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ATM 'duress' code talks come again, this time in L.A. City Hall

September 3, 2009

The Los Angeles Times reports that the push for an emergency code at ATMs has once again cropped up, this time by Los Angeles City Councilman Greig Smith. Smith on Tuesday reportedly called for the installation of a PIN duress code system at ATMs throughout L.A.

Smith told the L.A. Times a duress system might have saved the life of a teenager who was killed after a July 24 robbery attempt:

The tragic murder of Lily Burk has highlighted a significant public safety issue — ATM security. Currently, ATM security measures are relatively limited.

Smith said the system he deems most promising is one that allows ATM users to enter PINs in reverse order. But this type of system, developed by Joseph Zingherof Illinois, who holds the patent on the software, has been criticized for a number of years, since it would be difficult for users to remember PINs in reverse when under duress.