ATM use

[uptome 0]

Today my debit card wouldn't allow me to withdraw cash from the ATM's here in the UK.

 

So i phoned my bank, spoke to an adviser, and he said that a "hold" had been placed on my card as several large transactions had been made recently and this was done to prevent fraud.

 

To re-activate my card i had to phone up and answer some security questions to confirm my identity.

 

Very good i thought. Then i wondered, what if this happens and my card is rejected from an ATM in Thailand? You would have to phone your banks international number to re-activate the card.

 

Has this ever happened to anyone here?

[wacmedia 277]

Hi,

 

If you are worried ring your bank and tell them where you will be. It's best to have a few cards and some cash just in case. I've had to call in the past, no problems getting through. but expensive until you get a freephone number.

[Flash_Basbo 0]

If you are worried ring your bank and tell them where you will be.

Definitely let your bank know you'll be in Asia between x and x dates. If they start to see strange withdrawls halfway around the globe they could block the card. I have always let them know and never had a problem.

 

Just for kicks tell them you'll be spending the money on pussy and beer. Let me know how it goes.

[nidnoyham 30]

Uptome

Were the large transactions made in U.K ? What is large ?

 

My mate got back from LOS once to find a letter from his bank, asking him to confirms a transactions of £500 in 2 days in LOS. He phoned them to confirm it was him taking the money, but allways wondered what would have happened if he said no it wasn't him ?

[IanRaine 0]

My girlfriend had the same problem, I gave her a credit card on my account. She usually draws a fixed amount each month but this month needed some extra. She was able to withdraw £400 but was refused more. I contacted my credit card company who told me they put a freeze on the account just make sure I was aware large amounts where being withdrawn.

This is strange to me as she has done it before without any problems, maybe they are just trying to crackdown on fraud.

[uptome 0]

Nitnoyham, The transactions were both purchases made over the internet at home in London. Airline tickets to Bkk & some electronic equipment. I also made some smaller buys too. I rarely buy over the net but it just so happens that i did these times.

 

I suppose this is what got my banks attention.

 

I've never had a problem using my cards in Thailand or elsewhere in the past so this card-blocking got me thinking.

 

Yes, i think i will inform my branch that i'll be overseas, might stop them from blocking the card again.

 

Cheers.

Edited January 24, 2006 by uptome

[THAI ROB 0]

I had the experience of ATM`S IN Thailand rejecting my card. Fortunately i also had my credit card with me to get money from the bank, otherwise i would have been stuffed. The banks gave me the unusual transactions/fraud reasons for having stopped my debit card. I can only agree with the advice of the other replies.

[Rex7777 0]

On my first trip to Thailand I had two credit cards frozen by the bank because they thought the charges were fraudulent (I hadn't told the card companies I'd be traveling). I did tell the banks before I left, so no trouble with the ATM cards.

 

Rex

[fd2084 0]

I've never told any bank that I've left and never had a problem with credit cards or ATM cards. But I travel a lot and my bills are normally not small, so the overseas transactions haven't caused any red flags.

 

If you rarely travel and/or you're going to have some large transactions, then it's best to let them know beforehand.

 

But while it may be a tad inconvenient, it shouldn't be a total bust if you have to reauthorize a card or two while there. Just make sure you don't wait until you're down to your last 100 baht and need to pay off two katoeys at 3am. Keep at least a few days worth of emergency cash available.

[uptome 0]

Thanks for all the replys. fellas.

 

Some good advice.

[nidnoyham 30]

I suppose this post is opposite to mine about banks letting you go into the red.

i want them to stop paying, if the money runs out, but they don't.

[Sailfast 503]

I suppose this post is opposite to mine about banks letting you go into the red.

i want them to stop paying, if the money runs out, but they don't.

Not really.

 

THEY are worried about the charges because if they are fraud...the bank must cover the loss (or maybe they are insured, but YOU don't pay)

 

They act like it's good will on the part of the bank but that is bull shit.

 

If YOU over draw with your atm, then they get to charge you, even though they approved the transaction.

 

I read that banks now make 80%+ of their income from fees.

 

Fuckers!

 

Once I paid my mortgage twice by mistake. They cleared the first check, then bounced the second BUT held my money for something like 48 hrs till the "check return" was processed. In the mean time all the other checks I wrote (not knowing I wrote duplicate checks) starting bouncing around like ping pong balls. Then the return check fees started, then they let me overdraw my atm...fuckers fuckers, fuckers. I bitched and screamed till they cancelled most of the fees but they are still fuckers.

 

I have so many bank stories, but so little time

Sailfast

[Eneukman 1]

I read that banks now make 80%+ of their income from fees.

I used to work for a Scottish bank and can categorically state that as far as they are concerened (and I'm sure the English banks) this is not true. The percentage is increasing and all banks want it to be higher but I'm sure it is still quite a bit less than 50%. American banks may of course be different.

 

My former employer pissed me of so much that my pension gets paid into my building society account instead of account with them.

 

Banks today are only interested in trying to sell you mortgages, loans or insurance. Customer service comes a long way down their list of priorities. That is a view shared by many staff who have been with them for more than 20 or so years!

 

Alan

[Owen` 2]

Conde Nast Traveler magazine has an article this month about bank fees associated with overseas transactions.

 

It is piracy.

