Phuket

steve@thaib · #1 01-08-2006, 23:19

I got a call this morning from Barclaycard asking about transactions in Bangkok and Australia. It seems that my other half has managed to have her credit card copied.

The only transaction I can see, and I do have my reasons for saying this, that this could have happened during is one where she bought some swimwear in Ocean Plaza.

I could be wrong, but everything up until that transaction seems ok (only checked over the phone yet), and on the same day she made that purchase there were 2 cash amounts taken out in Bangkok.

As I say, I could be wrong but it does seem like the Ocean Plaza transaction that was the start of it. If you are using credit cards there keep an eye on them.

IRISH JONNY · #2 01-08-2006, 23:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve@thaib

I got a call this morning from Barclaycard asking about transactions in Bangkok and Australia. It seems that my other half has managed to have her credit card copied.

The only transaction I can see, and I do have my reasons for saying this, that this could have happened during is one where she bought some swimwear in Ocean Plaza.

I could be wrong, but everything up until that transaction seems ok (only checked over the phone yet), and on the same day she made that purchase there were 2 cash amounts taken out in Bangkok.

As I say, I could be wrong but it does seem like the Ocean Plaza transaction that was the start of it. If you are using credit cards there keep an eye on them.

JEES I USED MY CREDIT CARD THERE THIS TOUR..I BOUGHT SOME SHOES....I GOTTA KEEP AN EYE ON MY BANK DETAILS !!!!!!!!!

steve@thaib · #3 01-08-2006, 23:41

It's lots of different traders under one roof, so most of them should be ok. All I'm saying really is that if you pay for anything on your card make sure you keep your eye on it; don't let them take your card out of your sight.

jojo78 · #4 01-08-2006, 23:44

that sucks. hopefully you can do a chargeback or something to get your cash back.

the way that the sales girl often takes my credit card to the cashier at department stores does worry me a bit. whats to stop them writing down your card details and then using it to buy stuff?

hasn't happened to me yet, but i'm sure it must happen.

steve@thaib · #5 01-08-2006, 23:50

I've had a long conversation with Barclaycard today and I'm not too worried, it will be the retailer that gets hit in the end and quite rightly in my opinion too.

It looks like there is 50k baht on there that was not our (her) transaction. Whoever paid over the money, all in bangkok (I guess one of the money changing places) will have to wear the cost.

My understanding is that they need to swipe it through a machine to get the detail, so whilst the old vouchers look a bit primitive they are pretty secure. I would say just make sure you can see what they are swiping your card through every time.

seafox · #6 01-08-2006, 23:58

Just had a charge at some money exchange in Japan on one of my cards.

Bought some clothes on Sai-Nem-Yen Road with it as I had to use it since my other card had been frozen by my CC card company as they saw the charges in Thailand and thought that the card had been stolen even though I told them that I would be in LOS.

steve@thaib · #7 02-08-2006, 00:44

The missus was laughing at me in LOS because I kept all my receipts and transaction records. I don't think she's laughing any longer.

Her card was used in Ocean, and then twice in Bangkok on the same day. If I had not kept all the hotel receipts etc., how would we prove that it was not her that had used the card? Keeping bits of paper never looked so smart.

DREW · #8 02-08-2006, 03:00

I got a call from Visa last week asking me where I was and when I explained that I was in Europe, they informed me someone had just presented my card at Sears Department Store in New York and they could not enter the pin number (all cards in the UK are now ''chip and pin'', so you have to enter your pin code at the retailers), so lucky they cancelled and re-issed the card.

I make a point of calling all my card companies and informing them of when I will be in Singapore and Thailand, and they then put a note on the security details and if there is a transaction whilst I am not there they block it.

Down side is I forgot to tell them once (when in Phuket) trying to buy some gold in the gold shop in Soi Easy and they bounced my card, so I had to go back to the Banthai and inform them that it was me and they then authorised my card.

Still the system at least does work.

Regards

Drew

I remember getting stuck in Key West once and all my cards were maxed out- I had to get my sister in law to Fed Ex over another card- I lost 2 days of lap dancing and was getting withdrawl symptoms (those American girls are all plastic boobs, tight waists and tanned asses) and it has left me emotionally scarred............imagine if it happened in LOS

butterflyblonde · #9 02-08-2006, 03:10

It's better to withdraw from ATM's and then pay with hard cash IMHO

steve@thaib · #10 02-08-2006, 03:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by butterflyblonde

It's better to withdraw from ATM's and then pay with hard cash IMHO

I think you are exactly right. I only used mine once this time for a purchase and also paid my hotels in cash (except the Salathai). Good advice.

SMF · #11 02-08-2006, 03:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve@thaib

I think you are exactly right. I only used mine once this time for a purchase and also paid my hotels in cash (except the Salathai). Good advice.

The only problem is that most cards have a limit on how much you can redraw using an ATM per day! Also the there's a fee to use the ATM, I pay approx. 200 bath.

My old bank adviser always recommended to have new cards done whenever I traveled to Asia. And I must admit that I've experienced that my card was copied and used. But as I complained to my bank I did not have to pay. Renewal of the card was also free.

Rgds,
SMF

dawsey · #12 02-08-2006, 03:28

This is one of the reasons I NEVER use a cc in LOS. Just take cash to change ,debit card for extras and 1 cc for an emergency.

