Gang,

First time ever going to Brazil. Wanted to know about banking, I've emailed my bank but all they gave me was "Visa" ATMs and I certainly don't want to be taking cash advances off my credit card if I can avoid it.

Details:

- Canadian
- Bank with TD

I just wanna know what the situation with ATMs is going to be. I know travelling in Colombia my card works only at certain brands of ATM. But because I'll be in Sao Paulo and Rio, neither too long but I'd love to just KNOW ahead of time which machines would likely accept my card, especially since I don't speak the language. I can get some more currency in advance, but I don't want to get too much of it, I'd rather take it out as I need it.

Also, I would think Visa is widely accepted as both are major cities that accept lots of tourists, but is there anything else to know about it?

Obrigado!

PS...while I don't speak Portuguese I can understand some by reading and I'll have a phrasebook, but in SP/Rio how much would Spanish help me if at all?

I bank with Bank Of America in the US, and was able to use the Santander and HSBC ATMs. These are international banks, I suspect you will be able to use these without trouble.

Of note, on my first trip I tried a Brasilian bank, and it didn't work. I was at the airport and there were several ATMs, so I went to HSBC and had no issue. But then someone was able to spoof my card and steal quite a bit of cash from my account (almost everything as I had a high limit)! I suspect that someone installed a card reader in the ATM that did not work, and was watching me put in my PIN. It was Banco do Brasil or Itau... can't remember which. Luckily I took out a lot of cash and was able to get through my trip but it could have been a real issue. My Bank eventually reinstated the amount.

So, I think you will not have major problems, but inspect your ATM carefully!

I believe Banco do Brasil ATMs accept foreign debit cards, at least they accepted mine. Don't use the ATMs in the GIG airport, they are allegedly spoofed most of the time.

Another to caution not using the ATM machines at GIG or GRU.

This has been a problem for many years now.

I would suggest exchanging some of your currency to R$ (BRL) before you fly, and withdraw what you need on the advice of hotel management, or friends after you arrive.

Even so advise the Fraud Department of your bank with your travel dates, look out for spoof machines when there, suspicious "eyes" following you around or near the ATM, and avoid ( if you can ) large withdrawls in incredibly bulging wallets.

The best method of carrying cash, c cards, and documents is a hidden waist band or purse, worn inside your shirt or pants.

Certain ATMs at Banco do Brasil, Bradesco and others will have stickers with names of various ATM networks. I have a U.S.-issued Citibank debit card and use these banks plus ATMs of the Banco 24 network (found in many malls, and even Citibank). I haven't been able to use it at branches of Ita� or Santander banks. I use my debit card only for cash withdrawals. For purchases, I use credit cards (I have 3 U.S.-based credit cards, and two of them do not charge foreign currency transaction charges).

Best to call your home bank ahead of time. Fees can vary. I don't pay a fee with my Citibank card, but that's because I'm a Citigold customer. Your bank's policies can vary.

Credit card use is a different matter than ATM use. Visa, MasterCard and American Express are commonly accepted (AE less than the others). Some places even accept Diners Club, which I haven't seen in the U.S. for a while. Most places don't seem to care if you don't have chips in your cc card, though one restaurant we frequent stopped accepting any cc's without chips after the World Cup due to widespread fraud.

I use two Canadian debit cards on a regular basis:

TD debit - works at Banco du Brasil / Bradesco bank atms. I believe the daily limits are about 800 and 1000 reais respectively. Your TD card is associated with the visa plus network internationally, as you know.

Credit Union debit card - mine is linked to the Mastercard (Maestro) network and I use it at the Banco du Brasil and Bradesco.

I tend to use the credit union card more since the fee is $3.50 per transaction vs. the $4.00 TD charges.

I will also use HSBC bank atm's with my credit union card if nothing else is convenient but be aware there is a 300 real limit per day at HSBC in Brasil.

Do not use the atms at GIG

My cards have been skimmed, once at the above atms of the Rio airport , second time, not sure. The second time , August 2014, the use of the fraudulent card did not start until November of 2014. So, do watch your accounts diligently even after your trip.

I only use atms in banks, well lit, guards usually in the banks, take all the precautions I can regarding the pin, but skimming has still occurred. However, I am talking about a lot of years / withdrawals...it happens.

I do not buy brazilian currency in Canada, terrible rates at the Canadian banks.

I do take US dollars sometimes and exchange at cambios, some report otherwise, but I find the exchange competitive with the current FX rate, better exchange if you sell larger amount ($1,000 usd or more).

I do not use my canadian credit cards too much. Bugs me to pay the foreign exchange fee ALL canadian card companies impose. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted.

BTW you can also use your debit card pretty well anywhere for direct purchases. Brazilian merchant debit machines require a pin just as in Canada. Increased chance of skimming? Your decision.

Hope helps and enjoy your trip.

Very helpful, thanks all.

I wonder what I'm gonna do. I think I'll avoid the skimming thing by just using my credit card and eating the 3% fee they charge me. I'm not planning on buying much, just my expenses.

It's things like this that freak me out a little bit more than direct physical danger. I've never been to EZE but I've heard counterfeit currency is handed out like crazy. If everyone knows these GIG atms are sketchy I wonder why they are still there, or not monitored better or something.

I'll take both my cards just in case, but I'm gonna try and stick to using the Visa. I'll probably take my Bancolombia card and keep it totally separate in case I need it in an emergency.

A good article (in English) on spoofing techniques and the "Lebanese Loop."

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...ATM-fraud.html

Not rocket science, but in the long run very rewarding to the thieves.

The police arrested the gang that was involved with employees of the stores and eateries at GIG. They found the skimming chips within their credit/debit payment machines.

http://oglobo.globo.com/rio/quadrilh...tooth-14527932

There is no report of skimming devices in the ATMs.

I have one, first hand. Definitely could not have been anything else.

Banco 24H should work fine, but they have a R$15.00 transaction fee.

Bradesco doesn't seem to charge a fee, but in fact it exists, only it isn't disclosed at their ATM machines. It's a similar amount.

I have no experience at other banks with no Brazilian cards.

I believe fees depend on the card you use. Which is why I pay none when using my Citibank card (only because I have "Citigold" status). But the last time I tried to use a different card, the fee was R$8 (I declined to proceed).

You are probably right ^