Some of our members may have noticed the following email making the rounds lately. It suggests that there is a “secret code” put in place by card issuers to notify police when you are being robbed at an ATM. This is absolutely not true. If you put your ATM card in an ATM machine and enter your correct P.I.N., you will receive the requested cash. If you put your ATM card in an ATM machine and enter an incorrect P.I.N., you will NOT receive the requested cash, and the police will NOT be notified. An example of the circulating email follows below…
“PIN NUMBER REVERSAL (GOOD TO 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 broadcasted on TV and it states that it is seldom used because people don’t know it exists.
Please pass along to everyone possible”
This email is a rumour, myth or urban legend, whatever you choose to call it. It is not however, fact. Keep in mind that while many emails have good information and can help, there are just as many emails circulating that are meant to divert and mislead. TEUCU would urge you to investigate and educate yourself before making up your mind!
