ATMs - May have cheater sleeve in the card slot
I hadn't know of this ATM scam, but it's insidious. Last night I went to the ATM nearest where I live to get some pesos. When I put my card in the slot, the screen asked for my PIN, which of course I entered -- and that was the end. The screen went blank for a few seconds and then came back on with a "out of order" message, and the machine wouldn't return my card.
What happened was that the criminal involved had put a thin metal sleeve into the card slot. This sleeve captures the card and records the PIN. When you finally leave in frustration and call to cancel your card, the thief comes into the bank and pulls out the sleeve -- with your card -- and runs to the nearest ATM and starts withdrawing money as fast as he can, usually in 500 peso increments.
I had my cell phone, called the number on the bank screen and learned that since mine was a US card they could only tell me to call and cancel the card. I called my bank in the US, experienced all kinds of waiting time and frustration, and was not in fact able to get the card cancelled until more than an hour later!
Of course in the meantime my account had been wiped out. It was "only" 1500 bucks, but it was my entire backup account for living here fulltime as a retiree.
I believe the bank (s) will reimburse all or nearly all of the money, but it will take time and hassles, I'm sure, and I also have to get another card sent from the US.
I later checked a bunch of websites and learned that you should always notice if the card slot looks "funny" in any way. The easiest way to tell is that the slot itself is very thin and just big enough to accept the card. It may also protrude a bit from the machine. But nonetheless it's a clever piece of work and easy to be fooled by if you're just on the way home and trying to get some cash. There's also another system where a tiny remote camera is mounted on the top of the ATM and views the keypad. Whee.
Live and learn -- I hope! Write me a note if you have any questions.
Thanks.
Peter / Fred 88
Attempted robbery Callau and Juncal mid afternoon
On or about Nov. 30th I was the victim of an attempted robbery. I was in Recoleta walking with two friends in the mid afternoon. One man grabbed my wrist and watch from behind. Very sudden. I was in a high class location and I had no suspicion. The man severely damaged my rolex but he did not get it off my wrist. I yelled and he jumped on his accomplices bike and sped away. I will not bring any nice watches again.