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.
How It Works
When you enter your Duress PIN instead of your regular PIN:
Fake Success
The app shows a completely normal “Transaction Successful” screen
Fake Balance
Your displayed balance decreases as if the transfer happened
Silent Alert
All Guardians receive a silent emergency notification
Funds Protected
In reality, no funds are moved - they remain safely locked
Setup
Navigate to Security
Go to Settings > Security > Duress PIN
Choose PIN
Select a 6-digit PIN different from your regular PIN
Confirm
Enter the PIN twice to confirm
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).
Duress Mode Behavior
| Action | Normal PIN | Duress PIN |
|---|
| Screen shown | Real transaction | Fake transaction |
| Balance display | Real balance | Fake reduced balance |
| Funds moved | Yes | No |
| Guardian alert | No | Yes (silent) |
| History shown | Real | Fake entry added |
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"
]
}
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.
Recovery After Duress
After a duress situation:
Safe Location
Once you’re safe, contact your Guardians
Report Incident
File a report with local authorities if applicable
Reset Duress Mode
Go to Settings > Security > Reset Duress Mode
Change PIN
Update both your regular PIN and Duress PIN
Testing
You can test your Duress PIN setup:
Enable Test Mode
Settings > Security > Duress PIN > Test Mode
Attempt Transfer
Try a small transfer using your Duress PIN
Verify
Confirm fake success screen appears
Check Guardians
Verify Guardians received (marked as test) alert
Test Mode clearly marks alerts as tests to avoid confusion.
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.
