Scb Debit Card: Worthless?

[JR Texas]

I have a bank account at SCB. The issued me a debit card (MasterCard). It came with Internet Banking.

I just tried to use it to pay the IRS in the USA......it was rejected.

They said "they do not accept those types of cards." What is going on? Why? Thailand banks only?

(As an aside: I had a debit card in the USA......Visa....that worked all over the planet.)

[PattayaParent]

Does it say "For electronic use only" on the front?

Mine does.

[longball53098]

My SCB debit card is good for all ATM transactions and for use at stores and shops in LOS that accept debit cards. It is not a credit card. I use my SCB card at many places here in LOS. It does not work for online purchases here or anywhere.

[JR Texas]

My SCB debit card is good for all ATM transactions and for use at stores and shops in LOS that accept debit cards. It is not a credit card. I use my SCB card at many places here in LOS. It does not work for online purchases here or anywhere.

Responding to both posts:

Pattayaparent: Yes, it does say for electronic use only on the front.

Longball: Same for mine apparently.

I don't understand why. A debit card is more secure than a credit card (can't take money out unless it is in). And, as stated previously, debit cards issued in the USA can be used anywhere......online too.

Am I wrong? Or is this some strange banking policy peculiar to Thailand.

[think_too_mut]

My SCB debit card is good for all ATM transactions and for use at stores and shops in LOS that accept debit cards. It is not a credit card. I use my SCB card at many places here in LOS. It does not work for online purchases here or anywhere.

Responding to both posts:

Pattayaparent: Yes, it does say for electronic use only on the front.

Longball: Same for mine apparently.

I don't understand why. A debit card is more secure than a credit card (can't take money out unless it is in). And, as stated previously, debit cards issued in the USA can be used anywhere......online too.

Am I wrong? Or is this some strange banking policy peculiar to Thailand.

If you are the same as someone who could not fix CitiBank ATM card for 2 years, you really don't have much luck with banks and their routines.

That "useless" debit card, "for electronic use only" is meant to be used over the Internet to purchase things.

It's a low fee and saves banks (and customers) from Credit card frauds.

For example, you join a porn site for 15$ a month and pay with Credit Card. If you try to opt out, you can't. The "cancel" link does not work and that site will be charging your CC forever or until you cancel it. Even if you call the bank to block that charge, they will ask you questions that you can't answer - identity of the charger is intentionally hidden and the bank has no means of stopping it.

With your "useless" debit card - that can't happen. Nobody can charge you anything unless you pay yourself. Because it is not a Credit Card.

Nothing like "strange banking policy peculiar to Thailand " . I have that card from Australia and Japan.

[Naam]

I don't understand why. A debit card is more secure than a credit card (can't take money out unless it is in). And, as stated previously, debit cards issued in the USA can be used anywhere......online too.

Am I wrong? Or is this some strange banking policy peculiar to Thailand.

yes you are wrong and it is not a strange banking policy (although you wish it were to do your usual picking on Thailand). what you forget is that for THB currency restrictions exist.

[Naam]

Even if you call the bank to block that charge, they will ask you questions that you can't answer - identity of the charger is intentionally hidden and the bank has no means of stopping it.

= thinking too much bullshit!

[Jimjim]

Exactly, Worf (Naam), credit cards have always been great to me about blocking charges, all it takes for me is to ask them.

[grahamhc]

Two points:

1. A friend who works for a US company over here tried to buy a Computer from the US using his Thai CC/DC. It was refused by HP, with the explaination that they were not allowed to accept overseas cards any more - something to a Homeland Security regulation. Maybe only US laptops are used for "Bad People Planning Events" . So his boss bought it on his card, and they shipped it to Thailand.

2. This one is more relevent. I have a SCB account to pay my rent, as no interbank standing orders allowed by my "Normal" bank. The card issued has a flat surface - no raised numbers - and is only usable at nominated retailers and all ATMs. I have not yet explored all their services.

