Thread: WARNING: Credit card scam

Visited Panama from 7/19 to 7/25--- Visited and had dinner at 3 resturants: Oldies but Goodies, Jimmy's and Parrillada Campestre... Two weeks later, I received my Bank Statement & was bilked for $587.00 at Novey in La Chorrera.... Someone took my credit card #s & screwed me up....
WARNING TO EVERYONE IN PANAMA - BE CAREFUL!!!!!

Unfortunately, this goes on in a lot of countries, never let the card out of your sight when paying with it. Hope that you get a refund.

I try to pay cash for everything I can while in Panama. I had an ATM short me $100.00 and it took about 60 days but I got refunded through my bank in the states. If it was a visa card you should have fraud protection and will get a credit. Panama is third world even though it is sold and hyped as first world by realtors.

It is not uncommon for ATM's in Panama to flash a message that they have no money to dispense, not issue a paper confirmation and then deduct the money from your account. Of course the local bank doesn't want to know and you have to pursue it with your card issuer. Working on the small percentage that don't check their bank statements and remain blissfully unaware it is a nice little earner for the ATM provider. It has happened to me three times.

Twice for me! Once the electricity went out when it was dispensing. Took about 2 weeks to correct. Other time was with Banco Nacional in the airport - the ATM by the side of the bank. Took about 4-5 weeks to get back since foreign card. Me and a friend's card got copied in two different places along Calle Uruguay (you know where two guy were executed with 14 bullets on Saturday night: prensa.com Panamá - Panama News in English).

Originally Posted by EdBowers

Twice for me! Once the electricity went out when it was dispensing. Took about 2 weeks to correct. Other time was with Banco Nacional in the airport - the ATM by the side of the bank. Took about 4-5 weeks to get back since foreign card. Me and a friend's card got copied in two different places along Calle Uruguay (you know where two guy were executed with 14 bullets on Saturday night: prensa.com Panamá - Panama News in English).

Terrible but still better than Mexico where they kill everyone who happens to be in the place.

Yes, or as in Miami in the 80s when it was customary to spray the whole table.

Originally Posted by Contrail

It is not uncommon for ATM's in Panama to flash a message that they have no money to dispense, not issue a paper confirmation and then deduct the money from your account. Of course the local bank doesn't want to know and you have to pursue it with your card issuer. Working on the small percentage that don't check their bank statements and remain blissfully unaware it is a nice little earner for the ATM provider. It has happened to me three times.

It must happen allot to everyone. I have read so many threads about just this same thing on many different sites.