 

If you can get a copy, read it. The fees added on by banks in the US to transactions overseas are obscene. There are a few maneuvers available to minimize them, but most involve doing research and shifting to a favorable bank.

 

There may be no choice. The fees are so ridiculous and so camouflaged that if you

don't do the work you are stolen from and don't know it.

[nidnoyham 30]

I used to work for a Scottish bank and can categorically state that as far as they are concerened (and I'm sure the English banks) this is not true. The percentage is increasing and all banks want it to be higher but I'm sure it is still quite a bit less than 50%. American banks may of course be different.

 

My former employer pissed me of so much that my pension gets paid into my building society account instead of account with them.

 

Banks today are only interested in trying to sell you mortgages, loans or insurance. Customer service comes a long way down their list of priorities. That is a view shared by many staff who have been with them for more than 20 or so years!

 

Alan

Alan

 

Does this mean, you used to be a Barclays Banker ? :-)

[Sailfast 503]

I used to work for a Scottish bank and can categorically state that as far as they are concerened (and I'm sure the English banks) this is not true. The percentage is increasing and all banks want it to be higher but I'm sure it is still quite a bit less than 50%. American banks may of course be different.

 

My former employer pissed me of so much that my pension gets paid into my building society account instead of account with them.

 

Banks today are only interested in trying to sell you mortgages, loans or insurance. Customer service comes a long way down their list of priorities. That is a view shared by many staff who have been with them for more than 20 or so years!

 

Alan

Sorry, that 80% was a US figure. I should have been more specific.

 

Sailfast

[fd2084 0]

I read that banks now make 80%+ of their income from fees.

Just out of curiousity, how should they make their money if not from fees? How can they afford to pay for all the services they do provide (even if you think they suck)?

[nidnoyham 30]

Just out of curiousity, how should they make their money if not from fees? How can they afford to pay for all the services they do provide (even if you think they suck)?

Well, I would think paying you 0.1% interest on your current account, that has your sallary going through it. Giving you 2-4/% for your savings account ballance, while charging some poor sod up to 12% for borrowing your money, would make a tidy sum. Then there is the earnings from stocks & shares, where most cash is held, instead a safe in the bank. I believe Barclays and others invest in the U.S market at the close of business in the U.K.

 

They have just come out with a pre- pay card aimed at 13 year olds to use for shopping. the card cost £9.95 with 85p for every ATM withdrawal, £4.99 replacement if lost, £4.99 cancellation fee and a £1 to change your pin number. These services are free for older customers with bank cards. As I said in another post, they are grooming youngsters to accept charges in the banking systems of the future.

 

Banks- I hate 'em.

[growler 0]

Banks today are only interested in trying to sell you mortgages, loans or insurance. Customer service comes a long way down their list of priorities. That is a view shared by many staff who have been with them for more than 20 or so years!

 

Alan

As another former banker I would endorse that point of view.

[irishman 0]

Living here and using an ATM card to pay for day to day expenses, I find that 2 or 3 times a year I have my ATM card refused because the bank doesn't understand that I live here. I have called them numerous times and explained that I live here and yes, I am aware of the withdawls and have notified them of my traveling here but it's all to no avail. You just have to accept the bullshit as part of the day to day fun of living in Thailand. And it helps to have a spare card or two as well as funds here on deposit for when it happens.

 

Cheers

[wacmedia 277]

Banks today are only interested in trying to sell you mortgages, loans or insurance. Customer service comes a long way down their list of priorities

 

Hi,

 

The Post Office are now getting in on the act, Foreign Currency, Telephone/Internet contracts, Travel Insurance etc. I keep getting letters for other addresses, and deliver important documents by hand as I just don't trust the delivery service anymore. Your well out of it, you should thank Buddha every day.

[Les21 0]

I have not had this happen, but once lost my wallet at Bangkok Airport (in the departure lounge) By the time i got to England both my Credit and Debit accounts were empty. I only realised that they were missing when i had landed, i rang the banks and explained my situation. I had to get a crime number, ehich was not easy as it happened in Thailand and i was now in England. Anyway the good news was ALL the money was reimbursed in 3 days from the banks.

[python 27]

Hi all,

 

I would not knock these safe guards that the banks emplace, though I accept they may seem a pain in the arse, i.e. blocking cards if there is doubt as to your where abouts.

A freind of mine purchased jewelry in Pattaya with his Visa card. No problems.

He returned to the UK and received a phone call from his bank two weeks later asking him about his where abouts as two large purchases are currently being attempted in Hong Kong!!! (approx £500 each).

So take care using plastic in LOS!!!

I only use at ATM's and keep reciepts!

 

Regards to all

[Eneukman 1]

Hi,

 

The Post Office are now getting in on the act, Foreign Currency, Telephone/Internet contracts, Travel Insurance etc. I keep getting letters for other addresses, and deliver important documents by hand as I just don't trust the delivery service anymore. Your well out of it, you should thank Buddha every day.

I was on the phone to my brother yesterday afternoon and the post had just arrived. Out of 6 or so letters, one was for me and at least 3 or 4 of the others were for next door or two doors down. Now, he stays in a small town where the neighbours do generally know each other so there's no problem there. Nevertheless, an appalling percentage of letters wrongly delivered!

 

Alan

[torrenova 644]

I had HSBC do this but they reactivated it whilst I was on the phone. I then billed them for not contacting me to ask about the transactions when they have my Thai mobile and Thai house numbers as well as email etc.