I also have a Kasikorn Bank account. While they also issue the flat card, they also have a "Web Card" which is used for buying on the internet. It does not physically exist, just shows the number, CCV and expiry date in my internet account. I use this to pay subcriptions to a US based company and buy LEGITIMATE software .

The other benefit to the Web Card, is that Kbank emails you when the payment is requested and gives you 3 days to refuse payment in case it was a fraudulent purchase using your card number.

(Benefit to me, is when I use my UK CC, as the billing address is the UK, I get charged 15% VAT, whereas using the TH card, I do not)

[JR Texas]

Exactly, Worf (Naam), credit cards have always been great to me about blocking charges, all it takes for me is to ask them.

Responding to all posters: You really think this is not strange banking policy? As I stated, I had a debit card in the USA and it could be used for any and all transactions anywhere.

Debit cards are more secure.........you have the money or don't. Restricting their use to Thailand only is odd policy or at least outdated policy.

And I wonder if a double-standard is being applied.......restrictions only apply to farangs.

My guess is that research will reveal different policies in more progressive countries like Singapore, South Korea and Japan (but not sure).

As an aside, I just talked with my bank manager about this. He said the online banking is only for internal (Thailand) use. The debit card cannot be used to pay for any transactions outside of Thailand.

But, it can be used to withdraw money from an ATM machine in places like Cambodia (tell me this is not odd).

I told him that I need to pay the IRS. I told him an alternative would be to send them a cashier's check or money order.

He said his local branch can't do that........and told me I have to travel to the main SCB bank in Bangkok to send a cashier's check or money order.

Again.......not odd? TIT

That would be like going to your bank in Dallas, Texas........and they tell you must go to a main branch in Oklahoma City to send a cashier's check or money order.

Time to evolve past the 19th century!

[Jimjim]

I do think it's strange, JR Texas. I too have an SCB debit card and was befuddled when I found I couldn't get it to work online. I think some banks may change this if you ask them, but don't know about SCB. I read on this forum where someone did that and got it working for internet transactions. Unlike the U.S., I guess they don't make their debit card able to be used exactly as a credit card, and I'm not sure of the reasons.

Edit: Yes, many like to comment that the Thai banking system is stuck in 19th century and for ease of banking, it certainly seems true sometimes.

Edited April 9, 2009 by Jimjim

[huggybear]

Exactly, Worf (Naam), credit cards have always been great to me about blocking charges, all it takes for me is to ask them.

Responding to all posters: You really think this is not strange banking policy? As I stated, I had a debit card in the USA and it could be used for any and all transactions anywhere.

Yes, but this is not the U.S. We could start a massive thread on the differences between Thailand and the U.S. in many facets of life.

You are facing a conundrum I faced two years ago.

As one poster stated, the answer is the Kasikorn K-Card. Go open an account there, and get their web card. There are a couple of hoops to jump through, i.e. make sure you get the security feature figured out, tell them you want to be able to book air tickets with Air Asia. AA has a security feature that other sites have where there is a verification process.

Once you have that virtual card you are set, the SCB debit card is for ATM use only.

[torrenova]

I think I've just about got the lot so here goes:

SCB debit card cannot be used on the internet. It can be used in Thailand and abroad, as a debit card and as an ATM card. Some people have quoted success using it online using either some of the numbers as the CVV number I never had success and no longer need to try.

Kasikorn Bank's physical card works exactly the same as the SCB one. As do the other banks. The web card is a non physical credit card linked to your balance or Bt100,000 per day. I do not know if this limit can be raised. I have used this successfully over the net in Thailand and outside without problems. I have had it verified by Visa.

However, I tried to pay for my road cover one year over the phone with the web card and they could not process it. Now it could be because of an address mismatch, the fact that after the first attempt my missus talked to them could have had them putting in her name and my card so it would be rejected but only 2 weeks ago a Thai airline did not the existence of the web card and disputed that it existed at all.

The answer is multiple accounts at multiple banks so that if you fall down somewhere you are coveerd.

[think_too_mut]

Even if you call the bank to block that charge, they will ask you questions that you can't answer - identity of the charger is intentionally hidden and the bank has no means of stopping it.

