Scammed in Antigua

20 Comments on “Scammed in Antigua”

• 
  Keri Peyton wrote on 31 January, 2011, 9:13

  Dear Readers,

  This is a copy of the letter that was sent in an attempt to find out more about this problem. Unfortunately, none of the banks, Superintendencia de Bancos, DIACO nor Inguat responded.

  Dear Sirs,

  As I am sure you are aware, some of your ATM machines in your branch here in Antigua have been hacked in the past few weeks; this has affected those with foreign bank accounts even more, since their money is gone while they travel and they find out only when they can access their account online or they reach a town that has a bank—not to mention try to pay for something and they’re unable to.

  Que Pasa will be writing an article for our next issue. I would very much like your input on what is happening, what are the steps you are taking to rectify this problem, and any advice on an effective procedure that those who are affected by this situation should follow, as well advice for all cardholders to prevent such fraud.

  I appreciate the time and collaboration you can give us on this matter.

  Sincerely,

  Scott Stanton

  Estimados señores:

  Como estoy seguro es de su conocimiento, algunos de sus cajeros automáticos (Máquinas ATM) en la agencia de su banco en Antigua han sido intervenidos (hacheados) en las últimas semanas, algo que ha afectado aún màs aquellos que tienen cuentas de banco en el extranjero, ya que su dinero desaparece mientras viajan y se enteran únicamente cuando pueden accesar su cuenta vía Internet o cuando llegan a una localidad en la cual pueden ir al banco—sin mencionar que traten de pagar algo y no puedan.

  Qué Pasa va a tener un reportaje acerca de esto en nuestro próximo número y nos gustaría conocer cuál es su punto de vista acerca de estos acontecimientos, ademàs de indicarnos cuáles son los pasos que toman para rectificar este problema y el procedimiento efectivo que deberían tomar aquellos que se ven afectados y aquellos que quieren prevenir este fraude.

  Agradezco de antemano su tiempo y la colaboración que extiende para con nosotros.

  Sinceramente,
  Scott Stanton
• 
  George Sansoucy wrote on 31 January, 2011, 11:18

  THANK YOU Scott & Keri for warning the extranjero community here in Antigua about this horrible ATM/money scam – which appears to be continuing with NO END in sight!!

  I too have been vicitmized by this scam (just last week) with both my US checking AND my Paypal accounts being affected. In my case the fraudulent withdrawals totaled over $8,000! I have come to find out, unfortunately, that I am only one of MANY who have been ‘hit’ by this vicious financial hacking.

  The stolen money will (eventually) be returned to my accounts by my US bank, but the time wasted and the hassel this has caused cannot be understated. MOST frustrating, however, has been the utter lack of action from the very banks whose ATMs are compromised!!!

  Where are the consumer/client alerts? Why are the banks allowing people to continue to use these compromised ATMs??? Why is NO ONE in positions of power doing anything at all about this??

  As best as I can tell, this has been going on now for 4 months!!! How much longer will this “financial fleecing” of tourists and expats be allowed to continue????
• 
  braaad wrote on 31 January, 2011, 12:22

  So it sounds like you’re reporting that this isn’t skimming, i.e. where theives put a fake card reader on the machine, sometimes in combination with a pinhole camera to record video of the victim putting in his PIN. Your saying that omehow the transaction is actually being hacked by a remote computer? That’s pretty hi-tech, especially for Guatemala. I’d be interested in knowing exactly how these guys are doing this.

  Scott I think you need go undercover- start growing your bigote now! ;-)
• 
  Carlos wrote on 3 February, 2011, 15:42

  Hi Scott, Keri and George. I have been following this scam after my wife’s account was emptied too. All the people I have spoken to have withdrawn money at the BAC ATM in el Portal.

  One thing I did notice for a few weeks was the fact that the first ATM on the left was regularly being “serviced” also we can confirm in by personal experience that the security guard although obviously aware that the aforementioned ATM was not working allowed everybody to come in insert their card and key their PIN number.

  The security guard would then tell you that the ATM was not working. It is quite obvious that the ATM was rigged as a skimming machine copying card and pin numbers and the guard was in it too and quite possibly the guys who “service” the machines.

  Otherwise why not tell all the foreigners coming in trying to withdraw money that the machine was not working and to use the other ones instead before you key in your PIN???

