|
Internet E-Mail Hoax Circulates
(January 8, 2006)
PIN NUMBER REVERSAL HOAX
E-MAIL
The internet is full of all kinds of information; Some
of that information is valuable and important, while yet other information on
the internet is false and inaccurate. Anyone with a personal computer can
post information and disseminate it for others to read via the internet; As a
result, the public must determine factual information versus fictional
information that they encounter online.
A recent e-mail circulating nationwide and received by
citizens in Johnson County reads as follows:
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 this along to everyone possible.
This
information is not true. Citizens should be aware that if they find
themselves as victims of a robbery and they enter their PIN number backwards,
help will not be rushing to them, the PIN number will be rejected, and the
Robber will likely be more frustrated thus increasing the possibility of
violence. Instead, comply with the requests of the suspect in an effort to
decrease the potential for violence. Take a good look at the suspect so
that he/she can be described later to law enforcement. If you are able to
dial 9-1-1 from your cellular phone and simply leave the line open, dispatchers
might be able to pick-up on the conversation and determine that you need help if
you are able to mention related conversation such as, "I have never been robbed,
I will do what you need" or "I am not sure my card works at this Bank at US-31
and Apple Drive." This is likely the best chance of assistance prior to
placing a complete 9-1-1 call to obtain assistance.
http://www.bnradw.com/b.js> | 
