Just returned from France and could not use our ATM 6/12 through 6/16
 

This is just a heads up we have a mastercard ATM. Tried using it the whole time in Paris and could not receive euro. We did have money from a previous trip in March this year and used credit cards for the rest. Plus we charged at dinners and our friends paid us with their euro. We contacted our bank when we were in Paris and they said some scam was going on so to protect us they would not let us withdraw money! I called my bank when I got back home and got the same answer. So I guess I will try an ATM only card next time and visa Atm. Supposedly mastercard has the most scams. So please help me for my next trip because it was not a comfortable feeling not having any cash in Europe!!

Did you call your bank before your trip to let them know that you would be traveling and would be using atms
in Europe? Sometimes banks or cc issuers freeze accounts if suddenly the use of their card doesn't fit the account holder's past patterns. So, it's best to alert the company before you go so they won't be suspicious.

Thanks Elaine, yes I did call before leaving the states and I was told everthing was fine. The problem occured when this supposed scam was occuring. I do not have full confidence in their excuse why I could not use my ATM the whole time in Paris. So please give me some suggestions what to do to protect myself next time. Anyone else have problems with their ATM that time frame??

Plus I have been to Europe 3x this year, I have used this card in Austria and Germany and France earlier this year.

I didn't realize you'd already done so much traveling.
I'd ask for a detailed explanation, perhaps write to them, explain the terrible inconveniences, etc
I have a mastercard debit card, have used it all this month as a debit card for both atms and purchases without incident. My regular mastercard credit card has also been fine.

Thank you, this seems very suspicous to me. I did not think there was any scam and I am very angry for the hassle it caused on our trip. So please anyone else in France at the same time and tell me your experiences. I will ask for a detailed explanation.

I guess I should make myself a little clearer, I will ask for a detailed explanation from my bank.

Please fodorites keep the suggestions coming!

There was a security breach at a MasterCard processor. It happened in May, but was only revealed this week.

<b>http://money.cnn.com /2005/06/17/news/master_card/index.htm?cnn=yes</b>

Robespierre, please paste that site again, I cannot access it. I do not want to be stranded in Europe with no money again so please post again. Thank you, patti

Hi pjsparlor, Robespiere just posted what I was going to post. This may have been the problem.

Also, some months ago my brokerage account sent everyone a new ATM/Debit card (MasterCard) and advised that in Italy customers would only be able to use the ATM portion of the card as they had a freeze on the debit portion due to a high incidence of fraud. Now apparently the freeze on using the debit portion has been lifted.

The problem you had is one that causes me to always have a backup. I always take 2 ATM cards attached to two different bank checking accounts plus all my credit cards plus about $200.00 in US money. Even though the exchange rate is bad at least I have some cash on me and can redeposit it when I get home if I don't use it. I also get about $100.00 Euro in cash. The BoyScout motto &quot;Be Prepared&quot;. I never depend on just one way to get money. And if worse comes to worse than I would get an advance on one of my credit cards even though that is expensive to do. Thankfully I have never had to however but one never knows.

Hope you will let us know what you find out. And also hope that inspite of the problem you have a wonderful trip.

And of course I meant I hope you had a wonderful trip, sigh, I must learn to use the edit button!

I was in France June 5-13 and could not use my Master Card at several kiosks in Paris, usually in a train station. (Yes, I called in advance to alert the credit card company I was traveling.) My Master Card was declined by a train ticket clerk in Amsterdam, I have no clue why as there was plenty of credit limit left on it.

But I never had any trouble with my Visa at an ATM or anywhere else.

Thanks for all the replys, I am going to switch to Visa ATM. It is so weird since I just got a new ATM sent to me for my March trip to Paris. I had no problem then. Oh well, never made all the way to being a girl scout so maybe I need to adopt the boy scout motto too, be prepared!!

When you see a URL with a space in it, try removing the space. Here, I redid it.

http://makeashorterlink.com/?T2371294B

Evidently there were millions of Visa numbers involved, too. So switching cards won't buy you much.

Hi all, just remember, have 2 different ATM cards attached to 2 different bank checking accounts (along with a 4 diget PIN) for each.
With all the hacking into various companies you really need a backup. And always have cash with you besides at least 2 credit cards.

Robespierre's last post is interesting IMO. I never, and I mean never, count on using just ATM's. Power outages, hackers etc. etc. I don't especially like living life on the edge, especially when I am out of the US.

Patti - I was in France at that time &amp; I had only a slight problem using a Wells Fargo VISA ATM card. In Gordes I could not get any money. I could not understand what it said in French - I tried 2 times &amp; used 2 different amounts and neither time worked. Went to a different ATM the next day &amp; had no problem getting what I wanted. I used a different VISA card for charges and had no problem. Now that I think about it I did have a problem in Avignon and could not get $$ but we decided because it was early on Monday morning in the heavily touristed area near the Papal Palace &amp; we figured the machine was out of cash. A couple hours later I went to a different ATM &amp; got money easily.
Karen

I had problems a few days ago trying to use my Mastercard on the BA.com site, specifically regarding the card's security code. I went in to my bank's local branch and spoke to the manager, who put in a call to card services. I was told there were some &quot;communications&quot; problems with MasterCard being resolved--I suspect they linked back to the security problems that have affected 40 million MasterCard holders (at least).

