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Mastercard ATM problems: Warning!
The ATM card issued by my bank (Charter One) is a Mastercard. I have
always used it as an ATM card in Europe with no problems. Last week I was in Rome, Italy, and went to use it to get cash, and was told by the ATM machine "Card not valid for international transactions." I tried many different ATM machines, and kept getting the same type of message. Fortunately, I had brought some travelers checks along, so I cashed those. I got back yesterday, and called my bank to ask if they had any idea why I had problems. "Oh, yes" said the customer service rep. "We've blocked the use of Mastercard in a number of countries!" Apparently, due to fraud problems, the Mastercards can't be used in many countries, including Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Japan, China, and a dozen others. In some countries the restriction was for PIN applications only (like ATM machines), in other countries (incuding all the ones I listed above) the cards couldn't be used for anything, even as a credit card. It wasn't clear if this was a Charter One policy, or a Mastercard policy; one rep said it was a general Mastercard policy, another rep didn't know. Therefo If you are planning a trip to Europe or Asia, and plan on using a Mastercard ATM card (or any ATM card for that matter), call your bank first, and confirm that you can use it. And have a backup plan for getting cash, such as traveler checks or an alternate ATM card. Message to Charter One: Thanks for not bothering to let your customers know about this policy!!! Happy trails. Dan |
#2
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Mastercard ATM problems: Warning!
It's always a good idea to call your credit card and ATM card providers
before going on a trip. A change in use patterns might trigger an anti-theft hold on your card, in which case you then have to call home and get it unblocked. Some companies will only do this if you call from your home phone, for security reasons. Obviously tough to do in the middle of Provence or where ever! "Dan K" wrote in message om... The ATM card issued by my bank (Charter One) is a Mastercard. I have always used it as an ATM card in Europe with no problems. Last week I was in Rome, Italy, and went to use it to get cash, and was told by the ATM machine "Card not valid for international transactions." I tried many different ATM machines, and kept getting the same type of message. Fortunately, I had brought some travelers checks along, so I cashed those. I got back yesterday, and called my bank to ask if they had any idea why I had problems. "Oh, yes" said the customer service rep. "We've blocked the use of Mastercard in a number of countries!" Apparently, due to fraud problems, the Mastercards can't be used in many countries, including Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Japan, China, and a dozen others. In some countries the restriction was for PIN applications only (like ATM machines), in other countries (incuding all the ones I listed above) the cards couldn't be used for anything, even as a credit card. It wasn't clear if this was a Charter One policy, or a Mastercard policy; one rep said it was a general Mastercard policy, another rep didn't know. Therefo If you are planning a trip to Europe or Asia, and plan on using a Mastercard ATM card (or any ATM card for that matter), call your bank first, and confirm that you can use it. And have a backup plan for getting cash, such as traveler checks or an alternate ATM card. Message to Charter One: Thanks for not bothering to let your customers know about this policy!!! Happy trails. Dan |
#3
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Mastercard ATM problems: Warning!
Dan K wrote:
The ATM card issued by my bank (Charter One) is a Mastercard. I have always used it as an ATM card in Europe with no problems. Last week I was in Rome, Italy, and went to use it to get cash, and was told by the ATM machine "Card not valid for international transactions." I tried many different ATM machines, and kept getting the same type of message. Fortunately, I had brought some travelers checks along, so I cashed those. Mastercard is a credit card. It's better to use a true ATM card (Maestro), which charges lower fees than a credit card. With my Maestro card I have never had problems withdrawing cash from ATMs. -- Alfred Molon http://www.molon.de/Galleries.htm - Photos from Myanmar, Brunei, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Nepal, Egypt, Austria, Budapest and Portugal |
#4
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Mastercard ATM problems: Warning!
Dan K wrote:
Therefo If you are planning a trip to Europe or Asia, and plan on using a Mastercard ATM card (or any ATM card for that matter), call your bank first, and confirm that you can use it. And have a backup plan for getting cash, such as traveler checks or an alternate ATM card. Just for the record, this is about your particular bank, not about MasterCard. miguel -- Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu |
#5
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Mastercard ATM problems: Warning!
Sure you weren't over your credit limit!!!?
