Introduction
The PIN is the single most important security feature of the Ratibi card. Without it, the card cannot be used at an ATM, a shop, or any payment terminal. Yet for many Ratibi cardholders, the process of setting a new PIN — or changing an existing one — is never properly explained. Some workers forget their PIN after setting it. Others worry that their PIN may have been seen by someone else. And many new cardholders simply do not know where to go or what steps to follow. This guide covers every aspect of Ratibi card PIN management — from setting a PIN for the first time to changing it, recovering it after being blocked, and keeping it secure at all times.
Why the PIN Matters So Much for Ratibi Cardholders
For most Ratibi cardholders, the card is their only financial tool. There is no bank account to fall back on, no credit card as a backup, and no easy way to access money if the card is blocked. This makes the PIN critically important — because a forgotten or compromised PIN can cut off access to the entire salary.
Understanding how to manage the PIN properly is not just a convenience — it is a financial necessity for every Ratibi cardholder in the UAE.
Part 1 — How to Set a PIN for the First Time
For brand new Ratibi cardholders, setting a PIN is the first and most essential step before the card can be used for anything. This process is covered in detail in Article #6 — How to Activate a New Ratibi Card, but a summary is provided here for convenience.
Steps to Set a New PIN at a FAB ATM
Step 1 — Visit the nearest FAB ATM with the new Ratibi card.
Step 2 — Insert the card into the card slot with the chip facing up.
Step 3 — From the ATM main menu, select “PIN Selection” or “Set PIN” — this option may also appear under “Card Services” or “Other Services.”
Step 4 — Enter a new 4-digit PIN of personal choice using the ATM keypad.
Step 5 — Enter the same PIN again when prompted to confirm.
Step 6 — The ATM will confirm that the PIN has been set successfully. The card is now ready to use.
The entire process takes less than three minutes at any FAB ATM and is completely free of charge.
Part 2 — How to Change an Existing Ratibi Card PIN
There are several situations where a cardholder may want or need to change their existing PIN:
- The current PIN feels too simple or easy to guess
- Someone else may have seen the PIN being entered
- The cardholder wants to update the PIN as a routine security measure
- The cardholder has recently changed their phone or moved to a new location and wants a fresh PIN for peace of mind
Steps to Change the PIN at a FAB ATM
Step 1 — Visit any FAB ATM with the Ratibi card.
Step 2 — Insert the card and enter the current PIN when prompted.
Step 3 — From the main menu, select “PIN Change” or “Change PIN” — this is usually found under “Card Services” or “Other Services.”
Step 4 — Enter the new 4-digit PIN of choice.
Step 5 — Enter the new PIN again to confirm.
Step 6 — The ATM will confirm that the PIN has been changed successfully. The old PIN is now invalid and the new PIN is active immediately.
Important Notes About Changing the PIN
- The new PIN takes effect immediately after the change is confirmed
- The old PIN will no longer work from that point onwards
- If the new PIN is forgotten immediately after setting it, the steps in Part 3 of this guide should be followed
- PIN changes can be made as often as needed — there is no limit on how frequently the PIN can be updated
Part 3 — What to Do If the Ratibi Card PIN Is Forgotten
Forgetting a PIN is one of the most common issues faced by Ratibi cardholders — and it can feel alarming when it happens. The important thing to know is that forgetting a PIN does not mean losing the money on the card. The balance is always safe, even if the card cannot currently be used.
What NOT to Do
Do not guess the PIN repeatedly — entering the wrong PIN three times in a row at an ATM or payment terminal will automatically block the card. Once blocked, the card cannot be used until the issue is resolved through the employer and FAB.
Do not ask someone else to try their PIN — a PIN belonging to another card will never work on a different card, and attempting this will only use up the remaining attempts before the card is blocked.
Steps to Recover Access After Forgetting the PIN
Step 1 — Contact the employer immediately. The employer is the primary point of contact between the worker and FAB, and they have the ability to raise a PIN reset request on behalf of the employee.
Step 2 — The employer contacts FAB and requests a PIN reset for the specific card.
Step 3 — FAB processes the request and either resets the PIN or provides instructions for the cardholder to set a new PIN at a FAB ATM.
Step 4 — Once the reset is confirmed, the cardholder visits the nearest FAB ATM and sets a new PIN by following the steps in Part 1 of this guide.
Step 5 — The new PIN is now active and the card can be used again immediately.
Part 4 — What to Do If the Ratibi Card Is Blocked Due to Wrong PIN
If the PIN has been entered incorrectly three times — whether at an ATM, a shop terminal, or an online payment — the card will be automatically blocked as a security measure. This is a protection feature designed to prevent unauthorised use.
