You know you do not even have to use your credit card anywhere to have scams happen. Apparantly there are programs that just generate numbers all day and sometimes they get lucky and come up with yours. There are also little gremlin programs that can infect your computers and look for numbers that are used regularly. Ive been doing a bit of looking at credit card fraud this last week and its amazing the ways they can do it.

I think no matter what the banks do these scum will always be one step ahead.

But it certainly is a wake up when it happens to you.
Cathy

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Cathy, this is terrible, and for you, not good timing at all. I am personally quite paranoid about credit card/atm card fraud and for that reason, I dont do internet banking. Everyone says "Why not - its very safe" but a few years ago a friend of mine had her card done with $6000 of airline tickets and she had to fight tooth and nail to get it back. But, I guess this is really a wake-up call that this can happen anywhere - not just in Thailand. Oh well, at least I know they'd never get that much out of my c/card, I have a very low limit!

I hope all goes well with you trying to get it all back before you leave. Im like you, quite amazed that they were able to do it with a card that you dont frequently use and to put $8500 on it - that is really scary! If it were a card that you used for internet banking on a daily basis, then perhaps that would be more understandable.

I guess we should no longer be thinking "Well ... its not gonna happen to me!!!..."

Kitty

I'm still trying to work out how someone can fraud a savings ATM account without having the card. For example I use my Comm' ATM card at Thai ATM machines. I can also use the card to buy stuff via FPOS but you need to swipe the card. If I lost my card I can't access my money. If I walk up to an ATM machine knowing the PN but without the card - No dosh. If I go into a shop or gas station wanting to use FPOS, I know the number but no card - no dosh. So if somebody learns my PN via my computer what good is it without the actual physical card. People say it can be done but I can't understand how. Maybe I'm dense. A credit card OK I understand, but an ATM savings account has got me stumped. Anyway, it seems like plastic is not the way to go - overseas or back home. Too damn risky. And I also don't do internet banking, I reckon deal in cash as much as possible.

Gee guys, now I am getting a bit concerned. In Bali we take limited cash and use ATM's for money. Worked well for us with low fees. Now I am not sure what to do when we go. The safe in the room post has me concerned as well. My husband says we should take cash but ATM's are so convenient.

What do you all suggest to do? Surely Phuket isn't going to be so scary? We are also taking a friend with us for her first overseas trip. I would hate to tell her all of this......

Oggie, I still use my normal savings/debit card and a debit mastercard at atm's in Phuket, have done so for many years and never had a problem. I just dont use a credit card anywhere.
Cathy

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http://www.cathyandgarystravelpages.com

I wouldn't worry! The pitfalls have been outlined in this tread but i will still be taking cash and using my ATM card in may/june as this is the cheapest and most convenient way for me!

TC,s are a safe option but I hate to throw my money away and give it to the banks on both fronts.

We have seen that it can happen weather you are at home or overseas.

I also think buy telling your bank that you intend to use your card overseas gives them a good arguing point as too who is to blame for any fraud! I have never told my bank that I will be using my cards overseas, after all they are "Cirrus" which means they can be used overseas at any participating branches at any time!


Den

That's terrible Cathy! Hope it all gets resolved soon. How it occurred defies my imagination but from what I've read about such things, this type of fraud is often perpetrated by highly organised gangs with lots of resources at hand to make fake ID as well as credit cards containing real credit card numbers that have been gained in a variety of ways.
It's pretty scary to think that even though you think all is well, something like this comes out of the blue to make you a victim.

Kitty started a thread in Feb this year about card use in Phuket. I've just done a search for it and have posted my comments from that thread.....
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"I don't want to alarm people but the scams that you refer to don't just apply to credit cards......... they apply to debit cards used at ATMs through card-reading devices attached to ATM machines - you'd never know they were there but they read your card details and also your PIN and criminals can then charge stuff to your card or make copies.
People don't realise it's happened until a) they can't get their card back out of the machine (but that usually tips the customer off to something being wrong and then they can take action ) or b) the more sinister method.... you can get your card back but don't realise it's been skimmed until you or your bank start seeing transactions from countries where you've never even been.
In about 30 trips to Thailand I've never had money stolen or had a problem with any of my cards (credit or debit).
I always use ATMs in 'secure' areas - within shopping centres or BTS - these areas are very busy and security guards are around while these places are operating, so no chance for scammers to instal spyware on the ATM. That's my theory anyway.
ATMs on quiet side streets could be fiddled with late at night and nobody would see this being done, so best to avoid these."

The whole thread can be found by writing 'fraud' in the search box at the top of the page... a lot of threads will show.

About a year ago a friend sent me an email showing an actual photo of one of these devices fitted to an ATM. Then I saw an article in the Phuket Gazette about these card skimming devices being found on ATMs in Phuket. Apparently some tourist couldn't get his card out of the ATM slot and when he used a bit of force, the card slot and reader came off the ATM!! it was an 'extra bit' complete with card reading device fitted over the top of the real slot. Scary.

OK, I got it now, they make fake cards with your numbers.