Dangers of a Debit Card

[Trvlr 50]

A recent experience highlights the dangers of using a debit card in Thailand. I have always been leery of debit cards because the money is out your account right away, but started using a Thanachart Bank MC branded card. I restricted usage to just a few places – Tesco, Big C almost exclusively. This being a cash back card, I was getting back enough to cover the 200 baht annual fee for the card – but that depends on my length of stay. Not a whole lot of money, but I felt some glee in being able to beat their system.

Last week I decided to use it at the MacDonald’s in Avenue – I reasoned that this should be a safe place. I noticed the girl was struggling a bit with the process and ran the card twice. When I checked my account online I noticed a charge of 1.45 in addition to the correct charge of 145. So the first time she must have charged 1.45, and gone ahead and charged 145 without removing the earlier charge

Not much to worry about, but I decided to use the opportunity to see what I could do about it. I went to the Central Thanachart and explained the situation, making it clear (I hope) that I was interested in finding out what I could do in case a bigger amount was involved. The response, after some attempts, was a classic case of washing their hands off a prickly problem:

1. Go to the branch where you opened the account.
2. Go to MacDonald’s.
3. The terminal at MacD was from Bangkok Bank, so: Speak to Bangkok Bank.

I was left with a totally helpless feeling: there did not seem to be anything I could do at my end to stop this incorrect charge. Even though I had never signed a slip – which I pointed out.

I am not sure I will take the matter further, it will just add to frustration. The best solution seems to be to discontinue use of the card. Next time the mistake could be several thousand instead of 1.45.

[MM 6,562]

A cautionary story indeed.

 

I have resisted debit cards since they came out, and always made a point of going to my US Bank to return the card when they sent me a new one, demanding a simple ATM card instead.

 

Now, after many years in Thailand, I've lost the will to fight it, and have been using a debit card for all this time. I have luckily yet to find an extra charge on the card, even though I use it several times a month to buy gas and groceries.

 

But, it's good to stay aware of the potential for massive headaches at getting an incorrect or fraudulent charge removed.

[CheshireTom 1,377]

 

1. Go to the branch where you opened the account.
2. Go to MacDonald’s.
3. The terminal at MacD was from Bangkok Bank, so: Speak to Bangkok Bank.

 

Did you go back to McDonalds and ask them for a refund? I can imagine the bank might have thought you were taking the piss for the sake of ฿1.45.

[Nightrider 340]

I think using a card to pay for everyday items like this is a bit silly , most people carry a small amount of cash with them to pay for things like a big mac or a pack of fags and a paper and use the card for bigger things like MM said , i remember someone in front of me in a shop trying to pay for a pint of milk with a card , it's a joke really when you have to wait for the twat to go through the motion of pin authorization and getting the receipt for the transaction etc , it just slows down everything....!

[js007 795]

I can't imagine using a debit card in Thailand to do anything other than take cash out of an ATM. And even doing that, I'm careful. I take out 20,000 baht at a time. When I buy something, I pay cash.

[teelack 9,645]

I use debit card each time in Thailand to top up my cash but here are the rules;

 

1. Only use ATM at a bank in case of a malfunction.

2. Advise my bank before leaving that I will only be using the debit card for cash withdrawals.

3. Lock the card in my safe as soon as possible after use.

4. Never get less than 10000 baht as the fee is the same (some banks will only give me 5000)

5. Totally put out of my mind the 150 baht fee that I am charged by the local bank.. Its a part of the costs of my holiday.

6. Ditto the exchange costs that my home bank imposes.

 

I am simply happy to have a quick and efficient source of funds when I need them

[jacko 8,822]

I think using a card to pay for everyday items like this is a bit silly , most people carry a small amount of cash with them to pay for things like a big mac or a pack of fags and a paper and use the card for bigger things like MM said , i remember someone in front of me in a shop trying to pay for a pint of milk with a card , it's a joke really when you have to wait for the twat to go through the motion of pin authorization and getting the receipt for the transaction etc , it just slows down everything....!

