U.S. EMBASSY informational MESSAGES
NOTICE TO U.S. CITIZENS
April 9, 2008
The following Notice Message is for maximum dissemination to U.S. Citizens.
SUBJECT:
The U.S. Embassy in Madrid encourages all Americans to exercise caution when
using credit or debit cards in ATM machines. There have been reports of
instances in which U.S. citizens in Spain have had their card numbers “skimmed”
and the money in their debit accounts stolen or their credit cards fraudulently
charged. “Skimming” is the theft of credit card information by an employee of a
legitimate merchant or bank following a valid transaction. There have been
recent reports of problems at Barclay's Bank ATMs in particular, but all ATM
users should use caution.
In addition to skimming, there is also the risk of physical theft of credit or
debit cards. To prevent such incidents, the Embassy recommends that travelers
keep close track of their personal belongings when out and about, only carry
that which is needed, and maintain a heightened awareness of your surroundings
when using your cards. Travelers should also regularly check the status of their
accounts to insure their security has not been compromised. Should you identify
fraudulent charges to any of your accounts subsequent to the use of credit or
debit cards, contact your bank immediately to report the problem.
For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad
should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet
web site at http://travel.state.gov, where
the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Alerts, Travel Warnings, and health-information
resources can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained
by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or, for callers outside the
U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are
available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except
U.S. federal holidays).
Following are the contact numbers of our Embassy in Spain, as well as the
Consulate General in Barcelona and the different consular agencies. All these
contact numbers and their addresses are available on the Internet at
http://madrid.usembassy.gov.
Consular Section Madrid – American Citizen Services: 91-587-2240
Embassy and emergencies after hours: 91-587-2200
American Consulate General Barcelona: 93-280-2227.
Consular Agency La Coruña: 981-213-233
Consular Agency Las Palmas: 928-271-259
Consular Agency Málaga: 952-474-891
Consular Agency Palma de Mallorca: 971-403-707
Consular Agency Seville: 954-231-885
Consular Agency Valencia: 963-516-973
April 2008
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