Dave is right that carrying a second card doesn't entirely deal with the problem although it will help you from getting stranded somewhere. Your bank is unlikely to send a replacement card to you out on the road, instead someone at home will need to despatch it to you... of course this is where your secret stash of dollars can come in handy.

It goes without saying that this problem can happen anywhere, and the warnings tend to blow with the wind as certain locations become more targeted. So remain vigilant, although I suspect most of us usually are... to be honest I thought I was; I knew about the previous problems with this bank and yet I was unable to see anything suspicious with their ATM's when I returned to Guatemala 6 months after the first incident.

I have strong connections with Antigua; I know many residents, ex-pats, business owners and people working for NGO's, and this problem is well known in town. The bank in question had given assurances that the issue has been dealt with but clearly it hasn't. On both occasions my card was cloned and used at the same branch of RED bank in Lima, Peru, and on speaking with my contacts in town on both occasions it has become apparent that other friends were also victims, which suggests a well organised gang at work.

I think what we're saying here is remain vigilant everywhere, carry a stash of emergency dollars, and make sure you don't rely on carrying just the one ATM card from one bank account. Oh, and enjoy Guatemala too... a stunning country with wonderful people that stole my heart. I plan to return soon :-)