I have just read in my local morning paper that credit card details and pin nos can be brought from Internet sites and you bid on them like you would on ebay.These details can be purchased in lots of 2000 for as little as 93 cents each.A machine can be purchased for $150 and once you have the details on the magnetic strip, off you go to scam thousands of dollars.

some interesting points on bank security in above posts; last month I made a telegraphic transfer from my account in NZ to the local Kasikorn - same account I've used before to send money both ways.

This time though - a call from my NZ bank, questions to confirm my ID before they would process the transfer.

Actually it was an odd call - as I wanted to confirm their identity before I'd confirm my own, in case it was a scam to try to get personal info.

I have no problem with this (nice to know they care!) person I spoke to was very polite, and explained there had been fraudulent bank transfers to Thailand they now had to take steps to avoid them occurring again.