I have heard you cannot have a pin beginning with 0---is this true?
No...not for several years now, has this been a problem.
Just another one of those myths that will not die.
My ATM card PIN begins with a zero. Never a problem. It's a myth. It is true that your PIN should not exceed 4 digits and none should be letters.
I've used both of my ATM cards (both with leading 0) all over Europe, China, and Costa Rica without a single problem.
Letters are not a problem PROVIDED you know the number it represents. In fact all my pin numbers are letters because I find it easier to remember them that way. But I also know the numbers or least how to determine what the numbers should be. You will not find any letters on the key pads in Europe.
I also have never had a problem with a PIN number beginning in zero in Europe. Don't stress about it!
My PIN begins with a zero and I had no issues in France, Belgium, Holland, Switzerland, Poland, Italy or Israel.
So I'm pretty sure I can say that is a falsehood.