I had problems with the ATM in Paris on June 13th as well. I went to four banks and 10 different ATM stations. The bank managers were all puzzled and no one could help us. It was a good thing I had some Am Ex travellers cheques as a back up. It was very disconcerting to not be able to access cash machines when travelling in a foreign country.

We've had our account shut down in a foreign country (Austria) due to it being out of our usual charging area, even though I had called MC in advance to apprise them we'd be there. It is always a little embarrassing because you find out with no explanation when you're trying to pay for something (like our apt rental in this case). Fortunately, we were able to call the collect # for overseas service and get it lifted. I had to sort out how to make a collect call, though, and I didn't need the aggravation. I wish there was some other way. We did have other cards, though, as back-up.

At certain times of the day in Europe you may not be able to access your account in the US because the bank is in shut down/reconcile mode. That could be the reason it is OK the next day.
If your bank said they were shutting down your card, you could have demanded they send you a new card IMMEDIATELY--by overnight service.
When you say ATM only, was the card you were using a credit card?

Reading all this makes me glad that I NEVER use ATM cards.
I always go with 1000-3000 euros(depending on trip), several credit cards, and $2000-$3000 in US travel checks (100% free) in case of an emergency.
I always notify credit card companies of dates of travel etc.
This has ALWAYS worked perfectly for me. Never had any kind of problem.

Just goes to show,nothing is foolproof.Travellers checks are a pain,cash can get stolen,ATM machines can go down,such is life!((f))

This kind of news puts a big dent in the faith of electronic banking. Its news the cashless society people would rather keep quiet.
On the other hand, you do have other options. They include
1- going into the bank with your M/C or VISA debit or credit cards and getting cash from the teller. You will need Passport but no PIN.
2- Charge everything possible. Everyone in France accepts CC except very small businesses. You can travel in France with no cash as long as you avoid non-CC places.
3- Have backups (a second credit card for sure, maybe a second debit card, and USD100 to exchange as a last resort)

good point platzman, it's not open 24-7 but anyone should be able to go into the bank itself and ask for a cash withdrawal. Would the MC system being down, stop that from happening?

gracejoan, you do have a system that with backups that work for you, but nothing is perfect. Most retail establishments no longer accept travelers checks, so in order to cash them you'd have to go into a bank or exchange place and pay a very high fee.
99% of the time, atms work. Many of us are not comfortable walking around with 1000-3000 euros in cash in our wallets. And, of your several credit cards, your master cards may not have worked under these circumstances.

As massagediva said, no arrangements are 100% perfect. I would not choose to give up the convenience of atm cards, any more than I would choose to give up using a totebag and start using a security wallet. We all make the safety and convenience choices that we feel comfortable with. Even if a problem arises, it doesn't mean that the approach is deeply flawed, just not perfect.

I've traveled to every continent in the world and have had very little problem with using ATM's in the past ten years. Travellers' checks are the biggest pain. After walking five blocks in 100+ heat/humidity in a small Venzulean town to cash some at the ONLY bank (or establishment) that would cash them, never again. Carrying large amounts of cash is just plain foolish. And pretty foolish to even exchange at very high rate in the U.S. before travelling. Even with fees, ATM's and credit cards give the best exchange rate. As others have suggested, two atms cards and credit cards should be just fine with perhaps travellers' checks for back-up.

pjsparlor, I'll bet you were fit to be tied! Our first time in Paris, the credit card my husband brought was the new expired one which we couldn't use. We were staying the the Regina which was not cheap. I had some money in my checking acc't but not nearly enough for our hotel. Fortunately, the hotel was able to use the credit card I guranteed the reservation with to pay. We would have starved if I didn't have my atm that time!

I have been traveling to Europe around 3x a year. So I was so frazzled not to have my ATM work! Never have had a problem prior to this. So it just shook my confidence alot! We were fortunate that we were only in Paris and charged everything. I have some friends in Paris who gave us some euro. I also went over with 100 euro left over from the last trip in March. So it could have been alot worse. Interesting thread, alot people have been in the same boat as me~

I'm not sure carrying lots of cash is necessarily foolish. It's just as easy to lose an ATM card as it is to lose cash (though I understand you can get another ATM card - but how easy is that to do when you're on vacation?).

I was in New Zealand using my card at a store and the clerk handed it back to me in 2 pieces - apparently it had somehow snapped in half horizontally. (I could still access my account using numbers, but couldn't use the card in an ATM.) Luckily I had a backup, but still...never would have expected something like that to happen.

I ALWAYS have lots of cash on me - not always do I use it - ATM's do work best. Even at home I use cash - after 9/11 and the NYC blackout, my husband and I always make sure we have enough that we could bribe a cab driver to take us somewhere! Also, back in the day before ATM's, we'd carry large amounts of cash into communist countries - foreigners were required to spend a certain amount of $$ per day. In many, many trips abroad, I have never had an issue with good old money.

ATM's are definitely useful (and certainly the best value), but I think cash is underrated.

