Puerto Vallarta Forum Mexico (Bulletin Board - Message Boards)

MichaelEL · Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2009 12:28 am

Warning.
We thought it was random, and that we had been spared the fraud attacks we heard about from others, where debit card numbers and pins were captured and used for fraudulent transactions and withdrawals.

Surprise. We had not checked our accounts in a week, and while we were napping, bad boys launched attacks on both our debit cards, $ 1,766 on one and $ 3,800 on the other, a flurry of activity all in a single week.
Interesting, most days had two withdrawals and a couple of days had three in the same day. Even I can’t do that.

We have blocked our accounts, and we *think* the banks are going to refund the nasty transactions.

For what it’s worth, as others have reported, the capture of our card numbers and pin may have come from the ATM machines at Mega in Bucerias, the most common place we use our debit cards, and the only place we have used both of them.

If any of you have any information about safe places to use ATMs or if there is any way to report the fraudulent activity to Mega, please let us know.

Thanks,
Michael

katnsocal · Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2009 4:15 am

There is quite a bit of information on the trip advisor forum about this particular location and atm fraud. It seems to have been ongoing for a while which is rather strange since it has been reported by several people who have all been victims. One of the ATM's people talked about was one inside the store with a security guard standing right next to it.

There was also mention of an HSCB ATM machine that people had trouble getting their money out of and had to keep messing with, so they were questioning if it was that one too. This is the reason I very seldom use my ATM or Credit Cards in PV. I use my credit card at my resort and that's about it.

Edited to add: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g150793-i46-k2951534-Atm_use-Puerto_Vallarta_Pacific_Coast.html
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Big Brian · Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 5:41 am

I have been back about a month and same thing happened to me. The only ATM that I used was the HSBC in the grocery store in front of GCP. They got my pin and made a copy of my card. Luckly I caught it pretty quick and Bank of America gave me all my cash back. They did the same thing twice a day and balance inquiries. Of well its the price you have to pay every now and then to relax.
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katnsocal · Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 5:21 am

Sounding more and more like an inside job within HSBC bank. It is happening in Bucerias and PV at HSBC ATM's, unless their ATM's are designed to take the skimmers less noticably than other banks.
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smitty · Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 7:31 pm

Rest assured MichaelEl our resident Inspector Clouseau has solved the case !

doris · PV Beachbum Joined: 18 Aug 2009 Posts: 2

I can really use your help Mr. Michael. I just checked my Lloyd's debit card and it emptied of 24,400 pesos on July 20, 21, 22. I am trying to figure out what to do about it. Where did you go to begin an investigation? The card was first used at the Mega in Bucerias. Doris

doris · PV Beachbum Joined: 18 Aug 2009 Posts: 2

I just posted a message about my debit card from Lloyds being emptied. I am in the USA right now and Lloyds canot do anything about it for me. They told me to go to Scotiabank as they issued the card. Does anyone know of a good pertson I can talk to at Scotiabank in ENGLISH in Bucerias or Mexico City or puerto Valarta?

krab119 · PV Beachbum Joined: 18 Sep 2009 Posts: 1

Hi,been a victim of this fraud also...The sad part is i can't pinpoint a certain shop because i usually transfer from different stores when i shop... Sad

Regards,
krab119

secureatm · PV Beachbum Joined: 05 Nov 2009 Posts: 1

In fact a few measures that we can take, that can be effective in protecting our best interests. To avoid being a victim of credit card fraud ensure that our personal details are securely kept as possible. If there is one thing we can do to protect our self from a scam it is to keep details safe.

PIN number is needed for offline transactions so it is more important than ever to keep our PIN number to our self, never tell anyone else as well as bank internet passwords. Also don't write down any financial information that is private. To solve an issue of trying to remember PIN numbers with the increasing number of cards we hold, then we can change them to something more memorable at our banks ATM. Just don't choose something that is obvious like date of births.

atmsecurity.com

ronald · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 11:16 pm

When my bank told me I could choose my own PIN, I opted to use birthdays with the alphabet only... Works fine... but not all ATM's are the new variety and can accommodate my needs. Laughing

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PV_Fubar · PV Beachbum Joined: 07 Jan 2006 Posts: 12

I use ATM's at Mega when in Bucerias all the time when we are on holidays. Heading back in a couple of weeks.
Is this still a problem?

fUbAr

katnsocal · Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 6:56 am

I checked quickly on Trip Advisor and there doesn't seem to be any current discussion about it. You might want to post your question on the Nuevo Vallarta forum on Trip Advisor which now covers the Bucerias area. People posting there are usually regular travelers or ex-pats in that area.
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