Crimestoppers ATM PIN Reversal Hoax

The ATM PIN reversal hoax is gaining momentum in the social networking site Facebook. This hoax was originally spread through emails and is now making its rounds as tagged images in Facebook. It claims you simply have to key in your personal identification number (PIN) or atm password backwards in case of a robbery to call the attention of the authorities and police will be dispatched to the location of the crime.

The Hoax

ATM 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 system 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 the location. All ATM’s carry this emergency sequencer by law.

This information was recently broadcast on by Crime Stoppers however it is seldom used because people just don't know about it.

Please pass this along to everyone.

This is the kind of information people don't mind receiving, so pass it on to your family and friends.

The Truth

This could have been an ingenious way of protecting ATM users from robbers. Unfortunately, this atm feature does not exist yet. The hoax message gives false hopes to ATM users that they can call the police in case of robbery situations. Crimestoppers already denied that the email and the supposed details about the ATM panic code originated from them.  Read the official  statement of Crimestoppers here.

What to Do if You Received the ATM PIN Reversal Hoax

• If you were tagged in an image that contains this hoax, untag yourself.


• Report the image by clicking the x mark beside it.


• Inform your tagger and your friends that this is a hoax by sharing this post on Facebook.