Atm Skimmers

[Pollywaffle]

Read this article in an Australian newspaper - always wise to be on alert at the ATMs.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/european-atm-skimming-machine-your-credit-cards-new-worst-enemy-in-australian-crime-first/story-e6freoof-1226521141277

[theslime]

Yes I read it this morning. Awesome. Even tried to get Wifey to look but as yet she,s not bothered.

[iSabai]

ATM scams have been a problem here for some time. Last year I opened a second (Thai) bank account with no ATM access. I moved the bulk of my money to it, and kept a nominal amount in my original account which has ATM access.

The peace of mind is worth the minor inconvenience of having to occasionally go to the bank and transfer money from one account to the other.

[Rooo]

I know this is not Thailand related as yet, but it's only a matter of time & a heads up.

Thanks to the OP.

[stevenl]

Happens here, happens anywhere in the world. Well, far less in Europe these days since the ATM cards there have chips and are more difficult to skim.

[Rooo]

Happens here, happens anywhere in the world. Well, far less in Europe these days since the ATM cards there have chips and are more difficult to skim.

These are the newest generation., originating in Europe.

[NamKangMan]

I posted this link ages ago on another thread. I'll post it again for any new members. It's a short guide, with photos, of what to look out for at an ATM. They go to great lengths to disguise the skimmers and cameras.

The skimmers in the OP are more advanced and more portable, but there are still plenty of the older skimmers still around. I must say, I'm impressed with these new skimmers. A lot of electrical work has gone into them. It's only a matter of time before they get to Thailand.

Also, be aware that they are now using hand held skimmers, but you have to give them your card, so, obviously, never give your card to anyone.

http://www.commbank....eness_guide.pdf

An idea is to have two accounts. The bulk of your cash is in one account that does not have an ATM card attached to it. The other account has enough for day to day living expenses and has an ATM card attached to it. You move money into this account over the counter, or by internet banking. This account could still be skimmed, but you will only lose a small amount of money. The bulk of your cash remains untouched.

Edited November 22, 2012 by NamKangMan

[stevenl]

Happens here, happens anywhere in the world. Well, far less in Europe these days since the ATM cards there have chips and are more difficult to skim.

These are the newest generation., originating in Europe.

Yes, what is the connection between that and my post? Still happens anywhere in the world, and still happens less in countries where they have a chip in the ATM card, like most European countries, since these are more difficult to skim.

[p_brownstone]

Happens here, happens anywhere in the world. Well, far less in Europe these days since the ATM cards there have chips and are more difficult to skim.

Not really - Google "RFID Skimming".

Devices installed over the ATM Keyboard or Card Slot are very clumsy and quite easily detected by anyone who looks carefully; newer Cards have Chips, yes, however people forget that the PIN Number and other Data is stored on that Chip too and can be read by RFID Readers which are easily available on the Net.

Patrick

[stevenl]

Happens here, happens anywhere in the world. Well, far less in Europe these days since the ATM cards there have chips and are more difficult to skim.

Not really - Google "RFID Skimming".

Devices installed over the ATM Keyboard or Card Slot are very clumsy and quite easily detected by anyone who looks carefully; newer Cards have Chips, yes, however people forget that the PIN Number and other Data is stored on that Chip too and can be read by RFID Readers which are easily available on the Net.

Patrick

Yes, can be done, but happens far less compared to traditional magnetic strip cards.

[NamKangMan]

Happens here, happens anywhere in the world. Well, far less in Europe these days since the ATM cards there have chips and are more difficult to skim.

Not really - Google "RFID Skimming".

Devices installed over the ATM Keyboard or Card Slot are very clumsy and quite easily detected by anyone who looks carefully; newer Cards have Chips, yes, however people forget that the PIN Number and other Data is stored on that Chip too and can be read by RFID Readers which are easily available on the Net.

Patrick

That's correct, but they have to be very close to you to "scavenge" the signal, but this is possible in a que or a crowded area. That's why I use the below two items. It's more about identity theft.

http://www.ebay.com....=item20cd29a8eb

http://www.ebay.com....=item2575cb4d7f

I have nothing to do with the above companies. There are many brands available. These were the first two I came across for the purpose of these links.

Edited November 22, 2012 by NamKangMan

[LivinginKata]

Yes, I had my account ripped off by the hand skimming technique. Lost 50,000 baht in one day. I made an account of the incident here on Thaivisa after it happened. To recount I had just taken some money out of the machine and as walked away a young Frenchman (by the sound of him) rushed after me and said I had left 1,000 baht note in the machine and he handed it too me. I was a bit confused as i was sure I had taken all the money, the guy insisted I oput my card back in and close the transaction. He actually grabbed the card and inserted in the machine (I assume that is where he palm skimmed). Later in the day I checked my balance after I had time to think about the incident. I should have changed the PIN there and then but I did not. Account was fine for about 10 days and then they struck. i cancelled my card and now I just call into then branch with my book when I need money.

[Valentine]

I recently opened an account with Bangkok Bank & was surprised when I could not use the ATM card in another bank's machine. I did not realise it had a chip for added security & could only be used with BKK Bank ATM machines at present unless the ATM machine was chip ready so to speak.

[endure]

Happens here, happens anywhere in the world. Well, far less in Europe these days since the ATM cards there have chips and are more difficult to skim.

