Codes, Signs, and Numbers

Have you ever seen a movie where a kidnap victim or someone under duress makes contact with a rescuer but can’t communicate the fact that they are under duress and fail to get rescued? Frustrating isn’t it? How about your PINS and other important numbers you keep in your phone or wallet in case you forget? What if you were being held against your will or your phone with all your PINS and account numbers were stolen or lost? How would you fare?

Well, here are some tips that just might make the difference between being saved and disaster.

Duress Codes. 

A duress code is a covert signal used by an individual that is under duress to indicate their state. The term duress code typically refers to a signal embedded in normal communication, such as a word or phrase used during conversation to alert other personnel of the duress. Alternatively, the signal may be incorporated into the authentication process itself, typically in the form of a panic password or distress password. One of the more well known forms of duress codes used by the military is the hand code. It is now being used by business people, security specialist and every day folks.

 

This soldier who has been through survival school is displaying the “coercion” sign with his left hand.

With that hand signal, he’s saying that he’s being coerced into holding Mrs. Clinton’s hand. His middle finger is crossed over his index finger, more commonly known as the good luck sign.

In an abduction scenario, a kidnapped woman who may be forced to drive her own vehicle may commit an intentional traffic violation if she sees a policeman. Once she gets pulled over, her abductor may instruct her to act normal.  When the officer approaches and makes contact, she displays the sign with her left hand while keeping her hands on the steering wheel.

If the officer asks for ID or insurance, she can hand the items to the officer while making the sign for coercion. She could also hold the items just tight enough so that he will have to tug at them. That may cause him to look down at the items and see your fingers.

Many officers are veterans and experienced in reading body language. If the officer sees your duress sign, he’ll proceed accordingly. It may be your last and only hope for rescue.

A duress phrase is a short sentence that can be used naturally in any conversation that would not arouse suspicion. Something such as the driver telling the officer that she was in hurry because she was late picking up her son at such and such school, (she mentions the school that is in the opposite direction). The officer will most likely notice she’s heading in the wrong direction and suspect something is amiss. He may then turn his attention to the male occupant and take the appropriate action. They key is to use a phrase that is not necessarily out of a normal response but out of context. An officer will most likely pick up on the phrase.

Home Alarm duress PINS

Many home alarm companies may offer you a “duress” PIN or code where the last two digits of the reset code are transposed. Entering the code when under duress from an assailant can trigger a silent alarm, alerting police or security personnel in a covert manner. Ask your company about these codes. Not all companies have this feature due to repeated false alarms.

 

PINS and Bank Accounts

Do you keep a list of all your pins and account numbers on your phone, laptop, or iPad? What if your device were lost or stolen? A good trick to keep those numbers from being misused, is to scramble the numbers or mislabel the accounts.  For example, if you bank at Cheatum Bank with account number 124 57 87445, Enter it in your phone as Crimson Bank acct. no. 5245787441. Note the first letter remains a “C” in the bank name so you can differentiate if you also use another bank. With the account number, transpose the first and last numbers. Do the same with your ATM PIN, gate codes, or any important number. Just remember to be consistent with which numbers your transpose so you don’t confuse yourself. You can also add a random number to the front or second digit of any important number, (not the end, because most four digit PIN entries will automatically omit a fifth digit anyway). Just remember to remove the random entry during a real transaction.

If a thief steals your purse with credit cards and ATM cards, account numbers, and other codes, along with your phone containing all your PINS, the consequences could be devastating. The thief knows he’ll only be able to use those cards for a short period of time. Much of that time depends on how long it takes you to realize you’ve been robbed, plus the time it takes you to call all your credit card companies or banks. Once a PIN has been entered into an ATM incorrectly three times, the ATM will prevent any further use of that card.

Ask your bank about any additional security measures they may have.

Be secure.