LoveItaly

I believe, someone correct me if I am wrong, that in Europe, or at least in Italy, that getting money from an ATM requires the money be from a checking account not a savings account.

It seems to me the last few trips to Italy that was the case. I used the ATM from my checking a/c so had no problem. Or maybe if this was the case things have changed.

Anyone know about obtaining money at an ATM from saving a/c in Italy?

xyz123

In theory, an ATM card ties into an account that is designated the primary account; it could be a chequing account or it could be a savings account. In the US, you will note that in withdrawing from an ATM, you are given the choice of using either your chequing account or your savings account.

In Europe, there is no choice. The money is taken from the primary account on the card which is usually the chequing account.

However, again in theory, you could have an ATM card tied into a statement savings account.

The problem is that some people here have reported that even when they have done this, the ATM does not recognize the card.

So there is the theory and then there is the reality.

Calamari

Ira - How good to hear from you again and thank you for your kind words. I have resorted back to the old fashioned way of doing business, cash.

After reading an article posted here from the Tipster, I will never allow my card out of my sight at a restaurant again just in case this is how the nightmare originated. The question would be, how did they get my PIN number once they did get my account number? While my card is both a credit and a debit card, the transactions (6 in all) were ATM debits for the max daily amount of $500 each. When I went to file the police report, the officer told me that he had something similar happen to his wife awhile back. We just got back from Nordstom about two hours ago. A customer was paying for something using her PIN and the key pad sounded out just like a telephone key pad. I told her what had happend to me so hopefully she will be more cautious in the future.

I did not post my unfortunate experience to insight debate about "urban legends", but only in hope that it does not happen to any of you. I have explained it here as it was explained to me by my bank. Learn from it or don't. The fact of the matter is that the crooks are so far ahead of the game it is not even funny. By the way, we opened new accounts at a new bank right after this happend. This morning when I went in to get some cash and to see when I should expect my new ATM card it was discoved that THEY mailed it to the WRONG address. Here we go again.

cigalechanta

Calamari, a few years ago there were charges on my visa billed in Paris. I did not stay there, we were on the road after we landed and picked up the rental car. So I disputed the charge and it was cleared.

LoveItaly

Good gried Calamari, you must be ready to pull you hair out!!! Why is it when one thing goes wrong it just keeps going from bad to worse? I am so sorry.

BTW, I had checks mailed to me and the PO delivered them to the wrong address (no fault of my bank). So I always have new checks held at the bank now. Fortunatly the person that received my box of checks delivered them to me.

Probably a good idea to pick up a new ATM card at the bank also, in lieu of your bad experience.

XYZ, thank you for your explaination. That "sort of" rang a bell, what my friends in Italy told me. But guess I have had friends or heard something along the lines that you have explained that even though their savings a/c was their primary a/c they could not get money from the ATM because it was savings and not checking. Too many details when one travels now.

Calamari, sure hope all your problems get worked out and yes thank goodness you were not in Europe when this happened.

platzman

Whats the possibility of acquiring a Eurocheque Card? (Not to be confused with a Eurocard/Mastercard). I see the logos everywhere in Europe, even in places that don't take credit cards.
I've seen Europeans using these cards to pay for EVERYTHING.

got1tiel

well i have to agree that its nice you wanted to share your experience with others who dont know how debit cards work. but the fact is that some of the information you gave is incorrect and leads to false sense of security. your theif was not a guy in a van with a high powered lens, or the woman behind you with a dictaphone.you probably handed your credit card youself to the theif.after swiping your card or taking carbon imprints in your full view she returned it to you,and you probably even said thank you. the lesson here for those who are worried about this type of theft is that unless you fully and blindly trust the outlet and have confidence that they will never employ anyone who would be tempted to do such a thing, its better not to use your card.

got1tiel

i did some research and found an even more convenient option for buying: a prepaid visa or mastercard. you charge it up with a sum and its good till it needs recharging again. its different from a basic atm card in that you can buy from shops/internet with it just like a normal visa card. it is designed for kids who cant be trusted by their parents with a real credit card.but i think it can be very handy, especially when travelling.you could just take it and leave your credit card at home.

