Another ATM Problem

[Golden Gopher]

Just heard from friends traveling with us last month that their ATM card is now getting hacked from Playa. They used an ATM down by the bus station on fifth. They used one of the two side by side Scotia ATMs on the East side of 5th. I used the same machine they did (the one on the right) but on a different day and we have not seen any unauthorized withdrawals. Too bad the banks don't protect their machines a bit better. If this is the machine you used, keep a close watch on your account. We were in PDC from 2/24-3/3. The 4 unauthorized withdrawals occurred beginning last Saturday thru Sunday. They've been in contact with their bank and have stopped the problem, but not before some headaches.

[donnamadonna]

The best thing you can do is change your PIN as soon as you get home from your trip!!! It is happening everywhere not just in Mexico... a crook is a crook is a crook!!

[Mauiwowie]

We were there the same time as you GG and used those ATM's. I will be keeping a close eye on my account now.

[rob mackay]

Originally Posted by Golden Gopher

Just heard from friends traveling with us last month that their ATM card is now getting hacked from Playa. They used an ATM down by the bus station on fifth. They used one of the two side by side Scotia ATMs on the East side of 5th. I used the same machine they did (the one on the right) but on a different day and we have not seen any unauthorized withdrawals. Too bad the banks don't protect their machines a bit better. If this is the machine you used, keep a close watch on your account. We were in PDC from 2/24-3/3. The 4 unauthorized withdrawals occurred beginning last Saturday thru Sunday. They've been in contact with their bank and have stopped the problem, but not before some headaches.

theres bank cameras on those machines....from inside the bank

[queencityfan]

Keep in mind that most ATMS that are not actually inside a bank are not owned by the bank, even if they have the name of the bank on them.

This is true here in the states as well, I had a 5/3rd bank Jeanie machine right outside the bank not dispense my money but when I went inside they explained that a seperate company owns the machines and they would have to file a shortage report with them. We did have the money back in our account the next day but we had to wait for this other company to check it out.

If you bank electronically you should be checking your account on a regular basis and if you are traveling outside of your home area, even here in the US, let them know your dates of travel to help the bank keep an eye on usage.

[Jimontheriver]

Originally Posted by rob mackay

theres bank cameras on those machines....from inside the bank

That was my first thought. Used those a lot with no problem.

[rob mackay]

Originally Posted by Jimontheriver

That was my first thought. Used those a lot with no problem.

yes jim,,i think some people use them on weekends and at night,,,that may be the difference between good and bad,,,cause i only use them after 10 in the morning on weekdays, never after hours

[Rissask]

Sure am reading more and more of these types of posts recently.

Annoying, since we have exclusively used ATMs to get pesos the last several trips to Mexico.

I think I might just start ordering pesos from my bank before we leave, instead. That method costs a bit more, true- but has the added advantage of being able to specify lots of small denomination bills.

(yeah yeah, I know- some of you lucky people never have a problem breaking the larger peso bills into smaller ones....well, I always do.)

[Michael]

Originally Posted by Rissask

Annoying, since we have exclusively used ATMs to get pesos the last several trips to Mexico.

If you want to use a machine that you know has not been tampered with, use the machines in WalMart or in Mega (not the lobby but in the actual store). There is no way anyone can tamper with these machines without co operation from the store (and the customers walking by).

And I always get a selection of smaller bills, although it is many years since I've had any problem with change.

The other advantage with these machines, for me at least, is that the parking is ample and easy. I've long ago given up with the banks on 10th avenue, mainly due to parking challenges.

[Babaloo]

Originally Posted by Michael

If you want to use a machine that you know has not been tampered with, use the machines in WalMart or in Mega (not the lobby but in the actual store). There is no way anyone can tamper with these machines without co operation from the store (and the customers walking by).

And I always get a selection of smaller bills, although it is many years since I've had any problem with change.

The other advantage with these machines, for me at least, is that the parking is ample and easy. I've long ago given up with the banks on 10th avenue, mainly due to parking challenges.

Yep. The Santander in Mega gives me 50's, 100's, 200's and 500's.

The only issue I have now is that BofA keeps putting a hold on my debit card due to "unusual activity". Yeah. After five years they've noticed that I'm using a debit card in Mexico. Nice that they are looking after me, but come on guys.

[ProfessorPibil]

So much ATM fraud that even the bashing-bots ("Why are you badmouthing playa when it can happen anywhere?", you know the drill) seem to have gone silent.

Still the police and business owners seem happy that this is going on, otherwise it's hard to explain why nobody does anything about it.

[Babaloo]

Originally Posted by ProfessorPibil

So much ATM fraud that even the bashing-bots ("Why are you badmouthing playa when it can happen anywhere?", you know the drill) seem to have gone silent.

Still the police and business owners seem happy that this is going on, otherwise it's hard to explain why nobody does anything about it.

They are.
An ATM fraud ring was recently busted here.
And why would the police and business owners be happy about it?
That's an odd statement.

[ProfessorPibil]

Originally Posted by Babaloo

They are.
An ATM fraud ring was recently busted here.
And why would the police and business owners be happy about it?
That's an odd statement.

I dunno, if I can see the guy standing there, then the police can see him too. And since until very recently every business owner on this site was busy denying there was a problem... easy to draw conclusions.

[Babaloo]

Originally Posted by ProfessorPibil

I dunno, if I can see the guy standing there, then the police can see him too. And since until very recently every business owner on this site was busy denying there was a problem... easy to draw conclusions.

We have a lot of Playa business owners here?
Google "ATM fraud". Playa is not alone.
I'm not down playing the problem here. People are reporting it here and I don't dispute it.
But, I'm not certain it is more widespread here than anywhere else - or perhaps a bit more since this is a tourist destination and people are more vulnerable.
I guess I've been lucky. Knock on wood.

[michellei88]

Originally Posted by Babaloo

We have a lot of Playa business owners here?
Google "ATM fraud". Playa is not alone.
I'm not down playing the problem here. People are reporting it here and I don't dispute it.
But, I'm not certain it is more widespread here than anywhere else - or perhaps a bit more since this is a tourist destination and people are more vulnerable.
I guess I've been lucky. Knock on wood.

we use prepay cards & when we do withdrawls we clean them out..started doing it that way after getting ripped off 2100 dollars at avis rent a car..it will cost you about 20 bucks to buy and load a card with 500 bucks but consider cheep insurance..