ATM Safety-In Nepal and Throughout the Developing World

 Money matters have the ability to ruin your travels more than any other issue you are likely to encounter. It isn’t just a third world problem, either. I lost $500 in France and even got a bad note from an ATM machine. Although I recovered the first money, the second problem was just a loss of 200 Euro. Traveling outside of America or Europe has even more pitfalls.

The people in countries like Nepal, where they are not allowed to use international banking, remain very curious about how it is that your money can follow you around the planet. Even educated people in these countries have many misconceptions about us and our money, one such misconception being that we can never run out of it. When my bank got bought out last year my money got stuck for almost a month. When I mentioned it to a local merchant whom I had created somewhat of a relationship with, she laughed at me in disbelief. It was unthinkable, even amusing that I could try to lie to her about it-as if a tourist could actually run out of money!

Here are my top 10 for ATM safety while traveling abroad:

1. Always use only ‘Tourist Friendly’ ATM machines. This is the machine that has a slot whereby you can dip your card without letting go of it. In many countries there are either scheduled or random power outages. If you let go of your card and there is a power outage before you complete your transaction you will need to spend the next day at the tourist police department getting your card back.
   
2. Make sure there is a guard outside. Although they don’t usually speak English, they will help you if you need them. I also like to use the same one regularly so I can recognize the guard. Random guys in uniforms are not always legitimate guards.
3. Don't try getting money on the weekends or late at night in the West, or during your own country's holidays. There are often problems with the international cable lines and if it’s 2:00 am on a Sunday morning in the West there isn’t much that can be done until business hours wherever the bank’s headquarters is.
4. Don't try getting money on National holidays in the country where you are,  It is not uncommon during major festivals to see many ATM machines out of money.
5. Do not wait until you are out of money to go to the ATM. Many tourists expect to just stop by the ATM on their way to go trekking or to an excursion outside the metro area. There are few ATMs in the rural areas in many countries.  Also, it is not uncommon to see 24 hour ATMs closed down tight. When one machine runs out of money or is closed there seems to be a domino effect on the others in the area and you can spend all morning looking for a ‘tourist friendly’ ATM.
6. Don't go late at night. Particularly if you have different color skin or are wearing Western attire, you will be noticed by everyone. Why put the spotlight on yourself?
7. Don’t go to stand-alone machines. Make sure the actual bank is nearby. Otherwise it is difficult to know if it’s a legitimate machine. Inspect the ATM machine for legitimacy. Legitimacy means high quality metal rather than plastic. If it looks cheap or portable just walk away.
8. Cover the key pad with one hand while you enter your PIN. There can be a camera that records which keys you enter. Then the criminals copy your card and clean you out!
9. Be very careful if you go to ATM lounges. People are very curious about how the international banking works. Do not go at extremely busy times. I only take one pull at a time from the ATM lounges. Otherwise I would walk out with everyone knowing I have $300. That’s a lot of money in many countries like Nepal.
   
10. Get at least one special debit card for traveling from an international bank, such as Chase or Standard Chartered Bank. Depending on the account you set up, they can remove international charges from your statement. By using online banking you will be able to transfer money when you need it, but if the account becomes compromised your main account will remain safe.
    
    Originally posted at: http://www.therulesoftravel.com/10-travel-rules-for-atm-the-bank-money-machine/enter-the-title-of-the-topic.php#ixzz2fnZCHLRE
     

Did you know I wrote an eBook filled with tips on getting the most out of your visit to Nepal?

Satisfaction Guaranteed: NO FINE PRINT. If you don't truly love Nepal: A Tourist’s Manual, please send for 100% money back. If you are not completely satisfied just send your purchase information along with a note to: FrugalTravelsNepal@gmail.com

Nepal: A Tourist’s Manual-For more information check out our website. If you enjoy this blog and the website you will enjoy the 299 page eBook. It is a well illustrated, easy read with over 1,000 tips to help you get the most out of Nepal.

