"ATM scam" - myth or reality ?

[Lacessit]

1 minute ago, smutcakes said:

Well i use ATM's weekly for the past 15 years, granted i always use my bank ATM when available, but when needs must i use any of them. I recollect in the past there was a fee for using a different bank ATM, but cannot remember seeing the notice for as long as i can remember.

I'm not inclined to test it myself for the sake of confirming whether the banks still charge fees if using a different ATM.

I don't particularly like cards anyway, handy for online shopping, but difficult to keep secure. IMO no better security than having to front up to a bank teller with a savings passbook and a passport, I defy any thief to breach that.

[smutcakes]

2 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

I'm not inclined to test it myself for the sake of confirming whether the banks still charge fees if using a different ATM.

I don't particularly like cards anyway, handy for online shopping, but difficult to keep secure. IMO no better security than having to front up to a bank teller with a savings passbook and a passport, I defy any thief to breach that.

Secure/not secure- they are easy to use and for most of the modern World a part of day to day life. I dont go around day to day worrying about my ATM card or it being breached by a thief. It does happen and can happen and it would be an annoyance, but on the scale of things to concern me or to think about daily it does not really nudge the needle, and i presume most people are the same.

 

I think for most the thought of actually going into the bank, taking a ticket, waiting for the teller, maybe producing passport or other ID to just take out some money is far more bothersome.

[Wagga]

13 hours ago, gamb00ler said:

I only use US debit cards that have no foreign transaction fees and have not bothered to dive into the detailed terms and conditions of cards that charge that fee.  I can't help with your question.

Then the question needs to be asked.....

Why are you posting a reply  ????

[gamb00ler]

2 hours ago, Wagga said:

Then the question needs to be asked.....

Why are you posting a reply  ????

Because @Mac Mickmanus posed his question in a post that quoted me.  It seemed like his question was intended for me.

 

Are you the new hall monitor?  ????

Edited June 1, 2022 by gamb00ler

[ChrisP24]

On 5/29/2022 at 10:50 AM, Baron Samedi said:

I just don't see why I should pay them to have the privilege to access my money so I can spend it in their country.

They're helping you spend it on a cause they think is a worthy one, thus they've programmed their ATMs to view YOU as the ATM.  Kind of an existential paradox if you think about it (too) much.  ????  

Edited June 1, 2022 by ChrisP24

[Mac Mickmanus]

9 hours ago, smutcakes said:

I think for most the thought of actually going into the bank, taking a ticket, waiting for the teller, maybe producing passport or other ID to just take out some money is far more bothersome.

It would be much more bothersome for me  if the ATM kept my ATM card and didn't return it or my card got skimmed and thieves took all the money out . 

  Thus I prefer going to a bank counter once or twice a month with my passport and ATM card to avoid getting skimmed or losing my ATM card .

 

*And just for AEAENNOW readers, It also gives me an opportunity to interact with a Thai woman............ppphhhrrrooooaaaaawwwww*

[Liverpool Lou]

On 5/29/2022 at 11:47 PM, Sticky Rice Balls said:

my hand works just as well without the bar chatter and the money goes to the sangsom set

Clearly.

[Liverpool Lou]

On 5/30/2022 at 12:50 AM, Baron Samedi said:

It has nothing to do with whether I can afford it or not.

I just don't see why I should pay them to have the privilege to access my money so I can spend it in their country.

The bank is providing you the service, not the country!   

 

If you don't like paying a commercial bank for the benefit of giving you access to a foreign bank, don't use it.

[Liverpool Lou]

On 5/30/2022 at 2:25 AM, redsongthaew said:

While the cash sits in the ATMs the bank cannot earn any interest from the money.

Of course, it can, it's the bank's funds that they invest on the financial markets whether the cash is in a safe on the bank's premises, in an ATM or just a number on a computer screen at the Bank of Thailand, the banks make profits from all it!

[Liverpool Lou]

On 5/30/2022 at 6:37 AM, RandiRona said:

To sh,ow some Thai apologists some perspective Minimum wage of Thailand is 300Baht per day,  charging 220 baht is around 75% of daily minimum wage. So would that be justified to charge usd $105 for an ATM withdrawl in Los Angeles considering usd $15 per hour ($120 daily wage)? Would you call it scam them?

