Question 1

What is the "ATM Skimming and Card Cloning" scam in San Juan?

Accepted Answer

Card skimmers are placed on ATMs in tourist-heavy areas of San Juan, particularly standalone machines in convenience stores and gas stations near Condado and Isla Verde. Scammers also work in pairs near ATMs — one distracts the visitor while the other photographs the card or observes the PIN. Compromised cards are typically cloned and drained within hours of the initial capture. Use only ATMs attached to major bank branches (Banco Popular, FirstBank) during business hours. Cover the keypad fully with your hand when entering your PIN. Check your card slot for any unusual attachments before inserting. Monitor your account immediately after each transaction.

Question 2

What is the "Timeshare Presentation Pressure Trap" scam in San Juan?

Accepted Answer

Representatives outside hotels and on the Condado beach strip offer free breakfast, resort credits, or show tickets in exchange for attending a "brief" 90-minute vacation club presentation. The session routinely runs 4–6 hours and involves high-pressure sales tactics for timeshare or vacation club memberships costing $15,000–$40,000. The promised gifts are often withheld or come with undisclosed conditions. Decline all unsolicited vacation package offers, no matter how attractive the free incentive appears. If you attend, know you have a legal right to leave at any time — do not sign anything on the day. Puerto Rico law gives buyers a 10-day rescission period, but enforcement is difficult.

Question 3

What is the "Illegal Credit Card Surcharge at Small Shops" scam in San Juan?

Accepted Answer

Despite being prohibited under Puerto Rico Law 150-2008 and Law 42-2015, some small souvenir shops, restaurants, and tour operators in Old San Juan add a 3–5% surcharge to credit card transactions without disclosure. The charge often appears as a line item labeled "processing fee" or is simply folded into the total without explanation. Tourists unfamiliar with local consumer law rarely challenge it. Before handing over your card, ask if the listed price is the same for card payments. If a surcharge is added, you are legally entitled to refuse it and pay cash or take your business elsewhere. Keep your receipt and report clear violations to the Puerto Rico Department of Consumer Affairs (DACO) at 787-722-7555.

Money & ATM Scams in San Juan

ATM Skimming and Card Cloning

Timeshare Presentation Pressure Trap

Illegal Credit Card Surcharge at Small Shops

Experienced a scam here?