Disaster I Was Robbed in Thailand Beware Of This! 🇹🇭

[@kevinp8108]

This kind of crime is not unique to Thailand! It happens everywhere in the world. I live in California, and I've worked at three major banks in the US, and I see this all the time with banking customers. Skimming devices are everywhere; at ATMs, Point of Sales terminals at gasoline stations, and convenience stores. As long as you file a claim in a timely matter, you get all of your money back, well at least here in the US. As a former banker of over 20 years, stay away from dodgy ATMs, and use cash with vendors. Some vendors use a point-of-sale terminal but beware, some vendors have devices that capture your PIN and card information. Use mobile alerts from your bank's app every time your ATM is used no matter the amount. Most bank apps can lock your ATM card remotely. Go to a reputable bank to use the ATM! Report the fraud immediately because some banks will limit the time you can get your money back!

[@kushal809]

Thanks for the advice😊

[@politicfrog]

Ofcourse but there's a place where robbery is a big issue and Thailand is one of the countries like Brazil.

[@kevinp8108]

@@politicfrog - Perhaps but we're talking about ATM fraud.

[@davidramsy3048]

I have lived in Thailand for over 18 years. Is your card from a foriengen bank or thai bank? Sciming is very common

[@kevinp8108]

@@davidramsy3048 - Who are you asking? I live in Southern California now but I plan to retire in Thailand in about 2 years. I have a US bank account.

[@jonasjohnsson4429]

I am really sorry to hear about this, but scams happens all over the world. And as another thai vloger said some days ago, most vlogers always only tell the happy nice side of Thailand, because then you get more viewers... So thanks for telling us about this!

[@Aron2063]

You need two separate banks (at least). You have your main account where all your money is (you never ever use that card anywhere ever).... you transfer money from that account to an entirely different checking account and you only transfer what you are going to withdrawal from the ATM, choose banks that have an app to freeze the card as an extra layer of security.

[@helena20000]

Thank Your for your helpful comment, just wondering : where you mentioned in your comment = "...you transfer money from that account to an entirely different checking account ...", are/should those 2 accounts be 'connected' in one way or another to each other or not/kept completely separated hence 'not connected' in any way...(?) -- any opinions, suggestions, etc. would be much appreciated : Thank You

[@MichaelSmith-hr3be]

​@@helena20000You're correct that there's still an online tie between the two banks, but at least with the main account there's no card use. It blocks the card-skimming thieves from your main funds, and the banks are always on the watch for hackers trying to access accounts directly.

[@tonywilliams7918]

Appreciate the reality-check and share of life experience Tom. Longtime subscriber and I enjoy the detail you place in your work, taking us into the many diverse in personality dens of the Pacific South-East. Humble and blue-collar, old-school adventuring. I truly regret hearing about your run-in with tech purse-snatchers, but as you say it is part of life, when you let your guard down, or divert from a typical norm. Thank you again for sharing this life experience and perspective of learning from it on your part as-well. We see now that an adventure offers many shades of adjusting on the part of the traveler. Safe travels and looking forward to more of your best foot foward.

[@RickDeckard6531]

Get an RFID card blocker for your wallet. This will prevent any devices from skimming your details as you walk past. If the skim happened at the ATM, obviously, always check the ATM for attached devices. I always give the insertion port a good tug to check.

[@helena20000]

Good Advice & Thank You, also where you mentioned : "always give the insertion port a good tug to check" -- what does that mean?

[@RickDeckard6531]

@@helena20000 That's where you stick the card in. Sometimes scammers mount a fake entry point, which then reads the data on your card.

[@armunro]

Probably the safest ATMs is the ones at banks in Thailand, especially the banks in malls.Also if you pay by card at a restraunt, etc, go with your card to the till where they process the transaction and watch where your card goes. Generally avoid using a card for food, etc and just use cash. If you have a bank in Thailand, transfer to your bank in Thailand and then use the local bank card; this tends to work out more cost effective anyway. But as Tom says it can happen to anyone and even if you do all the sensible things all you need to do is drop your guard and it can happen. So thus be aware of what is happening around you and try not to drop your guard. Probably the most dangerous time is when you are tired or have had a few beers!