"To show some Thai apologists some perspective..."

Ridiculous analogy.  To show some Thai-bashers some perspective, private retail banks' charges are not related to minimum wages!

Edited June 1, 2022 by Liverpool Lou

[Liverpool Lou]

On 5/30/2022 at 7:20 AM, gamb00ler said:

I agree with those who feel that 220฿ is much too high for the "privilege" of accessing your funds.

If you're asking a local bank to access your funds for you from another bank, outside the country, why would you not expect to pay for it?

Edited June 1, 2022 by Liverpool Lou

[Mac Mickmanus]

Just out on interest , does anyone remember when it became possible to use foreign ATM cards in Thailand ?

  Has it always been possible or is it just a recent thing , as I recall people bringing travelers checks over and ATMs not being available 

[Liverpool Lou]

On 5/30/2022 at 10:08 AM, dingdongrb said:

The real scam is when your Thai bank (Bangkok Bank) charges you a fee when you deposit funds into your account outside the providence you opened your account in.

 

Yes, charges you money to deposit money!

 

10 THB for every 10k THB deposited but yet charged 60 THB when you deposit 50k THB.....Go figure that one out.

That's not a scam, either.   B10...Jesus...

[Liverpool Lou]

On 5/30/2022 at 12:23 PM, dingdongrb said:

I can make a deposit at any of my bank's nationwide branches in the USA and not be charged a penny. Why can't the Thai banks do the same? Do you have any sensible examples of why they can't? (I'll wait)

Do you have any sensible reasons why your Thai bank should do the same as your US bank?

[Liverpool Lou]

On 5/30/2022 at 4:51 PM, Robin said:

Thai banks have been ripping off customers at every chance for years.

Such as?

[Liverpool Lou]

On 5/30/2022 at 6:35 PM, Baron Samedi said:

Thai banks are pissing a lot of people off - that is a fact.

No, that's just an opinion.

[Liverpool Lou]

On 5/30/2022 at 7:34 PM, itsari said:

ATM charges for foreigners to obtain there own money from abroad is a fraud . 

No, it is not a fraud.

[Liverpool Lou]

On 5/30/2022 at 8:35 PM, itsari said:

On 5/30/2022 at 8:33 PM, Mac Mickmanus said:

Many other Countries do also charge for ATM usage though , its NOT just Thailand 

Please enlighten us what countries do the same

Please enlighten us which countries do not do the same  (with specifics for comparable transactions).

[Liverpool Lou]

On 5/30/2022 at 9:09 PM, Baron Samedi said:

The tuk-tuk mafia is part of the exact same monopoly problem.

If the island wasn't so corrupted you would have Uber drivers everywhere already.

Tuk-tuk driver do not have a transportation monopoly.

Which island are you talking about, Thailand isn't an island.

[Liverpool Lou]

On 5/30/2022 at 9:16 PM, Baron Samedi said:

Utter scam ! Period.

Funny how some posters think that posting "Period" when they've run out of rational arguments means that there's nothing further to be discussed!

[Liverpool Lou]

On 5/30/2022 at 9:57 PM, Baron Samedi said:

An ATM machine costs a couple of thousand dollars

Nonsense.

[gamb00ler]

1 hour ago, Liverpool Lou said:

If you're asking a local bank to access your funds for you from another bank, outside the country, why would you not expect to pay for it?

It seems you've somehow concluded I said Thai banks shouldn't be compensated for providing access to foreign funds via ATM.  Please provide a quote from me to support your conclusion.

 

I like surprises.  Give me one by reading my post again and providing an accurate summary.

[itsari]

30 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Please enlighten us which countries do not do the same  (with specifics for comparable transactions).

Most banks charge 1 to 3 percent for a  withdrawal using  a foreign card . That charge is then shared between the banks . Some banks charge nothing yet you are not receiving the best exchange rate . 

The flat rate  by Thai banks  is in addition to what your own bank will charge .

[itsari]

48 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

No, it is not a fraud.

What else would you call the charge ? Legal theft ?

