Finance and money forum

WARNING! (especially rookies)

mmcphee7117

backpacker
Posts: 16

I'm passing along some information I discovered today when i went to my bank. First off, I'm using ATM cards and a little bit of emergency cash for my traveling. I went to my bank to split my accounts into two in case one card is lost and I discovered my bank (as do many others in the U.S.) block certain countries due to fraud. This means they block all ATM transactions with your card in any of the countries on the list. On my banks list is Malaysia and Thailand (two countries I will be spending nearly two months in). I had to write a written request with all the specific information on my time spent in these two countries in order to have them unblocked. Just a warning incase anyone else out there was unaware of this as well.

#1 Posted: 12/7/2011 - 02:11
MADMAC

mahout
Posts: 3999

Man that's good to know. I don't have that problem fortunately, but good to know it happens in case...

Also watch out for ATM fraud. Do not use ATMs that look at all in suspect locations, like a stand by the beach. I ran into a poor kid who had his account cleaned out when he went to such a machine and all his data was stolen. I met him at the police station when he was filing a complaint in Bangkok, but he was screwed. Best ATMs to use are at banks and cover your card when you insert it and cover you hand when entering the PIN.

#2 Posted: 12/7/2011 - 11:20

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Victory in Pattani
mmcphee7117

backpacker
Posts: 16

Thanks, that is also good advice. I appreciate it.

#3 Posted: 12/7/2011 - 20:35
sayadian

under-employed
Posts: 952
Located in:

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Most banks have an internet page dedicated to informing them of your travel plans so your card doesn't get blocked if not you should phone them.It certainly happens and is a PITA to put right.

#4 Posted: 13/7/2011 - 00:55

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money frees you from doing things you dislike,since I dislike doing nearly everything money is handy'
SBE

mahout
Posts: 1734
Located in:

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I just go and tell my bank before I leave. They (usually) do something. But paying for flight tickets etc online with a credit card has become a total pain! Last year my bloody mastercard suddenly required me to provide a FRENCH cellphone number to send an SMS to with a one time code for every transaction. Air Asia now give you like 8 minutes or something to complete a booking. Try and coordinate with someone in France standing by to SMS you the code in time for the transaction to go through....it's absolutely impossible!

Apparently evisa is easier.

#5 Posted: 13/7/2011 - 03:16