Unfortunately, all was not pristine in Italy during B2B. First, in Taormina, we fell for a simple scam. A street merchant was selling little "puppets" of various Disney characters that seemed to dance to the music from a boom box. We foolishly paid 5 euros for a dancing Winnie the Pooh for my sister. He checked it out to make sure it worked. When we got home, no dice. I checked the instructions to find out that these are simple "puppets" which you slide on a thread to make them appear to dance. Total production costs maybe 15 cents. We also saw these for sale in Rome; make sure not to fall for the same scam as we did.

Today, checking my account on line, I saw that three ATM transactions were made in Milan on Thursday; a week after we left Europe. Both cards are still in our possession so the perpetrator had to get number and PIN from one of my ATM transactions in Europe and then make a card. This probably happened at the machine in Venice which did not work properly (although it could have been at any of the other machines, too). Be careful. I don't think I could have avoided having the numbers stolen (I never used card for purchase or gave it to anyone to hold) but it is critical to watch after your return. Now, I get to see how hard it is to have the funds reinstated. :(

OMG, They are still doing the "dancing mickeys" in Taormina!!?? They were doing it back in 1998, when we were there during a cruise stop. One of our friends bought into it too!

Scary about your ATM card. I ahd read that one way they do this is that they place a device , like a card reader , on the machine. It's placed in such a way that you can't tell is there. They even had pictures in the article, and unless you were looking for it, you wouldn't notice!

There are usually tiny cameras involved as well, to steal your PIN. I usually shield my hand when typing my pin--we've had scams like that lately here in Toronto, so i t's always wise to have a good look at the equipment as well.

Oh Marc - thats terrible! I hope you get it resolved with your bank. I asked Frank, after reading this if he had used ATM's anywhere, and he said only at the hotel, so hopefully that was a safe ATM to use, but I told him to check our accounts.

Just awful!!! When my husband and I were in Barcelona, we were at an ATM on Las Ramblas (we know it is the street of scams). It had the usual notice to watch and be aware. Hubby was just about to use it when I did a quick survey and looked up. Lo and behold, there was a guy on an apartment building balcony with a pair of binoculars targeted on the machine. Needless to say, we moved on!! I bet they had a device on the ATM, but it certainly was not obvious. Cash or credit, you can get scammed! Marc, Taormina is otherwise such a lovely spot to have to mentally defensive, isn't it?

Marc:

My guess is that it happened at that machine that didn't work correctly. There are all sorts of gadgets that can be put into place from hi-tech to that very low tech guy with the binoculars!

Some tips and suggestions to any and all who may be traveling:
1. remember that in Europe your PIN must be only 4 digits
2. remember your PIN by the numbers not the letters. The letters are in different places on Europe ATMs
3. Security is often better inside a bank than on the street. Inside your hotel is good, too.
4. Take a good look around before using the machine. Something doesn't look right, move on.
5. Have your travel partner act as a block to cover your transaction from prying eyes.
6. Open your wallet in some safe place away from the machine to get your atm card and don't make a big production of putting the card (or your cash) away. Pickpockets watch ATMs also.
7. Tell your bank that you will be away & when you are returning. If they know that you are due back on the 10th, any transaction on the 12th will look fishy. (Do this for your credit cards, too. Otherwise your card may get blocked!)
8. Do not use private ATMs. Just don't. Here or abroad. Just too risky.
9. Have your bank's contact phone number. AND if you deal with a bank that has branches in the country you are visiting.. carry a local contact number.
10. Always, always,always... check your accounts when you get home. Your credit cards as well as your deposit accounts.

Doug..... a traveler who is a banker in his spare time

Wow, I didn't realize how common this is - pretty scary stuff. Last year when we were in Athens, we ate lunch at a quaint "taverna" and used our Capital One credit card to pay. We ended up with two charges on our card - one correct and the other one some bogus amount. I caught it right away, disputed it immediately, and the CC company removed the charge. I thought it was an honest mistake but now I am not so sure.