Fakers Threaten Phuket's Tourism

[george]

Fakers threaten Phuket's tourism

PHUKET: -- Local Tourist Police chief, Major Bundit Khaosutham, has sent an urgent warning to local businesses to be on the look out for fake credit cards. “Shop owners should check with the banks if they suspect anything. They can also call us on 1155 if they catch someone trying to use a fake card.”

The Inspector of Tourist Police Station 2, Sub Division 5, made the urgent appeal after police seized 26 fake Thai credit cards and nabbed four forgers – including one Malaysian – while they dined out on the dodgy credit at a Phuket City restaurant.

Pol Maj Bundit told Phuket Post that there are many international gangs working the credit card scam in Thailand's tourist destinations, but that this was the single biggest catch so far. Most of the gangs are Malaysian, but local Thai criminals are also involved.

“They usually use the fake cards to buy gold, mobile phones, stereos and watches,” said Maj Bundit, going on to explain that forged cards for Bangkok Bank and Kasikorn Bank were now the most popular among the local gangs.

“80% of tourist spending is through credit card payment. If tourists feel it is not secure to use their credit cards here, it will start to affect the local economic system. The card owners do not realize that their card information has been copied until they return home.”

Maj Bundit added that, though the real credit cards and the fake ones are very similar, a noticeable mark on many fakes is in the “VISA” box, which is surrounded by dots while the real cards would be surrounded by numbers.

--Phuket Post 2006-02-15

[iang]

This is a major issue! Try using a foreign (non Thai bank) Visa card when booking Nok Air and see how far you get! They're not interested as clearly they must have lost a lot of money to credit card fraud! They say they're updating thier credit card software, but they've been 'updating' it for 2 or 3 months now! Non acceptance of foreign credit cards must have an impact on their business.

In Malaysia, the problem is pandemic. My bank (Australian), to safeguard card holders, will AUTOMATICALLY reissue your credit card if it is used in Malaysia! Your old card is cancelled! After having several unauthorised charges to my card after use, I can understand why!

In Thailand, if my bank in Oz sees a charge of any significance on my card, they phone my mobile phone immediately to verify the charge. This usually happens before I've even left the store! How's that for service, but at the same time, it reinforces the size & magnitude of the problem.

Foreign tourists must feel confident that they can use their credit cards securely or without doubt, it will have an impact on tourist arrivals & dollar tourist contributions to the Thai economy.

[lecter]

it's so rife in malaysia, hardly a surprise they are coming up this way.

EMV compliance is knocking the fake card business around. Will come here in a year or two as well.

Many countries now cancel cards used in malaysia due to the abundance of criminals skimming your data.

I've had weird charges on my cards. had to cancel them.

Dirty rotten scum!!

Rob

[manutoo]

I got my Visa card cancelled a couple of months after my trip to Malaysia. But there, I only used it once, to get cash from ATM...

I wonder if it was the reason they wanted to cancel it or not, coz the control organism said the reason had to be kept "secret", so even my banker didn't know what happened exactly !

But I didn't use my card again after this ATM in Malaysia... (and only used it once in an ATM in my country in the previous month)

[desi]

I've been coming to Thailand since '95 or so. Even back then we were warned not to use credit cards. One of my friends holidayed here and had only used his card at one of the large reputable department stores. Went back home to discover someone had 'borrowed' his details. That was six years or so ago.

I would get cash from a machine for purchases, even hotel bills. And now that I live here, I've continued with the practice. Cash machines are great, so why push your luck?

Edited February 15, 2006 by desi

[massein]

I got my Visa card cancelled a couple of months after my trip to Malaysia. But there, I only used it once, to get cash from ATM...

I wonder if it was the reason they wanted to cancel it or not, coz the control organism said the reason had to be kept "secret", so even my banker didn't know what happened exactly !

