Theft from my novia's Bancolombia account

kat1 (Moderator) says on Nov 27, 2007, 02:30:

You have to be careful with banks in Colombia, i am pretty sure they took money from my account as well
i told them to send me the statements and it was too late because i had to come to the UK and no matter how much you complain they do go around the block before returning your money if they do.


Another thing when you see the bank statements you'll see all those little withdraws 40 thou pesos for so and so and sometimes they even swear you took certain amount of money. I told my Brother which had a similar problem with his bank that next time i go to Colombia I will take all the money out, enough for my stay in Colombia, and put it in a safe at home, i think will be better, it will save me in people cloning my cards or being charge 4000 pesos every time I take money out. BTW i have my suspicious that the money that was taken from my Colombian account was an inside job.


My brother is feed up too,you know what is he doing every time is payment day?, he takes all the money out and put it in a safe at home. because he said the bank take so much of his salary.


You have to keep going there and be on the case 24/7 Tomtom because they will start saying next month and next month an on and i tell you 5 years will go by and you will be still waiting for your money.

engage brain before opening mouth

kalder says on Nov 27, 2007, 02:39:

I would be so angry, I'd probably do something stupid, if that had had happened to me.

You'd have thought that at least one bank would see the simple business sense (ie: everybody would bank with them) of operating with professionalism and probity.

"kalder- have you ever had a woman?"--Sam Salmon

vicshere says on Nov 27, 2007, 03:26:

solution
HSBC
very straight up
I wouldn't trust a Colombian bank

listo

kat1 (Moderator) says on Nov 27, 2007, 03:29:

you think so Vicsh?, because i want to change my Bank in Colombia.

engage brain before opening mouth

vicshere says on Nov 27, 2007, 03:37:

i have had no probelm what so ever yet but they have only been in colombia just less than a year...so who knows in colombia

listo

spigrimace says on Nov 27, 2007, 04:16:

TomTom, go to the FISCALIA and do 2 things. File a "denuncia" about the criminal act and file a "demanda" to sue Bancolombia and give them an American treble (triple) damage screw them amount to sue for. If you have the deposit slip receipts each with the bancolombia sello marked "recibido" with a signature, you have legal proof and they need to credit ASAP. You may also wish to contact Banco de la Republica and make a denuncia there as well to bring their eyes onto Bancolombia as well. Then I´d contact EL COLOMBIANO and maybe they´ll run your story in the newspaper. My guess is if that happens, you´ll be credited within 6 hours instead of 6 months.

morphus says on Nov 27, 2007, 04:33:

Anybody know about safe deposit boxes in Colombia? Probably risky too.

tomtom33 says on Nov 27, 2007, 04:40:

Thanks, Spig. I'll get right on that.

minina says on Nov 27, 2007, 04:51:

You can also complain to an entity called "servicio al consumidor".

tomtom33 says on Nov 27, 2007, 05:10:

I just finished discussing the FISCALIA with my novia. She told me a story of a close friend who took her missing money complaint to them. She did get her money back-six years later.

She liked the idea of a denuncia filed with BdlR.

My guess is that nothing will happen any time soon no matter what I do. This is Colombia after all.

kat1 (Moderator) says on Nov 27, 2007, 05:29:

6 years!! did they pay the interest too

engage brain before opening mouth

dwmte7 says on Nov 27, 2007, 05:30:

tom tom...i don't know where you're banking---nor, for that matter---if it will help. i've been banking with bancolombia for 18 years in oviedo, medellin. my man at that branch is jimmy abdalla. you might try contacting him and see what he has to say. i must say in defense of my banking relationship with bancolombia (BIC) that after transferring more than 300K over the years, i never once had problems.

good luck.
douglas

dwmte

Medellin Traveler says on Nov 27, 2007, 05:51:

TomTom33 -

Sorry to hear about your situation.

As I've heard from many Paisa's, "do not trust Colombian banks. They will steal more from you than any of the ladrones on the street corner."

You have to have carry insurance on your money if you want to keep it in a Colombian bank. My friends tell me that as soon as they get paid, they withdraw their paycheck ASAP!!

The banks will nickel and dime you until you have nothing left to steal.

And like most things in Colombia, don't expect to see the money back.

And another thing, the banks will tell you, "someone" must have cloned your debit card, that's why the money is missing, not our fault."

Good luck!

Medellin es una chimba! www.medellintraveler.com

Gator says on Nov 27, 2007, 06:28:

Lot of years, Conavi (now part of Bancolombia) Citibank and Davivienda, had ONE problem which was a withdrawal of 400.000 pesos and only got 200.000 pesos. Went to our branch and the situation was corrected in less than a week.

How do you insure bank funds in Colombia is this something new?