A blocked card cannot be unblocked by the cardholder independently. The process must go through the employer and FAB.
Steps to Unblock the Card
Step 1 — Stop attempting to use the card immediately. Further attempts will not unblock it and may complicate the recovery process.
Step 2 — Contact the employer as soon as possible and explain that the card has been blocked due to incorrect PIN attempts.
Step 3 — The employer contacts FAB to request an unblocking of the card.
Step 4 — FAB reviews the request and processes the unblocking — this may take one to two business days depending on the situation.
Step 5 — Once the card is unblocked, the cardholder visits a FAB ATM to set a new PIN before using the card again.
What to Do While Waiting for the Card to Be Unblocked
Being without access to the Ratibi card — even for a short period — can be stressful, especially around payday. While waiting for the unblocking to be processed:
- Ask the employer if any emergency salary advance arrangement is possible
- Borrow from a trusted colleague if absolutely necessary for immediate expenses
- Contact the FAB Ratibi helpline at 600 52 2298 to check on the status of the unblocking request
Part 5 — How to Choose a Strong and Memorable PIN
Choosing the right PIN is a balance between security and memorability. Here are the guidelines every Ratibi cardholder should follow when selecting a PIN:
PINs to Avoid
- Simple sequences — 1234, 4321, 0000, 1111, 2222 — these are the first combinations anyone would try
- Birth dates — day and month combinations such as 0712 or 2509 are predictable and commonly used
- Repeated pairs — 1212, 2323, 5656 — these are slightly better than single repeated digits but still too simple
- Phone number digits — using the last four digits of a phone number is risky because the number may be known to others
Tips for a Strong PIN
- Choose four digits that have personal meaning but are not obvious to anyone else
- Consider a number that is easy to visualise — for example, a pattern on the keypad
- Avoid writing the PIN down anywhere — especially on the card itself or in a note stored with the card
- Never tell anyone the PIN — not the employer, not a colleague, not a family member, and certainly not anyone claiming to be from FAB
PIN Security — What FAB Will Never Ask For
It is important for every Ratibi cardholder to know what FAB will never do — because fraudsters sometimes pretend to be from the bank to steal PIN information.
FAB will never:
- Ask for the PIN over the phone
- Request the PIN via SMS or WhatsApp
- Send someone to collect the card and PIN in person
- Ask for the PIN through an email or online form
If anyone contacts a Ratibi cardholder asking for their PIN — regardless of who they claim to be — the cardholder should refuse immediately and report the incident to their employer and the FAB Ratibi helpline at 600 52 2298.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can the Ratibi card PIN be changed at a non-FAB ATM? PIN changes are best performed at FAB ATMs, as these are specifically set up for Ratibi card services. Non-FAB ATMs may not offer the PIN change option for prepaid cards.
Q: How many times can the PIN be changed? There is no limit on how frequently the PIN can be changed. Cardholders are encouraged to update their PIN regularly as a security best practice.
Q: What if the PIN change fails at the ATM? Try a different FAB ATM first. If the issue persists, contact the employer or call the FAB Ratibi helpline at 600 52 2298 for assistance.
Q: Can a PIN be set over the phone? PIN setting and changing is done at the ATM for security reasons. A live agent over the phone cannot set or change the PIN remotely — they can only initiate a reset process that will then require a visit to a FAB ATM.
Q: Is there a fee to change the Ratibi card PIN? No. PIN changes at FAB ATMs are completely free of charge.
Q: What if the employer is unresponsive about a PIN reset request? If the employer is not responding, the cardholder can call the FAB Ratibi helpline directly at 600 52 2298 and explain the situation. FAB may be able to provide alternative assistance depending on the circumstances.
Final Thoughts
The Ratibi card PIN is the key to accessing every dirham on the card — and managing it properly is one of the most important responsibilities of every cardholder. Whether setting a PIN for the first time, changing it for security reasons, or recovering access after forgetting it, the process is always straightforward when the right steps are followed.
The golden rules are simple — never share the PIN, never guess it repeatedly if it has been forgotten, and always contact the employer first if any PIN-related issue arises.
For workers who have just received a brand new Ratibi card and need to go through the full activation process before setting their PIN, Article #6: How to Activate a New Ratibi Card covers every step in detail.
Coming up next — How to Request a New Ratibi Card PIN, where the complete process of requesting a PIN reset through the employer and FAB is explained step by step — including timelines, what to expect, and how to stay on top of the request.