financial card, not online banking login passwords, OTPs, or cardless withdrawal codes. These are separate systems, so rules for failed attempts and recovery differ by service and issuing bank.)

### How Many Incorrect PIN Entries Lock an ATM Card?

Is it always three attempts across all banks? While the FSC mandates that banks must allow at least three incorrect PIN entries, this does not mean every bank uniformly locks cards on the third attempt. The actual number depends on each bank’s contract terms.

Still, many financial institutions do enforce a three-strike lockout. For example, Taishin Bank explicitly states that three consecutive incorrect PIN entries will lock the card. Chunghwa Post’s official FAQ confirms that entering the chip PIN incorrectly three times results in a lock. CTBC Bank notes that once the lock threshold is reached, users must go through an unlock process, and error counts accumulate across days.

Therefore, if you’ve already made one or two mistakes and are unsure of the correct PIN, stop trying. Rather than gambling on a 'last try,' check your bank’s official policy to avoid locking your card.

### Does the Error Count Reset the Next Day?

Some may think: 'I made two errors today—can I just try again tomorrow when the count resets?' Unfortunately, assuming a daily reset is not universally true.

CTBC Bank clearly warns in its official FAQ that PIN error counts carry over across days and only reset upon successful PIN entry. So, if you enter the wrong PIN twice today and again tomorrow, the third error will still trigger a lock. It doesn’t automatically reset at midnight.

Given varying bank systems and policies, the safest approach when you’ve forgotten your PIN is not to switch ATMs or wait until tomorrow. Instead, consult your bank’s official guidance or contact customer service to confirm unlock and reset procedures.

### What to Do If Your Debit Card Is Locked? Not All Banks Require Branch Visits

A locked card doesn’t necessarily mean you must take time off to visit a branch. Some banks offer app-based unlock services, though whether you remember your original PIN affects the process.

For instance, CTBC Bank requires customers who have forgotten their PIN—or wish to reset it—to visit any branch in person with their card and ID. This service is currently free of charge.

However, if you still know the correct PIN but were locked out due to prior errors, you can use the CTBC mobile app with a CTBC ATM to unlock it. Insert the locked card, select 'Unlock,' scan the QR code on the ATM screen using the app, then enter the one-time password generated by the app to complete the process. Note: This service unlocks the card but cannot reset a forgotten PIN.

### How to Unlock a Locked Taishin Bank Card? Use the App and ATM

If a Taishin Bank card has three consecutive incorrect PIN entries, the ATM won’t retain the card, but its functions will be locked. Customers can log into the Taishin Mobile Banking app, go to 'My Account' > 'Account Settings' > 'Chip Financial Card Unlock,' select the locked card, and obtain an unlock code and QR code. Then, bring the card to any Taishin ATM, choose 'Financial Card Unlock,' and complete the setup.

However, Taishin currently charges for this service: NT$50 per unlock. Reissuing or replacing the card costs NT$100.

### What Happens If You Enter the Wrong PIN Three Times on a Chunghwa Post Card?

Chunghwa Post’s official materials state that three consecutive incorrect chip PIN entries will lock the card. The follow-up process depends on the account type.

For Chunghwa Post Digital Deposit Accounts, cardholders must bring their national ID, secondary ID, seal, and card to any post office to complete an 'account upgrade' before resetting the PIN. If the chip PIN isn’t locked but simply needs changing, users can update it via physical or online ATMs at post offices.

For standard postal chip financial cards, if locked due to incorrect PIN entry, customers must bring identification, the card, and relevant seals to a post office to reset the PIN. Acceptance locations depend on the account type.

Additionally, even if the chip PIN is locked, cardless ATM withdrawals remain possible, as they use a separate password system. However, if the cardless withdrawal PIN itself is entered incorrectly three times consecutively, that function will be suspended.

### Does a Locked Debit Card Mean Your Bank Account Is Frozen?

Having your debit card locked due to PIN errors does not mean your entire bank account is legally frozen or flagged as suspicious.

The FSC’s standardized clauses distinguish between 'card lock due to PIN errors' and 'accounts legally designated as suspended or alert accounts.' The former is a security feature; access to online banking, mobile banking, or cardless withdrawals depends on individual bank policies.

Thus, a simple ATM PIN mistake doesn’t equate to account freezing. Still, promptly follow your bank’s procedures to unlock or reset your PIN.

### What If the ATM Swallows Your Card? You Have at Least 14 Business Days to Retrieve It

Another scenario isn't just card locking, but the ATM retaining the card—commonly known as 'ATM eats the card.'

Per FSC regulations, banks must set a retrieval period for retained cards, which must be no less than 14 business days. The exact duration depends on the bank’s card agreement.

For example, Taipei Fubon Bank specifies that cardholders must retrieve their card within 14 business days from the date of retention at the original deposit branch, or apply for a replacement. Failure to retrieve it within the period allows the bank to cancel the card.

If the ATM fails to return your card, don’t keep retrying at the machine. Immediately note the ATM’s location and machine ID, then contact both the ATM’s owning bank and your issuing bank to determine next steps.

### Don’t Keep Guessing If You Forget Your ATM PIN—Third Attempt May Lock It

For most users, the key rule is simple: if you’ve already entered the wrong PIN once or twice and aren’t sure of the correct one, stop guessing.

While the FSC requires banks to allow at least three incorrect entries, institutions like CTBC, Taishin, and Chunghwa Post enforce a three-attempt lock. Critically, CTBC explicitly states that error counts carry over across days—sleeping won’t reset them.

So, if you realize you’ve truly forgotten your ATM PIN, stop trying random combinations. Instead, pause, and follow your bank’s official unlock or reset process to avoid future hassle.

Source: Financial Supervisory Commission’s 'Standard Clauses for Current (Savings) Deposit Agreements Related to Financial Cards,' CTBC Bank, Taishin Bank, Taipei Fubon Bank, Chunghwa Post official materials.