[@petere1278]

Sorry about what happened to you it happened to a friend of mine at her local supermarket...love the way you sit 😘

[@RJ986S]

Hi Tom, so sorry to hear this. Hope you didn't lose too much money. You did get a lot of good advice here in the comments section. Hopefully your bank can work with you to refund the stolen funds. It seems like it's mostly good, kind, hardworking, and honest people there, so please stay positive and upbeat. Looking forward to more of your travels and adventures!

[@sswmastering]

Be sure to pull on the part where you insert your card before you use the atm. Give it a good pull and if there is a skimmer on it it will come right off of the machine.

[@ahmadfarrall2097]

That’s good advise my friend, will do thanks

[@terrytico4009]

It only takes one time if you let your guard down. I lived in Bangkok for several years and now my Thai wife and I visit there for about 4 months every year. I only use my card inside the mall atm's or inside a bank if not at the mall. I know you usually do the same but it really helps avoid an unpleasant experience. No one is bullet proof and you have done very well with all of your traveling. October has to be an improvement for you. Hang in there.

[@michaelomara1922]

Thanks tom for the update tom be safe look forward to new vlogs

[@beckyumphrey2626]

Tom, I think your Cambodia village videos are really good.

[@lilianaisao1709]

Sorry to hear about your devastating and unfortunate ordeal. Do take care and be safe always! God bless you!

[@AnthonyEverywhere]

Hey dude really sorry to hear this, you were one of the original vloggers I started watching. Thank you for sharing I'll be careful also

[@thachan5733]

Sooo sorry for you Tom😢And scammers happens all over the world, and good luck to you and Praying for you🙏🙏🙏

[@AlwaysAbroad]

That's awful. I'm a bit paranoid so what I do since a while is just send cash to myself through Western Union. Worked well in the Philippines but also in Thailand.

[@scambodia147]

Western union is a total rip off and should only be used in emergencies.

[@myracaparroso5553]

Thank you for sharing your experience. So sorry this happened to you

[@olyman63]

Great show Tom. I hope you do a lot better in October. Take care and can’t wait for the next show. Have a great trip.

[@RoamingHogan]

Thanks

[@RobertSantos-rw8dy]

Thanks for the update and insights....

[@bigdreamsphilippines]

Thx 🙏 for the info sorry that happened to you !

[@NickyDunn]

Hiya. Tom. It sucked that you left your phone at home. Sorry to hear this. But great to share awareness. It happens so much in the UK. Happy Travels. Take care

[@susanvega7511]

Hello there! I'm so sorry to hear that happened to you there and I hope that October is a better month for you there. Take care and be safe and blessings to you there.

[@Walts-Travel]

I got hit in Chinatown. I was in a 7-Eleven, and they had a scanner. My bank immediately stopped the payments. I don't even carry now.

[@HandymanMark]

Lesson learned. Hopefully we can all learn from your experience. Maybe you can suggest we keep small amounts in different accounts? Any ideas would be helpful

[@Michel-Graillier-fanclub]

My phone fell in front of my apartment here in Cambodia as I was climbing the stairs. As soon as I got home told my gf and she called my phone. The person who picked up up (robber) didn't answered, turned it off, erased and sold. A huge nightmare... Now I bought a nokia, screw smartphones. Lots of thieves around, if I lose my Nokia , I aint gonna give a crap. 300$ down the drain.

[@tonykeo8619]

So sorry to hear you got scammed Tom 🙏🙏🙏. Be safe out there!

[@marksjourneytothephilippin9574]

I was skimmed at a huge famous amusement park in the USA. They put it on a rental locker. I never really get one of those but that trip I did for a little bit bc we stopped at the water park for a while. It didn’t look or seem unusual or different at all. Before I even left the park they had purchased several hundred dollars worth of junk at cvs or Walgreens or something. Luckily I got my money back bc I reported it right away.

[@OneLove-oj4sz]

Oh bro that sucks!! I been watching you for a long time but don’t comment. Unfortunately that happens everywhere. I travel to Mexico a lot but I’m from Italia. I usually go directly to bank to get it and always during the day. Again that happens all the time and you did the correct thing freeze card immediately. Keep your chin up looking forward to new vids!!!

[@daddybob6096]

Bad luck Tom, never thought i would hear this from you knowing how savvy you are. Bob NZ.

[@DarkoFitCoach]

I have no money so nobody can rob me anyway. Life and government and ex wife did that already. Take that thailand!

