Marinero
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Posts: 419
Registered: 11-4-2003
Location: Los Barriles, BCS
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Airport Peso exchange rates
With ATM machines being compromised in various parts of BCS, I was wondering how badly you get dinged at the airport currency exchange. I need some
walking around money until I can get back to the bank in SJD. Anyone have current information?
Si estás buscando la person que cambiará su vida, échale una mirada en el espejo.
Fish logo from www.usafishing.com, used w/permission.
But Oz never did give nothing to the Tin Man
That he didn't, didn't already have..... |
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bajajudy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6886
Registered: 10-4-2004
Location: San Jose del Cabo,BCS
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Larry
There were several posts on Baja Pony Express from people with first hand information about the ATMs being compromised in Los Barriles. The thieves
had a reader and a camera. They were smart in that they did not use them immediately but waited, in some cases months, before using the information.
I will U2U how to read some of these posts.
[Edited on 7-20-2006 by bajajudy]
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Natalie Ann
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2819
Registered: 8-22-2003
Location: Berkeley
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I got cash from the machine in Los Barriles last year. No unauthorized funds were removed from my account afterwards.
However, about 3 months after returning from my last visit (and ATM use), I received from Wells Fargo a new check card with all new numbers. The
accompanying letter said they had reason to believe that my account information had been "compromised" and the new card/information had been issued
for security reasons. My original card, they said, had been cancelled a few days before. I called Wells Fargo for more information, but they
refused.
Awhile later I began to notice internet reports from folks who had used their Wells Fargo check cards at the machine in Los Barriles... most said
they'd visited months ago and now several months later were having unauthorized withdrawals to their account. I suspect this was the reason for
replacement of my card.
Edit add on: My suspicions may or may not be warranted.
[Edited on 7-20-2006 by Natalie Ann]
Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.
.....Oscar Wilde
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bajajudy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6886
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Location: San Jose del Cabo,BCS
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Larry
Unfortunately I dont think that the search function is working too well on the PonyExpress. I recall many more posts than the 4 that show up.
However, this also happened to a friend who used the ATM in Los Barriles. They had to go to the states to get everything sorted out. To the tune of
over $5000 in charges. She is the one who told me that her bank said that there was a reader in the scanner and a camera behind her head to read the
pin number.
If I were going to hit somewhere, Los Barriles would be a good choice as there are mostly gringos there and most have to use the ATM because there is
no bank there.
Everyone seems to agree that the ones inside a bank are the safest.
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Marinero
Nomad
Posts: 419
Registered: 11-4-2003
Location: Los Barriles, BCS
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Gosh........and all I wanted was info on the airport exchange rates.........
Si estás buscando la person que cambiará su vida, échale una mirada en el espejo.
Fish logo from www.usafishing.com, used w/permission.
But Oz never did give nothing to the Tin Man
That he didn't, didn't already have..... |
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bajabound2005
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2760
Registered: 10-15-2005
Location: Punta Banda, BCN
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Mood: words cannot describe...
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I would guess the airport is the worst place to exchange your money, but if there are no other choices, go for it!
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pacificobob
Super Nomad
Posts: 2308
Registered: 4-23-2006
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atm s
i use atm machines in 8-10 different countries every month and have since they became common. (what?, about a dozen years now?) i had one problem in
germany about 9 years ago...thats all!
if i were to name a place where atm fraud would likely be...id guess china......they are rather bad about credit cards, and counterfit U.S.
currency......i sure hope that this dosnt become a problem in mexico...they are such a wonderfull convenience.
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Mango
Senior Nomad
Posts: 685
Registered: 4-11-2006
Location: Alta California &/or Mexicali
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Mood: Bajatastic
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| Quote: | Originally posted by lencho
| Quote: | Originally posted by bajajudy
She is the one who told me that her bank said that there was a reader in the scanner and a camera behind her head to read the pin number.
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Come to think of it, is there ANY legitimate reason to have a camera BEHIND the ATM user? Maybe that should be an obvious danger signal. Quick,
everybody-- where was the camera(s) in the last ATM you visited? 
--Larry |
I always cover the keypad with my other hand when typing in my PIN number at any ATM or in any stores keypad. These days you can't be too careful.
I've never had a problem with any ATM in Mexico. However; I was using an ATM once next to a Canadian fellow I had just met when he had a problem.
His ATM dispensed his pesos fine; but, when he went to put them in his wallet the machine spit his card out... he did not grab it quick enough and the
machine sucked his card back in. I know many machines are programed to do this; but, this machine sucked his card back in within 2 or 3 seconds.
He walked into the bank and told the manager. The manager grabbed a stack of cards and asked him what his name was. He explained that it just
happened. "Oh",the manager said,"you will have to come back tomorrow... we take all the cards out of the machine at night, these are yesterdays
cards"
Now I try to use machines that only require you to swipe the card(not insert it). If that is not an option I use ATM's that are attached to a bank so
if I have a machine gobble up my card I can talk to somebody on site. I also grab my card as soon as it pops out of the ATM now.
BTW - My Canadian friend got his card back the next day without any problems.
[Edited on 7-23-2006 by Mango]
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