In today’s digital banking era, your ATM personal identification number (PIN) serves as the last line of defense protecting your hard-earned money. Shockingly, new data reveals that millions of Nigerians continue to use dangerously predictable PIN combinations, essentially leaving their bank accounts wide open to fraudsters.
Cybersecurity specialists are sounding the alarm about an alarming rise in PIN-based financial crimes across the country.
STAR POTTER reports that recent investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) show that over 60% of ATM fraud cases stem from criminals correctly guessing victims’ PINs.
Even more troubling? The majority of these breaches involve just a handful of commonly used number combinations that take fraudsters mere seconds to crack.
“Many account holders don’t realize they’re essentially handing thieves the keys to their financial kingdom,” warns Adebayo Johnson, head of digital security at First Bank Nigeria.
“In our digital age, your PIN isn’t just protecting cash – it’s safeguarding your entire financial identity, from mobile banking to online transactions.”
Your ATM PIN is the digital key to your life savings – yet millions still use predictable combinations that fraudsters can guess in seconds.
Cybersecurity experts warn that these 12 commonly used PINs make accounts vulnerable to theft:
Table Of Contents
The Riskiest PINs You Should Avoid
- 1234 (Most used globally)
- 0000 (Extremely guessable)
- 1111 (Obvious sequence)
- 1212 (Repeating pattern)
- 7777 (Common “lucky number” choice)
- 1004 (Frequently used in some regions)
- 2000 (Year-based and predictable)
- 2580 (Straight line on keypad)
- 6969 (Pop culture reference)
- 4321 (Reverse sequence)
- 8888 (Repetitive numbers)
- Your birth year (Easily discoverable information)
Why This Matters
45% of card fraud begins with criminals guessing weak PINs (Global Banking Report 2024).
Hackers use automated programs to test these combinations within seconds.
Victims in Nigeria lose an average of ₦2.3 million per stolen account (EFCC Data).
How to Protect Your Account
Create a random 6-digit PIN if your bank allows it
Avoid using birthdays, anniversaries, or keyboard patterns
Change your PIN regularly, especially after data breaches
Enable transaction alerts for all account activity
