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Statistics on the web can be informative or sales tool. I am not buying anything from their websites. I just want to retrieve money to live on from an online account in a safe manner in Central America.
BAM is Banco Agromercantil: http://www.bam.com.gt/
but then again I am quite willing to accept that armed robbery, hotel theft and pick pocketing happen, and therefore do my best to make sure they don't happen to me.
(and I don't think that the two alternatives outlined in #22 are your only options)
But I have never had debit card phishing issues- THAT makes me nervous... seems like there is alot of " don't"s when it comes to accessing funds in Guatemala.
Am I right?
Guys, I know how to hide $$, I know how to keep it separate. I guess I just have yet to accept this phishing business. Travelers checks? How retro!
er... when did you say that?
I don't think the precautions in Guatemala are really any different to anywhere else in the world. I certainly don't act any differently when I travel in the States than when I do in Guatemala.
Card skimming is a global problem. It is too easy to set up and too lucrative for it not to be everywhere. You haven't noticed that ATMs in the States now come with a little plastic handguard over the keypad which you have to slip your hand under? That's not to keep your hand dry if it's raining, you know...
But you get the money back from your bank.
My card was cloned somewhere in Central America this year (Guatemala?). Later, more than 2 months after I left the region, $1,000 was withdrawn in 3 separate transactions from an ATM in Mexico (where I had never been). I got a full and immediate refund from my bank.
In all my travels I've never had a problem with an ATM anywhere, but over the years I've had cards go missing (undelivered), stolen etc and unauthorized charges appear on accounts. Its never taken more than a phone call to sort out and quite rightly has never cost a cent, so I really don't worry about it....
The restaurant kept free cognacs going until we had cheered up, Amex delivered a new card to my hotel the next morning and to "compensate for my distress" credited me for the whole meal. Nice.
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15
Maybe in Antigua. Have you ever been the one in five? I doubt it. My figure was just a "off the cusp" as Mitt says. I have never had a problem anywhere ever. North, South or Central America and I don't think that the vast majority of people do. I believe the less then 1% worldwide statement.Statistics on the web can be informative or sales tool. I am not buying anything from their websites. I just want to retrieve money to live on from an online account in a safe manner in Central America.
16
I have also followed this saga in Antigua, and now you say other tourist destinations, since it first appeared as a problem on this forum and elsewhere and it is a perplexing, well thought out scam that goes way beyond "skimming" or other comparatively rudimentary ATM frauds. Who could say why this is so prevalent in Guatemala or why it persists. I would think that a bank would have a task force figuring out what is going on....but...I already know the answer to that one.17
#17 Correct, BAM is owned by Credomatic the #1 clearing house for Credit Cards in Guatemala.19
I believe you might be thinking of BAC: https://www.bac.net/guatemala/esp/banco/index.htmlBAM is Banco Agromercantil: http://www.bam.com.gt/
21
no, FishyJoe - I have no comparative statistics and I doubt they would be meaningful if I did.but then again I am quite willing to accept that armed robbery, hotel theft and pick pocketing happen, and therefore do my best to make sure they don't happen to me.
(and I don't think that the two alternatives outlined in #22 are your only options)
23
I thank you for the input, tho not the snarky comments! As I said, I've been to Africa, China, Costa Rica- all with just the debit card, never any problem. I KNOW how to separate my money, hide under clothes, etc, I know not to carry much out.But I have never had debit card phishing issues- THAT makes me nervous... seems like there is alot of " don't"s when it comes to accessing funds in Guatemala.
Am I right?
24
OK, This seems to have illicited some spirited conversation. I like the idea of a "travel designated" debit card, linked to an acct that I just put "enough" in.Guys, I know how to hide $$, I know how to keep it separate. I guess I just have yet to accept this phishing business. Travelers checks? How retro!
25
As I said, I've been to Africa, China, Costa Rica-er... when did you say that?
I don't think the precautions in Guatemala are really any different to anywhere else in the world. I certainly don't act any differently when I travel in the States than when I do in Guatemala.
Card skimming is a global problem. It is too easy to set up and too lucrative for it not to be everywhere. You haven't noticed that ATMs in the States now come with a little plastic handguard over the keypad which you have to slip your hand under? That's not to keep your hand dry if it's raining, you know...
27
+There have been people that have that have been completely wiped out with transactions $10,000.00++But you get the money back from your bank.
My card was cloned somewhere in Central America this year (Guatemala?). Later, more than 2 months after I left the region, $1,000 was withdrawn in 3 separate transactions from an ATM in Mexico (where I had never been). I got a full and immediate refund from my bank.
28
Its an irony that we are so afraid of what could happen with our plastic when the original idea of plastic was that our money was completely protected. Of course the issuers want us to be afraid because we might then look after our cards better- but the reality is that unless the issuer can PROVE that you compromised your card (normally by giving your PIN away) then you are 100% covered against any loss.In all my travels I've never had a problem with an ATM anywhere, but over the years I've had cards go missing (undelivered), stolen etc and unauthorized charges appear on accounts. Its never taken more than a phone call to sort out and quite rightly has never cost a cent, so I really don't worry about it....
29
I remember paying for a meal on an Amex card in a fancy place in Ft.Lauderdale. The little folder came back with the change but no card. The restaurant was apologetic but could not explain it (what??!). I phoned Amex from the restaurant using their phone and in the 45 minutes that had elapsed while they had searched for the card over $3000 had been charged to it...impressive!The restaurant kept free cognacs going until we had cheered up, Amex delivered a new card to my hotel the next morning and to "compensate for my distress" credited me for the whole meal. Nice.
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