FTC Issues Report On Emergency Technology for Use With ATMs

As required by the Credit CARD Act of 2009, the FTC issued a report regarding “emergency PIN” and “alarm button” devices that would allow users of automated teller machines (“ATMs”) to electronically alert police about crimes at ATMs. The Report, authored by the staff in the Bureau of Economics, discusses the available information about crimes at ATMs and the costs and benefits of the emergency technologies specified in the Act. The Commission vote to file the report was 5-0. Copies of the report are available on the FTC’s Web site as a link to this press release. (FTC File No. P859912; the staff contact is Paul Zimmerman, Bureau of Economics, 202-326-3159)