= thinking too much bullshit!

You debilitating TV has not told you : what I said is what comes with that kind of card, the banks advertise it like that. I just wanted to make fun with porn subscription, they are the worst offenders. Google Westpac eAccount, you....

Whatever TV you watch, that big screen just magnifies the stupidity that is getting you.

[grahamhc]

However, I tried to pay for my road cover one year over the phone with the web card and they could not process it. Now it could be because of an address mismatch, the fact that after the first attempt my missus talked to them could have had them putting in her name and my card so it would be rejected but only 2 weeks ago a Thai airline did not the existence of the web card and disputed that it existed at all.

Again back to Kasikorn. The "Flat Card" does not have your own name on it (Says something like "Privileged Customer") and not registered to your address. You CAN apply for one with both your Name and Photo on it (and raised numbers), which I understand is verifyable for when you have to give full details of the card. Not applied for this yet, as not needed at present.

[delboy]

I recently got a Be1st card from Bangkok Bank that I was told can be used on the Internet. When it was rejected by one website, I retried 6 times varying the name and address details because I did not know the precise details of the card's registration, but with no joy.

On checking my account later, I found that BB had deducted the amount 7 times. E-Mails to the company confirmed that they had received no money as the card had been rejected. I contacted my local BB branch and they put me in touch with the claims department at Bangkok. I sent them copies of the e-mails that I had sent and received, and within 24 hours the money was refunded.

Several other sites rejected my card because it has an expiry date of 2019 and their entry fields only allowed dates upto 2016.

On the plus side, I was able to use it to access the Guardian newspaper archive section.

[Naam]

You debilitating TV has not told you : what I said is what comes with that kind of card, the banks advertise it like that. I just wanted to make fun with porn subscription, they are the worst offenders. Google Westpac eAccount, you... Whatever TV you watch, that big screen just magnifies the stupidity that is getting you.

if you have something substantial to say besides bullshit such as identity of the charger is intentionally hidden and the bank has no means of stopping it. or referring to my TV then say it. you are ridiculing yourself man. actually no need for others to do so

[stevejones123]

Plenty of reasons occur to me.

The IRS rejects them because there is a legal limit to how much foreign exchange you can use an internet card for and that must be for purchases.

You're using a card with a Thai billing address to pay an account with a USA address.

The site you're trying to pay doesn't accept non-US credit cards, or only a small subset of them.

[JR Texas]

Plenty of reasons occur to me.

The IRS rejects them because there is a legal limit to how much foreign exchange you can use an internet card for and that must be for purchases.

You're using a card with a Thai billing address to pay an account with a USA address.

The site you're trying to pay doesn't accept non-US credit cards, or only a small subset of them.

Actually, this has little to do with the IRS. That is simply how I found out the card cannot be used no matter who you are dealing with outside of Thailand.

Thai banking policy is almost certainly the problem. I had no problem using my USA-bank issued debit card anywhere in the world. Thai banking policy prevents that from happening with debit cards issued by their banks.

Why? I have no idea. Perhaps one: they don't want money to flow out of Thailand.

[think_too_mut]

You debilitating TV has not told you : what I said is what comes with that kind of card, the banks advertise it like that. I just wanted to make fun with porn subscription, they are the worst offenders. Google Westpac eAccount, you... Whatever TV you watch, that big screen just magnifies the stupidity that is getting you.

if you have something substantial to say besides bullshit such as identity of the charger is intentionally hidden and the bank has no means of stopping it. or referring to my TV then say it. you are ridiculing yourself man. actually no need for others to do so

Listen, you...

Try to cancel subscription to any dodgy site..your bank, you..., will ask you for the biller code. That does not exist, you, ....

That is why those "debit cards" were invented, you....

The only way out is - cancel your Credit Card and get a new one.

Edit: 2 months ago, I bought 3 pairs of Sperry shoes over the Internet.

It was all OK for 1 day. Then, the supplier sent me an emai: "Since your purchase is via Visa Credit Card, we need you to call us and confirm the shipping and your home address".

I replied - you are in a different time zone, I am not waking up 2am to buy shoes.

