13 replies to this topic

[Daniel]

For years I've lived in Tijuana and used my debit card on both sides of the border.  Yesterday BofA froze it following a 900 peso withdrawal at a Sociabank ATM.

 

While calling them to have the debit card unfrozen I had them add a comment to my account that "I live in Tijuana and work in California."  That, I was told, would stop it from happening again.  (Yea, right.)

 

You might call the number to report a stolen debit card and do something similar.  I'm not sure it will stop this from happening again, but doubt it will hurt.

 

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I still can't figure out why after so many years of using my debit card in TJ it was frozen.  Thoughts?

[tijuanahopeful]

I would get rid of BofA.

[Daniel]

I would get rid of BofA.

No way!

All banks freeze cards when they’re afraid it’s being fraudulently used, and all banks frequently think something used outside the US is being used fraudulently used.  (It's something ex-pats encounter all the time.)  Which is why I was happy to learn I could get a comment about living in Tijuana and working in California added to my account information.
 
Bank of America is as good as it gets for Gringos (like me) who live in TJ and work in the US.  Most US banks charge fees when you use a debit card in Mexico.  Using a BofA debit card at a Santander or Sociabank ATM is like using it at a BofA  ATM:  no fees!  Plus you get a better exchange rate than you'd get at a casa de cambio or at a major retailer, like Calimax or Walmart.

Citibank does something similar (but not as good) with Banomex. All other banks and credit unions besides BofA and Citibank have fees for usage in TJ.

[tijuanahopeful]

I'll be moving to TJ, but won't be using my debit card there, because it won't be necessary.  I have a credit union, and I hate BofA, I wouldn't use them if they gave me a free account.

[MarkdeCanada]

This happened to me when I first moved out here. I had to call Wells Fargo and Citizens bank to take the hold off my cards. 

[Cyanide41]

I personally hate BofA, but that's a whole issue in it's self. I think it's funny that you have been using the card in mexico for years and NOW they freeze it. For the most part I only use my cards in ATMs, but every once in a while I use it and RendiLitros and when I do, the bank calls me. It's always the same station, so you would think they'd catch on. Thank god they don't freeze the account.

[Miggiesmallz- TEXMEX]

Bank of America did this to my mother when she was out here visiting me and attempted to withdraw a couple of hundred dollars from a Santander ATM at a Commercial Mexicana.  

 

It's funny, my wife never had the problem with her BOA card at Santander in TJ, Mexico City, Guadalajara, or Acapulco.  I guess it just depends...?

[Mary Ellen]

I've used my BoA debit card both in Tijuana and Rosarito and other parts of Baja for several years and never had a problem whether I'm drawing money from ATM or at a store. You're better off to use Santander as you are probably getting high fees with other banks.  

Despite what people say about BoA they are by far the best bank here in Baja in terms of withdrawing money esp. from Santander.  Other people I know who have Wells Fargo and Citibank say they get charged with big fees.  

[Daniel]

I'll be moving to TJ, but won't be using my debit card there, because it won't be necessary.  I have a credit union, and I hate BofA, I wouldn't use them if they gave me a free account.

Huh?

 

You mean you never plan on paying for anything using pesos?  If so you're going to take a big hit like 20% if you get 10:1 instead of the current 12:1+ because low exchanges rates are what you get if you deal with "mom and pop" places and pay them in dollars instead of pesos.

 

Your credit union isn't going to exchange your dollars for pesos.  Nor will you be able to use your credit union debit card in Mexican ATMs without paying fees.  (Sometimes major ones.  Chase Bank, for example, charges 3% plus the ATM fee.)

 

As I said, using a BofA debit card gets you a better exchange rate than you'll get using any other method to exchange dollars for pesos.

 

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You may hate BofA.  But that will cost you money, instead of saving you money, every time you exchange dollars for pesos.

