Hardly a day goes by on this site that we don’t discuss safety in one form or another. Especially in the comments, a lot of people comment that they think it’s not safe here or they worry about safety when they travel here. Many of us who are living here, and those who have a lot of experience traveling here express often that we think that it’s quite safe here. However, one area where you should use caution, no matter where in the world you are is at the ATM machine. Why? Well, obviously you’re dealing with money there, you can access your bank account from there, and basically you’re a target for criminals when you’re at the ATM machine. Because of this, you need to exercise some caution. This is true whether you’re in the Philippines or any other country in the world.
Of course there are standard cautions that you should be aware of:
- Always guard your pin number, keep it secret, don’t write it down.
- Don’t stand at the ATM machine counting a lot of cash.
- When choosing an ATM machine, browse the surroundings see if anybody is standing there watching, if people are loitering there go to a different machine.
- If you use ATM machines a lot, don’t use the same one all the time, or in a predictable pattern. Change the time of day, use different machines, etc.
- Don’t hang around chatting or doing other things. Get your money and move on.
- Generally, people in the Philippines are good that if there’s more than one person at the ATM, they’ll stand back maybe around 5 feet behind you. Make sure somebody’s not right behind you watching over your shoulder.
- Make sure the area where the ATM machine is as well lit if you are there at nighttime.
While these tips are true no matter where you are in the world, even in your own neighborhood, if you are in a foreign country, it is extremely important to be careful at an ATM machine. After all, you might be in a situation where those funds in the ATM are the only funds you have available to you. Generally, you can’t just go walk into your bank when you’re in a foreign country either.
We have been living here in the Philippines for a long time, and we use the ATM pretty extensively to access our US bank account, and so far we’ve been lucky that we haven’t had any problems with that or any other thing like that. If you exercise caution, you can also maintain a good track record like this.
Hi Bob,
All very true examples of common sense and caution regardless of where one uses an ATM. During my visit in the Philippines, I frequently used ATMs and felt safe as I exercised exactly what you outlined. There was only one time when I felt a little concerned of my surroundings, but it quickly faded. That time, I had a friend who stood behind me to make sure everything was ok. Just like here in Chicago, it all comes down to using common sense.
Cheers,
Henry
Hi Henry S – I'm glad everything went well for you. Hate if you can handle the ATM in Chicago, Davao is a cinch!
From my own experience as a first time visitor I know not to totally rely on credit cards and especially ATM Machines at the banks. I prefer to have " local " currency in my pocket when I step off the plane in a foriegn country whenever possible. I could not get any Philippine currency easily here in the USA even at the currency exchanges in the airport. At my first opportunity which may have been at Taipei or Manila international airport I got what I felt would be a sufficent amount of PHP to last for at least a few days. Not knowing the actual cost of things in the Philippines at that time I just had to make a good guestimate. Also knowing that the best value of exchange is not at airports I also took that into consideration as well.
On a day I wanted to do some local shopping in Iligan City and buy a few gifts for my friends I was visiting there, I went to a friends bank to get a " cash Advance " on my card. This was the day after a bank holiday and I never saw such crowded banks like this before. Data circuits for every ATM in town were so overloaded the ATMs would be on for 5 minutes then off for 5 minutes. I had to go to several banks to find one that would give me a cash advance on my ( world recognised ) credit card. I consider myself fortunate that I was with my Iligannon friends who " knew their way around " which avoided some of the hour long waiting sitting in the multiple rows of chairs in these banks. I never saw anything like this before and this was one of those occasions where I had to continue to remind myself that I was not at my neighborhood bank in the USA.
I did try using the ATM at this bank first but it just would not stay on long enough to complete a transaction. There were people all over the place waiting to get into the bank. There were however two armed guards at the entrance to this bank within a few feet of each of the two ATM's. With these ATMs going from operational to non-operational every 5 minutes the time I did try one of them it kind of reminded me of playing the slot machines in Vegas !
After what seemed like half of the day went by I finally did get the cash advance in the amount that I requested. After going around to several banks to find one that would do this, seeing all of these banks with rows and rows of filled seats set up in a movie theater configuration was a real experience !
Why Cash Advance instead of using the ATM ? Most ATM's have limits on how much they will give you within a 24 hour time period. I wanted enough cash to buy a few things for my friends and to hopefullly last for the rest of my visit with some extra to bring home with me to use on my next visit. I only wanted to do this once, and it worked out just fine.
