Beware using debit cards when paying for fuel at gas stations say Thai media

 

Picture: Sanook

 

A Thai went on Facebook to recount what happened to them after they used a debit card to purchase fuel at a gas station.

 

The pump attendant made a surreptitious note of their numbers on the front and back and then used their card to buy "items" for the ROV game.

 

In the days after the customer used the gas station a total of eight withdrawals amounting to 8,000 baht were made on the card.

 

This prompted the bank to make inquiries with the customer about the usage of the card. The customer had never made item purchases themselves.

 

The "OI Jai Oi Kong Sombat" page indicated that CCTV was checked at the gas station and the 18 year old pump attendant was caught.

 

His elder sister made a deal with the owner of the gas station to repay the stolen money and it was allowed to rest without prosecution as no one wanted to blight the future of the attendant.

 

He has a 17 year old girlfriend and a three month old child.

 

Region four police told Sanook that this was a common method of theft especially at gas stations and restaurants where cards were taken away from the sight of customers.

 

They called for people to be vigilant.

 

While Sanook advised that security numbers can be covered on the rear of cards with tape and OTP (one time passwords) sent to mobile phones can prevent theft.

 

None of the protagonists in this story were named.

 

Source: Sanook

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2018-08-01

"His elder sister made a deal with the owner of the gas station to repay the stolen money and it was allowed to rest without prosecution as no one wanted to blight the future of the attendant.
 He has a 17 year old girlfriend and a three month old child."

 

And he used the money to play games on his phone.

He may have got some sympathy from me if it was for buying milk etc.. for his new baby.

Let's hope his "future as a pump attendant" sees no more heartache for the little tosser  . . . . ?

I rarely use my card this way,except maybe in home pro or something,always handy to have the sms contact app on your phone,as soon as a withdrawl or deposit is made you get an sms.

This is one reason I only use cash.

I never ever use a credit card in LOS outside of main  retailers, such as Mega Home or Home Pro and then only sparingly . It's a fraudsters heaven in LOS, don't risk it is my advice, use cash.   

Edited August 1, 20187 yr by Pilotman

31 minutes ago, webfact said:

His elder sister made a deal with the owner of the gas station to repay the stolen money and it was allowed to rest without prosecution as no one wanted to blight the future of the attendant.

And unfortunately, this is a common approach to problems here in Thailand and has been for decades.  This response seldom forces a person to accept responsibility for their actions.  We see this mindset on a daily basis. The never mind attitude does not always make for a better society.

41 minutes ago, webfact said:

While Sanook advised that security numbers can be covered on the rear of cards with tape and OTP (one time passwords) sent to mobile phones can prevent theft.

The CVC three-digit security number on the back of the card for online purchases is a weak link in the system when, as illustrated here, can be written down along with the other details when staff take your card away to process the payment. I have made a note of this number, stored it securely at home, then scratched away the CVC number on the card to stop anyone reading it.

Just a proactive measure to try and prevent this obvious weak link occurring.

 

On the same subject has anyone ever had sales staff compare their signature on the sales voucher with that on the rear of their card? No, me neither - ever.

I've written on other TV threads before, that for ten years now I always sign my name erroneously as "Enid Blyton" (a UK children's author from the 1950s) - a) because I can, and b) to highlight the lax system of checking in Thailand. Twice I've signed as "Rumpelstiltskin".

This is the even more worrying part: I've written to Barclaycard and told them this. No response from them.

 

(as above )

Make a copy of the backside of the card with the CVV.

Store that away safely at home, memorize or store CVV in phone or where ever.

Scratch off CVV from the card.

 

And use cash at gas stations

In seven years never used any plastic there.

I usually order a x*100 Baht filling and have the correct amount at hand if possible.

Problem solved.

 

 

Edited August 1, 20187 yr by KhunBENQ

1 hour ago, bluesofa said:

to highlight the lax system of checking in Thailand. Twice I've signed as "Rumpelstiltskin".

