Most banks are open between 09.00 - 14.00 on week days and. 09.00 - 13.00 Saturdays - but remember, that the banks are closed on Saturdays from May to September.

In the banks you can get your money changed and get cash on your international credit cards, and even change travellers checks

- but don't forget your passport!

Most banks have automats, named Telebanco in Spanish. They are available around the clock. Here you can cash money on your MasterCard, Euro card and Visa card.

Are you unlucky and loose your credit card, it can be locked on the following numbers: (Look below)

(Lock your card as soon as you notice, that you miss it)

Credit Card Fraud
As with most countries, credit card fraud is rife. You must take extreme caution at all times. Here are a few popular frauds to be aware of:

There has been an alarming number of complaints about the following scam, on the south coast of Spain:

When using ATM machines, especially when the bank is closed, your card is retained by the machine. (A plastic flap has been glued over the slot which does not allow the card to be returned).

As you struggle to remove the card, a passer-by will approach you offering help. In order to help, he asks for your PIN number.

However, the card cannot be returned so he / she advises you to go to the bank, when the bank is open. Once you leave the machine, the person will input your PIN number and withdraw cash. If you are really unlucky, your card will be removed, and used in another location.

Important advice: Try not to use cash machines outside banks unless the bank is open!

Before inserting your card, inspect the slot and look for signs of tampering.

If your card becomes stuck; do not give your number to anyone; use your mobile and phone the police!

Never, leave your card in the machine unattended. If you need to, ask someone else to call the police!

When using your card in a restaurant
Do not let your card out of your sight. Either ask the waiter to bring the card swipe machine to you or go to the counter with him and watch your card go through the machine.

Modern technology enables cards to be copied.

Extra payment slips can also be made from your card and cashed at a later date.

As soon as you realise you have lost your credit card in Spain, you must call an emergency number to cancel any transactions. If you have no money you can reverse the call charge - most British banks will accept reverse charge calls.

If you are not sure whether you have lost your credit card in Spain or whether it has been stolen, you must report the loss/theft to the Spanish police.

Below is a list of the telephone emergency numbers of British banks and savings banks you should ring in the event of losing your credit card or having your credit card stolen.

On Gran Canaria, as in most other countries of the European Union, Belgium, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Greece, Spain, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Finland, the official currency is the Euro since January of 2002.

One Euro is divided into 100 centimes. There are eight different coins worth 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 centimes, € 1 and € 2. Banknotes come in 7 denominations: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 Euros.