Discovery Bank Introduces New Safety Feature to Protect Customers From Crime

South Africa’s Discovery Bank has created a new security tool called the Secret Panic Code to help customers who are forced to make transactions while being robbed or kidnapped. This comes as the country deals with more cases of “express kidnappings” where criminals force victims to take out money or transfer funds while being held against their will.

How the Secret Panic Code Works

The system is simple but could save lives. Here’s how it functions:

1. Customers set up a special panic code in advance through their banking app
2. If they are ever forced to access their account by criminals, they enter this code instead of their real PIN
3. The bank immediately gets a silent alert about the dangerous situation
4. The app continues working normally so the criminals don’t suspect anything
5. The bank’s security team tracks the location and contacts police

Unlike regular panic buttons that make noise or show alerts, this system works secretly. This is important because criminals often watch victims closely during these crimes.

Why South Africa Needs This Feature

South Africa has serious problems with certain types of crimes that make this feature necessary:

• “Express kidnappings” have increased – victims are taken briefly and forced to get money
• ATM robberies where people are forced to withdraw cash
• Home invasions where criminals make victims transfer money digitally
• Car hijackings where victims are driven to ATMs

These crimes often happen quickly, sometimes in less than an hour. Victims have little chance to call for help normally. The secret code gives them a way to alert authorities without the criminals knowing.

Additional Safety Features From Discovery Bank

Along with the panic code, the bank has added other protections:

Caller Verification
The app can check if someone calling you really works for the bank. Many criminals pretend to be bank staff to trick people.

Emergency Services Connection
Through Discovery 911, customers can quickly get help for:

• Medical emergencies
• Car breakdowns
• Home security problems

Financial Advice Service
Customers can get money management help through WhatsApp after proving their identity in the app.

How Customers Can Set Up the System

Setting up the panic code takes just a few minutes:

1. Open the Discovery Bank app
2. Go to security settings
3. Choose “Set Up Panic Code”
4. Create a code different from your normal PIN
5. Confirm the code

The bank recommends choosing a code you can remember easily but that doesn’t look suspicious if you have to enter it under pressure.

What Happens After the Alert is Sent

When the panic code is used, the bank’s security team springs into action:

1. They verify the alert is real
2. They use the app to locate the customer
3. They contact the police with all the information
4. They monitor any transactions being made
5. They might freeze the account if needed

Police response teams are trained to handle these situations carefully to protect the victim.

Customer and Expert Reactions

People who have used the system say it makes them feel safer:

“I travel often for work and sometimes need to use ATMs at night,” said one customer. “Knowing I have this protection gives me peace of mind.”

Security experts also praise the feature:

“This is smart banking security,” said a crime prevention specialist. “It uses technology to help people when they’re most vulnerable without making the situation more dangerous.”

The Bigger Picture of Banking Security

Banks in South Africa have had to become more creative about security as criminals develop new methods. Some other security measures banks are using include:

• Facial recognition for account access
• Systems that detect suspicious money movements
• Automatic fraud alerts for strange transactions
• Better verification for large transfers

Discovery Bank says it will keep improving its security systems to stay ahead of criminals.

How This Compares to Other Safety Features

Some other banks have safety features, but they work differently:

• Some have loud panic buttons that make noise
• Others require calling special numbers
• A few can detect when a phone is thrown (like during a carjacking)

The secret code system is unique because it works silently and is built right into normal banking actions criminals would force victims to do anyway.

What Customers Should Remember

The bank advises customers to:

• Set up the panic code as soon as possible
• Practice remembering the code
• Never share the code with anyone
• Update the app regularly for security improvements
• Still call emergency numbers if possible during crimes

Looking to the Future

Discovery Bank says this is just the beginning of their safety improvements. They are working on:

• Making the system work for business accounts
• Adding more emergency service connections
• Developing ways to alert family members during crises
• Creating training programs about financial safety

As criminals find new ways to commit financial crimes, banks will need to keep developing tools to protect customers. The Secret Panic Code shows how technology can help keep people safe during some of the most dangerous moments of their lives.

Final Thoughts

In a country with serious crime challenges like South Africa, banking safety features need to do more than just protect money – they need to protect people. Discovery Bank’s new system understands that sometimes the most important transaction isn’t moving money, but sending a silent call for help.

While no system can prevent all crimes, tools like this give victims a fighting chance and make criminals’ jobs harder. As more banks adopt similar features, it could change how criminals approach these types of crimes, knowing their victims might be silently summoning help even as they comply with demands.