Debit Card Fraud Alert

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

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.

Rest assured MichaelEl our resident Inspector Clouseau has solved the case ! http://bestsmileys.com/famous/9.gif" alt="User image" loading="lazy">

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?

Has anyone had problems with their debit card being accessed after using the HSBC ATM machine near the Pelicanos in PV?

You can accomplish the same thing without the hassle of reporting it stolen or lost. I call my credit card company and tell them the dates I will be gone out of the country. Any charges that come in after that date are blocked by them as non-authorized purchases.

You can accomplish the same thing without the hassle of reporting it stolen or lost. I call my credit card company and tell them the dates I will be gone out of the country. Any charges that come in after that date are blocked by them as non-authorized purchases. Except 4 months later when a charge comes in on Canada Air for a flight from France to Australia or something similar. It has happend to me the two times I did not report them lost or stolen.

Know what I mean?



Just my 2 cents

:wink:

I guess my point - use the current cc#- and when you return home, get them to issue a new card/new # (reported lost or stolen)

Zero chances of your numbers being sold and used down the road on internet purchases. Every card I have not done this...has ended up showing up with charges down the road.

Bottom line, there is a lot of corruption in the World, too much money to resist, this was a pretty simple fix is all I ma saying, at no cost to the consumer or headaches.

Trust me - unauthorized charges...in this day and age are still at the very least a inconvenience and yet another possibility for ID Theft...just not worth the risk.

my 2 cents

I only use ATMs in banks which are safer, and I mean safer, not fool proof.

being IN Vallarta makes me the most comfortable...about 78 degree F is just about perfect!

On my way to the Airport!

See you all on the other side!

:D

So you mean that withdrawing into the ATM at Mega in Bucerias is not safe? This could really be so dangerous. Thus, the security should be more strict on that.