Signature check/comparison by some underpaid cashier.

Worthless and maybe not only in Thailand.

 

For rehabilitation: at least at my SCB branch I was recently amazed that the clerk was not satisfied with my scribble and asked me to repeat the signature.

But that was a bank clerk!

 

23 minutes ago, KhunBENQ said:

Make a copy of the backside of the card with the CVV.

Scratch off CVV from the card.

Interesting trick. How long have you done this? Ever have any issues when using the card? (like somebody refuses to take it because it's damaged?)

2 minutes ago, jerry921 said:

Interesting trick. How long have you done this? Ever have any issues when using the card? (like somebody refuses to take it because it's damaged?)

Ha ha ha! Sorry for laughing! The high security logic here: As long as it works in the machine it's not damaged.

 

Edited August 1, 20187 yr by bluesofa

6 minutes ago, jerry921 said:

Interesting trick. How long have you done this? Ever have any issues when using the card? (like somebody refuses to take it because it's damaged?)

I did it in the past with my credit card in Germany.

It was never denied/refused.

Used it last year for car rent in Phuket.

Edited August 1, 20187 yr by KhunBENQ

In the signature block I instead print clearly: 

 

"Please ask for photo I.D."

 

 Ironically the only place ever to actually read this, and ask; was at a petrol station!

I have a dedicated bank account with a debit card for small purchases. Only a few thousand baht in it, can't trust anyone here with your plastic. It is after all the Land of Scams.

I use my US credit card as there are no foreign transaction fees on a frequent basis at the larger Thai retailers. I have not had a problem to date.

 

I am vigilant and the card never leaves my sight - the most disturbing action that some of the retailers try to key in my card number into their system even though the card is smart chipped - I am always taking the card away from them before they get it entered. They grumble from time to time. Not all retailers do this and if the cashier complains then I tell them that they already have the receipt from their bank accepting the transaction with my signature.

 

At one point several years ago the entire credit card number was actually printed on the receipt which made me nervous but I have never had a false charge made. Now the card number is only partially printed. My US bank sends me a message whenever there is a transaction immediately so I always maintain cellular or WiFi connection with my phone.

 

MJ

2 hours ago, bluesofa said:

The CVC three-digit security number on the back of the card for online purchases is a weak link in the system when, as illustrated here, can be written down along with the other details when staff take your card away to process the payment. I have made a note of this number, stored it securely at home, then scratched away the CVC number on the card to stop anyone reading it.

Just a proactive measure to try and prevent this obvious weak link occurring.

 

Interesting I've never thought about this before. So presumably the only reason the 3 digit number is on the back of our cards is for convenience. Apart from the fact that many people would obviously forget the number if it wasn't on the back, it does seem a ludicrously weak link. 

Let me get this straight. We are told to all be vigilant and meanwhile sympathetic to these poor, impoverished people. This lack of punishment and spinning it that they are actually good people only encourages more theft. Shouldn't there be a deterrent? Why should the good people be burdened with all these precautions and the bad people get no shame or punishment? Quite a backwards approach.

 

Cash has always been the safest currency. 

2 hours ago, KhunBENQ said:

Signature check/comparison by some underpaid cashier.

Worthless and maybe not only in Thailand.

 

For rehabilitation: at least at my SCB branch I was recently amazed that the clerk was not satisfied with my scribble and asked me to repeat the signature.

But that was a bank clerk!

 

No signatures anymore in Australia, must use your Pin No.

1 hour ago, britishjohn said:

Interesting I've never thought about this before. So presumably the only reason the 3 digit number is on the back of our cards is for convenience. Apart from the fact that many people would obviously forget the number if it wasn't on the back, it does seem a ludicrously weak link. 

Yes, it's for the convenience of thieving staff.

It is only more recently I read about it elsewhere and therefore I removed the number (from the card only, but saved it)

I see KhunBENQ has made a similar post and seems has done it for years.