They said - "no call from you, no shoes. Alternatively, give us your debit card."

Edited April 9, 2009 by think_too_mut

[Lite Beer]

No Generic Thai Bank Debit Cards will work on the internet.

As said get a Kasikorn Bank Virtual Web Card.

K Web Card

[PattayaParent]

So TTM what happens when you dispute a charge on your CC and then your CC company has to investigate with the billers bank?

And also what's to stop a 'dodgy site' just billing your Debit Card every month with the information you've already provided for the first charge?

[Tilokarat]

I have used my Siam Commercial Bank debit card (issued in Udonthani) a few times in Canada and it has worked without any difficulties.

[longball53098]

I have used my Siam Commercial Bank debit card (issued in Udonthani) a few times in Canada and it has worked without any difficulties.

I am curious about the use of the card? Did you use it in ATM's and as a cash card at stores/restaurants? Or only in ATM's?

Is it the standard issued card that says "Hip Card" and "Electronic Use Only"?

No name on card only the 16 digit card number?

Thanks

[sammo]

I have the equivalent card issued from the Bank of Ayudhya. I have used it successfully for ATM withdrawals in Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. Also Spain, but the ATM machines in Germany and the UK simply rejected the card everytime!

[grahamhc]

I have the equivalent card issued from the Bank of Ayudhya. I have used it successfully for ATM withdrawals in Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. Also Spain, but the ATM machines in Germany and the UK simply rejected the card everytime!

Maybe it is to do with the "inter-banking company" used by those ATMs.

I remember when I first came to Thailand, I used a National Girobank ATM card. It was issued on the "PLUS" system, not VISA, so only a few places in Pattaya took it at the time.

But as you said "Philippines", who use a mainly Mastercard system, and if yours is a Visa card, I may be barking up the wrong tree.

[phil2]

So TTM what happens when you dispute a charge on your CC and then your CC company has to investigate with the billers bank?

And also what's to stop a 'dodgy site' just billing your Debit Card every month with the information you've already provided for the first charge?

It's very easy. Just put enough funds in the account to pay for whatever you're paying for. How can you be billed if there's no money in the account?

Get the new B1st card - the one with the ccv behind, and try again. It works with almost every site beside itunes.

[think_too_mut]

So TTM what happens when you dispute a charge on your CC and then your CC company has to investigate with the billers bank?

They will find that I had authorized the biller by subscribing and providing details, including those 3 digits on the back of the card. If I did not, then the card has been compromised and is going to be cancelled. No further charges from that minute. Past charges are gone as I did not report them. That's why they go 10-15$ a month, many transactions remain forever as people either don't notice or think "no time to cancel and replace the card this month, next is better". At that, they know they have caused it and it won't be refunded by the CC company.

To the the bank it's just a normal and authorized transaction that I have to stop by cancelling, like revoking my approval for monthly billing for electricity or water. The bank would not stop them, I have to. Even perfectly legit companies like TAT or Electricty Commisison you will have hard time stopping billing your bank account automatically. You can imagine then how dodgy sites are unstoppable - you can't get in touch with them and "cancel subscription" link takes you nowhere.

And also what's to stop a 'dodgy site' just billing your Debit Card every month with the information you've already provided for the first charge?

No money there. Same as transaction bouncing from a cancelled regular Credit Card. Nothing stops them charging cancelled or no money card - except that they get no money. That's usually enough.

Edited April 13, 2009 by think_too_mut

[Garnethoyes]

If a debit card gets stolen the thief can get all the money in the account and you loose, not the bank. If a Credit card gets stolen and you report it you do not loose your money. Sounds like debit cards are good for the banks not users.

[aurelius]

2. This one is more relevent. I have a SCB account to pay my rent, as no interbank standing orders allowed by my "Normal" bank. The card issued has a flat surface - no raised numbers - and is only usable at nominated retailers and all ATMs. I have not yet explored all their services.

Don't know which bank you use, but for sure internet banking at Bangkok Bank can do this for you. Set future dated transactions interbank for up to 1 year.