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Duress PIN

The Duress PIN is a secret alternative PIN that protects you when forced to make a transfer under threat.
This feature saves lives. Take time to set it up properly and memorize your Duress PIN.

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How It Works

When you enter your Duress PIN instead of your regular PIN:
1

Fake Success

The app shows a completely normal “Transaction Successful” screen
2

Fake Balance

Your displayed balance decreases as if the transfer happened
3

Silent Alert

All Guardians receive a silent emergency notification
4

Funds Protected

In reality, no funds are moved - they remain safely locked

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Setup

1

Navigate to Security

Go to Settings > Security > Duress PIN
2

Choose PIN

Select a 6-digit PIN different from your regular PIN
3

Confirm

Enter the PIN twice to confirm
4

Optional: Emergency Contacts

Configure automatic notification to authorities
Choose a PIN you can remember under stress, but that’s not obvious (like your regular PIN + 1).

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Duress Mode Behavior

ActionNormal PINDuress PIN
Screen shownReal transactionFake transaction
Balance displayReal balanceFake reduced balance
Funds movedYesNo
Guardian alertNoYes (silent)
History shownRealFake entry added

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Guardian Alert

When Duress PIN is activated, Guardians receive: 
{
  "type": "DURESS_ALERT",
  "severity": "CRITICAL",
  "message": "Emergency: Possible coercion detected",
  "user": "user_123",
  "location": {
    "lat": 40.7128,
    "lng": -74.0060,
    "accuracy": "GPS"
  },
  "timestamp": "2025-01-15T14:30:00Z",
  "instructions": [
    "Do not contact the user directly",
    "Consider contacting authorities",
    "Monitor for further activity"
  ]
}

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Emergency Services Integration

Optionally configure automatic alerts to:
  • Local emergency services (911/112)
  • Trusted contact phone numbers
  • Private security services
False activations can have serious consequences. Only enable emergency services integration if you understand the implications.

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Recovery After Duress

After a duress situation:
1

Safe Location

Once you’re safe, contact your Guardians
2

Report Incident

File a report with local authorities if applicable
3

Reset Duress Mode

Go to Settings > Security > Reset Duress Mode
4

Change PIN

Update both your regular PIN and Duress PIN

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Testing

You can test your Duress PIN setup:
1

Enable Test Mode

Settings > Security > Duress PIN > Test Mode
2

Attempt Transfer

Try a small transfer using your Duress PIN
3

Verify

Confirm fake success screen appears
4

Check Guardians

Verify Guardians received (marked as test) alert
Test Mode clearly marks alerts as tests to avoid confusion.

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Best Practices

Never write down your Duress PIN. Memorize it completely.
Practice entering your Duress PIN so it becomes automatic under stress.
Make sure your Guardians know what a Duress Alert means and how to respond.
Change your Duress PIN every 6 months for security.