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Debit/Credit Cards Clonning

Hello everyone...
I've been living in Bogota for the past 4 months, and everything was going well until some people clonned by debit card from an ATM machine. I had never heard of this before, but apparently that is quiet common here : ( This is a very small device that is placed on ATM machines, you can not see it with a naked eye, (I certainly never saw anything strange when I used a Davivienda Cajero), you get your money, receipt as a regular transaction-nothing strange. Apparently this miniature device reads all of your information from your magnetic strip. They take the information and plug it into another card (these people are specialist), and voila! they go around using it buying stuff like crazy. I am sure that many of you have been asked for an ID when using your ATM/Credit cards..sometimes they ask for a Cedula. Well these people also create this fake cedulas with your name, but w-ith their picture). They plan everything out to the last detail. When I went to check my statement I was in shock to see my balance, immediately reported this fraud to my bank and authorities. Pain in the butt to say the least. : /

A couple of helpful tips when using you're cards:
1) Always be aware of your surroundings, if you have to withdraw $ go to a place that you know and that has security around and cameras.
2) When using your credit card at a restaurant always check that they give you back your card (they might give you a card similar to yours with a different expiration date). Waitresses or Waiters might fold your receipt with your card in there but it might not be yours. Always check, after each transaction.
3) Becareful with the camera phones, they might take pictures of your card and might use it for online purchases.

Thank God for Insurance- my bank was able to get me the 8,800,00 COP back to my account. Needless to say, I am extremely careful now. Ha! and I still have 4 more months to go.

Ciao y mucha suerte a todos!

By Lily03 on Aug 17, 2007, 09:11 in Friendly Talkzone.

Dan says on Aug 17, 2007, 09:24:

I have heard of this before but never experienced it. Good to hear that you got your money back. I hear that it can take a really long time to do that. Just one big headache.

God Bless America!

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Man Tequila says on Aug 17, 2007, 09:34:

I experienced this once in Canada, but the bank reimbursed my losses. It can happen anywhere, these days.

Aunque no me creas/ si me lo propongo/ lograre olvidarte/ porque a fin de cuentas/ no soy tan cobarde./ Y termino todo una de estas tardes/ no sera dificil buscar algún sitio donde refugiarme/ donde nunca mas vuelvas a encontrarme. (Polo Montañez)

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panthdave says on Aug 17, 2007, 09:50:

You get the money back but...on a debit card sometimes takes a while depending My credit card they reverse everything right away...

panthdave Miami

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panthdave says on Aug 17, 2007, 09:52:

I remember seeing in the news a few years ago when they were doing that on Miami ATM's..Funny thing is they have cameras on the ATM and when they slip that device in or on the ATM wouldn't you think they would catch that on the camera...

panthdave Miami

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juancegomez says on Aug 17, 2007, 09:55:

A couple of links that may or may not be helpful (in Spanish):

Slideshow showing one of the methods employed by card cloners/robbers:
http://www.slideshare.net/Penrilio/robo-en-cajeros-automaticos

PDF file showing some of the links that users might want to look out for:
http://www.unal.edu.co/noticias/noticias_18_20051018.htm
http://www.unal.edu.co/documentos/detalles18_20051018.pdf

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juancegomez says on Aug 17, 2007, 09:56:

"PDF file showing some of the links that users might want to look out for:"

THINGS, not links. :P

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danronian says on Aug 17, 2007, 10:00:

I use the ATM a lot here in Bucara...hopefully that isnt common here.

I'm glad to hear you easily got your money back!

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Gator says on Aug 17, 2007, 10:17:

Never happened to us. But Mrs. Gator insists on randomly pushing the button at least ten times after we complete the transaction. Does no good but it make her feel secure.

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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caslug says on Aug 17, 2007, 10:20:

one way to avoid it.. is to use banks that have 24 hr security guard. example in Medellin at the san deigo mall(w/ the casino) there's a citibank. you have to walk into the door(which is locked at night-you can get in w/ your ATM card).. it has 24 hr guard. same w/ casino..

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miamimike says on Aug 17, 2007, 10:24:

They caught a Venezuelan Gang using similiar methods recentlty in Miami the only difference was they put a fake metal faceplace over the existing ATM Slot. They also were using a small microcamera above the ATM that captured the PIN #s--never ending,,,

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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honey says on Aug 17, 2007, 18:46:

The one precaution I have always used is to cover the keypad with one hand as I key in my PIN with the other hand. Thanks for the heads-up Lily.

Life is what happens when you're busy making plans - John Lennon.

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Gator says on Aug 17, 2007, 18:53:

Many machines, at least in Bogotá, have a curved opaque plastic shield that covers the numbers.. Just enough room to slide you hand underneath. We alway utilize a machine inside with a guard on a main street.

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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panthdave says on Aug 17, 2007, 18:55:

Same here Gator inside and a guard...Mostly Citibank...Well and HSBC now..

panthdave Miami

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