WARNING: I attempted to withdraw $200 at the Banistmo Bank on Saturday, July 18, 10am at Plaza Terronal. A message popped up on the screen "Unable to dispense cash at this time". I left wondering why. Went to Banco Nacional down the road near Hospital Chiriqui and was successful at withdrawing $100. On Mon I went to Banco Nacional in Boquete and was able to withdraw $200. Later that night when I logged onto my Bank of America account to check activity I discovered that the Banistmo ATM withdrawal was posted! Just got off the phone with the Debit Fraud Dept at BofA regarding the ATM transaction at Banistmo. BEWARE Boquetenos! I'm staying away from Banistmo Bank from now on. Is it just me? Anyone else have these issues? We have only been here since July 1. Thx!
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Dear Twin, I changed my Post from Fraud to Malfunction at your suggestion. Thank you for helping me muddle thru some of the not-so-smooth issues of our transition from there to here! And I didn't realize that the ATMs outside the banks aren't operated by that particular bank. Best not to assume, eh?
Thx for all the input guys. I used BofA's word of "Fraud" and maybe it is a bit harsh. Since it happened on Sat in David and I didn't see it til late yesterday afternoon, I decided to contact BofA instead of Banistmo. Was thinking that because my Spanish isn't what it should be in a case like this, that I'd be better off calling my home bank. The problem with that is they canceled my debit card and now I have to wait the long mailing time from there to here but hubby's card is OK. They did credit our account the amount in question. Luckily we weren't too low on cash and I was able to get money out of the ATM at Banco Nac. If it happens again, I will go to the bank locally and discuss it with them.
If it happens again you'll STILL need to contact B of A.
Why don't you open an account in Panama, deposit money once a month, then use your local Debit card to withdraw funds as needed? I would recommend ScotiaBank - they have English speaking personnel, including the Mayor's wife. As long as you use their ATM or walk-up service, there's no charge to withdraw $. B of A charges $5 each time you use an ATM in Panama.
Katy, go to the following link to see the most exhaustive discussion of the subject on Ning:
https://boquete.ning.com/forum/topics/atm-machine-problems?id=143445...
It may be coincidence, but I have experienced no further errors since using primarily NCR machines.
The Best thing to do when it happens is to immediately contact the bank, especially if within the hours of opening. It happened sometimes to me too, but with another bank, but I have always been refunded. No worries to have.
The bank to contact is your foreign to Panama bank. This problem has been researched, and is caused by the inability to reverse the debit made on your US bank, for example, when the ATM fails to dispense. Still trying to figure out why. Appears to NOT be a problem when the your bank and ATM are in the same country.
OK, do I did do right by contacting bank back home. Next issue, I'll get on Boquete,Ning first and research the issue. Yes, we're newbies, and appreciate your alls help.
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