Marion Pellicano Ambrose
The following email is being passed along at the speed of light! DON'T BE FOOLED!
It claims that you can verify on SNOPES, so DRL checked it out. THIS IS FALSE!
http://www.snopes.com/business/bank/pinalert.asp
According to Wikipedia:
"The concept of an alternative emergency PIN system, or duress code, for ATM systems has been around since at least July 30, 1986, when Representative Mario Biaggi, a former police officer, proposed it in the U.S. Congressional Record, pp. 18232 et seq. Biaggi then proposed House Resolution 785 in 1987 which would have had the FBI track the problem of express kidnappings and evaluate the idea of an emergency PIN system. HR785 died in committee without debate"
Here is a copy of the FALSE email that is circulating:
"REGARDING :THE RECENT TRAGEDY OF A YOUNG WOMAN BEING KIDNAPPED AND EVENTUALLY KILLED; AFTER SHE HAD REPEATEDLY GIVEN THE KIDNAPPER A WRONG PIN TO HER ATM CARD. IF SHE KNEW THE METHOD BELOW, SHE COULD HAVE BEEN SAVED. SO WE THINK IT IS IMPORTANT ENOUGH TO LET YOU KNOW.
IF YOU SHOULD EVER BE FORCED BY A ROBBER TO WITHDRAW MONEY FROM AN ATM MACHINE, YOU CAN NOTIFY THE POLICE BY ENTERING YOUR PIN # IN REVERSE.
FOR EXAMPLE IF YOUR PIN NUMBER IS 1234 THEN YOU WOULD PUT IN 4321.
THE ATM RECOGNIZES THAT YOUR PIN NUMBER IS BACKWARDS FROM THE ATM CARD YOU PLACED IN THE MACHINE. THE MACHINE WILL STILL GIVE YOU THE MONEY YOU REQUESTED, BUT UNKNOWN TO THE ROBBER; THE POLICE WILL BE IMMEDIATELY DISPATCHED TO HELP YOU.THIS INFORMATION WAS RECENTLY BROADCAST ON FOX TV AND IT STATES THAT IT IS SELDOM USED BECAUSE PEOPLE DON'T KNOW IT EXISTS.PLEASE PASS THIS ALONG. You can go to snopes to verify. "
IF YOU SHOULD EVER BE FORCED BY A ROBBER TO WITHDRAW MONEY FROM AN ATM MACHINE, YOU CAN NOTIFY THE POLICE BY ENTERING YOUR PIN # IN REVERSE.
FOR EXAMPLE IF YOUR PIN NUMBER IS 1234 THEN YOU WOULD PUT IN 4321.
THE ATM RECOGNIZES THAT YOUR PIN NUMBER IS BACKWARDS FROM THE ATM CARD YOU PLACED IN THE MACHINE. THE MACHINE WILL STILL GIVE YOU THE MONEY YOU REQUESTED, BUT UNKNOWN TO THE ROBBER; THE POLICE WILL BE IMMEDIATELY DISPATCHED TO HELP YOU.THIS INFORMATION WAS RECENTLY BROADCAST ON FOX TV AND IT STATES THAT IT IS SELDOM USED BECAUSE PEOPLE DON'T KNOW IT EXISTS.PLEASE PASS THIS ALONG. You can go to snopes to verify. "
The best advice Police give to avoid being forced to withdraw from your ATM is to avoid using the machines at night. Go inside the bank whenever possible. Do not count your money as you're walking to your car. If you must use the ATM, scan the area carefully. It's best not to go to an ATM alone. Bring a spouse of friend ( a BIG one, I say!) . Stay alert and aware of your surroundings and other people in the area. If it should happen that you are held at gunpoint, comply. Your life is worth more than what you have in your account!
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