HEADS UP - IF YOU USE ATMs READ THIS

I doubt this scam is just limited to Mexico, but since tourists appear to be among the preferred targets I wanted to bring this to your attention.

The gist is that ATMs are being hacked or compromised apparently by technicians who work on them, but it appears that we can detect compromised ATMs using our smartphones. You only need to be within a few feet of the ATM you want to use to be able to check first. Go to your configuration settings of your smartphone, if Bluetooth isn't already turned on then turn it on. If among the bluetooth devices you detect, one says "Free2Move" then don't use the ATM. It can steal your PIN number and account info.

Tracking a Bluetooth Skimmer Gang in Mexico

Good tip Jefe...

Wow.............Scum has no boundaries.....

Dave

Does anyone know if this has been isolated to free-standing ATM's or has also included some of those located at the banks?

Does anyone know if this has been isolated to free-standing ATM's or has also included some of those located at the banks?

According to the author of the article he did not find any Bluetooth skimmers in on-premises bank ATM's or ones embedded in walls. Only in free-standing machines.

Thank you! I thought my only worry was the machine eating my card, now I'll make sure I check my bluetooth to check any type of ATM.

And a person is POSITIVE the clamp on device is a skimmer...

Passing two ounces of N52 grade Neodymium magnet near it positively destroys the device, magnetizes the ferrous structure and it is then fit solely for chatarra,

But powerful magnetics can pose a hazard both to a legitimate ATM and to any nearby credit cards. I have destroyed three of these devices in the last five years. The banks were closed and the one grocery store refused to put the HSBC ATM out of service at 9:30PM. With two of the machines, they continued to function as normal with customers, and the third I did not keep track of.

Zihua Rob's way is better. Because it does not risk the machine from misuse of the super magnet.

Does anyone know if this has been isolated to free-standing ATM's or has also included some of those located at the banks?

According to the author of the article he did not find any Bluetooth skimmers in on-premises bank ATM's or ones embedded in walls. Only in free-standing machines.

The chance to make 100 times ones wages - or more - must be just as tempting to technicians servicing ATMs located inside bank branches. How would local bank staff know if their usual ATM service technician (undoubtedly employed by an outside contractor) was installing one of these devices during a routine service? Clearly, bank staff wouldn't have a clue - until customers started reporting missing funds.

One of the commentators to the linked article, I think in the Playa del Carmen area, said that they, and everyone they knew, had had their ATM accounts hacked. We don't have, or want a smartphone, and I'll be damned if I'll purchase one just to check if my favourite ATM has been hacked.

The subject of this thread: "IF YOU USE ATMs READ THIS" covers just about everyone who reads this Board. It's been so long since I purchased traveller's cheques that I forget how they work. Wikipedia doesn't sound too enthusiastic:

"Their use has been in decline since the 1990s as alternatives, such as credit cards, debit cards, and automated teller machines became more widely available and were easier and more convenient for travelers. Travelers cheques are no longer widely accepted and cannot easily be cashed, even at the banks that issue the cheques. Other factors that have led to a decline in traveler's cheques include the fees charged by the issuer and agent as well as the less favourable foreign exchange rate commonly used on traveler's cheques, especially compared to those on credit card transactions."

Maybe we should just purchase a great wad of pesos from our local Canadian bank, and hope we don't get robbed on the 5000 km drive down.

Does anyone know if this has been isolated to free-standing ATM's or has also included some of those located at the banks?

According to the author of the article he did not find any Bluetooth skimmers in on-premises bank ATM's or ones embedded in walls. Only in free-standing machines.

The chance to make 100 times ones wages - or more - must be just as tempting to technicians servicing ATMs located inside bank branches. How would local bank staff know if their usual ATM service technician (undoubtedly employed by an outside contractor) was installing one of these devices during a routine service? Clearly, bank staff wouldn't have a clue - until customers started reporting missing funds.

One of the commentators to the linked article, I think in the Playa del Carmen area, said that they, and everyone they knew, had had their ATM accounts hacked. We don't have, or want a smartphone, and I'll be damned if I'll purchase one just to check if my favourite ATM has been hacked.

The subject of this thread: "IF YOU USE ATMs READ THIS" covers just about everyone who reads this Board. It's been so long since I purchased traveller's cheques that I forget how they work. Wikipedia doesn't sound too enthusiastic:

"Their use has been in decline since the 1990s as alternatives, such as credit cards, debit cards, and automated teller machines became more widely available and were easier and more convenient for travelers. Travelers cheques are no longer widely accepted and cannot easily be cashed, even at the banks that issue the cheques. Other factors that have led to a decline in traveler's cheques include the fees charged by the issuer and agent as well as the less favourable foreign exchange rate commonly used on traveler's cheques, especially compared to those on credit card transactions."

Maybe we should just purchase a great wad of pesos from our local Canadian bank, and hope we don't get robbed on the 5000 km drive down.

Anything you wanna do is just fine, Chicken Little.

There aren't many positives to this here future we now live in, but smartphones are one of them if used... dare I say... smartly.

Kind of like Spock's Tri-corder, Capt. Kirk's communicator and Dick Tracy's watch together with a TV, a telephone, an instant camera, a video camera, a Walkman with almost endless music, a video arcade, a Roladex, an alarm clock, a personal calendar, all the books you could ever read, almost any newpaper or magazine, and a whole bunch of other useful tools and goodies all in one. I just wish it had a phaser.

When is that happening

Wow. Really? Is this technique used in the U.S. As well? We just had an Issue locally at a gas station of many many stolen cards. I'm so paranoid now I make two trips to the cashier to get gas, one to pay and back again for the receipt. I have to buy one tank per day dor my business. . I refuse to use the machines because my card has been stolen FIVE times in two years.

Why can't we figure out a way to secure the way we have to do business? And here I was delighted to see the dollar at ~$17 MXN today.
Do you have to use the teller to get the best rate in MX? I understand it is better to use the ATMs. Bank only?
So I need my phone now to. WTH?
Thx for the tip.

ELSEWHERE than Zihuatanejo I have been waiting in line early in the morning and watched as a bank employee entered the cubicle and went over the machines with a fine-tooth comb. Don't know exactly what they were looking for but it was obvious their intent was to inspect. BanComer, BanaMex and Banco Santander.

Somehow I feel safer using a cajero automatico physically attached to a bank.

Since this original story was posted has anyone scanned around Zihua for the scam?

--
Fine Art Photographer. Images are available for purchase here: Ward Cameron on Pixels.com

Since this original story was posted has anyone scanned around Zihua for the scam?

That someone would chime in as well. I do not own an approved device to complete this task.

D