[@RoamingHogan]

😂

[@prescilaeman8831]

It is common there right now, a few of my friend expirience this, be careful where you put your ATM card, when you key in your pin cover your hands coz there a camera and do not leave a reciept at the atm machine too, use the atm inside the bank but always cover your hands

[@goyoy6433]

Useful information 👍

[@anthonydowling3356]

I learned to only use an ATM physically attached to a Bank .In Thailand ATM machines are at every 7/11 .Its tempting to use them for convivence but best not to with a little planning .I have had the machine chew up my card ,but if its at a Bank building they will retrieve it .

[@prodde2007]

Usually I transfer money to my card account just before I do the withdrawal. Sometimes when I'm about to pay for something, the card is empty. I just ask the seller to hang on for a minute while I'm transferring from another account to my card account. I'm so used to the "card rejected" message when I'm about to pay for something, so it doesn't bother me anymore. It takes only 50 seconds to transfer to my card. A small price to pay for not to be scammed.

[@jamilahadade7620]

Sorry to hear that. I had it happen in Casablanca, Morocco but, it happens everywhere. I did have a good time in Morocco but, it was a disappointment for me but otherwise Morocco is a great place for vacation and the food and people are wonderful. Life goes on and things like this happen in every corner of the world. Sorry you went thru this but, you enjoy the rest of your vacation. Stay well and have fun! God bless and protect you 🙏 on your travels.

[@dexterspeights3484]

Go to a bank with GUARDS during DAY-LIGHT ONLY > Do not take out any money at GAS STATIONS, CONVENIECE STORES or any area OUT in the OPEN!

[@edjtenl]

We learn from these experiences to teach others. I'm using multiple accounts at different banks and limit my card to accounts on which I have limited funds or transfer funds right before I use it.

[@VinahAquino]

Sorry to hear it happened to you. . a learning experience. MJ is in Bangkok, what if your path cross😮 joke

[@tmb3131]

Damn man, I've been to ATMs all over Sukhumvit! That would piss me off pretty bad.... you took it well. Thanks for the awareness.

[@MrTyrrell86]

I always shake the card entry point to see if any attachments and that's in any country I go, also only use a travel card and only transfer over via banking app what I'm taking out each transaction.

[@raycatlin3554]

Thank - You for raising awareness ! Stay healthy & safe travels ! 💪👍🤺🤺

[@markhetherington6964]

@Roaming Hogan. Sorry to hear about what happened to ya Tom, coz it's not nice losing your money to scammers. Its horrible wen it happens, but like you say its happening everywhere na..😢

[@ChecheLanojanvlogs888]

Hi Tom! I’m sorry to hear this. It’s happening all over the world. I don’t use ATM machines anymore. Thanks for the heads up. If I need cash, I’ll just go to the bank or get cash out. Some shops here allow you to get cash out. Watching you from Australia 🇦🇺

[@MyLifeThai371]

You are smart. I always tell people that debit cards are only for withdrawing cash from an ATM. You NEVER use them to make purchases. You use your credit card to pay at stores. Credit cards usually cover 100% of fraudulent charges. With Debit Cards, you are usually responsible for the first $50-$500 of fraudulent charges. :(

[@RoamingHogan]

For sure

[@EileenTombs]

Sorry to hear you been scammed Tom hugs from birmingham girl xx

[@patandkercy7902]

Stay safe my brother ❤❤

[@susanwaite1187]

Bad luck Tom look forward to your future videos👍

[@whatsgoingon4919]

Have two bank accounts , one with your main funds without your card just online banking . 2nd bank which will be your holiday / spending card . Have both accounts with the same bank and when you need money u just transfer to your holiday account which only takes miniutes due to be with the same bank . This will also be a level of protection if your card gets stolen . Also cards like vanquis are great since it needs passcode verification via app on every card purchese . So if someone skims your card they wont have access to your app .

[@tonyhooper3621]

I've travelled the world for the last 20 years i all ways use the banks never never a tella machine never had a bad experience.. Cheers great videos keep up the good work., 😮😢, 😮😵👍🇦🇺

[@davidh7924]

Sorry to hear this. Would love to come there but don't really know where to go to at least to touch the ground there.

[@FritzTemplin]

Thank for the heads up. Sorry to hear it happened, We all let our guard down now and then so it can happen to all of us, anywhere, sadly. Stick with Bank ATMs, watchout for self pay gas stations to, this is really common spot for crooks to place skimmers temporarily. Hope you can recover some of the funds and get your good karma back.