But I didn't use my card again after this ATM in Malaysia... (and only used it once in an ATM in my country in the previous month)

I'm retired and living in Thailand, I have a stategovernment retirement, any ways. I have my

check deposited directly into my Credit Uion in the USA, and accessed my funds through my atm visa, that is until 4 months ago without notice, my credit union stopped honoring atm visa in thailand or any country close bye. this makes it extremly hard and expensive to access my funds Now i deposit a personal check into my Thai bank acct. this takes about 8-12 to clear the bank in usa and the thai bank will not let me have the funds for 45 days and charges me a 1000฿ for each transaction. My retirement board will not deposit my check into a forigen bank , but would send me a check but that would take even longer. I just wonder if other usa banks will soon follow suit. I have a aussie friend where his credit society did the same for about 2 weeks then decided to start honoring them again

[h90]

thats all because VISA and Mastercard can not make an intelligent system like American Express.

Every American Express can look at almost all American Express cardholders details.

So you come to me with an Amex card and I have doubts, I ask you to show me your passport (than I know the name on the card is really your name, if the passport is not also fake) in the worst case I can ask for your billing adress.

That all I can verify at American Express Thailand, or Austria or everywhere.

If you come with a VISA (Mastercard is the same case), the VISA chicken does not know anything, if you tell her to connect you to the creditcard security department you have a 50 % chance that she does not even know that such a department exists (but it is in Thailand better than in Austria).

Than there noone knows anything, only if you know that it is possible, they can check which bank gave this creditcard. But they don't know any customer detail.

So if your customer is from Malaysia and the creditcard was issued from the citybank in New York but on the creditcard is printed HSBC Kuala Lumpur than it might be better to not accept such a car.

To call VISA (or here handeld by a partner bank) and ask if the card is OK does not help you if the card is fresh copied and the original customer did not complain yet.

[BlackJack]

yes have to agree AMEX costs more and more than a few places dont accept it

however it works and is guaranteed

if any unusual activity takes please they call you

transferring money - pay check into your account and TT the money over in a day or 2

you need internet banking and thats also secure

[astral]

That is right.

Blame the real tourists for Thai and Malay bandits actions............

Has anyone seen a Credit Card machine in Thailand that reads the chip

instead of the mag stripe?

That is supposed to be more secure system!!

Time for Thailand to catch up with the 21st century.

[skorchio]

I work all over SE Asia, and have done for the last 3 years - I would often use my CC in 3 different countries in 3 days. The only problem I have EVER had was after withdrawing money in Malaysia, Borneo side. I was on my boat at work a few days later (in posession of my CC), while someone was racking up, on my card, 15,000 Hong Kong dollars on a shopping spree (thats not as much money as it may sound). When I phoned my bank, they said they had already stopped the card, stating "yes Mr Smith, for the last 2 years, you have used your card only for flights, hotels, duty free booze and vehicle rental. These purchases are jewelery and antiques in rapid succession.....so we stopped it".

I had the money refunded a few days later, and my bank later told me that whoever make the purchases actually signed the ######ing recipts in Chinese!!!!! Can you believe that??? Imagine having the neck to do that with my name written on the card???

[stub]

That is right.

Blame the real tourists for Thai and Malay bandits actions............

Has anyone seen a Credit Card machine in Thailand that reads the chip

instead of the mag stripe?

That is supposed to be more secure system!!

Time for Thailand to catch up with the 21st century.

The machines at the checkouts in Tops use the chip.

[h90]

you can't know, I think at this time, your creditcardnumber was already on a chinese card, with chinese name and the guy made the signature like it was on his fake card.

By the way one of my customer reported that visa called him, because of possible fraud, after I charged by mistake 26 Baht instead of 26 US$.

They told him such minor amounts are often fraud, maybe bad guys run thousands of cards with just 50 cents, because noone is alerted at such an amount.

I work all over SE Asia, and have done for the last 3 years - I would often use my CC in 3 different countries in 3 days. The only problem I have EVER had was after withdrawing money in Malaysia, Borneo side. I was on my boat at work a few days later (in posession of my CC), while someone was racking up, on my card, 15,000 Hong Kong dollars on a shopping spree (thats not as much money as it may sound). When I phoned my bank, they said they had already stopped the card, stating "yes Mr Smith, for the last 2 years, you have used your card only for flights, hotels, duty free booze and vehicle rental. These purchases are jewelery and antiques in rapid succession.....so we stopped it".

