I am posting this as a precautionary warning to those using ATM's in Cancun. We have been traveling to Cancun for years and own a house in Cancun. With recent changes in the regulations for converting dollars to pesos it is more convenient to use ATM's to withdraw pesos. I have been doing this frequently for the past few years numerous times per trip without incident. My last withdrawals were on May 31,2012. On June 4,2012 there were many fraudulent withdrawals from various ATM's in Cancun. I reported this to my bank and a fraud report was sent to the main office. I received a credit to my account for the amounts fraudulently withdrawn, unfortunately the person at the bank failed to suspend my card and many more fraudelent withdrawals were made on June 6th through the 8th. Again back to the bank and another report has been filed and this time the card has been suspended. I did not lose my card as I had it in my possesion. I was back in the states when the fraudulent withdrawals began. I am not certain where my information was stolen from, however my last two withdrawals were from the Santander Cajero (ATM) in the hotel zone near the Plaza Caracoal and the Banamex Cajero in the Plaza Terramar. I am aware that this type of activity isn't limited to Mexico and/or Cancun. I am posting this as an advisory to people using ATM's in that area. Check your accounts online frequently if using ATM's.
TJ, It's been a mess. I think we have it straightened out, just waiting for credits back into the account. The total amount was approximately $7000 US. I know a lot of people have offered suggestions, however short of the EMV chip nothing would have worked according to the fraud department. There was a problem with our bank in that they did not suspend the card on the first reporting.
Well, I checked my bank account and all was/is well. I do all I can to obscure my fingers when keying in my PIN, obviously scared of hidden cameras. I am sure the technology is such that the bad guys can find some way to mess with us. You know, $7,000 used to be a lot of money. LOL. I am sorry that you are having to go thru this mess. You should post a what to do list in such cases. Did you only call it in, go into your bank, do it in writing. I know your first strike would be to throw a rock thru a window and worry about the pieces later.
TJ, I called it in and went to the bank. Due to the process I also spoke with the fraud departmant a few times and made a few more trips to the bank to fill out paperwork. The trips to the bank help expedite the process.
Sorry to hear SCMcons. Hopefully all is worked out by now. I have had similar problems not just in MX but US & EU as well. There is a simple way to limit your liability for anyone who is interested. Open a second account, get a new ATM card, and turn off overdraft. Only transfer $ to new ATM card via secure online banking as necessary for a few days at a time or set auto transfers for predetermined amount you know you will need on a regular weekly or better daily basis. Leave your main bank ATM card at home and check your online statements regularly. I know this is pretty basic and simple but most people I suggest it to look at me and say why didn’t I think of doing that.
In the last 3 months my husband has tried to withdraw money at ATMs ........heard it counting but no money appeared !!! This is at various loctaions including POk ta POk and 2 downtown. Its takes 6 weeks to get the money back to his account. A nightmare and be warned !!!!It happened again last night and once again we are in negotiations with his international bank.