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

Jlove says on Nov 27, 2007, 07:09:

I am having an issue with Bancolombia also. I withdrew money from them. i heard the atm spinning but it did not give me any money. I got money from another atm and found out the atm did take the money from my account. I called my bank int he USA and they put the money back in and are investigating the situation. a month has past and we have not heard anything from Bancolombia about the situation.

britabroad says on Nov 27, 2007, 07:37:

My wife and I had a Davivienda account and took out a bankers draft for $14,000,000 pesos to buy a car. On the way home from the bank we were robbed at gunpoint (probably followed from the bank) and the draft was amongst the stuff stolen.
The draft was made out to the vendor and therefore was useless to the robber as he couldn´t cash it in. However, Davivienda had shown the sum as being withdrawn from the account. We had the fiscalia report, which then had to be authenticated by a notoria, which we gave to the bank as proof of the theft.
TWO YEARS later, the money was refunded into our account with no interest payed. This was only with the help of a solicitor friend who kept chasing the matter up on our behalf.
Makes you weep.

Leave the big stick at home...carry a cannon!

Medellin Traveler says on Nov 27, 2007, 08:54:

Someone getting robbed at gun point in Colombia after withdrawing large sums of money is a very common M.O. for thieves working with a bank employee.

You take the money out, the bank employee calls his friends and gives them a discription of you, which assures that you will get robbed before you have the opportunity to spend it.

Medellin es una chimba! www.medellintraveler.com

droble77 says on Nov 27, 2007, 09:08:

Yikes, these anecdotes sound like some kind of money laundering racket to me, except now they're "borrowing" the gringo's clean money to wash the dirty stuff. The no interest is just the cherry on top! :0)

These stories worry me more than being robbed straight up or violent crime in Colombia. Although with britabroad's story, it sounds like the robbers and someone in his bank were in cahoots. These mecanicas are far more devious than the petty tourist scams I had to deal with in Havana!

Having heard these and other tales of woe, I'd be leery of putting significant chunks of money into the local banks unless I "know the right people" or are willing to write that money off! Otherwise, you could end up being the next gringo huevon. I mean if they're going to "borrow" my money for some laundering operation, shouldn't I at least get a little something out of it? ;)

Tinto (Moderator) says on Nov 27, 2007, 09:14:

I doubt the big banks knowingly launder money in the traditional sense of the word, but it'd be naive to think drug money doesn't move through them.

Lowell says on Nov 27, 2007, 09:19:

Yea, it's kind of a dilema for me. I want to set my daughter up for the future when I'm gone. At this time I think I might be better off stashing the money until I have enough money to buy a rental property and put in both our names. And then repeat the proceess as often as I can.

Alfred E. Newman. "What. Me Worry?"

droble77 says on Nov 27, 2007, 09:47:

Tinto, I'm not saying everyone that works in a bank in Colombia is a crook. ;-) Still, just reading britabroad's anecdote and Tom33's current crisis, I seriously doubt their money was just dropped in a financial black hole not doing anything for anybody. Maybe I'm too cynical, but I just can't accept this is just ordinary latino bureaucracy.

Edit:

Actually, I thought of another thing. It may not be laundering, maybe the money's just being used temporarily to patch up losses from bad loans and investments, or liquidity issues. It may not be all that nefarious after all! ;)

Would be interesting to see the financial statements to see just how the banks account for all this money that goes poof into the night.

bill230 says on Nov 27, 2007, 11:42:

Maybe it was someone who knew about the car sale and was expecting cash?

Medellin Traveler says on Nov 27, 2007, 12:00:

My understanding is that it's bank employees stealing the money out of other people's bank account, not a bank laundering scheme by the bank.

The tellers are on the phone seconds after you have your money in hand walking out of the bank. In many cases, the thieves will follow you until they get you in a better position to rob you, with less people around. Also, doesn't look as obvious that it was an inside job.

As far as bank insurance is concerned, I don't know if it's new or not, just know that several stories reported to me mentioned companies getting their money back because, "lucky for them, they had insurance."

Such is life in Colombia!

Medellin es una chimba! www.medellintraveler.com

dwmte7 says on Nov 27, 2007, 12:15:

good advise on dealing with your large money matters in any bank incolombia is to do the transaction with managment and not at a teller window. always much safer, too, it's far more discreet. lessons learned.

the colombian govt/banks developed a manner for 'laundering' drug money for the capos, long ago. if the person with that ole filthy lucre invests it in real property, i.e. the large apt towers in medellin and envigado (real estate) it's then clean. the govt got it's tax earning property and the banks got their money mgmt and the capo got his money washed. end of story.

dwmte

tigredelnorte2 says on Nov 27, 2007, 14:21:

This sounds like a knowledgeable group. I have a slight problem. It´s not really directly related to this. I live in Medellin, and my US passport is expiring soon. Anyone have a clue on what I can do here in Colombia to renew it? The process I mean. I´m hopeing it´s not a big nightmare.

