Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!accuvax.nwu.edu!nucsrl!telecom-request
From: c186aj@cory.berkeley.edu (Steve Forrette)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Checksum on Calling Cards
Message-ID: <3521@accuvax.nwu.edu>
Date: 4 Feb 90 03:54:59 GMT
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X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 10, Issue 75, message 10 of 13


When I requested a calling card from U S West about a year ago, I was
told that I was free to choose my own PIN, as long as it didn't start
with a 0 or a 1.  This being the case, I don't see how there could
possibly a checksum scheme.  When I got the card, it indeed had my 10
digit number followed by my chosen PIN.

As far as PIN sharing goes, here's what I've determined from talking
to AT&T and BOC representatives: When you request a card from AT&T,
they send a request to your BOC for your PIN.  If you already have a
BOC card, its PIN is given to AT&T.  If you don't, the BOC generates a
PIN for AT&T, but doesn't issue you a card themselves.  If you later
request a BOC card, they use the PIN that they previously generated
for AT&T.  So, it doesn't seem like you have control over PIN sharing.
Possibly the exception is when you request from AT&T a card that's not
related to your phone number.

Stupid Customer (Dis)Service Quote of the Month: When I couldn't think
of a good PIN for my one-number card, the U S West rep suggested that
I use the same PIN as my unrestricted card, so it would be easier to
remember!