Unused system at any ATM; SafetyPIN ATM software is a software application that will allow automated teller machines (ATM) to remind police about forced cash withdrawals by entering a personal identification number (PIN) in reverse order. This system is patented by Illinois lawyer Joseph Zingher ( U.S. Patent 5,731,575 ).
SafetyPIN is not currently used in ATM systems, although there are many rumors coming from e-mail chain letters, mainly because the problem of a reversible PIN becomes incompatible with the system and potential security vulnerabilities that can arise if implemented.
Video ATM SafetyPIN software
Histori
The concept of a backup emergency PIN system, or coercion code, for the ATM system has been in existence since at least July 30, 1986, when Representative Mario Biaggi, a former police officer, proposed it in the US Congressional Record, pp.Ã, 18232 et seq. Biaggi then proposed a House Resolution 785 in 1987 that would make the FBI track the abduction issue and evaluate the idea of ââan emergency PIN system. HR785 died on the committee without any debate.
Zingher has not been successful in marketing licenses for his patents. Police in New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Illinois, and Kansas have supported the concept. Police support pushed the Illinois parliament to pass a law requiring all ATMs in Illinois. The law was amended immediately after being authorized by a "follow-up" bill that changed its meaning to be the opposite of what they were looking for.
In 2006, a circular chain e-mail claimed that a reverse PIN fake code system was universally in place. American Banker reported on January 2, 2007 that there is no PIN reversal warning code used at any ATM on that date. In September 2013, the trick is still circulating in Australia with the text:
If you've ever been forced by a robber to withdraw money from an ATM, you can notify the police by entering your PIN in reverse. For example if your PIN is 1234 then you will enter 4321. ATM acknowledges that your PIN withdraws from the ATM card you place on the machine. The machine will still give you the money you requested, but unknown to the robber, the police will be sent immediately to help you. This information was recently broadcast on TV and stated that it is rarely used because people do not know where it exists. Please give this to everyone. Australian Federal Police. AFP Website: http://www.afp.gov.au
The same kind of e-mail e-mail hoax is still circulating on Tumblr and Facebook, as well as in India and other parts of the world.
Whether the system is implemented, a palindromic PIN such as 5555 or 2112 will not be available so a false alarm will not occur. In addition, semi-reversible PINs such as 5255 or 1241, where the first and last numbers are the same, will be something to be avoided as well so an unintentional alarm will not be triggered by mistaking the middle number.
Diebold, the ATM manufacturer, stated on their website that no such emergency alert system is in use. They cited an article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that claimed bankers oppose the reverse-PIN system because of concerns that "ATM users may hesitate or miss the point when trying to put their PIN back under pressure, possibly increasing the likelihood of violence." Diebold further stated that they would be willing to support the technology if their customers (perhaps banks) asked for it.
Maps ATM SafetyPIN software
2009 billing
A bill that makes emergency emergency PIN systems mandatory at all ATMs in the state of Illinois is proposed on February 10, 2009. Sub-section (i) is a new charge.
i) Terminals operated in this State shall be designed and programmed so that when a consumer enters his personal identification number in reverse order, the terminal automatically sends an alarm to a local law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over the terminal location. The Commissioner shall announce the rules necessary for the implementation of this paragraph (i).
Los Angeles City Council Member Greig Smith announced his intention to make the ReversePIN system mandatory at all ATMs in the city.
Zingher estimates that between 500 and 1000 confirmed murders per year involving the killer using the victim's ATM card after the time of death are known.
References
External links
- snopes.com: Inverted PIN Panic Code
- Reversing PIN Number - Use Reverse PIN to Contact Police? - Urban Legends
- Advise ATM Security Message: Enter PIN Upside to Contact Police
- ATM PIN number redirection - Outlook Express Tips
Source of the article : Wikipedia