Safe ATM machines

madelon8 · Post by **madelon8** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 2:40 am

Are the ATM machines at MEGA relatively safe from people adding devices to their machines so they can steal your card information?
Are there any other places that are relatively safe from this?
Madelon

tandr2 · Post by **tandr2** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 5:15 am

We used the Scotiabank ATM at Mega and had absolutely no problem. Easy as pie.

charlieb · Post by **charlieb** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 7:09 am

All ATM machines are safe......until someone puts a scammer devise on one. Point is to not just swipe your card. Look at the "swiper" and see if it is an intergral part of the machine or something that looks like an add on. Chuck...

Post by **webmaster** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 3:40 pm

No wonder I don't like credit cards and (almost) always use cash.
http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to/video ... rd-205380/

Mogens

kcowan · Post by **kcowan** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 12:37 pm

Newer ATMs have the sideways swiper so your card never leaves your hand. e.g. Banamex at Bucerias Mega.

ellen · Post by **ellen** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 3:53 pm

kcowan wrote:Newer ATMs have the sideways swiper so your card never leaves your hand. e.g. Banamex at Bucerias Mega.

If you're downtown, the Banorte on the corner of Josefa Dominguez across from the malecon also has the sideways swiper. We've been using this machine over 10 years with never a discrepancy or problem of any kind.

tandr2 · Post by **tandr2** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 4:37 pm

The scotiabank ATM at mega has the one where you put it in but take it out right away - my card never left my hand.

charlieb · Post by **charlieb** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 8:09 pm

My friends, your card does not have to leave your hand for the data to be stolen. If someone has put a skimmer device on top of the ATM's built in swiper device, as soon as you swipe your card, the "bad guys" have all the data on the mag strip. Chuck...

RobR1 · Post by **RobR1** » Thu Apr 02, 2009 7:27 pm

My ATM was hit 3 months after I returned. My bank called me at home
on Labor Day Monday when they were closed to ask about a $1,800
withdrawal. I don't know if it was a scanning device or who contacted my bank. I just bring cash now and keep it the room safe

tojol57 · Post by **tojol57** » Fri Apr 03, 2009 3:43 am

Skimmers are used in the states and canada just as easily as they are down in mexico... I have used the ATM that Ellen talks about downtown, i have used the one by the Maritime Marina just down from the GCP, and i used the two machines at Wal-Mart too... on average i got 14.66 to 1 exchange rate... the cambio's were anywhere from 13.30 - 13.90 to 1. just like anything in this world, be smart, observe what is happening around you, look the machine over closely, watch people waiting in turn, and shortly after you... you just never know... but i have no fear of using an ATM in Puerto Vallarta....

have a grea time....

Andi Weisz · Post by **Andi Weisz** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 5:42 am

By the way, do they honor a visa card here?

katnsocal · Post by **katnsocal** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 6:09 am

No problems with Visa cards. Be aware that not all establishments take credit cards due to the fees and delay in payment from the credit card companies to the merchants. Make sure you notify your bank what dates you will be in Mexico, if not they may think it is fraud and cut-off all funds to you. Not fun to be stuck with no money available to you.

ronald · Post by **ronald** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 6:16 am

The poster you responded to Kat is a spammer selling Brazilian 'stuff' trying to blend in.

smitty · Post by **smitty** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 7:15 pm

Speaking of Brazilian's !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKRKo113xwA

pjac1979 · Post by **pjac1979** » Fri May 08, 2009 7:43 pm

should we get pesos before we get to PV? can we get pesos at airport? do the PV people take USD or rather have pesos? what will a cab be from airport to hotel zone? any info on this topic will be appreciated.
thanks
pjac

darla · Post by **darla** » Fri May 08, 2009 8:52 pm

Every time I've gone to PV, the taxi booth at the airport has taken USD.

Big Brian · Post by **Big Brian** » Sat May 09, 2009 4:46 pm

You can always order peso from your local bank. Bank of America will give you the current rate when ordering and not charge depending on the type of account you have. I always order a few hundred dollars worth and pick it up before I go.

michalj72 · Post by **michalj72** » Wed May 13, 2009 6:05 am

i've read that in general the safest atm places are directly associated with a bank. or in the bigger shopping centers. i've never had a problem here.

though for a time i will say that from what i read the one atm machine which was apparently creating problems was the one on Olas Altas street near Francisca Rodriguez street - which is the pier street, so it's the one right in front of Pizza Nostra, i wouldn't use that one after i read about it. but the ones in Mega i have used frequently and at the main banks too and no problems..

and i haven't read of any problems with atms in well over a year or two it seems...

Safe ATM machines

Be Smart

Honor Visa?

Darn Brazilian 's

bring pesos?