More ATM scammers????

[mb3house 0]

I was at a Kasikor bank ATM this morning, the one just before the beach in Jomtien. I paid a couple of bills, which it spat out the receipts for and then the last transaction was to get some money. I got the money and receipt, and was just waiting for the card to come back out when this hand comes over my shoulder and say"you have to press this button for receipt" pointing at the red cancel button. I knocked the cunt out of the way, and told him to get the fcuk out of my way, he then backed off. As I got on my bike he was at the ATM, and I watched what he took out, a couple of red bills, 2-300 baht at most, how many farangs only take out 2-300 baht???

 

He was a mediterrenean looking guy, and had a mate sat on a bike waiting, engine running. It wasnt like I kept them waiting as I continually looked round while I was doing multiple transactions and nobody was behind me, he got straight of the bike and walked up to the ATM and tried to fuck with my transaction. Obviuosly then he would try something on, not sure what. I followed them, and he did it again at another ATM by Familymart/7-11 on the corner by the statue, and then I followed them into Pattaya, but lost them at the lights in South Patts. It was a Yamaha Mio, number plate 50. I didnt report it to tourist police because I dont hassle, I'm leaving early tomorrow.

 

WATCH out for these guys.

[glynbuk 29]

scams are everywhere, mostly romanians over here doing it

[mb3house 0]

It seems I was right. There is a letter in this weeks pattaya mail saying the same thing, even the same bike number. I sure would like to get my hand on those cunts.

[34Chevman 0]

On my last trip I had my mastercard copied, which apparently was done from a card reader inserted into the card slot of the ATM and it was possible that a small camera was put in place to record my pin number. ..so the bank told me.

This happened in either Bangkok or Pattaya.

 

The whole experience taught me that the banks security system is not as good as they make out and explains why those small signs we read on the ATM’s to cover your hand when entering your pin number; are not only for people looking over your shoulder but also for any small hidden camera’s that may be fixed.

[don_dadda 0]

On my last trip I had my mastercard copied, which apparently was done from a card reader inserted into the card slot of the ATM and it was possible that a small camera was put in place to record my pin number. ..so the bank told me.

This happened in either Bangkok or Pattaya.

 

The whole experience taught me that the banks security system is not as good as they make out and explains why those small signs we read on the ATM’s to cover your hand when entering your pin number; are not only for people looking over your shoulder but also for any small hidden camera’s that may be fixed.

 

That is the scariest post I have ever seen. I have never even heard of anything like that.

[Samsonite 181]

I was at a Kasikor bank ATM this morning, the one just before the beach in Jomtien. I paid a couple of bills, which it spat out the receipts for and then the last transaction was to get some money. I got the money and receipt, and was just waiting for the card to come back out when this hand comes over my shoulder and say"you have to press this button for receipt" pointing at the red cancel button. I knocked the cunt out of the way, and told him to get the fcuk out of my way, he then backed off. As I got on my bike he was at the ATM, and I watched what he took out, a couple of red bills, 2-300 baht at most, how many farangs only take out 2-300 baht???

Exactly the same thing happened to me while using the ATM near the Beach Road entrance to The Royal Garden Plaza. As you described, a hand came over my shoulder and, like you, I knocked his hand away and he backed off. I would say he was Indian.

I haven't been able to get anything smaller than a 1,000 Baht note out of an ATM in Thailand in at least 3 years. Of course I gave up trying sometime ago and haven't tried every machine I've used.

Edited December 4, 2006 by Scalawag

[rockinjerry 2]

ATM Thailand. Don't use them. Never have and never will. To risky. Too many horror stories over the last several years. Same thing for credit cards.

 

Maybe more of a pain in the ass for some, buit TC's for me is the only way to go. Never a problem.

[34Chevman 0]

Don Dadda: Yes, its pretty scary stuff.

We all think that our banks have the best security features in the world, but not so.

 

I was lucky then most have been, as the unauthorised transactions took place when I was in transit from Bangkok back to Sydney - so I was able to prove this by way of air ticket details etc.

 

When I arrived home, I just happened to check my banking online to find I was about $US1,000 overdrawn...and when I transferred some funds across to bring the amount back under the limit ... nothing was happening!

 

Up to this point I was none the wiser what was really happening, so telephoned the bank.

They immediatley cancelled the card, but being on a Friday night, which the banking system only works here on a Monday to Friday, the unauthorised transactions still went through over that weekend.

 

They had sucked another $US400 out of my account, by the time the bank had fixed it all....and the unauthorised transactions had been done in FRANCE!!

 

My bank (WESTPAC) said that the unauthorised transactions had been done over the internet ...then they said later they had been done over the shop counter.

They werent even sure themselves other than to say my card was most probably copied from an ATM.

My card was with me the whole time I was in Thailand.

 

I was a fool to believe that our banks have the best security features in the world!!