  The only sure thing is that someone is having a hell of a time in Lima Peru!!
• 
  Alex Ferrar wrote on 3 February, 2011, 21:57

  Hey braaad,
  The money has been traced to Colombia and Peru. Even if it was Guatemalans doing it, sure, it´s hi-tech, but we´re not the only people who get around.
• 
  leo LaChance wrote on 23 February, 2011, 9:46

  First thanks for the heads up. I noticed something wrong while checking my online account. On Jan 3rd at 12:15 am I seen 2 transactions to get my balance and a withdrawal. I was lucky I had nothing in my account at that time. In reviewing my account it was posted as US ATM?? I notified my bank about this. I read your piece now it adds up. Thanks Scott
  Can you post what machines you beleive are affected.
• 
  leo LaChance wrote on 23 February, 2011, 11:54

  Question.. Does changing the pin prevent this or getting a new card?
• 
  Keri Peyton wrote on 23 February, 2011, 17:17

  Most of the reports have come from ATMs near the park, but that’s all we can really say. Our readers, of course, are welcome to mention the ATMs they’ve had problems with.
• 
  Keri Peyton wrote on 23 February, 2011, 17:18

  It’s best to ask your bank.
• 
  leo LaChance wrote on 24 February, 2011, 13:10

  I have taken additional precautions; Changed my pin also changed my home address(any paypal transactions) requesting a new card. The machines I used were the 2 standalone Bancared atms around the corner from the park. up the street from Buger King.
• 
  Flavio wrote on 5 March, 2011, 17:39

  Been living in those countries for more tan 20 years (and I will for more years). First lesson to learn: be aware of security guards. Those are the people with most easy access to you because you tend to trust them. They are underpaid and easy to bribe; and for this are rolled over all the time. I only use machines where there is high traffic of people, supermarkets etc.
  This problem started to appear in Panama but banks had a fast response. Now all ATM machines here are provided with a security camera that record 24/7 activity.

  I still believe this a typical skimming machine system and info may be sent somewhere else and used in other countries.
• 
  lina wrote on 8 March, 2011, 2:56

  I was ripped off in the BAC bank in December but nothing showed up until the first week in January when $1600 was taken out in 4 days running, each withdrawl carefully timed so that they were spaced 24 hours apart. Luckily I caught it when I routinely checked my account but simply could not figure out where the info was stolen as the cash was withdrawn from an ATM in Bogota Colombia! Wasn’t until I saw the thread on Lonely Planet forum where several people were discussing this and said it was happening at the bank facing the park that I knew what happened as I always used those machines.

  Interestingly, I was back in Antigua last week and went in to the foyer of BAC where the machines (and guard) are and watched a bit as lots of tourists in groups were lined up. The machine nearest the window was “out of order” and the one in the middle was a brand new shiny machine!
• 
  michael sherer wrote on 30 March, 2011, 12:09

  http://www.guatemala-times has a follow up article to the ‘boys from bogota’..and the story continues to unfold. Per a local IT expert, the ‘banks’ transmit their data via unencrypted wireless..i’ve also heard of someone who identified the receiving bank as a subsidiary of BAC…that person i would love to talk with..off the record, completely.M
• 
  Claire wrote on 9 April, 2011, 11:59

  Hi,
  I just got the same problem while using the BAC cash machine in Parque Central in Antigua!I got more than 400 euros taken from my account from Peru this week. I know it happened in Xela last year and Inguat got involved and after a few months of fighting with the bank they close it.

  Cheers,
  Claire
• 
  Arno wrote on 22 May, 2011, 12:44

  Hi everybody,
  I have been hacked too, for a total of 3000 € (repeated withdrawals made from Colombia). I know for sure the problem came from the BAC ATM in Parque Central, since I have used my French credit card only once in Guatemala (and it was at BAC’s ATM). Usually I use my Guatemalan cards.

  At the INGUAT meeting, the denial of BAC’s general manager was incredible (or rather suspicious).
  I have written to Lonely Planet to inform them about the situation, hopefully they’ll put something in their next guide…
  Arno
• 
  Juan wrote on 16 June, 2011, 15:06

  The result of it all is that US and most Eurozone banks will no longer be responsible for reimbursement of hacked cards in Guatemala. You use it it, they take, you loose it. See less tourism around?

  If one wants to remain politically correct one can continue to wonder. If not, the answer is simple Guatemala’s banking ethics leave to be desired.
  The designated banks unwillingness to shut down their ATM’s after 100′s of complaints spells that black on white.

  Question: has there been more hacking lately as a result of withdrawing in these locations?

  GDLA.
• 
  John Connelly wrote on 17 September, 2011, 7:41

  Ok it’s September do we have any updates? thanks for your articles on this matter.
• 
  Keri Peyton wrote on 17 September, 2011, 11:28

  Hi John,

  I haven’t heard anything lately, but in May we published this article as a follow-up: http://grupoquepasa.com/uncategorized/la-antiguas-atms-an-update-from-the-publisher/
• 
  Ashwana wrote on 1 February, 2012, 13:48

  “If one wants to remain politically correct one can continue to wonder. If not, the answer is simple Guatemala’s banking ethics leave to be desired.”

  Well said, right on the button, some official sources will unofficially attest to that.
• 
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