Pjsparlor - thanks for the alert.

I guess some did not understand...I take some travelers checks for EMERGENCY ONLY..I.E...getting stuck because of an accident or something...NOT to cash, or to use otherwise. I have plenty of credit cards and euros for all my travel needs. The checks are free, and feel comfortable having them. I just deposit them when I return home...never have used them, and hope nothing ever happens that I do need them.
Never a problem having the euros...just glad to never have to look for an ATM, or wonder IF they work. For me, whatever makes my travel as simple and easy as possible, I find is best!!

Forgot to add my response to someone saying that it is foolish to carry large amounts of cash!!..It may be foolish for them, but not for me! The exchange rates for obtaining the euros before leaving are VERY competitive...as to credit cards..I always make sure that I have &quot;different&quot; ones..MC, Visa etc....This has worked for me for many, many years. I have an ATM card with me, too...I have only used it at home, to see if it worked. I have no need to use it. This way is convenient, competetive, simple, and the way I like to do it!! Different strokes, for different folks! I would never be rude enough to say that your way was foolish...to each his own!!

Just a little note re: t-checks.
In many countries, they may cost you more than simply taking a cash advance on a credit card. Several years ago in Austria, banks were charging fees which amounted to $8 PER CHECK. Then the exchange rate was an additional 6-7% poorer. Its seems with my credit cards, there is a $5 minimum fee or 3% of the total (plus interest which can be largely avoided by prompt re-payment).
Thus, I would not hesitate to use a credit card in a pinch, either at the ATM or teller window.

RE T-Checks...If you are a AAA member and you also have a AAA credit card, there is no charge for the checks, you put them on the AAA card, travel with them for EMERGENCY use only, deposit them upon return home, pay the credit card statement when it arrives...you have had the use of the EMERGENCY funds at absolutely no cost!! IF you have the unfortunate need for them, you would be glad to have them. I am comfortable having them with me!

This thread has been very interesting. Many Fodorites act as though you're a moron if you get Euro before your trip instead of relying totally on ATM's. I always figure that if the ATM's are going to be down for whatever reason, you can be sure it will happen when I'm there! If you keep your cash in a moneybelt, it's fairly safe. The last time I got Euro through HSBC, it was at a very competitive exchange rate.

But if you have to convert them you must find a place to do it and take a beating on the rate. Taking an extra card or using a credit card (also taking a beating on the fee) seems easier.

I was also traveling with friends who had not been to Europe before, and I told them to get an ATM card.

They did not feel comfortable with this so had all their euro from US with them.

I have to admit I thought they were rather foolish, not taking my advice!

Well I looked like the foolish one, trying my best to get cash from the ATM.

Good lesson for me, I thought I was soooo savvy, but sometimes cold hard cash is a good back up!!

I will never think someone is a moron if they choose not to use an ATM!!

For those of you that take Euros, HOW do you get a competitive exchange rate from the bank? I exchanged some $$ into pounds for a trip last summer at &quot;my&quot; bank (BB&amp;T) and got totally ripped off, especially since they insisted they had to have it couriered to the branch because it was over a certain amount (the courier was charged to me). When I complained, they said they were very competitive! I ended up concluding I would have been better off doing the exchange at the departure airport exchange booth! ( I don't feel comfortable waiting until arrival to do the exchange at the arrival airport because traveling with children, someone is usually not feeling too well after an all night flight and we don't want to worry about it before we get a cab or train or whatever...)

Since I go to Europe nearly every summer, I've gotten in the habit of returning to the US with at least a hundred dollars or more worth of both euro and pounds when I return. They go in my safe deposit box until my next trip. Gee, the ones I've had in there since July of 2003 and really gaining in value from what I paid for them. They'll make a nice &quot;starter&quot; kit for next summer since I'm not going this summer, and I'm glad that I ended up in this case with a little over 300 euro and over 100 pounds! My other investments should be doing so well as those currencies in the safe deposit box!

Patrick I wish I had euros from 2001 or was it 2002 when the euro became available?, I think they cost me 80 cents to a US dollar then!! Would have been good return on my money!! The Franc was good in 1999 and 2000 but that is here nor there now!

This is making me wonder if the problems I have had in Paris with my ATM card are due to the Master Card brand it carries. I have used the card in several other countries without issue, but in the four trips to paris in the last year my ATM card has never worked in Paris. Last trip it also didn not work as a debit card at a ggrocery store checkout. I notified the bank of my upcoming travel and they assured me it would be fine, but it never worked. Despite receiving messages that the transaction was not authorized by my bank, when I queried the bank on my return they said their system shows no such activity. When this first occurred last year the bank (Chase) instructed me to use my Visa CC instead for a cash advance, and they would refund the fees. They have done so to date.

Victoria, we just get $100 worth at the departure airport. You'll always get stung at the bank.

In January I had no trouble in Paris using my Mastercard debit card to get were outside of banks), and ditto in Prague in April.

oops, that should have read:

I had no trouble in Paris last January with my Mastercard debit card, getting cash from atms that were attached to banks
and I also used the debit card on at least one occasion for a purchase.
Ditto Prague in April.