BEWARE OF SCAMS

Two female friends of ours were at Costco in Guadalajara yesterday. They had finished their shopping and were sitting outside at the picnic benches when a well dressed couple pointed to a key lying on the ground under the picnic table. Of course they leaned over to have a look at what they were pointing at and at that instant someone else behind them reached into one of their purses and stole their wallet. Normally, she has the purse zipped up but the zipper had just broken earlier that day. The irony of this is that they had just been discussing how people are being duped by people like this. As this was happening, the woman whose wallet was stolen suddenly thought that this might be a scam and sure enough it was, but it was too late.
They took her debit card and cleaned out her bank account. Apparently, you don't have to use a pin number when using a debit card in Mexico to buy merchandise.
One bit of advice would be to only carry your debit card or credit cards when you are going to use them, otherwise, leave them at home. If you do have them with you, carry them in another pocket, not your purse or wallet. Be safe, not sorry.

Thanks for the valuable information about not having to use a PIN for a debit card in Mexico. Would that also apply to cards from NOB?

I'm not sure if that applies to cards from NOB. I only found out about this yesterday and it was a debit card issued here in Mexico. Maybe someone will know.

WARNING !!!!!

If a man comes to your front door and says he is conducting a survey and he asks you to show him your tits,

DO NOT SHOW HIM YOUR TITS.

This is a scam and he is only trying to SEE YOUR tits.



"I wish someone had told me this before. (God, I feel so stupid.)"

Any debit card that has Visa written on it can be used as both a debit card or as a Visa card. In most cases, if charges are made, your bank balance is reduced. Some people also have lines of credit on the same account. But if it says Visa on it, you don't need a pin to use it.

I understand that you can make arrangements to have your bank request a photo ID in order to process the Visa charge. In that case the cashier should ask you to see a photo ID before they process the charge.

On the signature line of my credit cards I print "ASK FOR PICTURE ID" Then I have to produce my drivers license to complete the transaction.

I thought that putting "Ask for ID" on the signature line was a good idea too, so I did it. One day about 5 years ago I lost my credit card. I noticed it almost immediately (within an hour), phoned the credit card company to cancel the card and they said they would. When my next statement came, there were over $1,200 in charges that I hadn't made. When I called the credit card company they said that the guy I talked to earlier hadn't cancelled my card. I didn't have to pay for the charges, but my point is that even with the "Ask for ID" on the card, someone was able to use it freely. I made a point after that to see how many cashiers asked me for ID and I can count on one hand how many asked in 5 years, so it's certainly not a foolproof idea.

A lot of the places I shop ask for it. Not a cure all, but it helps.

Shoot ~ Up here any purchase under $50 on my Master Card needs no signature or pin number. Which I think sucks. Lizzy

Liz, I don't remember a purchase under $50 here in Alberta. :(

Walter, are you saying there's nothing in Alberta to be purchased for $50 or less?
I had no idea Canuckcountry was so expensive. Lizzy

I'm a big tipper!

Ya, dat was an expensive cuppa coffee. Lizzy

It isn't only the money that one may lose when someone steals your card(s), it's the pain in the a__ trying to get everything replaced, especially when you are living here in Mexico and your cards, driver's license etc. are issued from NOB. It's bad enough when you are still living NOB.
You might want to stop and think what you would do, if today, you had your purse or wallet stollen. Could you replace everything EASILY?
Also, one other piece of advice no matter where you live, one of the first places you should call and let know that your card(s) has been stollen or lost is EQUIFAX. They can put a stop on ALL of your cards immediately.
I still think that we should change our habits and carry only what is necessary for the day and not all in one place such as a wallet or purse.

Hock, if you try that scam at Lakeside, you're in for the surprise or scare of your life. Not a pretty sight! - in most cases. Members of this board excluded, of course.

hockables wrote:WARNING !!!!!

If a man comes to your front door and says he is conducting a survey and he asks you to show him your tits,

DO NOT SHOW HIM YOUR TITS.

This is a scam and he is only trying to SEE YOUR tits.



"I wish someone had told me this before. (God, I feel so stupid.)"