I have an idea that could help prevent robberies and kidnappings

[Mill]

We all have seen many stories in which a person is forced to withdraw money from an ATM or is forced to give their PIN to someone. Why not make it possible for there to be two PINs? One is the normal pin and dispenses cash and the other is an emergency pin that still dispenses the cash yet immediately notifies Law Enforcement and makes sure a camera is recording(if one is available and it is not already recording). An optional idea on top of this is you being able to store your car make/model and tag number as well in the database that can only be accessed if the PIN is used. Banks could use this to stop fraud as well and the service would be optional at a monthly fee of say 2.99 a month for your checking. Credit card companies could also offer this on any card that has cash advance available.

What do you all think? Is this feasible?

 

[Anubis]

not a bad idea. but somehow it would get abused

 

[GoodToGo]

A very good idea except that idiots will start entering their emergency pin in normal situations also and the law enforcement agencies will have wild goose chases all over the place.

 

[Kaervak]

Not a bad idea.

 

[Broohaha]

Originally posted by: Millennium
We all have seen many stories in which a person is forced to withdraw money from an ATM or is forced to give their PIN to someone. Why not make it possible for their to be two PINs. One is the normal pin and dispenses cash and the other is an emergency pin that still dispenses the cash yet immediately notifies Law Enforcement and makes sure a camera is recording(if one is available and it is not already recording). An optional idea on top of this is you being able to store your car make/model and tag number as well in the database that can only be accessed if the PIN is used. Banks could use this to stop fraud as well and the service would be optional at a monthly fee of say 2.99 a month for your checking. Credit card companies could also offer this on any card that has cash advance available. What do you all think? Is this feasible?

2.99!!?? Way too much.

All the extra airport security measures cost 3 bucks per air traveler. I bet you could get all this paid for with like a buck per year from each account.

 

[Mill]

Originally posted by: GoodToGo
A very good idea except that idiots will start entering their emergency pin in normal situations also and the law enforcement agencies will have wild goose chases all over the place.

I thought about that so I figured there should be stiff fines and/or jail time in place if someone abused their emergency PIN or did it as a joke. I equate it to calling 911 and you reporting a crime that is not happening or filing a false police report.

Edit- The fee is just an idea. I have no idea how much this would cost to implement but since it is optional and not mandatory I would be willing to pay 2.99 a quarter/month or whatever just for the peace of mind.

 

[notfred]

Originally posted by: GoodToGo
A very good idea except that idiots will start entering their emergency pin in normal situations also and the law enforcement agencies will have wild goose chases all over the place.

Yep, people will be going "Oh crap, I forgot my pin, but I REALLY need the money... I'll use the emergency PIN, I remember that one!"

That, and I wouldn't pay for any type of "I'm extremely paranoid" protection...

 

[pulse8]

They have that for alarm systems. They give you one code to disarm it normally, and another to disarm it and alert the authorities.

 

[Mill]

Originally posted by: notfred

Originally posted by: GoodToGo
A very good idea except that idiots will start entering their emergency pin in normal situations also and the law enforcement agencies will have wild goose chases all over the place.

Yep, people will be going "Oh crap, I forgot my pin, but I REALLY need the money... I'll use the emergency PIN, I remember that one!"

That, and I wouldn't pay for any type of "I'm extremely paranoid" protection...

Which goes back to EDUCATING people on an optional service. If they use the emergency PIN for a joke or by accident their access is terminated permanetly or suspended depending on what they did.

It is not for super paranoid people. Ever studied Crime or read any True Crime books? Ever seen Crime Stats relating to ATM muggings or forced withdrawals? Three young girls could have been saved from a murderer in Kansas City had this technology or idea been around. They still haven't recovered their bodies. A majority of kidnappers and murderers will get that PIN and withdraw money. Also people will be reminded to make the emergency PIN something that they DO NOT use for anything else.

Edit- BTW I am not sure if someone has already had this idea or this is something that has been thought of an discarded or is in the process of coming to fruitation. It is just an idea that popped in my head because of a book I am reading and a New Detectives episode I was watching tonight that had the aforementioned three young girl's muders discussed.

 

[Antisocial Virge]

That, and I wouldn't pay for any type of "I'm extremely paranoid" protection...

exactly. How often does this type of crime happen. Another thing is that when it came down to it the chances of anyone remembering that # would be nil.

 

[ScottyB]

Where are you guys living where you are getting robbed and kidnapped at atms? I have only heard of this in the movies.

 

[Mill]

Originally posted by: Antisocial-Virge

That, and I wouldn't pay for any type of "I'm extremely paranoid" protection...

exactly. How often does this type of crime happen. Another thing is that when it came down to it the chances of anyone remembering that # would be nil.

Actually it happens a good bit. One of the top motives of Robbery, Murder and Kidnapping is cash and many victims are forced to give out their PIN or to make a withdrawal.