got1tiel

btw the current fodors ad at the top of this thread (after the disney ad) is for the prepaid american express card. it is reloadable and not linked to your account. you can also see it via this link

http://http300.content.ru4.com/images/0640/34705.gif

nellyanne

Calamari- I smell something fishy!! Binoculurs that see us entering ATM passcodes from afar--what a load of hooey!
Next, you will have asking wrapping scarves or towels around ourselves as we do our shopping! You mean cephalopod!

xyz123

While there are things you can try to do to stop the theft of credit card numbers and pin numbers, it is absolutely impossible to make sure it never happens. Little things like, do you think it is that hard to memorize 16 numbers if you hand the card to a crooked clerk who rings up the sale; even though you just her or his every move. There are too many pieces of you know what around trying to steal whatever or fencing the numbers to the capitals of this garbage, Eastern Europe and Nigeria.

Yes, they have used binoculars in the past to steal PIN numbers. Yes they use scanners to read the info from the magnetic strips, yes they use cameras attached to ATM's for this.

So what is the solution?

Well one thing I won't buy into; the person who said not to use the cards at all. This is the 21st century and I like 21st century convenience. Need some cash...hit the ATM. Gong to a fast food joint..if the merchant takes it use a credit card. Should they steal the info, deal with it....costantly check bank and cc balances via the internet. If you see something, call immediately.

I know when I'm on holiday, I am in an internet cafe at least once a day checking my bank balances and cc charges. Oh yes, I know they can steal info at an internet cafe also. What do you want me to do, go into a cocoon and never come out.

You try to deal with it as best you can. You hope it doesn't happen to you and if it does, you hope it can be dealt with. There is nobody who can 100% guarantee this will not happen to you; you do try to minimize the possibility but as careful as we all are, the scum inhabiting this planet along with 99.9% of us normal people will try their best to shaft you.

But for this reason not to use my credit cards or debit cards, give me a break.

Calamari

nellyann- I am a kind hearted coleoidea!...and have learned more about identity theft then I ever thought I would. Of course I was once like you and believed whole heartedly that it would NEVER happen to me.

tondalaya

xyz is a voice to listen to. Caution is what you need. It does and can happen.
Planes crash, but I will still fly.

LoveItaly

Calamari, best to just ignore the poster you responded to on Nov. 21st.

TripleSecDelay

Blah, blah, blah, got1tiel. A person does not need this type of card. A person simply needs to have two accounts, and access to one of them with a card, as discussed earlier.

BTW : I've never seen any advertisements on Fodors. Why? I've used Earthlink for 4 years now and their s/w blocks pop-up ads. The pop-up ads are like the little subscription cards that fall out of magazines. Annoying! Try it guys, if you're still seeing ads on websites.

got1tiel

>costantly check bank and cc balances >via the internet.
that is 21st century convenience?constantly checking your bank balance to see if you have been robbed?thats like using hookers daily and saying your not worried about it cause you have the convenience of taking an AIDS test every day.if your cash is hard earned cash, and you have a significant balance in your account then it makes sense to visit the atm before stopping at bennys burgers.the old maxim applies to credit cards: to be on the safe side keep it in your pants.

PLMN

Excuse me. People should not state that things don't happen just because they "believe" they don't happen. Here is a link that lists among other things, the ways in which credit card and identity theft happen.

(Note the line about "shoulder surfing".)


www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/brief/id.htm

Marilyn

I second PLMN's statement. Calamari has posted on this board for years and there is no reason to attack her honesty or sincerity.

ira

Hi Calamari,

>.. the key pad sounded out just like a telephone key pad.<

You've got it.

got1tiel

i checked that link out about shoulder surfing.shoulder surfing was in a list of tactics used by criminals.it does not say that obtaining the PIN alone is sufficient for fraud.anyone reading it this way has misinterpreted the page and has a gross misunderstanding of the way plastic cards work.take a look at this 5 page document http://www.paladion.net/papers/ATM_Pin_Security.pdf if you want the whole atm process explained and would like to be able to talk about the subject accurately. blaming a guy with a telescopic lens hidden a mile away has much less culpability than admitting that you handed your card to a crook in a resturant.although triplesecdelay did not agree with me on the prepaid card idea, he has inside knowledge of how these things work and has listed some very valid points in his posts. read and and learn or live in denial and be robbed.