Message claims that if you are forced by robbers to withdraw money from an ATM, you can secretly alert police by entering your PIN in The claims in the message are false.
Reverse PIN technology does exist. However, it has not yet been implemented by any banks. At this time, entering your PIN in reverse will NOT call police. reverse.
Updated Context — ATM “Reverse PIN” and Similar Hoaxes
The idea behind the “reverse PIN” warning is simple:
Enter your PIN backwards
The machine alerts police without the robber knowing
It sounds like a smart safety feature. That’s why it spreads.
The problem is:
It is not implemented in real-world banking systems
While versions of this idea have been proposed and even patented, banks have not adopted it. Entering your PIN in reverse will not alert police and may simply result in a failed transaction.
Why This Hoax Keeps Circulating
Messages like this spread because they offer:
- a simple solution to a dangerous situation
- something that feels clever or hidden
- a sense of control
People share it because they want it to be true.
Similar “Emergency Trick” Hoaxes
The reverse PIN story is part of a larger pattern.
These messages often claim there is a secret way to get help without alerting a criminal.
Examples include:
- dialing special codes on a phone to silently contact police
- using a “hidden” emergency feature that few people know about
- pressing certain keys or buttons to trigger an alert system
In most cases:
These features do not exist
Or they are misunderstood and not available to the public
The Real Risk
The biggest problem with messages like this is false confidence.
Someone who believes the reverse PIN story may rely on it in a real situation where it will not work.
That creates a dangerous assumption.
What to Do Instead
- follow guidance from your bank and local authorities
- be aware of your surroundings when using an ATM
- avoid isolated or poorly lit machines
- prioritize personal safety over trying to outsmart a situation
Final Thought
The reverse PIN idea is appealing because it sounds like a hidden safety feature.
But it isn’t real.
Like many hoaxes, it spreads because it offers a simple answer to a serious problem.