[tijuanahopeful]

So technically, you never read what I posted about using my debit card. I said that I wasn't planning to use my debit card in TJ, I didn't say I wasn't going to be using pesos.  Why would I even ask my credit union to exchange dollars for pesos anyway?

 

I have no use for BofA, and can't stand them, anyway, so why should I start an account with them, when I already have two checking accounts, and a savings account.  If I need pesos, I'll get pesos, (just like cash) it's not a problem, and I'll keep enough on hand if I need to go to the store, which will be rare.  I do my shopping in bulk once per month, and most anything else that I need, I'll buy when I go to San Diego on the weekends.  I don't go to the store all the time anyway, I stock up on the items that I need, so I don't have to keep making trips to the store, which is the sole reason that I bought a freezer. 

 

Why would I even want to use my debit card in TJ? I don't use foreign ATMs, even in San Diego.  My credit union debit can be used in all the usual places, plus any credit union or any 7-11 to withdraw cash, and I'll repeat this again - I don't plan to use my debit card in TJ, it's not necessary!

[Cyanide41]

So technically, you never read what I posted about using my debit card. I said that I wasn't planning to use my debit card in TJ, I didn't say I wasn't going to be using pesos.  Why would I even ask my credit union to exchange dollars for pesos anyway?

 

You didn't say you "weren't planning" you said you "won't use it". I too am confused why not? What happens when you need to buy something and you didn't pull out enough dollars? You going all they way back to the US for dollars?

 

If you are not going to exchange at your bank, and not pull pesos out of the atm. Are you planning on using Casas de cambio? I thought an ATM gives you an better exchange.

 

There are US banks that partner with MX banks and you can use their ATM's with little to no fees. You just have to find out which ones.  

[tijuanahopeful]

When my SS is deposited in the bank, I pay all of my bills, and then go shopping.  I have a list, and get most everything that I need on that day.  Quite a bit of what I buy is in bulk, I like to stock up, so I don't HAVE to go to the store all the time.  I don't foresee a need to use my debit card, and I don't see why everyone is harping on it. I really don't see a problem.

 

I have specific shopping habits that won't be changing.  I don't eat out, so my card won't be used in restaurants, I'll be going to the states every weekend to work and contra dance, and if there's a weekday event that I'll be working, and IF there's something that I need, I'll get it on the way home.  I live directly behind an ethic grocery store (North Park Produce), and I rarely go in there to shop for anything, I might go in there once every couple of months for produce, but it's rare that I go in there.

 

If I need something, I plan for it, and if I'm out, I'm out until the next day. I don't "run" to the store all the time, my purchases are planned.  I won't be pulling pesos out of any ATMS, I don't use foreign ATMS, even in San Diego.  Why do I have to keep repeating myself?

 

Neither of my banks do exchanges, and I have no reason to ask them.  If I foresee the need to start using the ATM'S in TJ, I can start an account with Charles Schwab, and any fees are reimbursed.

[Keyno]

I used to talk like you, but after a year living in Mexico, I can communicate without being so defensive. People here are trying to help you, NOT! aggravate you.

[tijuanahopeful]

I stated above that my shopping will be done in states.  I don't anticipate going grocery shopping in TJ, and if I do, I'll only be buying a couple of things.  I use coupons and buy in bulk, so I don't have to the store all the time.  I have irregular working hours, and don't have time to run to the store "for a few" things all the time. I like to get it done and have it over with. 

 

And I'll repeat this again, "my debit card is not going to be used in TJ."  It's not a matter of communication, the other posters don't seem to understand. that everyone has their own habits, and mine won't be changing.  I don't know why other posters are so concerned about my debit card use and where I get my pesos. If I need pesos, I'll get pesos, and will be looking for the best rate when the times, it won't be last minutes, and won't be from an ATM.

 

I combine my trips, and don't drive unless it's necessary.  I'll be stopping at a 7-11 ATM on my way home from work (at SDSU) to get cash for going out and for laundry this weekend.  Whatever is left over goes into an envelope by my computer for anything that I need to use cash for.