 

btw, in my OP I said I had contacted Barclaycard with no response. My error - it's MasterCard who haven't replied after more than two weeks. I also asked why they allow Thai retailers to choose for themselves whether they select confirmation by signature or by PIN number - which is a lot more secure than a never checked signature.

I've just chased them again about it. I will contact Barclaycard next.

 

I covered all my card CVCs with tape and marked over it with indelible black pen a couple years ago - a suggestion from my wife's nephew when we pulled up into a PTT for petrol and paid for by card as we always do.

 

Admittedly, not much of a barrier and only keeps honest people honest. 

 

Reading this thread, I think I'll go the next step and scratch them off.  Only reason I've ever needed the CVC is buying something online from home computer, and I never have to look anyway because I've committed the credit card CVC to memory.

10 minutes ago, greenchair said:

Cash has always been the safest currency. 

And it will be, no matter how eagerly covernments want to enforce the controlling system they call 'cashless society'.

Attendant did wrong, but why those lazy cardholders didn't switch off or restrict online usage for cards?
At least, debit cards from Kasikorn, KrungSri and TMB  cannot be used online by default. And Kasikorn offers KWeb Shopping (virtual) card with no fee, if you really need pay something online.

 

I use cash for everything.

Never used a CC or debit here.

6 hours ago, bluesofa said:

The CVC three-digit security number on the back of the card for online purchases is a weak link in the system when, as illustrated here, can be written down along with the other details when staff take your card away to process the payment. I have made a note of this number, stored it securely at home, then scratched away the CVC number on the card to stop anyone reading it.

Just a proactive measure to try and prevent this obvious weak link occurring.

 

On the same subject has anyone ever had sales staff compare their signature on the sales voucher with that on the rear of their card? No, me neither - ever.

I've written on other TV threads before, that for ten years now I always sign my name erroneously as "Enid Blyton" (a UK children's author from the 1950s) - a) because I can, and b) to highlight the lax system of checking in Thailand. Twice I've signed as "Rumpelstiltskin".

This is the even more worrying part: I've written to Barclaycard and told them this. No response from them.

 

"I have made a note of this number, stored it securely at home, then scratched away the CVC number on the card to stop anyone reading it."

Waow brilliant idea bluesofa, If you have not patented it with your permission I will hasten to do the same thing 

2 minutes ago, Tchooptip said:

"I have made a note of this number, stored it securely at home, then scratched away the CVC number on the card to stop anyone reading it."

Waow brilliant idea bluesofa, If you have not patented it with your permission I will hasten to do the same thing 

Be my guest! I'll pm you my bank details later for the royalty payment!

 

3 hours ago, bluesofa said:

I will contact Barclaycard next.

Just be careful that you don't alert them to where you reside, assuming that you live here that is, there are lots of reports that Barclaycard are canceling the cards of those living in Thailand.

5 hours ago, jerry921 said:

Interesting trick. How long have you done this? Ever have any issues when using the card? (like somebody refuses to take it because it's damaged?)

LOL, the signature on my credit card rubbed off more than a year ago.

 

I only use it for larger purchases like 30,000 Baht and up.

 

It's never been queried once.

7 hours ago, bluesofa said:

The CVC three-digit security number on the back of the card for online purchases is a weak link in the system when, as illustrated here, can be written down along with the other details when staff take your card away to process the payment. I have made a note of this number, stored it securely at home, then scratched away the CVC number on the card to stop anyone reading it.

{snipped}

Just slightly OT,  CVV or CVC, just found the following:

CARD VERIFICATION VALUE CODE (CVV)

Each credit card company has its own name for the CVV code, but it functions the same for all major card types. (VISA refers to the code as CVV2, MasterCard calls it CVC2, and American Express calls it CID.)

The back panel of most Visa/MasterCard cards contain the full 16-digit account number, followed by the CVV/CVC code.

 

 

Do any "after the fact" notifications from the bank  help prevent the fraud from happening in the first place?

 

Edited August 1, 20187 yr by watcharacters