 

When I used the ATM's in Thailand I made sure there was no one around or have someone tapping me on the shoulder like the other posters have said...so naturally I thought everything was safe.

 

Does anyone have a better way to withdraw funds whilst overseas?

From my experience I feel its good value to telephone the bank each day to get updated etc on account balances etc.

[don_dadda 0]

Don Dadda: Yes, its pretty scary stuff.

We all think that our banks have the best security features in the world, but not so.

 

I was lucky then most have been, as the unauthorised transactions took place when I was in transit from Bangkok back to Sydney - so I was able to prove this by way of air ticket details etc.

 

When I arrived home, I just happened to check my banking online to find I was about $US1,000 overdrawn...and when I transferred some funds across to bring the amount back under the limit ... nothing was happening!

 

Up to this point I was none the wiser what was really happening, so telephoned the bank.

They immediatley cancelled the card, but being on a Friday night, which the banking system only works here on a Monday to Friday, the unauthorised transactions still went through over that weekend.

 

They had sucked another $US400 out of my account, by the time the bank had fixed it all....and the unauthorised transactions had been done in FRANCE!!

 

My bank (WESTPAC) said that the unauthorised transactions had been done over the internet ...then they said later they had been done over the shop counter.

They werent even sure themselves other than to say my card was most probably copied from an ATM.

My card was with me the whole time I was in Thailand.

 

I was a fool to believe that our banks have the best security features in the world!!

 

When I used the ATM's in Thailand I made sure there was no one around or have someone tapping me on the shoulder like the other posters have said...so naturally I thought everything was safe.

 

Does anyone have a better way to withdraw funds whilst overseas?

From my experience I feel its good value to telephone the bank each day to get updated etc on account balances etc.

 

WOW that sucks dude and is also damn scary. I know 1 BM suggested travelers checks as a way to get money, but hell Im tin the middle east, where the hell am I going to get travelers checks.

 

I guess you could also take out a VERY large amount of money at the airport where you are fairly sure the ATMs arent tainted or maybe even going into the bank and seeing if you could get them to take money off of it that way.

[Ishtar2 3]

Not a good story but in consideration of how many thousands of transactions occur everyday in Pattaya I still believe using ATM and Credit Cards offer very low risk. Travelers checks are a hassle and you get charged almost everywhere a fee to use them. Taking to much cash is just as risky for theft. I use my ATM daily as well as a Credit Card at times for travels in Thailand, Hong Kong, Macau and other destinations but monitor them frequently on the Internet for any unauthorized usage. My bank does not charge me a fee for my ATM and my Credit Card is the same way and gives excellent exchange rates. I do realize that most banks charge a 1% or other fee for using an ATM.

[Trvlr 50]

Copying ATM cards and using a hidden camera to note PINs is not that uncommon. It is always a good idea to cover the pin pad with your hand when entering the code. I even do it in groceries in the US, though I am a little lax about it.

There are some commonly suggested precautions that people can find over the Internet - it is a good idea to follow them.

I am gradually going back to depending on travelers checks more and more, mostly because of the fees that US banks are hitting us with for overseas credit card and ATM use. There are ways in which you can avoid extra charges with TCs:

Amex waives the 1 percent TC issuing fee if you are an Amex card holder. Any Amex card, so I keep a fee-free Amex card just for this.

Again, the transaction fee is waived if you cash the TCs at the parent bank - Amex checks at an Amex office for instance.

Even if you cannot find one, in Thailand TCs get a higher exchange rate and, if you use high denomination checks, that will more than cover the transaction cost. But you still have to show your passport (in Thailand, not everywere) so it is a bit of a hassle.

All said and done, everyone needs a little luck also.

[Alfred 26]

I use Amex TC,s in Australian dollars, i estimate how much for my trip but also take my Amex Card to pay the Hotel bill and for back up if i spend more than i think i can withdraw cash with my card.

 

Commision when buying the TC,s is a few dollars as im an Amex cardholder, last time i got some it was a set fee of A$10 for however many TC,s i want, when i cash them its a few baht and the rate is always better than cash which the Credit Card is charged at plus bank fees.

 

My advise TC,s everytime with a CC as back up.

 

Cheers

 

Alf

[Guest anto1]

ATM,scams are getting quite common in Europe.Usually done by East European gangs.They go so far as to put a false cover over the original machine.,and it also usually involves a tiny camera placed over the head of the ATM. In Europe i now try to mainly use ATM's inside the bank itself,but this does not seem to be very available in Thailand.Best advice is to look for anything unusual with the machine ,and cover the keypad with your other hand as you type in the code.Also try and not use an ATM,late at night in a quiet area.

[vidman 2]

I have heard of a few of these scams around the 2nd road area.

 

My tip is to use the interior ATM,s especially around well guarded areas like big C or royal garden. Avoid the street machines all together.