Ramanisblog

Tag: Banking Services

  • Safety at ATM . PIN Reverse Entry a Hoax?

    A BTMU ATM with a palm scanner (to the right o...
    Image via Wikipedia

    When a thief forced you to take money from the ATM, do not argue or resist, you might not know what he or she might do to you. What you should do is to punch your PIN in the reverse…

    Eg: If your PIN is 1234, you punch 4321.

    The moment you punch in the reverse, the money will come out, but will be stuck into the machine half way out and it will alert the police without the notice of the thief.

    Every ATM has it; It is specially made to signify danger and help. Not everyone is aware of this.

    Thanks Kumar

    In 2006, an e-mail chain letter hoax circulated that claimed a reverse PIN duress code system is in place universally.[11] American Banker reported on January 2, 2007 that no PIN-reversal duress code is used on any ATM as of that date. In July 2008 the hoax was still circulating in Australia with the text:

    If you should ever be 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 would put in 4321. The ATM recognizes that your PIN 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 [sic] on TV and it states that it is seldom used because people don’t know it exists. Please pass this along to everyone possible. Australian Federal Police. AFP Web site: http://www.afp.gov.au

    The same kind of e-mail chain letter hoax is still circulated in India and other parts of the world.

    Were the system implemented, PINs that are reversible such as 5555 or 2112 then would be unavailable so that false alarms would not occur. Moreover, PINs that are semi-reversible such as 5255 or 1241, where the first and last numbers are the same, would be something to avoid as well so that accidental alarms would not be triggered by mistakenly switching the middle numbers.

    Diebold, a manufacturer of ATMs, states on their website that no such emergency alerting system is currently in use. They cite an article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch which claims bankers oppose the reverse-PIN system out of concerns that “ATM users might hesitate or fumble while trying to enter their PINs backwards under duress, possibly increasing the chances of violence.” Diebold further states that they would be willing to support such technology if their customers (presumably banks) request it.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ATM_SafetyPIN_software

    ATM safety tips
    1. Always pay close attention to the ATM and your surroundings. Don’t select an ATM at the corner of a building — corners create a blind spot. Use an ATM located near the center of a building. Do your automated banking in a public, well-lighted location that is free of shrubbery and decorative partitions or dividers.
    2. Maintain an awareness of your surroundings throughout the entire transaction. Be wary of people trying to help you with ATM transactions. Be aware of anyone sitting in a parked car nearby. When leaving an ATM make sure you are not being followed. If you are, drive immediately to a police or fire station, or to a crowded, well-lighted location or business.
    3. Do not use an ATM that appears unusual looking or offers options with which you are not familiar or comfortable.
    4. Do not allow people to look over your shoulder as you enter your PIN. Memorize your PIN; never write it on the back of your card. Do not re-enter your PIN if the ATM eats your card — contact a bank official.
    5. Do not wear expensive jewelry or take other valuables to the ATM. This is an added incentive to the assailant.
    6. Never count cash at the machine or in public. Wait until you are in your car or another secure place.
    7. When using a drive-up ATM, keep your engine running, your doors locked and leave enough room to maneuver between your car and the one ahead of you in the drive-up line.
    8. Maintain a supply of deposit envelopes at home or in your car. Prepare all transaction paperwork prior to your arrival at the ATM. This will minimize the amount of time spent at the machine.
    9. Closely monitor your bank statements, as well as your balances, and immediately report any problems to your bank.
    10. If you are involved in a confrontation with an assailant who demands your money, COMPLY.
    Source: The Electronic Funds Transfer Association, and the Los Angeles Police Department.

     10 consumer tips for ATM safety and securityhttp://www.bankrate.com/finance/checking/10-consumer-tips-for-atm-safety-and-security.aspx#ixzz1a3qscH8o

    The long lag time between the shock of the initial assault and the point when the PIN is demanded gives the victim a chance to gather his or her wits. The names of the SafetyPIN © work as a memory aid. “ReversePIN”© “Inside-OutPIN”© or “Plus-1PIN” © remind the cardholder how to use the system when needed. (Think back to grade school and the name “Roy G Biv” should be familiar. It’s an acronym for red orange yellow green blue indigo and violet, the seven colors of the rainbow, or “HOMES” Huron, Ontario Michigan, Erie and Superior, the Great Lakes) The average national response time to an emergency 911 call is 2.5 minutes. (As opposed to a service 911 call which is 20 minutes or more.) The average transaction time for an ATM withdrawal is 1.5 minutes. That leaves the criminal one minute to get as far from the victim as possible, maybe a little less, maybe a little more. He’s in danger if he takes the victim with him. As things stand now, he knows he’s safe.

    http://www.zicubedatm.com/

  • Facts about Swiss Banks.

    Safe deposit boxes inside the vaults of a Swis...
    Image via Wikipedia

     

    1. Swiss bank accounts are only for millionaires

    This is not true. The majority of our clients are not major manufacturers or movie stars, but everyday people (business people, computer engineers, civil servants, etc.). Swiss banks are no longer only for stars.
    You can open a Swiss bank account with a deposit of only 5,000 Swiss francs. We even offer accounts with no minimum balance.

    2. Money invested in Switzerland yields no interest

    Nothing could be more untrue. You can invest your money worldwide from your account in Switzerland through investment funds, bonds, the stock market, the purchase of metal values, raw materials, derivatives and many other types of investments. Swiss bankers are among the best finance managers in the world, so it comes as no surprise that they manage over 35% of offshore holdings.

    3. It’s impossible to open an account in Switzerland by correspondence

    This is not true. Most of the accounts that we offer can be opened by correspondence as long as you comply with our opening procedures and provide us with the necessary documents. What is more, your banking relations can be conducted by correspondence, using the telephone, Internet banking, bank transfer and credit cards. That said, we encourage our customers to meet with their banker at least once in order to get acquainted and see where their money is held.

    4. Swiss bank accounts are very expensive to maintain

    This is not true. Most of the accounts we open don’t charge a cent in annual fees. Even if you would like additional services such as retained correspondence or numbered banking relations, the annual fees are very reasonable.

    5. It is difficult to close a Swiss bank account

    On the contrary. You can close your account in Switzerland whenever you wish and without any restriction. You will pay no financial penalty. If need be, you will just have to realize your investments. Contrary to many onshore banking practices, your money is not held hostage by Swiss banks.

    6. Swiss bank accounts attract only criminals and dictators

    Not true! The vast majority of Swiss bank account holders are honest people who want to keep their savings in a country renowned for its stability. Swiss banks are extremely cautious regarding politicians who wish to open an account and they systematically refuse to accept any money that is of dubious origin or poorly founded.

    7. Numbered accounts are anonymous

    There are no anonymous accounts in Switzerland. A numbered account is an account that is identified solely by a number, rather than a name, in order to preserve the strictest confidentiality possible during teller transactions or bank transfers. Only the bank manager and a few select people know the identity of numbered account holders.

    http://swiss-bank-accounts.com/e/banking/7myths.html