Swishtz · #13 02-08-2006, 05:32

Cards can get cloned lots of different ways, from database theft, to leaving receipts lying around, to cloning, lebanese loops etc etc. I had a card cloned in the UK that never left my possession that someone was running around buying phonecards with. No biggie to deal with, just put transaction in dispute with CC company and they wipe them off after investigation.

landofsmiles · #14 02-08-2006, 11:57

It's getting worrying as ATMs are the only way I get money out here.

>>Wire-tapper 'part of big credit-card fraud ring'
BANGKOK: -- A man arrested in Bangkok's Chatuchak district is suspected of belonging to a transnational gang of credit-card thieves, Tourist Police commander Colonel Panya Mamen told a press conference yesterday.

Tossapol Chaowanawuth, 42, was arrested at a rented house in Lat Phrao Soi 41. He was charged with stealing electronic information via telephone lines.

Police said Tossapol confessed to conspiring with at least four accomplices to steal credit-card details - by intercepting data from phone lines at small switchboards before the information reached banks in Phuket.

The gang members then converted the analog numbers into data put on MP3 players, each of which could hold up to 100 credit-card codes.

These were sent to the gang leader in Malaysia, who transferred the data on to forged credit cards, which were sent back to purchase goods in Thailand.

Police said the gang operated for about six months. They allegedly caused financial losses to various banks of about Bt60 million - and possibly up to Bt360 million.<<

Insomniac · #15 02-08-2006, 12:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by butterflyblonde

It's better to withdraw from ATM's and then pay with hard cash IMHO

Your atm card can also be copied from an atm machine. See Phuket gazette issue july 29 - august 04 2006, front page article title "Banker warns of boom in fake cards"

Also depending on the type of hotel you're staying in. If you stay in a hotel where the room key is a card, be careful not to lose this as it also has all your personal details on the black strip.

And keeping your reciepts is ALWAYS a good idea.

Lightemup · #16 02-08-2006, 17:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Insomniac

Also depending on the type of hotel you're staying in. If you stay in a hotel where the room key is a card, be careful not to lose this as it also has all your personal details on the black strip.

Im pretty sure this isnt the case....

butterflyblonde · #17 02-08-2006, 18:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Insomniac

Your atm card can also be copied from an atm machine. See Phuket gazette issue july 29 - august 04 2006, front page article title "Banker warns of boom in fake cards"

Also depending on the type of hotel you're staying in. If you stay in a hotel where the room key is a card, be careful not to lose this as it also has all your personal details on the black strip.

And keeping your reciepts is ALWAYS a good idea.

That is correct yes, for that very reason I ONLY use Atm's actually located inside the building during opening times. These machines cannot be tampered with unlike those fixed to a wall outside.

butterflyblonde · #18 02-08-2006, 18:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMF

The only problem is that most cards have a limit on how much you can redraw using an ATM per day! Also the there's a fee to use the ATM, I pay approx. 200 bath.

Rgds,
SMF

Yes those are drawbacks to using this method, but better than trusting a member of staff with your details in shopping outlets IMHO

stevem · #19 03-08-2006, 08:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMF

The only problem is that most cards have a limit on how much you can redraw using an ATM per day! Also the there's a fee to use the ATM, I pay approx. 200 bath.

I think that 200 baht is a small fee to pay for security and piece of mind. The card limit is normally higher than the limit on single withdrawal transactions from ATM machines, which is mostly around 20K and is more than enough for a day.

naughty boy · #20 03-08-2006, 20:19

When I told, on my first posts here that the problem was much more serious, then we all thought, I got some negative remarks.

Our BKK branch has a lot of problems with cc's, as we had some transactions that has been cancelled.

andy50 · #21 03-08-2006, 21:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by butterflyblonde

It's better to withdraw from ATM's and then pay with hard cash IMHO

exactly b/b
thats what i always do i never use a c/c in a store or anywhere exept the atm,s

Allybabba22 · #22 06-08-2006, 00:57

Yeah I never use my card, Other than to take money out of ATMs and I always use the same ATM machine's all the time, I also ring my credit card company before I travel and let them know where I will be, I also inform them that other than paying for food in restaurants at the airports on the way, I will only use my card for ATM withdrawals...

In Bangkok the Majestic Suites wanted my credit card as security, But I just told them no, (They were looking at me funny) And told them that I never give my card to anyone and left them with a 5000bt deposit instead... Just dont want to take the risk of anyone ripping me off especially while I am away with most of my money tied up in the card... I would be fcuked if I get ripped off...

steve@thaib · #23 06-08-2006, 02:37

I try and be pretty careful with mine, but it looks like the missus slipped up. It's worth posting these things as a constant reminder that you have to be on your toes all the time.

Iltis · #24 06-08-2006, 05:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allybabba22

Yeah I never use my card, Other than to take money out of ATMs and I always use the same ATM machine's all the time, I also ring my credit card company before I travel and let them know where I will be, I also inform them that other than paying for food in restaurants at the airports on the way, I will only use my card for ATM withdrawals...

same thing with me. my first time i didn't tell the cc-company that i am in los and they deactivated my card and tried to call me on my cell to ask if the transaction was mine. since i had a thai-number i didn't get their call and found out it was deactivated when i tried to use the card again. a short call to the company and the card was activated again. that's why i give the company the information when i'm travelling...