Access Control
& Security Systems

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").

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• The Framework For Open Systems
• On A Higher Plane
• More from April's issue