Not really - Google "RFID Skimming".

Devices installed over the ATM Keyboard or Card Slot are very clumsy and quite easily detected by anyone who looks carefully; newer Cards have Chips, yes, however people forget that the PIN Number and other Data is stored on that Chip too and can be read by RFID Readers which are easily available on the Net.

Patrick

The vast majority of "Chip and Pin" credit cards (in the UK at least) aren't equipped with RFID facilities although "contactless" cards are now being issued by a couple of providers.

[hansgruber]

Just use the ATMs at banks only. Problem solved.

Don't use the one sticking out of a money exchange or 7/11 or anywhere else beside the bank ATM.

2 reasons.

The ATMs are checked daily and the camera surveillance is top notch which catches the perpetrator or deters them entirely and in turn the surveillance will aid your return of stolen funds.

[JetsetBkk]

Yes, I had my account ripped off by the hand skimming technique. Lost 50,000 baht in one day. I made an account of the incident here on Thaivisa after it happened. To recount I had just taken some money out of the machine and as walked away a young Frenchman (by the sound of him) rushed after me and said I had left 1,000 baht note in the machine and he handed it too me. I was a bit confused as i was sure I had taken all the money, the guy insisted I oput my card back in and close the transaction. He actually grabbed the card and inserted in the machine (I assume that is where he palm skimmed). Later in the day I checked my balance after I had time to think about the incident. I should have changed the PIN there and then but I did not. Account was fine for about 10 days and then they struck. i cancelled my card and now I just call into then branch with my book when I need money.

I've hear about this scam - the "You've left 1,000 bat in the ATM" scam, but never worked out how the scammer could get the "mark" to give him his card or get the PIN number.

[LivinginKata]

Just use the ATMs at banks only. Problem solved.

Don't use the one sticking out of a money exchange or 7/11 or anywhere else beside the bank ATM.

2 reasons.

The ATMs are checked daily and the camera surveillance is top notch which catches the perpetrator or deters them entirely and in turn the surveillance will aid your return of stolen funds.

I agree and that's why I always used a bank machine.

But my incident happened at a branch of the Kbank in Karon. I had no help from the bank or the police to obtain the video footage. Never heard from them despite placing an official police report.

[steelepulse]

I just got an online alert about possible fraudulent activity on my overseas debit card, and checking my statement, sure enough the Ukranian gang was hard at work draining my account. The only time I used this card in the last few months was a week ago at the kbank atm next to 7/11 on the corner of viset and sai yuan. I mentioned this to Mrs SP and she said she just sawon the Thai morning news that the Ukranian guys have hit a lot of Thai kbank customers and that kbank was reimbursing the fraudulent activity. My overseas bank is also going to reimburse.

I had heard there were a number of atms in Rawai that have skimmers, so I checked pretty close before withdrawing and couldn't spot anything, but obviously they Ukranian gang has something going.

[hansgruber]

That's always the ones they target. 7/11 or standalone atms.

The skimmers don't bother with bank atms. Much more risk of being caught on camera or staff notice suspicious activity.

[steelepulse]

That's always the ones they target. 7/11 or standalone atms.

The skimmers don't bother with bank atms. Much more risk of being caught on camera or staff notice suspicious activity.

That's what I thought too, but I heard the Siam Bank atm's next to Laguna also had skimmers.

[LivinginKata]

That's always the ones they target. 7/11 or standalone atms.

The skimmers don't bother with bank atms. Much more risk of being caught on camera or staff notice suspicious activity.

My card was skimmed at the Kasikorn bank's own ATM right in front of the bank. I had always avoided remote located ATM thinking much as you do. Now I don't have any ATM cards.

[steelepulse]

This must have been what Mrs SP heard on the news today as it's making TV's mailings http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/680231-atms-on-bangkoks-wireless-road-hacked-card-users-say/

[hansgruber]

That's always the ones they target. 7/11 or standalone atms.

The skimmers don't bother with bank atms. Much more risk of being caught on camera or staff notice suspicious activity.

 

My card was skimmed at the Kasikorn bank's own ATM right in front of the bank. I had always avoided remote located ATM thinking much as you do. Now I don't have any ATM cards.

It seems Kasikorn is the problem bank.

I've never had any problems with SCB.

They sms me automatically when a withdrawal or transfer has been made with a phone number to call if the transaction isn't mine. and even email me to tell me when I have logged onto scbeasy.com.

Quite secure.

[nedkellylives]

Only use ATM card in a emergancy, always go into the bank and withdrawn money usually once a month

[LivinginKata]

That's always the ones they target. 7/11 or standalone atms.

The skimmers don't bother with bank atms. Much more risk of being caught on camera or staff notice suspicious activity.

My card was skimmed at the Kasikorn bank's own ATM right in front of the bank. I had always avoided remote located ATM thinking much as you do. Now I don't have any ATM cards.

It seems Kasikorn is the problem bank.

I've never had any problems with SCB.

They sms me automatically when a withdrawal or transfer has been made with a phone number to call if the transaction isn't mine. and even email me to tell me when I have logged onto scbeasy.com.

Quite secure.

Trouble with the SMS method is that the money has already gone (up to the daily limit) and no refund will be offered by the bank. Kasikorn also offer the same SMS service for a small fee.