I can't imagine Mastercard wiping out so many large markets in one foul swoop!!!! 'fess up, Dan!! "Dan K" wrote in message om... The ATM card issued by my bank (Charter One) is a Mastercard. I have always used it as an ATM card in Europe with no problems. Last week I was in Rome, Italy, and went to use it to get cash, and was told by the ATM machine "Card not valid for international transactions." I tried many different ATM machines, and kept getting the same type of message. Fortunately, I had brought some travelers checks along, so I cashed those. I got back yesterday, and called my bank to ask if they had any idea why I had problems. "Oh, yes" said the customer service rep. "We've blocked the use of Mastercard in a number of countries!" Apparently, due to fraud problems, the Mastercards can't be used in many countries, including Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Japan, China, and a dozen others. In some countries the restriction was for PIN applications only (like ATM machines), in other countries (incuding all the ones I listed above) the cards couldn't be used for anything, even as a credit card. It wasn't clear if this was a Charter One policy, or a Mastercard policy; one rep said it was a general Mastercard policy, another rep didn't know. Therefo If you are planning a trip to Europe or Asia, and plan on using a Mastercard ATM card (or any ATM card for that matter), call your bank first, and confirm that you can use it. And have a backup plan for getting cash, such as traveler checks or an alternate ATM card. Message to Charter One: Thanks for not bothering to let your customers know about this policy!!! Happy trails. Dan |
#6
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Mastercard ATM problems: Warning!
Alfred Molon wrote in message m...
Dan K wrote: The ATM card issued by my bank (Charter One) is a Mastercard. I have always used it as an ATM card in Europe with no problems. Last week I was in Rome, Italy, and went to use it to get cash, and was told by the ATM machine "Card not valid for international transactions." I tried many different ATM machines, and kept getting the same type of message. Fortunately, I had brought some travelers checks along, so I cashed those. Mastercard is a credit card. It's better to use a true ATM card (Maestro), which charges lower fees than a credit card. With my Maestro card I have never had problems withdrawing cash from ATMs. Yes, but the only ATM card that Charter One issues is their Mastercard debit card. So if you are a customer of theirs, you have no choice. Next trip I plan to get a pure ATM card from a different bank. Dan |
#7
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Mastercard ATM problems: Warning!
Dan K wrote:
Yes, but the only ATM card that Charter One issues is their Mastercard debit card. So if you are a customer of theirs, you have no choice. Next trip I plan to get a pure ATM card from a different bank. My bank automatically 'upgraded' me to a debit card. I insisted on having it changed back to a 'plain vanilla' ATM card, even though the first few people I spoke to, insisted it was impossible and claimed that 'all our cards are debit cards now'. |
#8
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Mastercard ATM problems: Warning!
"Mark Fagan" wrote in message ... It's always a good idea to call your credit card and ATM card providers before going on a trip. A change in use patterns might trigger an anti-theft hold on your card, in which case you then have to call home and get it unblocked. Some companies will only do this if you call from your home phone, for security reasons. Obviously tough to do in the middle of Provence or where ever! My card was blocked in Turkey. I was able to call the 800 number on the back of the card, identify myself, explain that it was "really me" in Turkey, and get the block lifted. Much easier to d it before leaving home, tho. Tom |
#10
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Mastercard ATM problems: Warning!
Dan K wrote: Alfred Molon wrote in message m... Dan K wrote: The ATM card issued by my bank (Charter One) is a Mastercard. I have always used it as an ATM card in Europe with no problems. Last week I was in Rome, Italy, and went to use it to get cash, and was told by the ATM machine "Card not valid for international transactions." I tried many different ATM machines, and kept getting the same type of message. Fortunately, I had brought some travelers checks along, so I cashed those. Mastercard is a credit card. It's better to use a true ATM card (Maestro), which charges lower fees than a credit card. With my Maestro card I have never had problems withdrawing cash from ATMs. Yes, but the only ATM card that Charter One issues is their Mastercard debit card. So if you are a customer of theirs, you have no choice. Next trip I plan to get a pure ATM card from a different bank. I think I'd change banks, period! (Especially if they didn't see fit to inform their card-holders of their change of policy.) My bank offers a combination VISA/ATM card (which acts like a debit card, with transactions being immediately charged against your bank account). However, when I said that was NOT what I wanted, they were perfectly willing to provide an "ordinary" ATM card. I make it a practice to have credit cards only with independent credit-card companies, not my bank. That way, I have control over whether or not I pay a given charge. (It's much easier to get an erroneous charge reversed if the vendor doesn't already have your money!) |
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