Many of the independent businesses where I was did not accept credit cards so I knew that I could not totally rely on a credit card for all purchases. Fortunately for the major purchases my card was accepted.
One thing I learned a long time ago about using a credit card in a foriegn country is that it is best to contact your credit card company before you leave your home country and tell them what country you will be visiting and the dates you expect to be there. This can save a lot of time with your credit card company having to do verification checks at the point of purchase in a foriegn country to make sure it is really you and that you are really there. For a couple of major purchases I was asked for passport Identification before they would attempt to put through the transaction.
This was one of those times where I really had to put some effort into keeping my cool although thinking back on it now I guess I can attribute this one to a truly " Cultural Experience " 😆
Hi Bob New York – all of the experiences that you describe mirror what I have seen as well. There is, however, a difference between coming here for vacation and living here. When you're living here, you can't really enter the country with local currency and live your life, you have an ongoing need for money every day. Feyma and I maintain our US bank account, and much of my online earnings go to that account, which we generally access by ATM. There are certain banks that we know work well and others that don't work at all, so after having done this for years, we know where to go to get the money, what times of day there are best, etc..
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Bob.
Good advice Bob, it's always good to be careful when people know you have a good sum of money in your pocket. I've always had trouble trying to decide where to carry money and credit cards while abroad. A wallet in your back pocket isn't safe, and a money belt is a pain in the neck. Lately I have resorted to just stuffing everything into my front pocket.
I generally don't carry a lot of cash while in the Philippines because I buy as much as I can on my credit cards. Suprisingly, the credit card companies don't give you a bad exchange rate.
Hi Joe Parisi – I got into the habit a long time ago of curing my wallet in my front pocket instead of my back pocket, I think that a lot more secure. I'm with you on the money bill, that's really a pain, I won't do that either. And I also agree with you about credit card companies exchange rate, I've always gotten a fairly good rate of exchange when using a credit card in a foreign country.
Hi Bob,
These are excellent tips and I'm glad for the reminder. I try and go during off peak hours during the day to avoid the lines of people.
I have also noticed that a number of my friends are using PayPal to access their US funds at ATM's because the transaction fees seem to be lower than a lot of bank fees. Of course, this depends on the bank you use, but I imagine it would be worthwhile to look into if different readers find their transaction fees are becoming a problem. Cheers!
Hi Martin – that's a good idea also on the PayPal. When it comes to banking, I'm lucky. I have an account in which I can use ATMs Unlimited, worldwide, with no fees. Unfortunately, that account is no longer available, but those who had the account when it was available are still allowed to use it in that way. When I got the account the bank that I was using was an Internet only bank and they didn't have branches, the guys they about free ATM usage anywhere. I know of no such accounts anymore, but I'm glad I've got that one!
I agree and have also realized the best exchange rate on my credit card, especially in the UK where the exchange rate works against me.
Hi Bob New York – I think it's a great idea to use your credit card is much is possible. The ability to use a credit card here in the Philippines is getting a lot more widespread than it used to be. I remember the first time I came here in 1990, basically, you couldn't use a credit card here at all, so things have improved a lot. When using a credit card for most transactions. That means you don't have to carry much cash, which is always a good thing.
hello bob
i think this is a great article.my fiancee was drawing some money from the atm one day with her brother and this trycycle stopped to give them a ride,as soon as they entered the taxi the men ordered them to give all thier money,cellphone ect,ect.my fiancee got out and run away from them but they grabbed her brother.thankfully he only lost a 30 dollar cellphone,my fiancee had 400 dollars she got from the atm.my fiancee was so scared and i was so relieved she was ok.i also noticed that people in phil will gather right behind you when using the atm and i have to say that doesent make me feel secure.kinda feels like they are looking over your shoulder.mabe philippines should have more security around atm machines as they know its a target for robbers and thieves.
salamat bob
Hello, again, Mr. Bob! The fact that ATMs were sprouting like mushrooms in the Philippines especially in recent years, even in many rural areas, prove that these cash-dispensing machines continue to become an integral part of the Filipino habit when it comes to money and banking. In fact, many Filipinos nowadays bring along their ATM cards when going out to shop or for trips rather than bringing substantial amount of cash. I think for safety reasons, it’s a better practice too.
