Has anyone had trouble with the ATMs in FCO?

I think there is a greater potential for an ATM problem when you use standalone terminals in low traffic areas. I prefer ATMs attached to banks during open hours and then terminals in high traffic areas like airports and train station. My assumption is that these areas are under surveillance and it would be much more difficult for someone to tamper with these ATMs. You should also carry a second debit card tied to another account just for back up.

The point from that thread is that skimmers can be installed on any ATM machine and they are frequently moved to avoid detection. So avoiding FCO or Termini or Trevi Fountain ... will not make you safer. Just look for signs of a skimmer on the ATM card slot. And remember that this scam is still relatively rare - you are more likely to have your pocket picked - which is rare if you carry a money belt. And living in NYC you are far more likely to be a victim of crime than travelling for a couple weeks in Europe.

There's another point made, separate from the ATM issue, and that is that you have less protection when using a debit card than you do using a credit card to pay for transactions.

Julia,
I know this answer is not really what you're asking, but take more than one card with you. My husband and I brought two Capital One ATM cards and two Wells Fargo cards. Our Wells Fargo cards were for back-up in case we had problems (because of higher fees), which we did. On two different occasions our Capital One cards did not work and we couldn't get any money. Luckily, Capital One cleared things up within a day of our phone calls, but it was scary to think how easily we could have been stranded with no money. I can't imagine depending on only one card while away from home (although we live on only one card in the U.S.)

Julia, I'd also "second" the suggestions to carry AT LEAST two ATM cards, on different accounts. Note that your travel funds will usually have to be in a chequing account, with a four-number PIN.

Having at least one credit card is also a good idea, for "unexpected" expenses.

I always travel with at least €100, so have never had occasion to use the ATM's at FCO. Given the fact that these are in a "high traffic area" with frequent patrols by security and police, I suspect the airport machines would be LESS likely to be tampered with (but of course, no guarantees).

One other point I wanted to mention is that when making ATM withdrawals, it's a good idea to count the cash that's dispensed. I used an ATM at a Bank close to Termini this year, and for the first time the machine "shortchanged" me by €50. I counted the money about six times, so I was ABSOLUTELY sure of the amount, which was not as specified on the receipt. I notified my Credit Union by phone the following business day (really helpful sometimes to travel with a Cellphone) and the funds were returned to my account a short time later.

Happy travels!

Get a second ATM card linked to a second account and register both accounts online with your bank. If your primary card is lost, stolen, or otherwise compromised, you can transfer funds from one account to the other online and start using the backup ATM card. It is not necessarily that someone would be looking over your shoulder to steal your PIN number, it is that thieves will install a card "skimmer" into the slot and are able to electronically retrieve your credit/debit card information and PIN number. Avoid using an ATM in a heavily touristed location, especially if it is out in the open and not inside a bank lobby. Go a little off the beaten path and find a bank with an ATM in the lobby instead. Can you not apply for a regular credit card and take that with you as an alternate backup as well? Also be sure to speak with someone in your bank's SECURITY DEPARTMENT to make certain that they know that you will be using your card overseas, and don't forget to have your daily withdrawal limit raised to the maximum allowed.

Be sure to take the phone number for your bank's security function.

My LAST straw with Bank Of America was after I spent over an HOUR on hold to put an alert on the account and the FIRST time I tried to use the ATM in Europe ... DENIED! I did have a back up and a phone call determined "opps we forgot to turn the alert on" My response when I got home "opps I am forgetting to use you any more!"

My husband and I just returned from Italy which included five days in Rome. We got our Euros before we left the US at our Wells Fargo bank, but took our debit cards and credit cards. We withdrew money in Rome from a "Bankomat" using our debit cards with no problems -- they are pretty numerous.

Ken - I had the same thing happen to me inside Termini - I was shortchanged. Only time it ever has happened to me. Now it makes me wonder... Interesting that you got your money back. I didn't even try, figuring there was no way to document being shortchanged.