I had the money refunded a few days later, and my bank later told me that whoever make the purchases actually signed the ######ing recipts in Chinese!!!!! Can you believe that??? Imagine having the neck to do that with my name written on the card???

[baabaabobo]

It's an old story covered by the The Phuket Gazette over one month ago

Four held for credit card forgery

PHUKET: Four people were arrested yesterday on charges of possessing forged credit cards.

The four are Tanapol Detpalit, 45, from Ang Thong Province, Ubonrat Pinket, 47, from Ayudhaya, Pornpan Poolpakdee, 25, from Phuket, and Wong Mun Bin, 27, from Malaysia.

At a press conference, Deputy Commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau Pol Maj Gen Suchat Muankaew explained, “They were arrested at a restaurant in Rassada on charges of possessing forged electronic cards.

“They were also found in possession of 40 credit cards, seven mobile phones, four gold necklaces, a gold bracelet, six gold rings, a locket, five small gilded Buddha images, two car stereo systems, two bankbooks and a new Toyota Vios car.

“All of the property was bought from shops in Phuket, using fake credit cards.”

All four admitted to the offenses, and were taken into custody to await trial.

Gen Suchat added, “Owners and salespeople of shops in Phuket must look at credit cards very carefully. The fakes these people had look very much like the real thing.

Also at the press conference were the National Commander of the Tourist Police, Pol Maj Gen Panya Maman, and the Commander of the Phuket Provincial Police, Pol Maj Gen Decha Budnampeth.

The Phuket Gazette 13-01-06

[BigSnake]

Never use visa or master accept in an emerency, thank goodness I have not had one over here in the past 12 years

[KhunMarco]

Most of the CC issuers today allow you to register your card with a security function on their websites.

You can chose to receive an e-mail or a SMS whenever the amount you decide, is spent with your card.

If you still are unaware of this security, it's time to check the website of your cc company.

At least you have no surprise later and can stop the thief quickly with a phone call.

[ramidin]

So a few rules when you use your card and just a few (common sense) things to watch out for:

1. The ATM's that print the full card number on the receipt when you make a withdrawal, then 90% of us (me included until I was warned off) throw the receipt in the bin by the ATM;

2. Never let the card out of your site in a store or restaurant or shop where it can be swiped through a card copier, or photo copied;

3. Look out for stores that the swipe reader prints the full number on the slip, some print xxxxx1234, others have the full number;

4. Seriously avoid the old clunk click readers;

5. Get a chip and pin card (new smart card) which requires a PIN number to be entered into the card reader;

6. MOST IMPORTANT reconcile your statements, check every slip, and don't be scared to report dodgy transactions to your provider.

This won't stop card fraud, but it may help cut it down. The more we are all careful, the harder we make it for the fraudsters.

I also have a business visa card that can ONLY be used for hotels, flights, etc so no jewellery, gold. If they try and use it for a different transaction it automatically declines.

Just a few thoughts

[ericthai]

Just an idea for you about the banking problem in the USA. You might want to check out opening another bank account in the USA and then tranfer funds from your credit union to the other bank account so you can use an ATM here. I have Bank-of-America and use the ATM here all the time. I also have on line banking with my creidt union and Bank of America and can easly transfer funds on line between the two. Just a thought....

[dman]

Most of the CC issuers today allow you to register your card with a security function on their websites.

You can chose to receive an e-mail or a SMS whenever the amount you decide, is spent with your card.

If you still are unaware of this security, it's time to check the website of your cc company.

At least you have no surprise later and can stop the thief quickly with a phone call.

Good point KhunMarco.

I have all my credit cards set so I get an e-mail alert if there is any activity. Only use them on business travel.

[prism]

Interesting to note that the gangs like Bangkok Bank cards. My be1st card must have been faked or copied because almost 55,000 Baht worth of charges were made on my account while my be1st card was in my possession. They didn't need a pin number since the card can also be treated as a credit card (VISA) and transactions only require a signature. I've made a police report and approached bangkok Bank. So far no reimbursment and little response. Looks like you have no protection from fraudulent use of a Be 1st card.

