Looking for some help. I have heard or read that you can only use certain ATM%26#39;s in Paris and that you are charged for this service and that you need a PIN from your bank in order to get Euro%26#39;s fro the machine.
I was in Italy last year and have never heard of such a thing. I used me ATM/Visa check card in ANY ATM, with no additional service charge and did not need a PIN for any transactions?
Could this be different in Italy than in Paris? What will I need to do?
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I can%26#39;t say what your deal is with your own bank and how ATM%26#39;s work in Italy but just aboaut EVERYWHERE else, if you use an ATM/Debit card (or almost every othewr type of electronic fuinds transfer card) to withdraw cash from an ATM you need to input a PIN before you even begin the transaction. You most certainly do in Paris. If you are usuimg an ATM/Debit card for the purchase of goods or services at point-of-sale, then no PIN is required, you or they, simply select CHARGE as the transaction option. In the bizzare instance that you have an ATM card that does not require a PIN to withdraw cash from machine...get rid of it. If that card is lost or stolen ANYONE who has it can pump your account dry.
As for any foreign currency withdrawal fees or transaction fees, most US banks charge some sort of fee---most usually a fixed dollar amount per transaction and this fee usually shows up on your monthly statement as a separate charge. ALL credit cards charge a fixed percentage transaction fee on eac transaction which will be at least 1% and uaually more. This transaction fee is usually %26#39;buried%26#39; within the exchange rate calculation and seldom shows up separately.
But as usual, you should check with your own local bank and any credit card companies you use for the SPECIFIC details of their Terms %26amp; Conditions of use of their instruments.
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Just to clarify- other than the 4 digit PIN that we use in the USA- when we use our ATM cards, I was told that you need a different PIN (I think I heard 3 digits) to use an ATM machine in Paris. Sorry for the confusion.
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We use the same four (4) digits in the US as we do in Paris on our cards...............Check with your bank.......
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Whoever you are hearing this information from is pretty much getting it WRONG. The same four(4) NUMERIC digit (NOT alpha-characters) PIN that works for ATM transactions in the US will work for ATM transactions ANYWHERE in the world. Since it would appear that you are getting incorrect information from unreliable sources, then you should contact both your local bank and credit card companies DIRECTLY to get the correct SPECIFIC information for your ATM card account and credit card PIN fees and charges and get it right for a change.
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I think the confusion comes from the fact that some US banks used to (and perhaps still do) issue cards with 5 digit PINs and these would not work in French ATMs. If you have a four digit code, you should be fine, but you still need to advise your bank in advance and I strongly recommend bringing thier number with you. Many people have their cards frozen because the banks see unusual activity (ie in a foreign country) and assume theft.
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I have never ever had trouble withdrawing cash at an ATM in Paris. You%26#39;ll find the steps are pretty much exactly as they are in the US.
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Please check out the info re: 3 vs. 4 digit pins. I believe it%26#39;s the four digit pin you need for Europe. Your bank will know as well as any travel agent.
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I live here and I can tell you with absolute certainty, it is a 4 digit PIN that you will require.
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To the best of my knowledge, ALL ATM accounts require a MINIMUM of four(4) digits with a maximum of seven(7) for PINs.
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My girlfriend and I were in Paris last month and had no problem using our ATM cards. We used the same PIN numbers that we use in the States.
Have a great time!
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