ATM Banco Popular main branch triple dipping

[Sharlene]

Just a few thoughts....

The one constant in all these threads (correct me if I'm wrong!) is that everybody that has checked their accounts and found discrepancies due to bank 'errors' (be they local or international) has had their money returned.

Obviously this is an inconvenience, and the International queries can take a little while to clear up, but the end result is that the money is refunded.

Therefore it's important that everybody keeps a close check on their finances and that we don't allow the banks to profit from this (whether intentionally or unintentionally....).

If I'm forced to use an ATM I never use one without receipt paper in place (when you use the one at Banco Pop in Sosua, it tells you it hasn't got any receipt paper before you commence entering any info) because it's important to have a record of withdrawals (and time of withdrawal) to substantiate any queries.

This doesn't affect things when the ATM states 'cannot dispense funds at this current moment in time, please try again later' because you've already entered your withdrawal amount and generally they don't issue any kind of receipt for this even if paper is in place (well actually....the cashpoint at the Playero did...but it's the first one I've found to do that). Again, important to keep any receipts, particularly if it's one that says that the transaction couldn't be processed. Most people I knew screw these up and throw them away.

My suggestion for a little bit of protection is to only enter a very small withdrawal amount initially just to 'test' that the machine is working rather than entering the '10,000 pesos' you really want. That way, if there is any refusal of funds, I think we've now established that it would be wise to try another cashpoint.....

Just my thoughts on the subject....

 

[Sharlene]

Also, re: card cloning it's wise to just run your finger along the card slot before putting your card in, just to check if there's any sign of tampering....i.e. if you can feel anything inserted into the slot like the edge of a piece of film. It's not foolproof, but it's just a suggestion which I was originally advised to do in UK actually....

As Whirleybird said, the man using the cashpoint before her stepped back and let her use the cashpoint and then returned to using it after and 'lo and behold' her card was cloned using a piece of film inserted into the slot to record all her details, inc pin number.... Obviously, again this is something to watch out for....

Using the ATMs does seem to present a risk, but at the end of the day there is only so much that can be done to 'protect oneself' from this type of thing happening in one form or another. The one good thing is that, eventually, everybody seems to have obtained a refund....at some inconvenience perhaps.....but a refund nevertheless....

 

[jruane44]

I don't believe local DR banks are scamming anyone and I KNOW that is certainly a minority opinion but I know some bankers and have asked the questions and have understood their positions. International banking is not a subject easy to follow especially when it is through an ATM. Local banks CAN balance at the end of the day because it's NOT their money they are balancing through the ATM. It is what is REPORTED through the intermediary that reconciles the local bank in the DR with your foreign bank account. If you want total security and don't trust banks then just don't use them, simple as that. Go use the guys on the street or the cambistas or whatever makes you comfortable but don't blame a system you don't understand.

You are definitely in the minority opinion. There is definitely a scam going on here. Just because you know a couple of bankers does not make you anymore of an expert than me. What makes you think they would admit to you that they were scamming anyone? What thief ever admits to their crimes?

 

[tflea]

Minority

Doesn't surprise me some of these responses, but as Sharlene mentioned, seems people ARE getting refunded eventually....I can't say. A scam? A conspiracy? And did I ever mention expert anywhere? I only said 'whatever makes you comfortable'; didn't ever condone the use of street hustlers or cambistas at all. Oh well, I'll leave it at that. Well, almost. Maybe the reason BP gets more complaints is because they have the most foreign customers in Sosua? I can't speak for other locations but it IS the prettiest new bank in town and foreigners seem to be attracted to that flash to get their cash. :bunny: Explain it to me Ron, as you say you know the system so very well. Give an outrageously ignorant person some insight into the depths of your intellect. This is an information board, not a guillotine.

 

[RonS]

Rather than responding directly to tflea, let me just say that I have learned a great deal from my own personal experience, and I have learned a great deal from the experience of the other posters to this thread. I really hope that it helps others who visit and live in the DR. I had no idea that something could be inserted in the ATM to record PINs and I will be sure to follow Sharlene's advice. Likewise, I will make certain that I get a reciept from the ATM after each transaction.

I'm no expert, and my intellect in this regard has limited depth. Unfortunately, I don't have any banker friends in the DR. I'm just a victim. But I'm no fool. And I know when I've been scammed. I intend to be more careful in the future, and I suggest that everyone who has been reading this thread follow suit.

 

[Bloomhaven]

Do yourself and your nerves a favour and stay clear of Dominican banks.
I stopped using them and have been happy ever since.

m'frog

So how do you access your money, m'frog? I'll be moving to DR later this year and am trying to decide how to handle my money. At present all my bank accounts are in Canada. Do you have a suggestion how I can transfer money from Canada to DR each month without involving DR banks? I'll be living in Santiago.

Thanks.

 

[La Mariposa]

So how do you access your money, m'frog? I'll be moving to DR later this year and am trying to decide how to handle my money. At present all my bank accounts are in Canada. Do you have a suggestion how I can transfer money from Canada to DR each month without involving DR banks? I'll be living in Santiago.

Thanks.

I don't use ATM in the D.R. For the last 6 years, when in the D.R., every 2 weeks via internet I transfer money from my Royal Bank account to a Royal Bank credit card which I use only for that purpose. 5 minutes later, I go to the Banco Popular and withdraw pesos from the credit card. No interest, no fees and no double withdraws

 

[caro]

I don't use ATM in the D.R. For the last 6 years, when in the D.R., every 2 weeks via internet I transfer money from my Royal Bank account to a Royal Bank credit card which I use only for that purpose. 5 minutes later, I go to the Banco Popular and withdraw pesos from the credit card. No interest, no fees and no double withdraws

thank a lot for that I never thinking about that.

just a question to you withdraw by the atm or into the bank?

 

[mountainfrog]

No Banks

So how do you access your money, m'frog?

I write out personal cheques and cash them at 'casas de cambio'.
They know the 'mountainfrog'.

 

[La Mariposa]

thank a lot for that I never thinking about that.

just a question to you withdraw by the atm or into the bank?

With a teller in the bank. All you need is an I.D. (passport) and your credit card. If you use your credit card at a ATM there will be some fees. The ATM are usually outside and always a lot of people looking at you. I just hate it.

 

[rubio_higuey]

With a teller in the bank. All you need is an I.D. (passport) and your credit card. If you use your credit card at a ATM there will be some fees. The ATM are usually outside and always a lot of people looking at you. I just hate it.

Being you, I would double check you are not charged a cash advance fee on your credit card. Cash advance fee is usually being charged for any cash advance on a credit card, be it ATM or teller transaction, and be it a credit card with a credit (prepaid) or debit (owing) balance.

 

[La Mariposa]

Being you, I would double check you are not charged a cash advance fee on your credit card. Cash advance fee is usually being charged for any cash advance on a credit card, be it ATM or teller transaction, and be it a credit card with a credit (prepaid) or debit (owing) balance.

I withdraw $$ every 2 weeks sometimes weekly when I am in the D.R.,from mid November till mid May. My Visa Royal Bank never charged me fee for a cash advance with a teller transaction. I always double check my credit card account

 

[caro]

With a teller in the bank. All you need is an I.D. (passport) and your credit card. If you use your credit card at a ATM there will be some fees. The ATM are usually outside and always a lot of people looking at you. I just hate it.

thank again for the information ...I will try that

 

[La Mariposa]

Being you, I would double check you are not charged a cash advance fee on your credit card. Cash advance fee is usually being charged for any cash advance on a credit card, be it ATM or teller transaction, and be it a credit card with a credit (prepaid) or debit (owing) balance.

On my yesterday post I forgot to say that yes, some credit cards charge fee for a cash advance even with a credit(prepaid). That's the case with MBNA Canada.

 

[chrism]

Banco Popular ATM worked fine

Took out rd$10,000 five times at 5 different locations during 2 week vacation in May.

 

[Bloomhaven]

Although I've used ATMs many times without a problem when in DR (Santiago and Las Terrenas), the frequency with which this problem reported indicates that it's probably just a matter of time before it happens. Since I'll be living there, I appreciate the suggestions so that I can avoid the problem. I'll be sure to have a credit card that doesn't charge a cash advance fee before I move.
Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[Rocky]

Although I've used ATMs many times without a problem when in DR (Santiago and Las Terrenas), the frequency with which this problem reported indicates that it's probably just a matter of time before it happens. Since I'll be living there, I appreciate the suggestions so that I can avoid the problem. I'll be sure to have a credit card that doesn't charge a cash advance fee before I move.
Thanks for the suggestions.

As it seems to occur on international transactions, you could open an account here and use a local ATM card.

 

[Bloomhaven]

As it seems to occur on international transactions, you could open an account here and use a local ATM card.

Do you need to have a cedula to open an account in a local bank? Or can you open one with just a passport?

 

[Rocky]

Do you need to have a cedula to open an account in a local bank? Or can you open one with just a passport?

Passport will do.

 

[Bloomhaven]

Passport will do.

I didn't realize that. I'll probably do that. But I'll be sure to have my credit card as a backup.

Thanks for all the suggestions.