Be 1st card - BEWARE!

[Oleg_Rus]

Most of shops cooperate with fakers - they "launder" stolen cash through cards, overpriced jewelry - to reduce taxes and so on. I've seen cc slips in Pantip, lots of strange things going there...

And, surely, muslims from malaysia - main cc fakers, no doubt...

[Hendrikus]

reception by email:

A corporate attorney sent the following out to the employees in his company.

1. The next time you order checks have only your initials (instead of first name) and last name put on them. If someone takes your checkbook, they will not know if you sign your checks with just your initials or your first name, but your bank will know how you sign your checks.

2. Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put "PHOTO ID REQUIRED".

3 When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number on the "For" line. Instead, just put the last four numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the number, and anyone who might be handling your check as it passes through all the check processing channels won't have access to it.

4. Put your work phone # on your checks instead of your home phone. If you have a P.O. Box, use that instead of your home address. If you do not have a P.O. Box, use your work address. Never have your SS# printed on your checks.(DUH!) You can add it if it is necessary. But if you have it printed, anyone can get it.

5. Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine. Do both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel. Keep the photocopy in a safe place. I also carry a photocopy of my passport when travel either here or abroad. We've all heard horror stories about fraud that's committed on us in stealing a name, address, Social Security number, credit cards.

Unfortunately I, an attorney, have firsthand knowledge because my wallet was stolen last month. Within a week, the thieve(s) ordered an expensive monthly cell phone package, applied for a VISA credit card, had a credit line approved to buy a Gateway computer, received a PIN number from DMV to change my driving record information online, and more. But here's some critical information to limit the damage in case this happens to you or someon e you know:

1. We have been told we should cancel our credit cards immediately. But the key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those where you can find them.

2. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where your credit cards, etc., were stolen. This proves to credit providers you were diligent, and this is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one).

But here's what is perhaps most important of all: (I never even thought to do this.)

3. Call the 3 national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number. I had never heard of doing that until advised by a bank that called to tell me an application for credit was made over the Internet in my name. The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen, and they have to cont act you by phone to authorize new credit.

By the time I was advised to do this, almost two weeks after the theft, all the damage had been done. There are records of all the credit checks initiated by the thieves' purchases, none of which I knew about before placing the alert. Since then, no additional damage has been done, and the thieves threw my wallet away. This weekend (someone turned it in).

It seems to have stopped them dead in their tracks.

Now, here are the numbers you always need to contact about your wallet, etc., has been stolen:

1.) Equifax: 1-800-525-6285

2.) Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742

3.) Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289

4.) Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271

We pass along jokes on the Internet; we pass along just about

everything.

But if you are willing to pass this information along, it could really help someone that you care about.

[manutoo]

Most of the CC issuers today allow you to register your card with a security function on their websites.

You can chose to receive an e-mail or a SMS whenever the amount you decide, is spent with your card.

You mean we can do that directly on the visa website ?

or I should contact my bank ?

I just had a look there : http://www.visaeurope.com/?country=fr&ep=v_gg_return , and I didn't find anything telling about what u said....

[Mali_in_CM]

KhunMarco,

Good point.

Also, I never sign my card. That way if it's lost or stolen, the finder/theif has neither PIN nor signature. So he hasn't got much.

[Mali_in_CM]

Hendrikus,

Good stuff there.

Anybody got the NON toll-free numbers?

[Jiu-Jitsu]

KhunMarco,

Good point.

Also, I never sign my card. That way if it's lost or stolen, the finder/theif has neither PIN nor signature. So he hasn't got much.

Are you joking?

Not signing the card makes it much easier to use if stolen. Simply because they can put their own signature on the card.

[Kaojai]

I'm retired and living in Thailand, I have a stategovernment retirement, any ways. I have my

check deposited directly into my Credit Uion in the USA, and accessed my funds through my atm visa, that is until 4 months ago without notice, my credit union stopped honoring atm visa in thailand or any country close bye. this makes it extremly hard and expensive to access my funds Now i deposit a personal check into my Thai bank acct. this takes about 8-12 to clear the bank in usa and the thai bank will not let me have the funds for 45 days and charges me a 1000฿ for each transaction.

