Which payment method requires a PIN to complete a transaction?

The payment method that requires a PIN to complete a transaction is a debit card. When using a debit card, customers typically enter a Personal Identification Number (PIN) to authenticate their identity during the transaction, especially at point-of-sale terminals or ATMs. This added layer of security helps verify that the person using the card is the rightful owner, as the PIN is known only to the cardholder.

In contrast, gift cards generally do not require a PIN for transactions; they are often used like cash or credit cards where a signature or numeric code may suffice. Checks are also processed without a PIN, as they involve the account number and routing information rather than a personal identification method. Credit cards usually require a signature or sometimes a security code but do not need a PIN for most transactions. Thus, the necessity of a PIN distinctly identifies debit cards as the payment method that requires this security measure to finalize a transaction.