“Zero” PIN Problem in Italy?

I've used a debit card since 2011, and have never had a problem with my PIN, which does have a leading zero.

I know the Rick's books say there might be a problem, but I've never seen it.

If you are concerned about it, as a precaution, you can surely change your PIN. (I can change my PIN at an ATM for my non-US bank or online for AMEX. In one instance the credit card company would send me a new card.)

I can't imagine why it would matter, but change it before you leave home, either at an ATM, or in your online banking app.

I traveled all over Europe for several years and both my CC and my ATM/Debit card had pins with leading zeros - never had any issues with either. Unless there's some unique place that doesn't allow this I can't see where there'd be any problem.

Way back in prehistory, a leading zero on a PIN would get truncated or more accurately replaced with a space character (good olde COBOL programming thing) resulting in a 3 digit PIN! But that has not been the case since the world moved to Windows for most things.

Four digits is four digits now. Barring any other restrictions set by the card issuer, your PIN can be any digits you want.

Mark is correct. It is at least a 50 year old urban legend that dates back to the first couple of years of PINs and ATMs. Not a problem.