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

[captaind & Linston]

Rob, its Schwab from the US. 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.

Lola,

Which ATM did you use?

Thanks

Cap

[wrtiii]

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.

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.

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.

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.

[Lola]

Captain, I've decided not to post that publicly. One reason, I don't want people to think other ATM's are okay.

Here are a couple links on ATM skimming & cameras:

http://security.stackexchange.com/qu...ther-atm-traps (the atm I used had an ANTI-skimming slot as shown in 2nd photo)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/p...dodgy-ATM.html

http://www.bankrate.com/finance/savi...thieves-1.aspx

[limeex2]

Captain, I've decided not to post that publicly. One reason, I don't want people to think other ATM's are okay.

Here are a couple links on ATM skimming & cameras:

http://security.stackexchange.com/qu...ther-atm-traps (the atm I used had an ANTI-skimming slot as shown in 2nd photo)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/p...dodgy-ATM.html

http://www.bankrate.com/finance/savi...thieves-1.aspx

It would be very beneficial to people to know the location. They can use links to get useful information and make their own decisions. Its been almost 4 years since I was in Negril. 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. I will talk to my bank before I leave in Feb and get there take on how to attempt a little better security on our end.

[Ras Walleye]

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.

[541lion]

But they have ATMs inside??

[wrtiii]

But they have ATMs inside??

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.

[belfar3]

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.

[wrtiii]

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

Yes.

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

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.

[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.