Bank Card Alert
 

I fell victim to a bank card bandit on a Sunday morning in St. Remy. I am an experienced traveller and should have known better.

The bum who did it acted very impatient behind me then pretended to help me by pressing buttons on the ATM while quickly grabbing my card and darting off. It is a terrible feeling. I called my bank and blocked access so nothing was lost. I now must wait seven business days for a replacement card - part of Citbank's "great service".

By the way this kind of thievery is so common the French have a nickname for it "Marseilles Collect". En garde.

Anthony

Hi jm,

Don't feel so bad. Sounds like a real slick thief. Thanks for the warning.

Sorry to hear it. At least you didn't have any monetary losses. Don't feel bad, as I'm sure it happens to the best of us.

Some people recommend using only the ATMs that have swipe card readers, rather than the type of machines that draw your card inside. With a swipe machine, there is no chance of your card getting stuck because some scam artist put glue in the slot (and is waiting around the corner with a pair of needlenose pliers to pull our your card when you leave). In your case, the socialist entrepreneur that got your card would not have had the opportunity because the card would have been back in your possession immediately.

Unfortunately, ATMs with swipe card readers are not always available. Hope you didn't lose too much time over this.

And perhaps I am being nieve about this, however the card would be of no use to anyone else unless they had your pin no. which is IN YOUR HEAD. Am I wrong.?? However would not want to have it happen because as indicated, you certainly could run short of money while waiting for the replacement. Boy, a person has to be ALERT, just every minute. Happy traveling.

Hi halfpint,

If the card is both a credit card and an ATM card, the thief could do a lot of damage without a pin number.

Jmoulin, while it's certainly a bad situation I have to wonder how someone can get up so close to you at the ATM that they can press buttons? I conduct my business at the ATM quickly, trying to observe everything around me. If someone were to get too close to my personal ATM space I would immediately voice my concern and objections, loudly.

Always a bad situation..not only the theft but the bank wait as well. Was it an ATM/debit crad or a credit card. We lost a Visa card in Paris a couple of years ago (Bank of America) and had a new one Fedex'd to us within 24 hours!

Sorry to hear about this, Anthony.

Irishdame, I have to wonder the same thing. While you and I would certainly like to think that we wouldn't ever allow anyone into our personal "ATM space", it's probably one of those situations where you never know exactly what you're going to do until it actually happens to you. I'm positive anyone reaching around me to "help" me at an ATM would get my elbows in their chest and angry words, but who knows...

When using an ATM in unfamiliar territory my wife and I always work as a team. One works the machine while the other stands guard.

Excellent suggestion Gavin.

I have "For ATM USE ONLY written all across my card, and have blacked out the signature line with indelible marker..but so often places don't ever ask to see your card when using it for a CC purchase!

I read of another scam the other day..the thieves have inserted a plastic slide into the slot, you insert your card , the machine registers a card in it, and asks for your pin, but it can't read the numbers and keeps asking! Therefore it won't discharge the card to you and if it's after hours your stuck! After you leave the machine , the thief comes along and pulls out the sleeve along with your card! The article suggested running your fingers along the slot as there will be a slight projection which enables the thief to retrieve your card!

Lord ...if they put all this thought into a constructive venture..they'd all be richer and we wouldn't be poorer!

Glad to hear BofA gives such good service!

I am paranoid about personal safety and security, and have always covered my PIN when using an ATM - good thing, too, for some months ago in our city a ring was putting a fake "lock" that read and recorded ATM cards on the exterior doors of bank ATM accesses, and installing "security" cameras which focused on the PIN being typed on the keypad.
I was once using my ATM card in Banff, Alberta and a young man was standing far too close for my personal comfort - I called him on it, politely - he got huffy and defensive, but I stood my ground. It may make you look like a crab, but it's sure a lot better than looking like a victim!

I'm sorry this happened to you. I guess it is easier to look back and say how that could have happened but sometimes you think you're alert and it just occurs.

Regarding B of A, yes, EXCELLENT customer service is a priority. It is something all employees learn when they work for B of A (yes, former employee but not my choice). Unfortunately, other banks don't put the customer first.

We follow a couple of rules on ATM usage.

Only daytime.
Outside machines only.
The one not using the machine stands behind the user facing out. No one could reach around my wife to press keys for me. This may look paranoid, but we do not care.
So far we have not come across glued or sleeved machines, but I guess one could watch for someone successfully using the machine before trying?

That's good advice especially if you are by yourself.

Man there are some snarky people on this board.

Hi cat,

Please define "snarky".

Ira: :)
www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=snarky
Regards, Walter

Thank you PL,

Either it is a compliment or an insult.

There is nothing like a neologism to lend clarity to a message.

Nah, ira, you are awesome, cool!!

en française, néologtisme ( I looked it up, dln!)