What's This Scam Then?

[grahamb]

My wife and I were shopping in the Big C opposite World Trade Center/Central World Plaza. When we came out, I was carrying a couple of Big C bags and she was carrying some other bags. We crossed the roadway leading from the car park where I was approached by a couple of women insisting that I had to give them the receipt from the Big C shopping (the receipt was in the bag so they could see it). They weren't dressed in any uniforms so I told them "No" and walked straight on.

It got me wondering though - what was the scam they were trying to pull? I can see 3 options:

1. Pickpocketing me - divert my attention and lift my wallet. However, no-one got close enough for that (I've had people try that before and they are much closer; that wasn't in Thailand though so maybe pickpockets are different here )

2. Getting the receipt to then go and shoplift the items from Big C; take the items back with the receipt and get a refund for cash

3. Getting the receipt to get my credit card number from it (why do shops insist on putting the whole number on the receipt?!)

I didn't notice if they were only targetting farangs or also trying to get receipts from Thais.

They didn't get anything from me but I'm still wondering - what was the scam all about? Was it a scam or did they have an honest and upstanding reason for wanting my receipt?

All ideas are welcome!

[Pui]

If its what i think it. Its not a scam aimed at ripping off forigners don't worry.

Its simply that if you spend enough at Big-C you get points which mean prizes.

If you have look at the desk next to customer services you will see all the plastic available.

A little like the Tesco reward card at home in the UK.

On the subject of Big-C whoever came up with such a silly name for a super market chain.

In the wrong context for example "My girlfriend's/Boyfriend's got Big-C" It would have nothing to do with supermarket shopping.

[griser]

If you buy something at Big C that has a freebie with it you go to the customer service counter and get it. If you spend enough money you also get freebies. If you have a Big C family card you can get more as well.

They just want your freebies!

i didn't know about this stuff either until my wife told me. You also get the same deal at Tesco-Lotus BTW

Greg

[350torana]

Yep, I agree. They probably wanted to get the freebies. Not that they are much to write home about , but wifey always heads to the counter after leaving the check out at Carrefour with an excited look on her face . I think the magic word in Thailand is 'free'

[medicinebox]

You give them the reciept, they wai and smile.

You walk 10 yards and it's like......HELP....HELP.....FARANG STOLE SHOPPING!!!

Asking why a Thai man would buy tampons will not cut it with the police...

[Highwayman]

The C in BigC stands for Casino, the name of the French supermarket chain who set up BigC.

As everyone says, it's about freebies. There's also tickets available to enter big prize draws depending on how much you spend.

[OldAsiaHand]

The C in BigC stands for Casino, the name of the French supermarket chain who set up BigC.

Not exactly. The chain was first established by the Central Department Store group as an experiment in big box retailing. Hence, 'Big C.'

Oddly, I happen to know that the members of the Central family who named the new business knew at the time that Big C was a common American slang expression for cancer, but it didn't seem to bother them.

A French group does indeed own Big C now. Like all other experiments by the Central group in international retailing, Big C quickly became a complete mess and Central sold out. These are not real smart folks, people.

[Highwayman]

Yes, you are correct.

BigC History

Guess l've only read the French based websites telling it from when it started for them.

[kenk3z]

Safest thing for you is to pretend you don't understand and keep moving.

To a large extent, any Thai that approaches Farang on the street is up to no good.

I'm sure the reverse could be said as well.

kenk3z

[lopburi3]

Safest thing for you is to pretend you don't understand and keep moving.

To a large extent, any Thai that approaches Farang on the street is up to no good.

I'm sure the reverse could be said as well. 

kenk3z

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You just dropped your credit card but keep walking.?.

While a single person "looking" like a mark should be careful this was a couple in a shopping center and really do not believe the odds that this chance for contact was up to no good would be very high.

But of course if I lived in Pattaya; and probably other tourist ghettos, with the time share folks I might change my view.

[stumonster]

To a large extent, any Thai that approaches Farang on the street is up to no good.

my cigarette pouch which contained my drivers licence fell out of my pocket one day as I was boarding a bus on saphan mai, I realised as I looked through the window and saw a young thai guy waving it at me, but because the bus driver had shut the door and was moving off there was nothing I could do. I got off the bus at the next stop and jogged back to the last stop and was informed by a lady sitting there that the young thai bloke had handed it to the traffic policeman in attendance. after waiting for the traffic policeman to sort out several vehicle problems he came back to his motorbike and gave me back my cigarette pouch ( was easily mine as it had my photo ID in it ).

being aware and judging each situation on its merits is a better strategy.

[kenk3z]

I thought we are talking about a receipt with your credit card number on it.

If that doesn't concern you, how about scanning in one of your reciepts and posting it here on the forum? Nothing will happen. We just like to see what you buy.

For my part, I wouldn't hand it over. Up to you.

kenk3z

[lopburi3]

I thought we are talking about a receipt with your credit card number on it.

If that doesn't concern you, how about scanning in one of your reciepts and posting it here on the forum?  Nothing will happen.  We just like to see what you buy. 

For my part, I wouldn't hand it over.  Up to you. 

kenk3z

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You were talking about ignoring anyone speaking to you. I did not advise giving them the slip; but would listen. As for the credit card number would I also give them my name? And expiration date? And number from rear panel?

Just saying we should not all be (too) paranoid.