I use Bangkok Bank in Pattaya. Bangkok Bank has a branch in New York. Most major Thai Banks have at least one US branch.

Using the Internet I notify my bank in Chicago to transfer money to Bangkok Bank in NY. I set this up before so that the details of my account number with Bangkok bank are automatically indicated with the payment. Within 24 to 48 hours the money is credited to my account in Pattaya. It's immediately available and the charge is minimal.

The people at Bangkok Bank in NY told me that I could even use direct deposit for social security payments or other regular payments.

I've done this for several years and, so far, there has never been a glitch.

[Stacking Zeds]

I made an online payment to a school in Phuket two weeks ago and received a letter from my credit card company (Citibank Visa in Australia) saying they were canceling my card and and asked if I could verify the recent transaction in Thailand.

I use the card abroad quite a lot (I live in Japan 9 months a year) and this is the first time it has been cancelled in this way. Go figure I guess.

[egeefay]

This is a major issue! Try using a foreign (non Thai bank) Visa card when booking Nok Air and see how far you get! They're not interested as clearly they must have lost a lot of money to credit card fraud! They say they're updating thier credit card software, but they've been 'updating' it for 2 or 3 months now! Non acceptance of foreign credit cards must have an impact on their business.

In Malaysia, the problem is pandemic. My bank (Australian), to safeguard card holders, will AUTOMATICALLY reissue your credit card if it is used in Malaysia! Your old card is cancelled! After having several unauthorised charges to my card after use, I can understand why!

In Thailand, if my bank in Oz sees a charge of any significance on my card, they phone my mobile phone immediately to verify the charge. This usually happens before I've even left the store! How's that for service, but at the same time, it reinforces the size & magnitude of the problem.

Foreign tourists must feel confident that they can use their credit cards securely or without doubt, it will have an impact on tourist arrivals & dollar tourist contributions to the Thai economy.

Regarding credit card fraud in Maylasia

You might be interested in reading this article in the Malaysia Star claiming the credit card fraud in Malaysia is down

http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?f...51&sec=business

The article boasts that credit card fraud in Malaysia is now down to about 5 times what it is in Thailand. That's something to really be proud of, isn't it.

[Anon999]

Some very ineteresting comment on this thread.

RBS Royal Bank of Scotland have called me on several occasions in the UK whenever an unusual transaction has happened on my Visa and Mastercards. They were all my purchases so no problem.

The UK has suffered from a lot of CC fraud through 'skimming' mostly in restaurants and also from fake fronts being fitted over ATM.'s to collect card information. If you think the front of an ATM looks a bit odd don't risk using it.

Today is the official day when all card holders should use a PIN in the UK, however, there are still many people who have not received a chip and PIN card yet! Also some major retailers have not installed the right kit either.

Bangkok Bank and other Thai banks have branches in London too, so easy enough to get money paid into an acount there.

It is worthwhile using the online systems of the CC companies to check your account instead of waiting until an online or paper statement appears. If anything is amiss then you can notify them immediately. Making online payments is also very easy if you set up a payment facility on a bank account and very safe too.

Must admit I very rarely use cheques anymore and when buying airline tickets often do direct transfer from a bank account to the travel agents account or use a debit card. Paying for a ticket by CC usually results in a charge.

[KhunMarco]

Most of the CC issuers today allow you to register your card with a security function on their websites.

You can chose to receive an e-mail or a SMS whenever the amount you decide, is spent with your card.

You mean we can do that directly on the visa website ?

or I should contact my bank ?

I just had a look there : http://www.visaeurope.com/?country=fr&ep=v_gg_return , and I didn't find anything telling about what u said....

You are right, no sign of this service on Visa's site.

I guess you have to call your bank, they should be able to give you the information.

Actually now that you make me think about it, my Visa card is registered with an Italian company called CartaSi (YesCard..lol) which is a link between Italian banks and the international circuits . On their site is where I subscribed to this service.

Sorry here ends my knowledge.

Do it now, it's another little step toward peace of mind