Visit my website: Nepal: A Tourist's Manual

Corrections and updates from Nepal: A Tourist's Manual

I caught the Himalayas peaking through even though it's monsoon.

First, you will note that we've changed the name, yet again. It went from Nepal: On a Budget, to Nepal: Unconventional Tourism and now Nepal: A Tourist's Manual. Please let me know if you think it's not an improvement. I couldn't find the proper word, but I think this might be it.

There is still some political unrest in Nepal. This was a women's protest. It was nice because most of the police escorts for this protest were also women.

When I wrote the book it was all as I or others found things in Nepal. There was nowhere to actually check for most of it. For example, I needed to add the phone number of the tourism board because I found they were closed when I went there a couple times in a row. I went to the website and tried to send a note to find out the new office hours. The link did not work. That's just the way it is here in Nepal. When you get here you will find so many things to be so different from what you would expect or even what you've been told or read. That is why I'm trying to keep my book in the electronic realm. It's just so much easier to update it without having to send something to the publisher to get a new version printed. When I finally found someone at the Tourist Bureau he couldn't seem to understand what I was talking about when I suggested the office had been closed multiple times I'd come by.

This Tamang village is still in the KTM Valley, so don't worry if you need to have a short stay here. There is plenty do see in the valley nearby.

So, on the list that I've been sending out as a sample of the book, I suggest bringing used phones and having them unlocked at home and hopefully they will work here. But that wasn't all that needed to be included in the tip. You should also only bring 'SIM card' compatible phones. We do not have them in the US, but people in Europe and Asia understand this concept. This is the only kind of phone that will work in Nepal and most of Asia. And even if you bring one here and it isn't unlocked you will have another problem. You need to pay up to 12,000 NRs. to unlock it, depending on your carrier. So, if you are coming to Nepal look to see if you have an extra 'SIM card compatible mobile phone' and get it unlocked from your carrier. It should be unlocked at no charge as a courtesy from your own mobile server. Then you are all set. Just check out my blog post on 'Getting your vacation off to a good start' and you will save about $25 in your first couple hours in Nepal. 

Another change from the earlier editions: More and more ATM machines in Nepal are charging 400 NRs. per transaction. Check with your bank to see how to get the charges reduced or removed by getting an account with one of the international banks such as Chase Bank. Standard Chartered Bank is here in Kathmandu, so this is a bit easier for Brits and those living in major cities in the US. Some banks allow people to set up an account online so you may want to explore this option. But, don't worry about these charges too much. I tell how to deal with this issue in the book. You should not have this charge if you know which ATM machines to use.

If you've read the book, by whatever name and if you've found something that is either confusing, didn't work out for you exactly the same way, or perhaps it is outdated already, please leave a comment below. If you've read the book and would like to comment on it, please leave a comment below or send me a picture of you to use on the website.

Additional apology:  It has not been easily accessible for a few months. It is ready for sale now with many updates. If you have an earlier version let me know when you are coming back to Nepal and I will give you a free, updated download link.

Did you know I wrote an eBook filled with tips on getting the most out of your visit to Nepal?

Satisfaction Guaranteed: NO FINE PRINT. If you don't truly love Nepal: A Tourist’s Manual, please send for 100% money back. If you are not completely satisfied just send your purchase information along with a note to: FrugalTravelsNepal@gmail.com

Nepal: A Tourist’s Manual-For more information check out our website. If you enjoy this blog and the website you will enjoy the 299 page eBook. It is a well illustrated, easy read with over 1,000 tips to help you get the most out of Nepal.

Visit my website: Nepal: A Tourist's Manual

Getting Your Vacation in Nepal Off to a Great Start

Surviving the Tribhuban International/Kathmandu Airport Experience

This Post Will Save You Over $20 in Your First Two Hours in Nepal

This picture is from the entrance at the street. Why? Because I want you to get out of the airport quickly so you can to save money from the beginning of your stay in Nepal.