Yes, so do I.

My debit card is an ATM card only.

I used it once to buy a big ticket item at Numchai. Soon after I got a Thai credit card so that now covers the bigger ticket items.

 

I can understand the lady in-front who fumbles in her bag trying to find her purse using one.. she has emptied the shelves at BigC and the total is mind-numbing. My bills rarely exceed 3-4000 baht there and if I haven't got that in cash I need to get to an ATM anyhow. My other larger ticket items, GGB bills, they like cash and using cards in there is as dumb as it gets!

 

Using a debit card at McD is pathetic!

There are more ATMs in Pattaya than MPs!

 

And I normally pull enough to last me a week.

[steamer 158]

I rarely use an ATM card at home.

Some say that having cash on hand makes it easier to spend but I find it is just the opposite.

Edited November 25, 2013 by steamer

[short 215]

At least nobody is holding up the line to write a check.

Edited November 25, 2013 by short

[thechairman18 174]

I can't imagine using a debit card in Thailand to do anything other than take cash out of an ATM. And even doing that, I'm careful. I take out 20,000 baht at a time. When I buy something, I pay cash.

+1

I have a Thai bank account, with a Debit Card.

Use the DC to withdraw 20k Baht.

5000k baht in my pocket, put DC, and 15000, in my room safe :)

[wacmedia 277]

Hi,

 

In London the young people (18-30) use a card even to buy a pint of beer. Maybe it's an age thing ? I always carry cash.

[InternationalTraveler 282]

I am also strictly a cash man......I alway thought cash was king.

Playing with plastic is like chips at vegas.... i like the feel of real money when it passes through my hands i can see it.

 

I have only ever used my Kasikorn card for...

Extracting 20,000 baht from the ATM

Or paying for an expensive item such as a laptop or washing machine.

 

Even so.... sometimes within 5-seconds of withdrawing cash or buying something my Thai phone has a message telling me how much has been withdrawn and then how much my balance is....that gives me peace of mind.

[Fondles 94]

Standard practice with all banks in Thailand and that if you have an issue with your account (thai) you need to go to the branch that the account was opened at.

[Nightrider 340]

At least nobody is holding up the line to write a check.

 

I don't know anyone that uses a personal cheque book anymore , a bit of a dinosaur these days .

[js007 795]

I don't know anyone that uses a personal cheque book anymore , a bit of a dinosaur these days .

 

Don't kid yourself. Here in the states there are plenty of old ladies at the grocery store writing checks in the checkout line. Not only do they take all day to write the check, they then balance their checkbook while standing in line. Finally, they leave after chatting with the cashier for five minutes. I'm usually tempted to ask them if they've ever heard of an invention called the debit card, but so far, I've restrained myself.

[Trvlr 50]

Yes, so do I.

My debit card is an ATM card only.

I used it once to buy a big ticket item at Numchai. Soon after I got a Thai credit card so that now covers the bigger ticket items.

 

I can understand the lady in-front who fumbles in her bag trying to find her purse using one.. she has emptied the shelves at BigC and the total is mind-numbing. My bills rarely exceed 3-4000 baht there and if I haven't got that in cash I need to get to an ATM anyhow. My other larger ticket items, GGB bills, they like cash and using cards in there is as dumb as it gets!

 

Using a debit card at McD is pathetic!

There are more ATMs in Pattaya than MPs!

 

And I normally pull enough to last me a week.

 

You really have lived in those tree branches far too long. What do you do – take a sack of beads to your local trading post?

Why is paying electronically pathetic? Does the money become sad as it exits my account? Or does it make you sad that people can do these things while you still haul around your sack of beads?

Let me provide you a little education, because you seem to have lived in those tree branches too long. In the US, and I am sure many other countries, it is quicker to pay with a card than fumbling with wallets and handbags. Even when using a credit card, many stores will not even ask for a signature under a certain amount. But most people use a PIN and the transaction is over like snapping your fingers. And – oh my god this must be the end of civilization – at many locations you cannot even pay with cash (nor a sack of beads).

