Banco Popular ATM fraud in Sosua

AlfromTexas · #1 04-13-2004, 12:46 PM

On April 10, I went to the Banco Popular in Sosua, DR to use the ATM. A lady there told me that the old machine did not work. I should use the new machine. I withdrew 5000 pesos. When I checked my account on Monday, I discovered that there had been 5 more withdrawals, totaling 55,000 pesos, which I did not make. The withdrawals were made in Puerto Plata and Santo Domingo. I had not been out of Sosua and I still have my ATM card. I called my bank and had the card cancelled. I went the Banco Popular and was told that it is not their problem. They said that I should contact my bank. I called my bank and they told me that they would file a fraud claim, but I must make a report to the local police and provide them with the report or a report number. The police in Sosua refused to make a report. I returned to Banco Popular and noticed the there was a space in the wall next to the new machine that was wide enough to put your arm through from outside the bank. The phone wire to the machine was connected just below the hole within reach for someone outside the bank to tap into the wire. After taking photos of the gaping hole next to the ATM machine, I returned with the police who had, up until then refused to make the report I need to get refunded by my bank. The employee in charge at the bank said that I should write them a letter so that they could investigate themselves. As they are denying any responsibility whatsoever, despite the access hole in plain view, they obviously have no intentions of admitting anything, and the police refuse to take a report, saying that it’s the bank’s decision on how to proceed. The police also say that since the thieves did not steal my ATM card, there was no theft. Are they so dumb that they have never heard of electronic theft? I am out 55,000 pesos and neither Banco Popular nor the Sosua police are concerned. Be weary of the Banco Popular’s ATM machines and don’t expect any help from the Sosua police.
If anyone has any suggestions as to how to resolve my problem, it would be greatly appreciated.
Anyone who would like copies of the photos of the ATM with the access hole allowing to connect the controlling telephone line, you need only PM me and I will e-mail them to you.
Thank you, Al.

Robert · #2 04-13-2004, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlfromTexas

Anyone who would like copies of the photos of the ATM with the access hole allowing to connect the controlling telephone line, you need only PM me and I will e-mail them to you.
Thank you, Al.

Sorry to hear you had a few problems. If you email them to me I will post them in this thread. Email: robert@dr1.com

Robert · #3 04-13-2004, 01:42 PM

ATM machine viewed from the outside

Hole thru which you can access the telephone line

Inside view showing the telephone line

Robert · #4 04-13-2004, 01:48 PM

These photos really do not surprise me.

If you go to the ATM machines in the car park at La Sirena (Churchil - Santo Domingo) they have sat the Cisco ATM routers and telephone boxes on top of the ATM's. You can just unplug them or tap into them, very easy.

For someone that wants to hack into the transactions taking place, it is way too easy. In fact I'm sure any decent ATM hacker would think he was being set up as the access is so easy.

adrianb · #5 04-13-2004, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert

These photos really do not surprise me.

If you go to the ATM machines in the car park at La Sirena (Churchil - Santo Domingo) they have sat the Cisco ATM routers and telephone boxes on top of the ATM's. You can just unplug them or tap into them, very easy.

For someone that wants to hack into the transactions taking place, it is way too easy. In fact I'm sure any decent ATM hacker would think he was being set up as the access is so easy.

So what do we look for to know that an ATM is safe?

AnnaC · #6 04-13-2004, 02:35 PM

Unfricking beleivable! Is the bank blind? If that's the same ATM machine that I've used in the past it's just outside the bank. Same building. What would their explaination be to have a big hole on their property?

Rocky · #7 04-13-2004, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert

These photos really do not surprise me.

If you go to the ATM machines in the car park at La Sirena (Churchil - Santo Domingo) they have sat the Cisco ATM routers and telephone boxes on top of the ATM's. You can just unplug them or tap into them, very easy.

For someone that wants to hack into the transactions taking place, it is way too easy. In fact I'm sure any decent ATM hacker would think he was being set up as the access is so easy.

When Al told me yesterday morning what had happened, I grabbed him and drove over to the bank.
They gave me so much run-around, that you could tell they were trying to hide something, and yet, dumb as stumps that they are, the hole in the wall was still there for us to take pictures today.
I suppose they will get to it before Christmas.
As I have been doing business with them for 13 years, I usually send tourists there. Now they're on my black list, and there they will remain until they make proper restitution to Al or facilitate his claim in the US.
Marco.

Rocky · #8 04-13-2004, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anna Coniglio

Unfricking beleivable! Is the bank blind? If that's the same ATM machine that I've used in the past it's just outside the bank. Same building. What would their explaination be to have a big hole on their property?

Just doing everything they can to not make good for their incompetence and exibiting their "devil may care" attitude towards their clients.
Anybody have any good ideas on how to really make their lives miserable, I'm open to suggestions.

andy_089 · #9 04-13-2004, 02:49 PM

Report all incl. pictures to the local press.

Conchman · #10 04-13-2004, 02:50 PM

superglue their door locks!

I read it here, right here on DR1. couple weeks ago.

LOL