Cworthy
Newbie
Posts: 3
Registered: 2-16-2010
Location: San Diego
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ATM scam in ensenada
I went to the Carnaval parade last saturday in Ensenada and went to use the ATM on Lazaro Card##as ave about 2pm. and the card didnt work. A mexi
guy walks in and tells me to stick it in again and I did.. I know ...... RED FLAG.... then I put in the PIN... and I am pretty sure he saw me
do it.. another bad call on my part.. Well the transaction didnt go through.. and I left with my card.... On monday I see $386 u.s. was pulled
out at the Bahia hotel citibank atm a block away.... OUCH!!
I guess he had a device that reads the card strip and either saw me put in the PIN or recorded that too.. anyways this is a heads up...
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tjBill
Senior Nomad
Posts: 516
Registered: 10-6-2007
Location: Tijuana
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Was this at a Bank ATM? Which one?
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Cworthy
Newbie
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Registered: 2-16-2010
Location: San Diego
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It was at the ATM that is its own concrete structure on blvd Lazaro Card##as across from the big Mexican flag. It is a bank atm, but I dont recall
the company. I think it was Banamex because I remember the red logo.
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arrowhead
Banned
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Registered: 5-5-2009
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If that person never touched your card, that means they had a phony card reader on the ATM on top of the real one which recorded your keystrokes. If
you handed him the card to insert into the machine, then one of two things may have happened. He could have swiped it on a handheld device while you
were distracted, or he could have switched cards with you and now he has your real ATM card. Take a look at your ATM card and see if it is yours.
No soy por ni contra apatía.
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Woooosh
Banned
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Registered: 1-28-2007
Location: Rosarito Beach
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Mood: Luminescent Waves at Rosarito Beach
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The technique is common. They put their reader over the real one so both machines get the swiped info. Transaction probably made it through
fraud-control systems being from a hotel lobby. Way better than being the victim of a violent robbery or express-kidnapping and you get you rmoney
bank from the bank.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4p6Ff7DcnBc
\"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing\"
1961- JFK to Canadian parliament (Edmund Burke)
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Cworthy
Newbie
Posts: 3
Registered: 2-16-2010
Location: San Diego
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The device I put it into was semi sticking out from the ATM, so that definitely could have scanned the magnetic strip. I think it was designed so
that the card only goes into the real card reader half way and gives you an error signal, but it is fully read by the scam card reader.
Yes I still have the original(my) card.
And yes the fraudulent transaction went through Hotel Bahia 1.
Not sure if I will get my money back as I think with debit cards you are out of luck. But this bank may co-operate with me. quien sabe.
I have traveled throughout mex for about 10 years now and this is the first real scam I have come across. it could have happened in san diego too...
Lesson learned is avoid crowded events and or don't ever let anyone get near you at the ATM. Also I could have had a lower daily limit withdrawl
amount on my card.
here is an interesting post from 2006.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g150770-i329-k372396-AT...
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postholedigger
Nomad
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Registered: 1-6-2008
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I've gotten my money back after fraudulent charges on my debit card (BofA). I did have to have my card replaced.
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Woooosh
Banned
Posts: 5240
Registered: 1-28-2007
Location: Rosarito Beach
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This type skimmer and the hand-held skimmers used by shady restaurant employees are widespread across the planet these days. Mexicans with their
first and only credit card (ATM) in hand are certainly not prepared for this, but they don't keep a lot of money in their bank accounts either.
Mexicans distrust of banks serves them well in this case.
\"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing\"
1961- JFK to Canadian parliament (Edmund Burke)
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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Shady Restaurant Employees, Indeed
| Quote: | Originally posted by Woooosh
This type skimmer and the hand-held skimmers used by shady restaurant employees are widespread across the planet these days. Mexicans with their
first and only credit card (ATM) in hand are certainly not prepared for this, but they don't keep a lot of money in their bank accounts either.
Mexicans distrust of banks serves them well in this case. |
That happened to me a few years ago in a very famous Ensenada restaurant. I first got wind of it when a credit card fraud guy called me the next week
to tell me he had been alerted by security people at a Nordstrom in Orange County that a woman was making purchases with my card.
Don't let your card out of sight.
Follow the advice on Tripadvisor and use only machines in banks. Although in large stores such as Walmart or Soriana, chances are security is probably
tight enough to prevent someone from tampering.
We have identified approximately 6 locations the length of Baja that we frequent for withdrawals. And it doesn't hurt to wait and observe someone else
actually withdrawing cash ahead of you.
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CaboRon
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3401
Registered: 3-24-2007
Location: The Valley of the Moon
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Mood: Peacefull
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I have gotten my money back on two occasions when this has happened...
You must call your home branch immediately , they will require you to come in and file an Electronic Transaction Dispute.
You will get your money back in three to seven weeks.
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