Be sure and check your bank balance daily upon return!!

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Originally Posted by limeex2

Isn't there a "real" bank in the downtown area? Couldn't one go inside the bank and use their service inside? If that's possible, I seriously doubt one would encounter issues inside the bank.

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Scotia Bank is a real bank, and yes, you can go inside during banking hours and use an indoor ATM. That's certainly the safest.

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Originally Posted by Lola

Interestingly, all the fraudulent withdrawals were taken at Bank of Nova Scotia - which (at least in Negril) charges a fee, which adds to the transaction time. They must have a way to override the machines to withdraw so quickly.

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Lola, if they skimmed your credit card, they are using equipment (easy to buy) that reads the stripe on your card; probably a camera to get your PIN; and a machine to produce duplicate cards. Then they can simply produce several duplicate cards and send them out with accomplices who use them on schedule wherever they want, so as to get a bunch of transactions done before the account is closed. Not especially sophisticated.

I would say never to use a private ATM, and to be very suspicious in using any outside of a bank - including the walk-up ones outside a bank.

No where in Jamaica is soon come more evident than when trying to do bank business. If you need a teller, expect to wait in line forever.

But they have ATMs inside??

This is a bit disturbing. We are heading to Negril in April from Michigan(2nd trip). If we were to buy prepaid credit cards, would hotels, restaurants. stores accept these? and if they do accept them, would we get screwed on the conversion factor. I would hate to carry a bunch of cash on me. or I guess as long as you are monitoring your accts and advise the bank/credit card company before your trip, it should be caught pretty quick and funds returned, right?
This has happened to me a couple times over the years where transactions took place that I didnt make when travelling within the US so I do know this can happen anywhere.

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Originally Posted by 541lion

But they have ATMs inside??

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I was last there 2 years ago, but at that time there were 2 inside and 2 outside. There was always a security person near the door.

There were also 2 outside, in the usual "booth" arrangement you see at banks. One would dispense only JMD, the other would let you choose between JMD or USD.

Remember that the bank is open banking hours only, so on weekends you'd have to use the outside ATMs. I often found them to be out of money on Sundays.

If withdrawing in JMD, be sure to ask for the right amount - if you ask for $300. you'll get $300 JMD, and pay the $1.50 US (or whatever) transaction fee.

If anybody has more recent information, please correct me as needed.

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Originally Posted by belfar3

If we were to buy prepaid credit cards, would hotels, restaurants. stores accept these?

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Yes.

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and if they do accept them, would we get screwed on the conversion factor.

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Yes. You'll need to carefully read the terms and conditions, but I expect you will find there is a significant foreign transaction fee on each transaction, in addition to being charged an exchange rate.

I usually take out enough cash for 3-4 days at a time, and keep enough for each day on my person and the rest in the hotel safe - with my passport.

I won't claim expertise on card skimming but it seems to me they need both your account number AND your secret PIN code. "Protect your PIN" is more than a slogan. I always cover one hand with the other to conceal my PIN. That hidden camera will need x-ray vision.

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Originally Posted by Craig123

I won't claim expertise on card skimming but it seems to me they need both your account number AND your secret PIN code. "Protect your PIN" is more than a slogan. I always cover one hand with the other to conceal my PIN. That hidden camera will need x-ray vision.

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Good idea to use everywhere...however, I have been searching the web regarding info on card skimming since this happened to me. Apparently, this doesn't always help. These devious dudes even use fake pin pads placed over existing ones...that look the same..in order to obtain the PIN. Next trip, I plan to use the one inside the bank. I have been inside the NS Bank before to cash Travelers Checks (when I use to be able to get them) but didn't really see an ATM. I am glad that someone posted the information regarding the presence of these.

I have found a simple solution for travel money, that has worked great for me for years, but might not for everyone. I opened an account in a different bank, besides my bank where
I have my regular checking account. I use it strictly for travel and only keep an amount that I think I'm going to need , maybe a little extra.... so that way if
my account ever gets messed with, it won't hurt me to much.

I have always used the one outside of NS bank......but I won't now, I will use the indoor one....