Sao Paulo Reports

[Fewdie]

The WISE card actually has better exhcange rates but its limited in the long run compared to Schwab. If you're going to Scandallo everyday then Schwab is probably best. Good to have both.

Pix is the venmo / cashapp of Brazil and everyone has it it there.

I have a Schwab debit card that I learned about on this site years ago. It's served me well overseas, and has indeed become the ISG monger's card of choice. Don't go overseas (and buy any pussy) without it! Ha!

[The Cane]

I keep my Schwab debit card locked until I am ready to use the ATM, then lock it immediately afterwards. This mitigates the risk of skimming because the chances that the skimmer will try to use the card during the 5 m a day the card is active is very low. Fraud protection on Schwab cards is pretty good, and the biggest problem I've had before I adopted this procedure is having my card locked due to fraud while I'm traveling. By locking the card, I don't have to worry about fraudulent charges causing a security hold on my card.

I have a Schwab debit card that I learned about on this site years ago. It's served me well overseas, and has indeed become the ISG monger's card of choice. Don't go overseas (and buy any pussy) without it! Ha!

[One Eyed Man]

I keep my Schwab debit card locked until I am ready to use the ATM, then lock it immediately afterwards. This mitigates the risk of skimming because the chances that the skimmer will try to use the card during the <5 m a day the card is active is very low. Fraud protection on Schwab cards is pretty good, and the biggest problem I've had before I adopted this procedure is having my card locked due to fraud while I'm traveling. By locking the card, I don't have to worry about fraudulent charges causing a security hold on my card.

Unfortunately, that only works for the card above (I. E. , with a checking account.) It doesn't work for the normal Schwab One Visa Debit Card like I have.

[The Cane]

Well said, senor nounce! Thanks for the up to date.

So, if Sperto says it, he's providing good advice based upon his vast knowledge and experience? But if I say the same things, I'm removed from reality? An outdated guide a decade old is to be celebrated. But if I cite an article from the year 2022 noting that currently only a quarter of credit card transactions in Brazil are contactless, that's somehow illegitimate because one can post a photo of a street vendor who accepts credit cards (which proves exactly what anyway)? I guess not much since the OP paid cash LMAO!

I point out that the same article states that contactless transactions are growing exponentially in Brazil. If and when it gets to where it is in the States, then I would be willing to use credit cards in Brazil more. But from a pure practical standpoint, I will always be a heavy cash user in Brazil because mostly what I'm buying is buceta and cuzinha, and that's all about cash for gash baby! Oh, but I guess all of Nounce's tutes are accepting payment by contactless credit cards now hahahahaha!

[CatBert55]

I keep my Schwab debit card locked until I am ready to use the ATM, then lock it immediately afterwards. This mitigates the risk of skimming because the chances that the skimmer will try to use the card during the <5 m a day the card is active is very low. Fraud protection on Schwab cards is pretty good, and the biggest problem I've had before I adopted this procedure is having my card locked due to fraud while I'm traveling. By locking the card, I don't have to worry about fraudulent charges causing a security hold on my card.

[Gabbarsing]

Can someone point me to a report or link where can I get Brazil number while in USA? I am sure this must have been discussed before. From online search, AFAIK. Google fi won't give me Brazil number while doing sub from USA.

[One Eyed Man]

I am obsessed with this topic now. LOL My latest discovery is that many locals are probably using debit cards because I started to notice they are entering information on the device. A few days ago, I even have to tell the TIM vendor that my US credit card doesn't have a PIN when he insisted that I input something on the device.

Most countries (outside of the US) use debit / credit cards with a chip card where the customer enters the PIN number, which offers a good level of security.

I had my ATM card cloned at a large-bank ATM at the Ibirapuera shopping center (there was a bank of ATMs in a lobby next to the bank), so I would try to find ATMs that are inside the bank proper. Mr. Enternational uploaded a photo of a ready-made ATM front panel that can be placed over the proper one for the purpose of card skimming. (See prior discussion.).

[Nounce]

Honestly, I feel like because so many reports of CC skimming in Brazil that they have wireless POS and bring to you table side when you pay for a meal, so you actually see it is being used in person. This is quite convenient because you ask for the check, the waiter brings the check and the POS device.

I am obsessed with this topic now. LOL My latest discovery is that many locals are probably using debit cards because I started to notice they are entering information on the device. A few days ago, I even have to tell the TIM vendor that my US credit card doesn't have a PIN when he insisted that I input something on the device.

[FlowState985]

Does anybody said one has to always use credit card? I thought the conversation is more about whether it is safe to use credit card.

The cards with chip are harder to clone. The problem is more about buggy software at the bank. Look at the data breach in US and tell me US is safer than Brasil?

Honestly, I feel like because so many reports of CC skimming in Brazil that they have wireless POS and bring to you table side when you pay for a meal, so you actually see it is being used in person. This is quite convenient because you ask for the check, the waiter brings the check and the POS device.

[Vagabundo1]

Senor Nounce, very useful, thanks very much!

BTW, I paid cash. LOL.

[Nounce]

So credit cards work there then? What if my card gets skimmed! Surely my credit card company won't allow me to dispute a street vendor! Cash is king!

Does anybody said one has to always use credit card? I thought the conversation is more about whether it is safe to use credit card.

The cards with chip are harder to clone. The problem is more about buggy software at the bank. Look at the data breach in US and tell me US is safer than Brasil?

[Spidy]

To the ounce! Needing to pronounce on all that I announce! Methinks that soon I'll need to pounce on Nounce! And convince him to renounce! Lest he get bounced! Glad you keep keeping me in your membrane bro. But at the end of the day, I don't give a "swipe" what you choose to do. Tap away! You do you. And I'll do me.

Now that was funny! (...kkkk!)

Who knew we had a resident poet, that could rhyme à la Dr. Seuss....Very IMPRESSIVE!

Do me, do me next...kkkk!

And this one:

The principal reason why I'm in Brazil is to monger ... And then you settle up by paying cash for that gash! Bucks for the fucks! Quid for the quim! Dough for the ho! And a peso for that queso!

[Nounce]

To the ounce! Needing to pronounce on all that I announce! Methinks that soon I'll need to pounce on Nounce! And convince him to renounce! Lest he get bounced! Glad you keep keeping me in your membrane bro. But at the end of the day, I don't give a "swipe" what you choose to do. Tap away! You do you. And I'll do me.

BTW, I paid cash. LOL.

[Vagabundo1]

Well said, senor nounce! Thanks for the up to date information.

On a broad subject, on the topic of using cards for payment, there is a book, "the future of money" that I need to listen to / read.

https://www.amazon.com.br/Future-Mon.../dp/0674258444

Here I risked my phone being robbed to take picture of the street vendor credit card device near Centro. Also you should google EMV. It is amusing to read you boast your extensive past knowledge, haha. I expect you to return the favor.

[Fewdie]

Holy. Can't believe its faster than tmobile 5 g and verizon that I have been using in the US. I am only able to get about 200 mbps max in the USA with these. Most of the time its about 100 mpbs. 100 is sufficient for me though.

I also get the TIM prepaid when I'm in Brazil. Its 15 reais with the sim and will last me a week.

It's TIM prepaid. The coverage is quite good. This one is even more impressive.