An email advising ATM users to type in their pin codes in reverse to alert police to criminal activity was a hoax, the SA Banking Risk Information Centre (Sabric) warned on Wednesday.

In a statement, Sabric CEO Kalyani Pillay said the information contained in the email was false and should be ignored.

"No ATM in South Africa is equipped with a facility to alert police of any distress of a bank customer at any point, irrespective of whether you key in your ATM card PIN in reverse."

She said it was not the first time the email had been circulated and its origin was unfortunately unknown.

The email claims that if a customer is forced by a criminal to make a transaction they should type in their pin codes in reverse order and this would summon the police.

Pillay urged banking customers to be alert at all times about their financial dealings even when receiving information that was seemingly credible and helpful.

"We advise bank customers to validate any unsolicited information that they receive either by email, telephone or even hearsay with their banks prior to acting upon it.

"The alertness of bank clients is often the best preventative measure against many bank-related scams," said Pillay.

Have you ever received an email like this? Were you caught out? Leave a comment below…

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