[Mac Mickmanus]

22 hours ago, wn78 said:

Thank you very much, that's what I wanted to know.  So they just swipe your ATM at the counter, I never knew that was possible.  You have to enter your PIN at a keypad, right?  Seems like this is not a standard procedure that they offer, since you had to wiggle your way in with a nice dress and cover story.... Do you remember the name of the bank?

You walk into a bank , its irrelevant what clothes you are wearing . 

You go to the foreign exchange counter , give them your ATM card and your passport , they put the ATM card into their card reader , you enter your pin number and they do all the rest , like photocopies and things , you sign the papers and get your money, passport and ATM card back 

[Mac Mickmanus]

3 minutes ago, Sticky Rice Balls said:

and my hand never asks "where u come from" how long i stay thailand..or hurries me to finish

Is that yet another reference to sex ? Self masturbation ?

[gamb00ler]

7 hours ago, Mac Mickmanus said:

You walk into a bank , its irrelevant what clothes you are wearing . 

You go to the foreign exchange counter , give them your ATM card and your passport , they put the ATM card into their card reader , you enter your pin number and they do all the rest , like photocopies and things , you sign the papers and get your money, passport and ATM card back 

I don't think any Thai bank requires a PIN for a cash advance on your credit/debit card.  It is handled like an old fashioned credit card charge at a merchant using a signed slip and your passport as ID.  The slip is a narrow strip of paper produced from the machine the bank uses to swipe your card.  I check the details on the slip, add my phone # and sign it.  At the conclusion of the transaction, they also give me a copy of the slip.  The procedure is the same whether the debit card is VISA or MasterCard.

 

I think there is only one machine per bank branch because the teller always has to get up, swipe the card and make copies of my passport ID page.

 

I've observed it many times at Bangkok bank, others have reported on Krungsri bank and no one reported entering a PIN.  I just go to any teller, not the foreign exchange counter.

 

Post COVID the teller has always asked me to remove my mask and they then check that my face and passport photo match.

Edited June 2, 2022 by gamb00ler

[Ralf001]

7 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Nonsense.

"ATMs can vary in price ($2,000-$8,000), but typically the average new, freestanding ATM machine will cost around $2,300-$3,000, and a used ATM will generally cost between $1,200-$1,800. There is also an installation fee to consider, which normally runs $200-$300, but many business owners find the installation process to be relatively easy and choose to install the ATM on their own."

 

https://www.liebermancompanies.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-buy-atm-machine/

[Guest truthman]

On 6/1/2022 at 12:23 AM, Sticky Rice Balls said:

this was my reply at the very beginning of this mess...i was like the first response and oooh the strange backlash i got.....it was a solution ive tested and been successful at, even though i was able to open an account at same bank when i started a job here...

 

The atm in my exp only allowed 30k and i recall a 150 fee and also the fees attached to convert usd to thai baht from MY debit card carrier and foreign transaction fees....

 

So as i posted..i went into the bank,dressed nicely as its thai culture, as expected, the bank teller told me to use the atm at the door, i said I needed more than the 30k for a motorbike for my thai gf(welcome to thailand and obsession with $$$) and being that I was dressed "thai style, and "taking care" of my fake thai GF, she agreed to swipe it at the counter and avoid all said fees...done and done....and yet you can see some posters here are offended.

 

I digress to use my "fake gf" excuse as we all know the thais are the most honest folks ever

That's fine, but it's not a technique you can use all the time unless you keep going to different banks and the all swallow the same story. As a rule, most branches won't let you withdraw money over the counter from a debit card. Even Citibank wouldn't let me do it.

[smutcakes]

10 hours ago, Mac Mickmanus said:

It would be much more bothersome for me  if the ATM kept my ATM card and didn't return it or my card got skimmed and thieves took all the money out . 

  Thus I prefer going to a bank counter once or twice a month with my passport and ATM card to avoid getting skimmed or losing my ATM card .

 

*And just for AEAENNOW readers, It also gives me an opportunity to interact with a Thai woman............ppphhhrrrooooaaaaawwwww*

Each to their own. Neither has ever happened to me touch wood. With bank branches closing across the country you better get with the times gramps.