That IS going to happen here too, in one form or another. The people who are doing it now are simply ahead – way ahead – of you. I will bet almost anything you used to think computers were the devil’s spawn, and cell phones the swansong of humanity – and did not take to either until it was totally commonplace.

And if you have to wait a little longer behind me at a checkout line – tough shit. Wear diapers if you cannot cross your legs that long.

Don’t vent your rage at a changing world – instead try to make things safer and better with some sensible suggestions.

[jacko 8,822]

You really have lived in those tree branches far too long. What do you do – take a sack of beads to your local trading post?

Why is paying electronically pathetic? Does the money become sad as it exits my account? Or does it make you sad that people can do these things while you still haul around your sack of beads?

Let me provide you a little education, because you seem to have lived in those tree branches too long. In the US, and I am sure many other countries, it is quicker to pay with a card than fumbling with wallets and handbags. Even when using a credit card, many stores will not even ask for a signature under a certain amount. But most people use a PIN and the transaction is over like snapping your fingers. And – oh my god this must be the end of civilization – at many locations you cannot even pay with cash (nor a sack of beads).

That IS going to happen here too, in one form or another. The people who are doing it now are simply ahead – way ahead – of you. I will bet almost anything you used to think computers were the devil’s spawn, and cell phones the swansong of humanity – and did not take to either until it was totally commonplace.

And if you have to wait a little longer behind me at a checkout line – tough shit. Wear diapers if you cannot cross your legs that long.

Don’t vent your rage at a changing world – instead try to make things safer and better with some sensible suggestions.

No I take cash in my pocket, (plus a Debit/ATM card and a few credit cards).

It can be withdrawn and ready instantly.

Where do people keep their cards? Yes, in their wallets and purses, so the fumbling is still inherent.

 

We are not in the US, we are not talking about the US, and what happens in the US is not relevant.

Think outside the box.

I think you are the one venting rage and also exhibiting selfishness laced with a little dullness.

 

Your 2 posts here are also contradictory.

 

Debit cards are not so safe around this town.

You might lose 1 baht and 45 satang.....

 

I am not quite the Luddite you think. When this wireless tap-and-pay technology is made more secure (currently prone to scanning from your pocket), and more commonplace, I would be happy to simplify my common small payments, gas and Subway etc.

Edited November 26, 2013 by jacko

[nkped 1,208]

Coming soon to a check-out line near you, cashiers trying, unsuccessfully, to scan bar codes on smart phones. The phone owner, inevitably, is astonished that this bit of technology doesn't quite work as advertised.

[Trvlr 50]

No I take cash in my pocket, (plus a Debit/ATM card and a few credit cards).

It can be withdrawn and ready instantly.

Where do people keep their cards? Yes, in their wallets and purses, so the fumbling is still inherent.

 

We are not in the US, we are not talking about the US, and what happens in the US is not relevant.

Think outside the box.

I think you are the one venting rage and also exhibiting selfishness laced with a little dullness.

 

Your 2 posts here are also contradictory.

 

Debit cards are not so safe around this town.

You might lose 1 baht and 45 satang.....

 

I am not quite the Luddite you think. When this wireless tap-and-pay technology is made more secure (currently prone to scanning from your pocket), and more commonplace, I would be happy to simplify my common small payments, gas and Subway etc.

 

Maybe I was harsher than I needed to be ... so, sorry about that.

But all is not lost. If you will notice, no one has mentioned a fraudulent or incorrect charge except me - and in my case it was a teenage girl trying to cope.

I am continuing to use the card. And so are other people. You may have noticed that the use of cards has increased hugely in Thailand in the last 5 years. It is not going to go back - a lot of people make money off this use and they are going to try and keep fraud down.

