Let's use the automated teller machines against the criminals.
For all the crime that includes forcing people to go to an
ATM and withdraw money for criminals, a secondary, emergency (safety) PIN
would be a wonderful thing the financial system could do to help victims.
If customers had the option to create a safety PIN that
would access their account, BUT also alert police to the location and keep the
video, we could save people, catch criminals, and enhance the community image of
financial institutions.
I read too many news articles about people being forced to go to the ATM with crooks to get money or to give their PIN and bank card to criminals. This would at least give law enforcement a better chance to catch
crooks.
When you get an account or bank card, you create a PIN. For
example purposes say it is 1234. You also need an option to create an
emergency PIN to trigger safety protocols, for this example - 5678. If you
ever use the 5678 safety PIN, your account “works” to the outside world, but it
triggers actions behind the scenes. The customer has a better chance to
survive. Law enforcement has a better odds to capture the criminals. Once the
process becomes widespread, it is another deterrent to crime. If you want to go a step further, when the emergency PIN is
entered, put a message on the screen that withdrawals are limited at this time
due to some technical issue.
One rule for customers, no safety PINs with 911 in them. It's a little too obvious.
Law enforcement should have additional ideas
to close the loop on the crooks, but this would be a start. Bankers, let's make safety PINs!