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What to do about money?
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Posted by: Dave1

I am contemplating a trip to Simferopol, but after reading some posts, I am totally confused as to what to do about money. One post says don't leave money in a hotel room or apartment, the next post says don't carry any more money with you than you absolutely have to, the next post says don't count on using credit cards, another post says don't count on finding an atm, and another post says don't use credit cards because credit card fraud is rampant. If you can't carry money, and you can't leave it in your room,and you can't use credit cards, and you can't find an atm, what do you do?

Advice is appreciated.

Dave

Posted by: AkMike

I don't think I've ever seen that many "can'ts" posted before!

Take a Visa or MC card and with draw from ATM's just like here. Just make sure you use one that the locals do. Credit card use like here is unusal but some restraunts and hotels take them. Carry cash, but don't flash a wad and watch the crowds for someone paying alot of attention to you, just like in any major city in the world. There are bad people everywhere, but there are good folks around too.

We'll be in Simferopol in a few weeks. I like Stevastopol better but it's a nice city..

Posted by: nocomfortzone

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave1

I am contemplating a trip to Simferopol, but after reading some posts, I am totally confused as to what to do about money. One post says don't leave money in a hotel room or apartment, the next post says don't carry any more money with you than you absolutely have to, the next post says don't count on using credit cards, another post says don't count on finding an atm, and another post says don't use credit cards because credit card fraud is rampant. If you can't carry money, and you can't leave it in your room,and you can't use credit cards, and you can't find an atm, what do you do?

Advice is appreciated.

Dave

follow AKMike's advice

I went to Ukraine in 2006 and did not have to change my money habits one bit. When i needed some cash for my wallet i got it out of the atm like i do here. you can make it as complicated as you like but as with msot things keep it simple and use common sense and i'm sure your trip will be safe and go well

take care and have a great time there

Posted by: Stirlitz

First, it depends on where you are staying. I would not indeed leave money in a hotel room because it is something anyone can enter

But if you stay in a private apartment, it is safer. The landlord is not going to enter it until you leave. My advice is to have about $2,000 in cash and several different ATM cards. Leave all but one at home. Have half your cash on you. Basically, do not put all your eggs into one basket and have enough back-up. If you or your apartment ‘get rid of’ funds, the other would most likely retain them

If one of your ATM cards is lost, does not work (e.g. damaged) or is not accepted in Ukraine at all (by the way do talk to your bank before you leave and make sure they let you know cash it in Ukraine, they are paranoid and may block your card if it is used from here), you will still have others left.

ATM card fraud is getting popular here. Just use ATMs in public places, best if inside banks or very close, don’t use an ATM at night. At any event (except inside the bank) watch if the ATM is suspicious. The keypad must be flat and flush with the surface, the card slot must be deep. Protect the keyboard with the palm of your hand against hidden cameras.

Don’t stand out as a foreigner, don’t flash a thick wadpad and you will be safe. Ukraine is pretty safe but if you are stupid, you can get into trouble in your own apartment. I had a client in Simferopol in 2005 who was attacked by some youth. But he was hanging around at night after I left him and went home on foot through a dark park. He was followed and attacked but the attackers fled as soon as he took a fighting stance. The thing is he was black, so they could see he was from abroad, and it was not wise of him to hang out alone late when his guide (myself) was gone. Had I been there I doubt they would have followed him at all, and at any event it ended well. I also think that had he been white they would less likely have chosen him as a target. The bottom line is you are quite safe.