My husband just told me that his bank has banned the use of their ATM card in Italy- among other places. Italy is a country, they say, that they have had problems with people stealing the cards and using them. This sounds weird to me. Has anyone heard of this before?

That was his only ATM card because he rarely uses them and he only had it for travel. He can get cash advances on his credit card from an Italian bank-- I presume. Are there certain banks that do that? Should he get a pin number so that he can use it in an ATM? Sorry if these are moron questions but we have never had this problem before and prefer not to do cash advances as they can get costly.

This is disturbing because the alternative is traveling with bunches of Euro cash that we get here in the states, or traveler's checks which we haven't used in many years and are a super pain to cash and use. Or has that changed, too? Any help would be deeply appreciated.

Leaving next Tuesday for 3 weeks in Italy and getting nervous about these kinds of details.

What bank is it?

On my way back from London, a woman who was on my flight just returned from Italy. She told me her wallet got lifted from her purse the 3rd day she was there.

She said that pickpocketing is rampant in Italy. I opened a separate account and got a MC checkcard just for this trip for that reason alone. I figured if the card was lost or stolen, my entire life wouldn't be attached to it and I'd only be out about $1500. A small price to pay when you consider how much of your info is attached to your checking account

When I withdrew money, I attempted to get a balance and couldn't. I also couldn't transfer any money from the savings to checking. If I couldn't get to it, neither can the theif.

Good luck.

I'd run right out and open an account at a credit union or bank just for this trip. I'd call around first and ask,

"If I open an account today, are you able to issue me an ATM card immediately?"

Many banks are able to do this, but many banks make you wait 10 days or so before you will receive it in the mail.

You still have time to stick a few grand in this new account and explain to the bank that they need to flag the account that you will be using the card next week in Italy. Do start calling credit unions first. They don't seem to nickle and dime people like the major banks.

I've read that WaMu customers have been having trouble withdrawing money from ATM's in Europe, so avoid them for now.

If I were you, I'd call your credit card company to get a pin to use for withdrawing cash AS A LAST RESORT. I've never done a cash advance but I understand it's very much like using your ATM card only with excess fees up the wazoo. Still, if your new ATM card decides it doesn't want to work while in Italy, you need that option. Also if you have an American Express card, you can get money using a personal check from an Amex office. The problem is that the exchange rate and fees will suck.

The ATM is the way to go, that's why I suggest you get crackin' on finding a temporary replacement bank that will issue you a card. Good luck and Buon viaggio!

Thank you both.

Blacknight: To answer your question: It's a small New Mexico bank.

We will do our best to get this ATM thing in gear a.s.a.p.

Also, I am thinking of moving funds out of my debit card account into savings so that if, God forbid, it is stolen, there will only be a small amount in there. I will be keeping ALL valuables in a money belt-- not my favorite thing but Italy sounds very dicey. I wonder if it really is any worse than L.A. or N.Y.C.? I've been there a couple of times (but not since the mid-80's) and never had a problem but there have always been warnings about Italy.

I am super security conscious but also hear not to use the room safe but instead the safe at the reception which really seems dicey to me as well.

I have several debit cards (all my banks have phased out ATM cards.)

I had best luck with my credit union:

1. Only charges 1% fee passed by Visa
2. They make debit cards with VISA logo on the spot -- none of these 10 day wait.
3. Worked most of the time in Italy except for usual evening problems.

We just got back from our first trip to Italy. I also was worried with all that I had read and heard about pick pocketing in Italy. I had a neck pouch(worn under my shirt) and my husband had a waist pouch that was worn under his pants. We used ATM card all the time and never had a problem getting cash. We used cash from the ATM for most things. We carried our cards and passport in these pouches. I also bought a purse that had a strap that was long enough to wear across my front- but really there was not much of value in my purse. We kept out just enough cash for the day and one credit card. We never had any problems, and none of the people we talked to on our trip did either. I hope this helps

There have been previous posts regarding certain banks disallowing atm access in Italy and other specified countries.
Getting a PIN for your credit card to be used at an ATM is the same thing as a 'cash advance'.

The difference between LA/NYC and Rome for instance, is that they are EXPERTS at pickpocketing. In LA, if crime runs into you, it'll be carrying a gun.

I remember talkng with a Sicilian man during our trip to Sicily. He said that he was at a phone booth in Catania when someone unbuttoned his back pocket and lifted his wallet but he did not feel a thing!

If you go to the major cities and to the major attractions, you'll find pickpockets. They go where the tourists go. There are MANY who post here who have NEVER had a problem with pickpockets. So even though it's more prevalent than in the states, chances are you'll be just fine as long as you keep your sensors up when in crowded situations. If someone bumps into you on a train or a on a bus, do a quick inventory!

Once I was wearing a neck money belt pouch. An Italian woman came up to me, tugged on the string around my neck and cautioned me about it being exposed. It's been reported that they'll cut it off of you, it'll fall, and you'll never feel it. So just keep those money belts hidden.

you said, "Also, I am thinking of moving funds out of my debit card account into savings so that if, God forbid, it is stolen, there will only be a small amount in there. "

Why would you take your debit card if they have told you it won't work? Wouldn't it be better to leave it at home? As long as you know that you don't need that money on your trip, take some of it and open a credit union account like Greg has suggested. Be sure to let the credit card people and the ATM people know you'll be using it in Italy so they don't put a freeze on your accounts. Also take the banks phone number and NOT their 800 number because it won't work when dialing from a foreign country.

Pilates, the neck pouch should be worn inside your shirt. So if it is cut and falls, it stays inside your shirt and is hard to get at.