You are wise indeed to point out several precautions to safely conduct transactions with ATMs. In addition, I have also heard about some phony devices that cleverly mimic the machine’s card feeder and send the PIN information of the hapless user to the cyber-thief. (They say this deceptive tactic has become common abroad, but in the Philippines, personally I haven’t encountered one or even received an actual report, just received a pre-caution through a friend’s e-mail years back.)
I have been using ATMs for more than twelve years now in my own country since I was employed and so far, I have not encountered any untoward incident while using the machines-well, thank goodness. It’s a good thing, too that banks have already imposed a maximum amount for withdrawal per day-like Php 20,000 for BPI Express accounts. I think it’s for safety reasons, too and to prevent some filthy rich account-holders from drying up the machines!
As with anything that involves money, wherever you may be, it just takes prudence and common sense to do something that has become very ordinary nowadays. Well take care, everyone!
Hi Ron W – that was quite an experience that your fiancé had, I'm glad she was able to get away, and that her brother didn't lose very much either. Personally, I feel less of the looking over the shoulder thing here than I did in the states. I always find the people stand way back when you're at the ATM here compared to what they do in the states.
Hi ProudPinoy, Jr. – I am like you, I've heard of those devices, where they can rip off your pin number in such, but I've never seen one. It makes me wonder just how common they are.
Well, Mr. Bob, let's just hope we'll never ever encounter one ourselves or that could spell trouble for us! 😯 Cheers!
Hi ProudPinoy, Jr. –
I'm with you on that one!
Mr Bob New York and Mr Bob Davao great article for me because coming there Friday this week However it would be very thoughtful of you to devuluge which Bank gave you the over the counter cash advance Mr. Bob New York and which ATM machines you prefer Mr Bob Davao …. also Mr Martin do you have knowledge of cash advances accepted at a particular Bank or Banks there in the Philliphines and may i ask why do you not derive your funds in this manner? Would it not be even safer? This is of course is mine and your lifeline there in the Philliphines so it is a very important matter to me to have this knowledge I thank You
Hi lenny 2000 – There are several banks we like to use if we need an ATM: BPI, HSBC, Banco D'Oro, or Ucpb are favorites. As far as getting a cash advance, as far as I know any of the banks here will do that for you. We prefer to use the ATM, though, because it's a lot less hassle, no waiting in line etc.. Perhaps it would be safer, but honestly have never had a problem at the ATM either. Take care, and thanks for stopping by.
Lenny2000, After going to about 5 or 6 banks, I ended up at VDO Bank. Once again the place was jammed full of " waiting " people/ Fortunately my Iliganon friends I was with " knew their way around " so I did not have to wait too long to speak with someone and it was not one of the tellers.
I was asked to provide a photocopy of my passport and the credit card. The bank would not do this for me I had to go out to a photocopy shop then return to the bank. If it were not for my Iliganon friends I think I would have just about freaked out at this point. I returned to the bank with the requested photocopy, went back to the appropriate person ( no waiting ) and completed the transaction.
I'll never forget that experience with the on again off again AMT's that day. I have never exeerienced anything like that before and now that I think about it that could make for some kind of TV Contest Show " Beat The ATM " in the fashion of the old " Beat The Clock " show from the 1950's LOL.
Have a good time Lenny2000, I know I sure did and can't wait to go back for more !
Hi Bob New York – just in the spirit of providing accurate information and making sure that everything on the blog is as accurate as possible for people, I think you probably went to BDO, Banco D'Oro. I don't know if any of VDO in the Philippines. I'm not trying to be critical of you Bob, I just want to make sure that the information on the blog is accurate, and it was your first visit anyway. I hope you understand.
I am sure you are correct Bob, I asked one of my Iligan friends that were with me when we went around to all those banks, it may have been a typo in the reply I got back or I may have read it incorrectly. I didn't go thru the box of papers I brought home with me to look it up. If I find out differently will let you know. Thanks for the correction. As I have commented many times, after accumilitaing information on Mindanao for over two years, Bob Martins info and kind advice always had the highest degree of accuracy, your correction to my post here is an example of that accuracy ! Thanks Bob
Hi Bob New York – thank you for your understanding Bob.