Fondles above had a solid piece of information for me: that it is standard practice in Thailand to have to go to the branch where the account was opened in case of trouble. I did not know that.

So if I feel like more adventure I am going to head there, maybe. The manager is cute and I want to ask her out on a date anyway.

[MM 6,562]

The problem I see with using debit cards freely and for all sorts of purchases is one that is based on Thai bank's antiquated passbook usage.

 

If you use your debit card frequently for those small daily purchases (and I have no real problem with that, altho I agree that cash is faster), the day you go to update your passbook (and that day will come), you'll find that you've gone into extra pages, and the bank will ask you to get a new passbook.

 

This takes at least a half hour, getting into the right queue (probably not the one you were in), new signatures on the new passbook, copies of your passport (again) and other rigmarole.

 

Just to avoid that, I only put large purchases on my debit or ATM withdrawals.

[VPI78 11,528]

Whatever you do with debit cards in Thailand, resolving a problem with your bank will not be one of your fond memories of Thailand.

 

I have not experienced it myself, but there are many (to me) credible stories of folks missing thousands of Baht from their Thai accounts through bank errors notwithstanding the infinite variety of ways to get scammed/cheated by using electronic debit card services. I have taken to using two Thai bank accounts to isolate damage, one account is where I wire transfer funds to/from the West. The second Thai bank account is one I transfer money from the main Thai bank account to for monthly expenses. So, for example, if I need 300,000 Baht for a 3-month trip I wire that amount to Thai bank account 1 and then transfer a lesser amount to Thai bank account 2 for routine daily spending.

 

My theory (hope) is that if there was ever a problem with main Thai bank account 1, there is now an established track record of what that account is used for and there should be fewer problems correcting inadvertent errors. As far as the second smaller account goes, hopefully the damage from an error is never severe enough to cause too much trauma.

[jacko 8,822]

Maybe I was harsher than I needed to be ... so, sorry about that.

But all is not lost. If you will notice, no one has mentioned a fraudulent or incorrect charge except me - and in my case it was a teenage girl trying to cope.

I am continuing to use the card. And so are other people. You may have noticed that the use of cards has increased hugely in Thailand in the last 5 years. It is not going to go back - a lot of people make money off this use and they are going to try and keep fraud down.

Fondles above had a solid piece of information for me: that it is standard practice in Thailand to have to go to the branch where the account was opened in case of trouble. I did not know that.

So if I feel like more adventure I am going to head there, maybe. The manager is cute and I want to ask her out on a date anyway.

No worries......

I carry a rather old fashioned idea around in my head that someone paying a small bill with a DC is being a little selfish, as they are holding up the line for a minor purchase (I certainly don't see them as being quicker than cash yet here in Thailand).Other possibilities are someone who walks around with little or no cash on them, and I can't get my head around that.

Then my fear of fraud...... the more you use it, the more likely it is to happen.

You highlight how very very easy it is.

As to the bank, the managers are sour faced older men who rarely come to work, but some of the tellers are quite lovely.

That is why I took the credit cards and opened a fixed deposit, and we had a laugh over 'short time' or 'long time' when discussing the latter!

[LocalYokul 217]

The problem I see with using debit cards freely and for all sorts of purchases is one that is based on Thai bank's antiquated passbook usage.

 

Kasikorn has an E-account , no passbook.

 

Best (most modernized) bank in Thailand IMHO, and I had/have accounts with all the major ones.

[jacko 8,822]

Kasikorn has an E-account , no passbook.

 

Best (most modernized) bank in Thailand IMHO, and I had/have accounts with all the major ones.

Of course my savings account is supposedly a pass-book account.

If it wasn't for the annual retirement extension needs, I would completely forget!

[MM 6,562]

Kasikorn has an E-account , no passbook.

 

Best (most modernized) bank in Thailand IMHO, and I had/have accounts with all the major ones.

I had no idea about that account type. They say a regular savings account with passbook can easily be changed to an E-account (without passbook)...perfect. Thanks...