The neck pouch, the money belt, etc. are not supposed to be visible.

And I'm not a fan of cross-the-body purses, with or without a steel-belted strap. Even if you foil a thief, you're likely to get hurt in the process.

Thanks Mimar. I know that. In fact after telling that story the next sentence I wrote was:

So just keep those money belts hidden.

Italy- rife with pickpockets?? Theft and cloning of cards is a world-wide problem. We visit Italy every year & have never had any problems. We don't wear money-belts or bags with cross-over straps but remain conscious of who is around and stand behind each other at ATM machines.

Pilates: Thank you for your great responses. To answer your question: My ATM card is fine but my husband's is the one that can't be used in Italy. Seperate accounts. (Another subject altogether!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mimar; If you don't wear a cross body purse then what do you use as a bag during the day? I am still deciding about this.

JR, Ah. Yes, I'd transfer back into savings the excess. In fact I have done just that in the past. I also open up a second checking account at another institution just in case my primary ATM card won't work.

Bellini, I don't think anyone said Italy was "rife with pickpockets", I know what I said which is that the Major Tourist Attractions have more pickpockets than you'll find at our major tourist attractions. In other words, you'll find more pickpockets per square foot at the colosseum than you will at Disneyland.

Secondly, did you not notice that I wrote,

"There are MANY who post here who have NEVER had a problem with pickpockets. So even though it's more prevalent than in the states, chances are you'll be just fine as long as you keep your sensors up when in crowded situations. "

JaneR,

On my last two trips to Italy, I have used a "healty backback" that is now available in quite a few places like Travel Smith as well as other non-travel specialty stores. It's kind of a kidney shpped , single adjustable strap bag. The nice thing about it is the zipper is in against your body and it has outer pockets for maps, sunglases, etc. Comes in 3 diff sizes and several colors too.

I liked it, but have now decided to go to a bag with an across-the body strap. The only reason is on the last trip it just kept sliding off my shoulder. I was traveling solo with a broken legged (thanks Delta) 21" suitcase and just couldn't deal with the extra frustration of this bag falling off and banging around all the time!

Hope this helps your decision!

I wear a cross-body type... it's just more comfortable and 'hands-free', and can't be readily yanked off.

Travelon Large Travel Shoulder Bag
- bought it on QVC.com for about $25

Here's a bit of an update on the ATM card problem that we were having.

I phoned my husband's bank today to ask why there is a ban on using the card in Italy and to try to talk them into letting him use it. They said because there were several cases of fraud in Italy with their customer's cards; that people had stolen the numbers and used them to buy things. I guess the owners of the cards used their debit cards to make purchases.

Any way, it turns out that they have lifted the ban as of today and thank goodness. What's weird is why Italy? I mean there's fraud everywhere these days.

These pre-trip preparations can be stressful. Looking forward to exhaling when the plane takes off.

Hi JaneRebecca, two years ago I received a WARNING NOTICE from my stock brokerage firm that my (and everyone elses) ATM/Debit card..attached to the money market a/c had been frozen for use in Italy due to fraud. About two weeks later I received a new ATM/Debit card.

I was certainly glad I wasn't in Italy when that letter was received at home.

I have a friend who works for one of the top financial institutions in Italy. He was going to NYC regarding a meeting about fraud at ATM machines. The crooks will put a tiny camera or something (can't remember the details) in an ATM machine and consequently when one inserts the card, punches in the PIN the camera captures the info and than phoney cards are made and ones checking a/c can be accessed and travelers do not know this at the time unless they are very alert.

We have had warnings in the past in the SF/Bay Area about the same thing.

So it is not always that a traveller has their card stolen from their bag etc., it is stolen by hightech crooks that insert illegal cameras or whatever at ATM's.

I plan on opening up a separate checking a/c to use for travelling in Italy. That way at least my main checking a/c and my stockbrokerage money market a/c will not be touched.

I will take those other two ATM/Debit cards with me (in case of emergency) but I won't plan on using them.

I don't remember if I have a PIN attached to any of my credit cards (need to check my files) but it is probably a good idea in case of a big emergency. That way you can access cash via your credit card and if you pay the statement in full when the next statement is received the charges and finance charges are not that bad..considering you had access to cash if you really need it.

I would stongly suggest that you only use ATM's at banks in Italy, during the hours that the bank is open. That way if you have a problem (card not returned or whatever) you can go into the bank and talk to a bank officer. That is what all of my friends whom live in Italy do.

Do have a wonderful Italian trip, and try not to stress, I always have some "problem" right before I leave on a trip. Murphy's Law! Best regards.

Hi LoveItaly;

Thanks so much for your very interesting reply. That explains a lot. And also your advice about when to use the ATM machine. I'm sure many people here at Fodor's will benefit from that.

Have you ever been to Santa Fe? Let me know if you come someday as I would love to meet you. Many San Franciscans have moved here over recent years!

[email protected]

Jane

Hi Jane, I have not been to Santa Fe although I have always wanted to visit your city. Family members that have had loved Santa Fe.

I will write to you.

I sure wish you three beautiful weeks in Italy, I know you will have a wonderful trip.

Jane, I also wanted to mention I am one of those that believes in taking some Euro with me as I don't want to have to immediately deal with ATM's after arriving what with jetlag and the possibility that the ATM's will not be working. I also make sure I have US dollars with me also so I have that when I fly home..it really came in handy one time.

Take care and enjoy dreaming about being in fantastic Italy!!

Thanks LoveItaly;
I am believer in getting Euros and having dollars, too. Great minds think alike!

Italian dreaming....
Jane