Lowell says on Nov 27, 2007, 15:49:

I think that you may be in for a trip to the US embassy in Bogota.

Alfred E. Newman. "What. Me Worry?"

manINred says on Nov 27, 2007, 16:29:

BanColombia is one of the worst banks I have ever seen anyone deal with. They are rude, discourteous, and they seldom help one with pressing issues. They screwed my exgirlfriend over several times, and each time blamed it on her!!! They refund sometimes for their mistakes, but it takes time, and oftentimes you need a lawyer friend to help you out.

Good luck.

msaucey says on Nov 27, 2007, 16:40:

tigredelnorte2, a trip to the U.S. Embassy is required.... They can do the whole transaction.... Off to Bogota.... Enjoy....

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

miamimike says on Nov 28, 2007, 05:52:

My wife and I had a Davivienda account and took out a bankers draft for $14,000,000 pesos to buy a car. On the way home from the bank we were robbed at gunpoint (probably followed from the bank) and the draft was amongst the stuff stolen.
The draft was made out to the vendor and therefore was useless to the robber as he couldn´t cash it in. However, Davivienda had shown the sum as being withdrawn from the account. We had the fiscalia report, which then had to be authenticated by a notoria, which we gave to the bank as proof of the theft.
TWO YEARS later, the money was refunded into our account with no interest payed. This was only with the help of a solicitor friend who kept chasing the matter up on our behalf.
Makes you weep.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

With Scenarios like the above, until Colombia cleans this up, you guys never have to worry about Colombia becoming a Mainstream Retirement Magnet or Tourist Mecca for Los Gringos! Adventure Retirement at its best! LOL. Colombian Americans I know who have retired in Col don't trust their own Banks, they have their SS Checks deposited to their Miami bank of America and then use an ATM ,,,

"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.,

panthdave says on Nov 28, 2007, 10:53:

Too much for me to handle....I will keep using the ATM's....much easier...and keep the funds in the States...ATM's have been perfect...

No reason for a colombian bank unless I do a temporary property transaction...

panthdave Miami

kat1 (Moderator) says on Nov 29, 2007, 03:21:

But be careful with ATM's too panthdave, my English debit card was also cloned.

that is why know i stick to ATM's inside shopping centers, or banks

engage brain before opening mouth

bill230 says on Nov 29, 2007, 05:09:

good idea. .

morphus says on Nov 29, 2007, 06:36:

Somthing happened to my friend. He used his credit card in Colombia and when he got back, there were thousands of dollars in internet purchases charged to it. He used the card at hotels and with travel agents. I would imagine that somebody found the card number on file somewhere and had some fun.

tigredelnorte2 says on Nov 29, 2007, 08:07:

Travelers checks are a good option. You get a better exchange rate than cash, and if they are lost or stolen ...they are replaced. Don´t leave home without them.

vicshere says on Nov 29, 2007, 08:12:

tigre ...unlike other places in the world using travelers checks in Colombia is a losing battle...
---bad exchange rate
---a problem to exchange even at a hotel
---some places will charge you a fee to exchange travelers checks

travel with an ATM card and get your cash there
or work with VISA / M/C card
I dont recomment traveller checks at all

listo

Chelesupercono says on Nov 29, 2007, 10:36:

Travelers checks are a BIG NO NO.......forget....ATM is the best rate and way to go

never go to bed with someone crazier then you are, you will do it and you will regret it.......

mranderson says on Nov 29, 2007, 13:35:

I tried using traverlers checks before. I couldn't find one place that would cash it. No banks, hotels, western union.....nothing. They were completely useless.

Medellin Traveler says on Nov 29, 2007, 14:46:

Is it possible to get a credit card that restricts purchases via internet?

Also, can you request your credit card company to have credit card user ID'd every time the credot card is presented?

Traveler's checks are useless!

Medellin es una chimba! www.medellintraveler.com

Robert Jorge says on Nov 29, 2007, 18:22:

Vicshere, Cheles, Mrand, and MT are correct about Travelers Cheques in Colombia.They are about as useful as teats on a boar hog.

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

Gator says on Nov 29, 2007, 19:30:

Do not bother with travelers checks. if it makes you feel better stash a couple hundred away for an emergency then cash then in when you return.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

panthdave says on Nov 30, 2007, 18:03:

Sunday Caracol news had that ATM Cloning special on which is going in Colombia....was watching with my novia yeah use mostly only Carrefours or Citibanks...also change my pin periodically no fee with Capital one....Mastercard don't care you can always dispute with Capital one and don't have a pin anyways for my Mastercard..

Good point KAT

panthdave Miami