Robbed by foreign bank
Discussion
A few months ago I visited friends living in Thailand and decided to stay. When I first got here I was using my UK bank card to withdraw large amounts as it was the easiest way and the exchange rate was pretty good still. But on a few occassions I used Bangkok Bank ATM's and even though the screen showed that the transaction had been processed I received no money. Me thinking all was fine and that in this modern age mistakes like this have an electronic trail and all. Well it turned out that the money was debited by the ATM's and as stated I never received the cash.
To cut a long story short I reported this to Bangkok bank about their ATM's debiting me but not receiving the cash. They said speak to your UK bank who incidentally are First Direct. First Direct fobbed me off straight away. So I contacted the financial ombudsman with my case months ago now and still have had no response or joy.
If this was for a few quid I would stroll on and live and learn but it's for nearly a grand and it really annoys me that basically Bangkok Bank have stolen my cash but in a legit way. What can I do?
To cut a long story short I reported this to Bangkok bank about their ATM's debiting me but not receiving the cash. They said speak to your UK bank who incidentally are First Direct. First Direct fobbed me off straight away. So I contacted the financial ombudsman with my case months ago now and still have had no response or joy.
If this was for a few quid I would stroll on and live and learn but it's for nearly a grand and it really annoys me that basically Bangkok Bank have stolen my cash but in a legit way. What can I do?
My old boss had a similar experience in the far east. He had his card used without authority and when got back and found out he told his bank. After two years he's just written it off, been passed back and forth. They kept saying there wasn't enough proof he wasn't aware.
I tell anyone, just never take cards abroad. Get a money belt and have it under your layers. I know what they say about mugging etc and you have to access the risks, but the risk from bank fraud is very real. They know what they are doing and don't care. Unless, that is, they suspect you are high net worth or in a position of influence, then they just settle and close the matter.
A friend is a local authority chief exec and his bank knows so, and had a similar thing happen to him recently, and it was settled quietly and money returned no debate.
We live in a world where bank fraud is commonplace.
Colin.
I tell anyone, just never take cards abroad. Get a money belt and have it under your layers. I know what they say about mugging etc and you have to access the risks, but the risk from bank fraud is very real. They know what they are doing and don't care. Unless, that is, they suspect you are high net worth or in a position of influence, then they just settle and close the matter.
A friend is a local authority chief exec and his bank knows so, and had a similar thing happen to him recently, and it was settled quietly and money returned no debate.
We live in a world where bank fraud is commonplace.
Colin.
I could perhaps understand it happening once (dodgy ATM; broken ATM) but "a few occasions" just sounds wrong. Did you report each incident immediately?
ETA Although it appears you're not alone... http://teakdoor.com/living-in-thailand-forum/95907...
ETA Although it appears you're not alone... http://teakdoor.com/living-in-thailand-forum/95907...
Edited by bigandclever on Tuesday 25th September 11:29
The very first time I used a Bangkok bank atm was upon arrival at the airport. I thought nothing of it as surely in today world of everything being electronically automated and recorded it would be fine? I was very wrong.
I used many different machines when I first got here as it was a strange and perplexing new country. I didn't realise I had been shifted until I went to withdraw cash and it said no funds available when I knew I should have just shy of 800 quid left in that account.
I have a Thai account now but 800 quid to me is not a fortune but the fact it was stolen really annoys me. The fact nothing is being done is even worse. Could it be a case of the bank manager or atm servicer seeing the figures are out and picketing the difference?
I used many different machines when I first got here as it was a strange and perplexing new country. I didn't realise I had been shifted until I went to withdraw cash and it said no funds available when I knew I should have just shy of 800 quid left in that account.
I have a Thai account now but 800 quid to me is not a fortune but the fact it was stolen really annoys me. The fact nothing is being done is even worse. Could it be a case of the bank manager or atm servicer seeing the figures are out and picketing the difference?
Welcome to the land of smiles! Forget the jail yen s
t in the tourist books, if you want to get anything sorted here you have to complain until you're blue in the face. Don't blow up and tell at people, just make sure they know you're not going to go away and forget it.
I suspect it was an ATM fraud perpetrated by someone tampering with the machine, rather than by the bank itself as BBL is A reputable, multinational bank. Very odd that this happened on more than one occasion unless you're very unlucky, or were using the same ATM all the time?
Travel insurance any use?
If not, get a Thai to go to A branch with you and escalate it as far as it will go, as the branch staff will just brush you off with whatever excuse makes their day easier.
t in the tourist books, if you want to get anything sorted here you have to complain until you're blue in the face. Don't blow up and tell at people, just make sure they know you're not going to go away and forget it. I suspect it was an ATM fraud perpetrated by someone tampering with the machine, rather than by the bank itself as BBL is A reputable, multinational bank. Very odd that this happened on more than one occasion unless you're very unlucky, or were using the same ATM all the time?
Travel insurance any use?
If not, get a Thai to go to A branch with you and escalate it as far as it will go, as the branch staff will just brush you off with whatever excuse makes their day easier.
Edited by AJS- on Sunday 30th September 14:47
Gassing Station | Finance | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff