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Fraud! card cloned in Bavaro
I never use that machine. I always prefer to use a machine outside a bank, and when the bank is open.
That machine outside carabella is so open to so many people, employees there etc. On the other hand,
no machine is safe from card cloning, I have seen it and heard it too many times.
That machine outside carabella is so open to so many people, employees there etc. On the other hand,
no machine is safe from card cloning, I have seen it and heard it too many times.
I just read today that they arrested six Bulgarians who had robbed a fortune from accounts in Bavaro - had a thingy on the machine to steal numbers & pins. I'll see if I can find the article
Here it is - today's DR1 News:
Bulgarians arrested for stealing from cash machines
The National Police have arrested six Bulgarians in the Marbel and Los Corales housing areas in Bavaro. They are suspected of being members of a gang that installed fake keyboards on cash machines.
Those arrested were named as Lliyan Lliev Valentinov, Mienko Votief Kre, Jorje Matef, Sretdzap Alexfand Por, Jorje Matef Minal Kanchev and Ivo Fljev, who, according to the Police, would use the devices to record the PINs entered into the ATM and then withdraw money themselves.
According to the Police, this gang has stolen more than US$200,000 from locals and tourists in Punta Cana, Sosua, Puerto Plata, Veron and Bavaro.
The chief of Police, Major General Manuel Castro Castillo, said that the arrests are the result of an eight-month investigation and when arrested they had in their possession 297 cards, five laptops, one CPU, 11 cell phones, 13 USB memory sticks and 59 electronic devices.
Polic?a?apresa a seis?b?lgaros acusados de robar m?s de 200 mil d?lares a trav?s de cajeros autom?ticos - listindiario.com
Bulgarians arrested for stealing from cash machines
The National Police have arrested six Bulgarians in the Marbel and Los Corales housing areas in Bavaro. They are suspected of being members of a gang that installed fake keyboards on cash machines.
Those arrested were named as Lliyan Lliev Valentinov, Mienko Votief Kre, Jorje Matef, Sretdzap Alexfand Por, Jorje Matef Minal Kanchev and Ivo Fljev, who, according to the Police, would use the devices to record the PINs entered into the ATM and then withdraw money themselves.
According to the Police, this gang has stolen more than US$200,000 from locals and tourists in Punta Cana, Sosua, Puerto Plata, Veron and Bavaro.
The chief of Police, Major General Manuel Castro Castillo, said that the arrests are the result of an eight-month investigation and when arrested they had in their possession 297 cards, five laptops, one CPU, 11 cell phones, 13 USB memory sticks and 59 electronic devices.
Polic?a?apresa a seis?b?lgaros acusados de robar m?s de 200 mil d?lares a trav?s de cajeros autom?ticos - listindiario.com
We never use the cash AMT's. Learned a long time ago. We don't use the banks in the D.R. either but some people have had good service, we didn't.
We have been using the same money exchanger, with an office, for over 12 years. His rate is so close to the banks but without any lines or hassles and is just so fast and easy. He takes our U.S. checks with no problems, some of our checks are rather large so we call ahead. Never had a false note from him NOR anyone trying to take our money. He understood the concept of good service means repeat business.
It's been a very good relationship.
We have been using the same money exchanger, with an office, for over 12 years. His rate is so close to the banks but without any lines or hassles and is just so fast and easy. He takes our U.S. checks with no problems, some of our checks are rather large so we call ahead. Never had a false note from him NOR anyone trying to take our money. He understood the concept of good service means repeat business.
It's been a very good relationship.
I don't use the ATMs too but I use the bank, deposit US check no problem, never had a false note too, and nobody take my money !! For the change I use money exchanger with office.
I remember there was a gang of Eastern Europeans that came to the Bavaro area back in the early nineties.
Of course, it was much less "high Tec", but it was quite dramatic for the time.
They would arrive in gangs and stay at different hotels.
Spend a day or two casing the joint and "bam!" into action.
They zipped along the beach leaving mayhem behind them.
They robbed rooms and SDB's as they went....
They got greedy and they got caught. Ahh yes...avarice.
They are good at crime those Eastern Europeans.
Of course, it was much less "high Tec", but it was quite dramatic for the time.
They would arrive in gangs and stay at different hotels.
Spend a day or two casing the joint and "bam!" into action.
They zipped along the beach leaving mayhem behind them.
They robbed rooms and SDB's as they went....
They got greedy and they got caught. Ahh yes...avarice.
They are good at crime those Eastern Europeans.
[video=youtube;IyGhEIbZLUU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyGhEIbZLUU[/video]
Police followed the trail of Potato juice..............
i use ATM's often in PC, several times per week, with debit and credit cards, never a problem. i only use the ATM's attached to a bank, the spots where 24/7 a watchy of the bank is around, so less danger that such machine is manipulated. i would never use a stand alone ATM somewhere on the street, like the one at Carabela.
as for exchange rates, of course the exchange guys with a office are the way to exchange dollars into pesos, as their exchange rate is not close but always ABOVE the bank exchange rates. sure for small amounts it is not worth to drive extra miles when a bank is nearby, in such case the bank exchange is fine enough, but for larger amounts you get well more pesos at the exchange guys offices. and it is always important that you are a regular at their place, that's the way to get the most out of the greenbucks.
Mike
as for exchange rates, of course the exchange guys with a office are the way to exchange dollars into pesos, as their exchange rate is not close but always ABOVE the bank exchange rates. sure for small amounts it is not worth to drive extra miles when a bank is nearby, in such case the bank exchange is fine enough, but for larger amounts you get well more pesos at the exchange guys offices. and it is always important that you are a regular at their place, that's the way to get the most out of the greenbucks.
Mike
I used that machine outside Carabela for months. I guess I've been lucky. I also didn't bring the ATM card for my primary account, but a throwaway free checking account that I xfer money into as I need it. So my exposure is reduced if they do get my card info.
I've wondered why that machine was out of order the past couple of weeks. Now I know!
I've wondered why that machine was out of order the past couple of weeks. Now I know!
the disposable and reloadable cards are a good variation. when you need money, you load it online from your computer/Laptop/tablet/smartphone from your account to your card and go to the next ATM to take it out, no danger to get money from that card stolen as its balance is always on a low level.
otherwise, in general, i prefer for travel the credit cards over the debit cards, as in case of any fraud the card is insured and missing money replaced, so no loss for me as a cardholder.
in all my life such happened only once to myself, many many years ago/over 2 decades if i rethink correct, and it happened in the USA in Colorado, back in the day when CC's been processed by the ole fashioned carbon paper thingy, and my money been replaced by my CC provider to me, no loss of the 2.500.-US$ the thieves took from my account.
todays, even that i never used such, i see the debit cards which you can reload online from your primary account, as a solution that sounds easy and safe.
Mike
otherwise, in general, i prefer for travel the credit cards over the debit cards, as in case of any fraud the card is insured and missing money replaced, so no loss for me as a cardholder.
in all my life such happened only once to myself, many many years ago/over 2 decades if i rethink correct, and it happened in the USA in Colorado, back in the day when CC's been processed by the ole fashioned carbon paper thingy, and my money been replaced by my CC provider to me, no loss of the 2.500.-US$ the thieves took from my account.
todays, even that i never used such, i see the debit cards which you can reload online from your primary account, as a solution that sounds easy and safe.
Mike
I got burned by the Tower Casino one year; they photocopy your CC and DL when you go for a cash advance. A week later Chase is calling me from the Fraud Alert department for toys from Toyr R Us online being shipped to Atlanta. So I get cash using the free ATM card, and bring the CC for dinner/merchandise purchases. I don't give the ATM card to *anyone* for the reasons listed above, only the CC, and usually the Amex (highest protection lvl I have).
why would you someone let photocopy or such your CC?
if i purchase something, goodies at a store or pay for dinner or fuel or for chips at a casino, and i don't have cash handy, then i give my card to be slided thru the machine ion front of my eyes, i see the receipt for the transaction coming out of the machine, then the copy of the receipt out of the machine, i sign the one for the business where i purchased the stuff and the other one is mine, and my card for sure does not leave my eyesight for a second and more sure does not get photocopied by what ever scumbug.
a business which does not want my money without photocoping my card or similar unusual behaviors with my card, will not get my business, i will just turn around and use the competitor which will welcome me with open arms.
if with cash advance you mean that they do just a block on your card, again, no photocopy needed, they slide your card thru, you sign the receipt but the transaction does still not get processed, its on hold. when you finished your successful gambling evening and the card's bl?ock has to be removed, they have to do it in front of your eyes, and such cancellation of transaction provides by the machine the same receipt as the prior slide did, just that it states "transaction canceled" instead of a new transaction, and again you get a receipt from the machine for that.
Mike
if i purchase something, goodies at a store or pay for dinner or fuel or for chips at a casino, and i don't have cash handy, then i give my card to be slided thru the machine ion front of my eyes, i see the receipt for the transaction coming out of the machine, then the copy of the receipt out of the machine, i sign the one for the business where i purchased the stuff and the other one is mine, and my card for sure does not leave my eyesight for a second and more sure does not get photocopied by what ever scumbug.
a business which does not want my money without photocoping my card or similar unusual behaviors with my card, will not get my business, i will just turn around and use the competitor which will welcome me with open arms.
if with cash advance you mean that they do just a block on your card, again, no photocopy needed, they slide your card thru, you sign the receipt but the transaction does still not get processed, its on hold. when you finished your successful gambling evening and the card's bl?ock has to be removed, they have to do it in front of your eyes, and such cancellation of transaction provides by the machine the same receipt as the prior slide did, just that it states "transaction canceled" instead of a new transaction, and again you get a receipt from the machine for that.
Mike
I said it a few times here since I too was scammed or should I say skimmed!! My Bank caught it time though...What you look for? Check where you put your card in for any wires hanging out on the side and/or for a loose control panel. same thing where your card goes, if so, walk away!! This happened I think 4 times in SD at the Scotia Bank on Nunez, same lot with National super market
I've been here 8 Years now, 5 times my card has been compromised...Watch it people...Also, they can skim your card just by passing you if they have such a skimmer...My Bank is very good!! TD Bank, never lost any money..Matter of fact, they had my card locked Yesterday...Why? I never called to advise them that I moved to Puerto Plata from SD, saw my transaction here in POP, BAM! locked it down..I was annoyed..LOL..not a close walk to the ATM..but its all good..
I've been here 8 Years now, 5 times my card has been compromised...Watch it people...Also, they can skim your card just by passing you if they have such a skimmer...My Bank is very good!! TD Bank, never lost any money..Matter of fact, they had my card locked Yesterday...Why? I never called to advise them that I moved to Puerto Plata from SD, saw my transaction here in POP, BAM! locked it down..I was annoyed..LOL..not a close walk to the ATM..but its all good..
Mike,
Its a very good gimmick here! I dealt with a few drug stores in SD, once in a blue moon I would pay using my CC over the phone..The norm is, when they come, just need a siggy..Over the entire time of doing this, I had only 2 delivery guys ask me for a copy of my CC..They actually wanted to take a photo using their phone! I had them call their boss to verify, was true, but I said no way! I mean come on! who would?? I would never trust any of them here to even have my number on file, never mind a copy...
Its a very good gimmick here! I dealt with a few drug stores in SD, once in a blue moon I would pay using my CC over the phone..The norm is, when they come, just need a siggy..Over the entire time of doing this, I had only 2 delivery guys ask me for a copy of my CC..They actually wanted to take a photo using their phone! I had them call their boss to verify, was true, but I said no way! I mean come on! who would?? I would never trust any of them here to even have my number on file, never mind a copy...
And a partridge in a pantry..Sweet Jesus!!! sounds like they had a lot of money invested in their equipment unless stolen as well..Most of this stuff must be inside work..I accused Scotia Bank of that, nothing was looked into of course..I would have taken it a few step more, but with my brilliant Spanish, didn't feel like playing charades..
there are so many ATM's, why use one which you know that it been compromised before?
there is no 100% safety, sure not, but why ask for higher risks than the one we anyways take by breathing air?
Mike
there is no 100% safety, sure not, but why ask for higher risks than the one we anyways take by breathing air?
Mike
I didn't know he was going to photocopy it until I saw him do it. In the US many places photocopy your ID, so I didn't think anything of it at the time. Lesson learned; I never get into a situation where I turn anything over that isn't swiped right in front of me.