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ATM Dangers

by Neil Woodburn on Mar 22nd 2006 at 12:33PM

I knew I had crossed into a new era when I inserted my American ATM card into a bank machine in Tbilisi and withdrew $200 worth of Georgian lari. Goodbye traveler checks, hello instant cash!

ATMs have made travel far easier across the globe. They’ve also created yet another thing to worry about. For example, a different ATM I tried accessing in Georgia had no English options. It took me three tries to get my money and I was getting very worried that it would confiscate my card. I had brought some emergency traveler checks just in case my card disappeared, but it was still an enormous worry.

So, even though ATM cards make life easier on the road they carry with them new challenges one must now become familiar with. Before you head out on your next trip, take a moment to read up on some of the more concerning issues and what you can do to prevent them.

Filed under: Gear

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

paristriptips Mar 23rd 2006 10:37AM

I was once in Southern France using my ATM card. I put it in the machine and tried to take out about 200 euros. It didnt' work for some reason. I put my card back in, tried for 200 euros again. Again, it didn't work. So one last time I tried and it worked.

When I returned home, my bank had deducted the equivalent of 600 euros from my account. I couldn't prove that the machine didn't give me the money, it was a huge mess.

That's the only time I've ever had a problem with an ATM abroad.