Pin Numbers. How Extensively Used In Bkk?

[Beechboy]

Whilst enjoying a quiet drink on Suk. Soi. 11 in the early hours of the morning last friday, and managing successfully to avoid the flying glasses, tables and Nigerians during the nightly fight, I got talking to what semed like a respectable young lady.

I realise this description of her is dubious because of the time and the place. However, she was capable of a decent conversation and I made her realise that I had no intentions towards her. I did , however, buy her a drink or two, which made her verbally careless.

She was, in fact a street worker and had already had success that evening. She was proud of the fact that she had left her client asleep and very drunk, whilst in possession of two of his credit cards.

Nowadays, a credit card is fairly useless without its' accompanying PIN number. However, she insisted she knew some places, service stations I believe, where she would be able to use the cards. She needed a quick hit in case the unfortunate client came around and had sense enough to cancel his cards with immediate effect.

Her problem. The cards were for a male and had a farang name on them.

Guess the rest. She wanted me to assist with her crime in a 50/50 deal. I pretended to hesitate, and then said that I was going round the corner to pee first. I phoned the Tourist Police, but she must have been watching me. She was gone when I got back.

My real point is: How extensive is the use of PIN numbers in Thailand? They are universally needed in the UK and Europe nowadays. If there are places in Bkk. where they are not needed and that are known to the average street girl, then it is worrying.

Previously, a friend had told me that about two years ago, one of his cards was used in a Tesco Lotus without pinning. I should imagine this would not be the case today.

Anybody enlighten me? It is a bit worrying.

[Crossy]

Whilst chip and pin machines are common (you can tell if it's chip and pin 'coz they insert the card rather than swiping it) I can count the number of times I've actually been asked for my pin on one hand. Staff invariably press the 'pin bypass' key (not sure if UK machines have this facility).

Never, ever, in Tesco, most times in IT City, occasionally at my local PTT (they have a portable pin pad, but only one), once in HomePro (we bought a washing machine) and never at King Power in the airport.

[DP25]

I've never had to use a PIN except at an ATM. Never had to show ID except at the bank. Just hand the card and sign the slip.

[centrico]

I've never had to use a PIN except at an ATM. Never had to show ID except at the bank. Just hand the card and sign the slip.

Same for me with the exception of 7/11. I hate it when they take the card away too. You never know what is happening with it when out of sight. Too easy to clone. I only use in emergencies in that case.

[Beechboy]

Disturbing and this laxity aids criminals.

It is such a simple step to adopt universal chip and pin, and state a date wen it should become law.

It took no time at all for every retailer to adopt this near foolproof anti-fraud system in the UK. Admittedly, after a slow start.

Come on you card companies, push it. Money, mobiles and credit cards are top of the hit list of small time thieves. They are so easy to steal from an unsuspecting tourist who is one or two Singha beers to the worse, a normal sate for your happy hidaymaker.

Tourist Authority of Thailand please intervene as best you are able.

[hawthorne]

If thailand starts requiring pin numbers for credit cards I am in trouble. I have no idea what mine is if I have one. Matter of fact when I use it online I can mispell the address and the wrong country and it it still goes through. I use it for the US all the time on sites that will not take cards not on US banks and mine always sails through like the wind. These things are not safe at all if lost or stolen in my opinion. I had a golf course over charge me $3000 for $30 golf balls once. The counter lady immediately did a credit. After about two weeks the charge was still on my card. I went to the bank and showed them a copy of my credit. The bank still would not credit my account without me filling out a complaint form and said if the club did not dispute it in 30 days my card would be credited the money. I got my money back on the card but needless to say I do not bank there any more. Hint do not bank at NBAD in the UAE. Lots of similar stories.