 

[SherEPunjab]

not a bad idea, but keep in mind that once this becomes common knowledge, the crooks to will know about. they'll pretty much adapt to the situation. There will always be crooks, and there will always be ways they force individuals to give up their dough. It may make force them to flee the scene of the atm faster (i doubt they hang around too long as it is now anyways), and to disguise their identities from cameras (which they are already doing if they are even halfway intelligent as cameras are already in atm's).

 

[Antisocial Virge]

many victims are forced to give out their PIN or to make a withdrawal.

I could count on one hand how many times I have ever heard of that happening.

 

[Mill]

Originally posted by: Antisocial-Virge

many victims are forced to give out their PIN or to make a withdrawal.

I could count on one hand how many times I have ever heard of that happening.

Well that is you. You would be someone who wouldn't want the added security then. Next?

Check out any true crime books or watch some forensic files and you will see it is a common occurance.

 

[Mill]

Originally posted by: SherEPunjab
not a bad idea, but keep in mind that once this becomes common knowledge, the crooks to will know about. they'll pretty much adapt to the situation. There will always be crooks, and there will always be ways they force individuals to give up their dough. It may make force them to flee the scene of the atm faster (i doubt they hang around too long as it is now anyways), and to disguise their identities from cameras (which they are already doing if they are even halfway intelligent as cameras are already in atm's).

I totally agree and this is just a measure to increase security. Criminals always adapt but you can always catch the stupid or the sloppy.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: SherEPunjab
not a bad idea, but keep in mind that once this becomes common knowledge, the crooks to will know about. they'll pretty much adapt to the situation. There will always be crooks, and there will always be ways they force individuals to give up their dough. It may make force them to flee the scene of the atm faster (i doubt they hang around too long as it is now anyways), and to disguise their identities from cameras (which they are already doing if they are even halfway intelligent as cameras are already in atm's).

True, but at least it would get help there faster. Crooks probably aren't seeking out well-lit and high-traffic ATMs for this, and if someone is at the ATM and there aren't any people around to call it in if the person is injured the faster response time facilitated by the emergency PIN (as compared to the time it would take for someone else to discover the scene) might just save a life.

Millennium: I've heard it said that every person has at least one million-dollar idea in his lifetime, most just don't try to make it a reality. This is something that is worth pursuing. If it's already patented/in consideration, nothing lost. If not, you could stand to make some money off of it.

ZV

 

[Mill]

Well hell now that I posted this on Anandtech I wonder if I could still pursue the idea. I wonder who I should contact to see if this idea has been voiced or in the making already... I believe Harvey knows a good bit about patents but I seriously doubt someone hasn't already discovered this....

 

[SherEPunjab]

If not, you could stand to make some money off of it.

ZV

Or can I stand to make some? *evil laugh* Muahahhhaa!

Well, i would argue the stupid crooks would get caught anyway. Lets not forget how many crooks hold up convenience stores in broad daylight, with the camera right on them, and with the clerk armed. Or, my favorite, the case of this fat guy who robbed a convenience store of candy bars, nothing else, and was caught by the cops when they followed the trail of candy wrappers straight to this house.

But you know what, even if it saves 5 peoples lives a year, even if it saves 1 persons life, its worth trying i guess.

 

[Mill]

Well hell:


Damn I lost...

Addressing security concerns at walk-up and drive-thru Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs), a bill currently on the floor of the Illinois General Assembly could institute alternative emergency PIN numbers. If punched into the system, the emergency PIN number would alert local law enforcement to respond. Typically, the emergency PIN would be the same as the normal PIN, but in reverse order. An electronic message would then be sent to a police computer listing pertinent information about the cardholder. This information could give responding police a physical description of the cardholder using state motor vehicle records. There are three variations to the emergency PIN. The user may have to enter a normal pin backwards, inverted (for example ?2442? would be ?4224?) or with a number added to each digit (?3333? would be ?4444?). (posted June 26, 2002)

 

[GoodToGo]

Originally posted by: Millennium

Originally posted by: GoodToGo
A very good idea except that idiots will start entering their emergency pin in normal situations also and the law enforcement agencies will have wild goose chases all over the place.

I thought about that so I figured there should be stiff fines and/or jail time in place if someone abused their emergency PIN or did it as a joke. I equate it to calling 911 and you reporting a crime that is not happening or filing a false police report.

Again good idea but unfortuantely people will then start sueing the hell out of law enforcement agencies for fines or jail times citing mental truama

 

[anxi80]

takes the idea and... *yoink!* j.k

i already have my million dollar idea. its a 'jump to conclusions' mat.

 

[Mill]

Hmm... since the idea already exists this might be a good project to get my senator or congressman involved with or my state senator or congressman.

 

[SherEPunjab]

Originally posted by: anxi80
takes the idea and... *yoink!* j.k

i already have my million dollar idea. its a 'jump to conclusions' mat.

My idea of the pet rock was better.

 

[Antisocial Virge]

would be the same as the normal PIN, but in reverse order

Well that would fix the not remembering it problem...