Is your PIN number easy to guess?

By Helen Gradwell

In theory there are 10,000 possible combinations for a PIN number - which would offer a reasonable amount of protection to each individual. The Guardian has found, however, that when it comes to choosing a PIN number, too many people are shockingly predictable. In fact, one in ten people use the PIN number 1234 to access the money in their bank account.

It's easy to see why people choose such predictable numbers - as these are the ones that are easy to remember.

The Guardian has found the top twenty PIN numbers in use in Britain. After 1234 (accounting for 10.7% of PINs), the most common numbers are 1111 and 0000. The most common numbers all follow an 'easy-to-remember' pattern, for example straight lines (across the keypad), couplets and repeating numbers. Also high on the charts are years, for example memorable dates like 2001 or 1984 - as well as birth years.

Many people appear to use the day and month of their birthdays - and it could be fairly easy for a thief to obtain both your credit/debit card and your date of birth. For example, in America people have their birthday on their driving license, which is usually kept near their ATM card.

The most 'obscure' PIN that the Guardian found was 8068, as it isn't an important date in history, a pattern or a birthday - nor is it easy to type on a keypad. Obviously, now that this information has been revealed, it might not be the ideal PIN anymore.

The Guardian suggests that if the PIN to your bank account is 'easy to remember', you should probably go and change it.

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