This newspaper received a warning this week from a reliable Chapala area resident who prefers to remain anonymous. It’s important information that may help residents and visitors from finding themselves in the same unpleasant situation.
The incident occurred at the Bancomer branch in Ajijic on Saturday, July 5, when the expat went to withdraw some cash from the ATM.
“I waited in line with my card in my hand,” he told the Reporter. “When the gentleman in front of me finished at the machine he started to leave and I started into the cubicle.
“On his way out, he said he thought I had the wrong card and took it to look at it. I’m accustomed to the helpful nature of the Mexican people. I let him look. He said it was the right card. Then he walked around behind me and put the card in the machine for me.”But unbeknownst to the expat, the “helpful stranger” had smoothly switched cards as he moved behind his victim’s back.
As he began to enter his security information, it didn’t take long for the expat to realize the card was not his. By then, however, the hustler had vanished and was wasting no time in piling up charges on the card.
“In the less than an hour it took me to report the theft to the credit card company, 11,000 pesos was taken from the account,” the victim said. “In fact, less than five minutes (after the scam artist left the ATM booth) my card, or my data, was used to purchase 5,000 pesos in merchandise at Walmart.
“The good news is that the bank says I may be able to get half that amount back next week and the rest in another month or so.”
The expat told the Reporter that he was definitely going to Chapala to file a report at the Ministerio Publico to ask them to obtain the security footage that might identify the culprit.
“The lesson is, no matter how nice the person might seem, do not relinquish possession of your card to anyone,” he said.
Here are some useful tips to consider when using credit cards in Mexico (or anywhere for that matter):
- Don’t share your PIN number with anyone.
- Don’t allow a stranger to help you with an ATM.
- Keep a copy of your card with the company’s emergency contact numbers in a convenient place.
- When you travel, write the card number and the phone number on a random business card and tuck it into your wallet.
- While you may prefer to use your debit card, memorize the PIN number for another debit or credit card and carry it separately so that if you lose one you’ll have another to use.
- Never wait until you are out of cash to return to the ATM for more. Sometimes they’re not connected with the net, or out of money or can’t read your card.
- Pay attention to the people around you, just as you do anywhere else.