The Fugitive

Today I was forced to cancel a hotel booked through Agoda. I received refund in seven hours. I know hotels and flights are different and, in this case, there was no human contact. Nevertheless, I thought that was good service. I've never booked flights through them. Has anyone done so and have any experience good or bad?

Thanks for the tip. I'm near Khon Kaen so the best option for me too.

No longer book with agents myself after my incoming flight on a multi-leg booking was retimed and the remaining transit time became less than the minimum for that particular airport. The agent refused to rebook me on an earlier flight because the new arrival time was only 10 minutes later. Caused me some serious stress!

Yes, name on card is requested. I don't have KBank but very recently I opened a Chase (U.K.) current and savings account. Their Mastercard debit card has my name upon the front but no numbers (apart from telephone numbers). To view your sort code and account number you have to use their mobile APP.

Paying for things over the internet they ask for the CVV number upon the reverse of the card.

Good idea thanks. It does appear to have been my Google Account that could have been cracked (certainly was the information contained within it).

Many thanks. All helpful info much appreciated!

Only just found out that if you go from WiFi to mobile data connection (only) the regular backups stop. Well they did on my iPhone 8 Plus anyway!

On Santander website, only the last four digits of my Zero Credit Card are visible. Also, as it's my backup credit card only, I've never used/stored this card for any online subscriptions.

Thank you. I was getting confused between the five digit PIN I use for web access when using my laptop. I don't know which device was hacked, it could have been my Windows 10 laptop (now running Linux) or my iPhone or Android mobile. All are linked to my Google account where I store my bookmarks and passwords. It would appear that the hackers have taken a 'snapshot' of my bookmarks and passwords? I too keep my Santander account as backup only. They are the only bank I have that permit me to have an address abroad AND will send renewed/replacement cards to Thailand.

Sixteen digit numbers would be the number on the front of my cards. Santander don't believe those have been compromised which is why they don't propose to issue me with replacement cards and are only cancelling and resetting my internet access. I had already given Santander my 'VYKE' virtual U.K. mobile number. This was the number they insisted upon ringing me back on.

I only used my mobile data connection. I use a laptop and IPhone and also an Android 'phone as back-up. I was warned about the possibility of a downloaded key logger being on any. I immediately formatted my laptop hard drive and installed a Linux distro in place of Windows 10. I have done factory resets on both phones. Unfortunately, I continued to receive warnings such as; 'Unusual log in (or attempted log in) from Russia/Romania'. The hackers apparently were working their way through my bookmarks as I received these warnings from websites such as 'FreeVoipDeal' through to 'Spotify'. I believe they were looking for subscription type accounts which would likely have stored credit card details?

Good point. I didn't think of that and neither did either of the two staff I spoke to. The hackers must have worked out my Customer ID (as you know it's your date of birth plus three numerics). How they knew my five digit PIN I don't know. They ask for your password when you call. I mixed up characters five/six when I called so failed that. They asked for my date of birth instead. The hackers already knew that so I reckon that's how they are gaining access to my internet account?

Yesterday received another SMS that I'm now, once again, registered for voice ID. I 'phoned Customer Services to be told that someone had definitely called a few minutes earlier. I suspect it's the Moldovian hackers again. Santander have removed my internet access and are setting me up again by means of two separate letters which should arrive within the next 14 days. They insist it's not necessary to replace my debit and credit cards. I'm not happy that the hackers must know my current account number/sort code and my Investment Hub account number. However, they can only have the last four digits of my credit card number.

Great tip. Thanks very much!

Acer laptops seem good to me. Using one now, 11 years old, purchased secondhand in South America. It had a U.S.A. keyboard but as some of the keys eventually failed, I had that replaced with a U.K. one. Mrs bought a different model of Acer laptop in Thailand, dating from 2009 which works well too.

I do. For Linux operating systems as recommended.

Yes, going to need a mobile data connection. Those of us who manage by using home/coffee shop/restaurant/friends Wifi connections will have to think again!

Many thanks to the contributors in this thread. Something I wasn't aware of and could be useful in future.

Nothing. VYKE runs ontop of your mobile data or WiFi connection. The caller pays at their U.K. mobile calling rate. For me to call U.K. from anywhere using VYKE it costs 1p per minute. Texts are 4p each.

I can understand your frustration with that!

I have Halifax Bank account and credit card too. I have given both banks my 'VYKE' virtual U.K. mobile number and, so far, receive both voice calls and SMS (OTP's) with no difficulties. Yesterday, because I was calling an 0800 number I used 'SKYPE' to make the outgoing call because it's free.

Makes life more interesting! Anyway, the voice ID verification seems to work because the system asked me to say the passphrase three times before failing me and then progressing me to Customer Services who, of course, asked alternative security questions. They even insisted upon ringing me back on the mobile number which was upon their records.

Yesterday received SMS from Santander that I’m now registered for voice ID. If I hadn’t requested it ‘phone Customer Services. As I hadn’t I rang to query. Lady explained that another customer had mistyped their PIN. They have now removed this customer's voice ID from my account. A little worrying because you have a personal ID number also that I believed would be unique? Fortunately, the ‘phone call was free and resolved quickly and courteously once I’d got through the unavoidable queuing system.

The P.E.A. are amazing. Once in Hua Hin sat at an outside restaurant noticed sparking in the overhead lines. Then streetlights went out. Literally 5 minutes later a waggon and crew turned up and fixed it. Tessaban are a totally different kettle of fish. The mains operated street light outside our house was out for three years. Mrs rang umpteen times. It was only when a new deputy was appointed who happened to be a partner of a family member that our light was repaired.