The thread on a bank blocking ATM use while someone was traveling made me think of another ATM-related thing I think I heard and I'm sure Slow Travlers will know the answer: Do ATM's in Italy (other countries generally) accept ATM pin "numbers" that have letters in them, or should it be all numbers? We have letters, and I did have some problems in Spain (although I was able to get money eventually). I do know to contact the bank and credit card companies to let them know we are traveling. Many thanks.

I have recently noticed some ATM pincode pads in Italy that display both numbers and letters, but most still show numbers only. Although my bank pincode is in letters, I just use the number equivalent from my bank's (or any other U.S. bank) pincode pad.
Note: Mine is 4 numbers/letters. In the past 5 number/letters did not work in Italy.

Momma,
I have only seen numbers on the ATM (bankomat) pads in Italy. Of course if you have your cell phone with you, you can figure out what numbers your letters are.

Henry

I appreciate all the help. Pat and Henry, that was our solution in Spain, worked at some ATMs and not at others. Best plan I think: change our pin to be sure. No question, I don't want to be spending too much of our time looking for a cooperative ATM.

If you remember your PIN as a word - say your dog's name FIDO you could be in a world of hurt. Happened to me. Fortunately I use my PIN so often that I was able to put my fingers on the pad, close my eyes and punch in the number. Tom's comment was - you are using that ATM card WAAAAYYYY too often.

After that I changed my PIN to a series of numbers I can remember.

For a long time there were problems with longer series of numbers at European ATMs. It was recommended that your PIN be no more than 4 digits long. That is no longer true but out of an excess of caution I still have a 4 digit PIN.

I saw mostly numbers only in Rome, Umbria, and Florence. Here's a tip if you've memorized the PIN with letters; write down a fake phone number on a sheet of paper, make the last four digits your pin. Stick it in your wallet with a name on it.