Question 1

What is the "ATM Shoulder Surfing and Card Trapping" scam in Medellín?

Accepted Answer

At ATMs in El Centro and around the Estadio metro station, criminals use card-trapping devices inserted into the card slot that retain the card while a confederate watches over the victim's shoulder to capture the PIN. After the victim leaves to report the issue, the criminals retrieve both the card and PIN. A variant involves a "helpful bystander" who distracts the user and swaps the retained card for a blank one, then uses the real card immediately at a nearby machine. Use ATMs inside bank branches or inside well-lit shopping centres such as El Tesoro or Santafé Mall rather than street-level machines. Shield the keypad with your free hand when entering your PIN. If an ATM retains your card, do not walk away — call your bank immediately from the machine and wait for assistance. Ignore any bystanders who offer to help.

Question 2

What is the "Counterfeit Peso Notes as Change" scam in Medellín?

Accepted Answer

Taxi drivers and market vendors pass fake 20,000 and 50,000 peso notes back to tourists as change. A common variant is the swap-and-reject trick: the driver accepts your genuine note, briefly distracts you, then returns a counterfeit version claiming it is "malo" (bad) — you leave with a worthless fake. Counterfeit notes are also distributed in El Centro street markets and some unlicensed currency exchange points. The 20,000 and 50,000 peso denominations are the most-commonly counterfeited. Carry small denominations to minimize the change you receive. Check notes immediately using the feel-and-tilt test — genuine Colombian pesos have a security thread, raised print, and colour-shifting ink on high denominations. Never take your eyes off your note once handed over. Use ATMs for cash and pay by card wherever possible.

Money & ATM Scams in Medellín

ATM Shoulder Surfing and Card Trapping

Counterfeit Peso Notes as Change

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