Importance

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Abstract

A system and method for the discrete identification of a duress transaction at an ATM banking machine. The system and method allows the customer to alert the police that a crime is taking place without alerting the criminal that an alarm has been given by the entry of an access number equating to a non-prestored personal distress or emergency number in place of the stored PIN number. When an access number is entered to begin a transaction, the system compares the entered access number with the prestored PIN number. If the entered access number is the same as the PIN number, the transaction proceeds as normal. If not, an algorithmic function is applied to either the entered access number or the PIN number. These two number are then again compared and if after application of the algorithmic function they are the same, then the duress signal is triggered. Thus, the non-prestored personal distress number is successfully entered when the access number entered to begin the transaction equates to the PIN number after the algorithmic function is applied to either the entered access number or the PIN number. As such, the system and method facilitates recall of a non-prestored personal distress number.

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First Claim