[@pawankhare4282]

Thanks for the update....my friend 😮😮😮😮take care❤

[@NomadShoiku]

I only withdraw from ATM just beside the bank inside a mall. So if anything, I can just ask the bank security or staff for help. Or inside a mall but not beside the bank like Big C supermarket.

[@raymonde4272]

Sorry to hear this happened Tom. These Skimmers are available to criminals more nowadays, sometimes even in shops and bars where a temporary staff member does it.

[@wanderingste]

I use a revolut card when abroad and keep it locked and only unlock when I'm using a ATM then lock again after. Majority of the time now I'm in Thailand or Philippines I send money to myself using WU, saves ATM fees and the exchange rate is pretty reasonable.

[@ahmadfarrall2097]

Yes that idea came to me also, keep it on temporary lock them unlock it briefly when you take money out of atm in a reputable mall or bank

[@wanderingste]

It's OK when in big cities, but on some of the islands in Thailand and Philippines you don't get many of the main banks and just have a atm you've never heard of. That's when the benefit of keeping your card locked until you need it. Still easier to us WU etc in these circumstances and pick the cash up from a money shop.

[@Beapick]

Be careful as well if somebody approaching you because thats the oppurtunity that you get scam

[@waynebard5809]

So sorry this happened to you Tom, that sucks. In the future, you have a great defense against these scams, both Apple and Android have apps in their App Stores to detect these skimmers. Most if not all of these skimmers work off of Bluetooth, these apps will detect the skimmer device, a simple scan with your mobile phone and you know not to put your card into the ATM. The scan takes about 20 to 30 seconds to complete. This is the #1 way to protect yourself from these scams. Live and learn I guess is the motto to live by. I hope they did not too much from you, can you contact the bank about this? Will they reimburse you for this scam? You can not be the only one to get scammed from this ATM. Anyway, forget Sep 2023 and best of luck in Oct 2023 and beyond. Take care, God Bless you and your travels.

[@RoyMusic11111]

Hi Tom I suggest you contact your own bank fraud Team and see if you can get paid all your scimmed stolen money back? Or if you used a credit card if so then you should get all your money returned by either your UK bank or possibly from PayPal? Or from the Thai bank where the scammers/thieves have placed a skimming plate over the ATM keys and always notify this Thai bank so they can quickly remove the skimming plate and check their in-house or ATM cctv videos? Good luck Tom. I hope you can recover all of your stolen money. Also contact the Thai police which may? Help to get your money back. 😊

[@laithglobal]

Hey Tom, love your work mate. Sorry to hear about that. It's quite common. It's happening here in Australia as well. It sucks. I'll be in Thaiand on the 20th of October. Would like to catch up and make some videos together if you are keen, Cheers mate.

[@ChuckHolland-i4b]

ATMs in mexicio are very dodgy as well. I was staying at a very high end hotel. Used their atm machine. I entered the my card and pin, selected the amount, machine sound like it was counting money. Ejected my card and printed a receipt showing the amount it deducted from my account. Except is did NOT dispense the cash. Im still fighting with hotel and bank.

[@premanando127]

Sorry to hear that - Shit happens. 2 Bank accounts - One no card with most of your money, one with card transferred money onto it when you need it. Good luck !!

[@danielclark863]

I always go into the bank itself. Or, the machine directly outside that has a camera pointing at it.

[@trevormowat2288]

Hey Tom. You will get your money back from your bank. It's certainly not uncommon for Skimming. It was here in Melbourne couple years ago and the people behind the Skimming situation were from Eastern Europe n when found. Were deported from Melbourne

[@josephgee2515]

Sorry this happened to you Brother. Im glad youre aware where you use your cards and can help narrow it down to where. Same like here in America, I try to watch the server, cashier, attendand carefully- never lose sight of your card if you can. Lots of times, its a skimmer machine near their legit scammer or hidden nearby by the scammer and they slide your card twice once in the legit machine for your transaction, the other in the scammer slider machine, FYI. Well, im no longer Buddhist so I wont say "Karma" (i'll say Manifest Destiny) but, the good energy you put out will come back to you twicefold when it does. Besy thing is to keep the same attitude and to chop this up as a loss, unfortunately. Safe Travels and GOD BLESS Brother

[@johnpaul8293]

Bro, what happened to all your live videos? I was going to watch the most recent one but it looks like all live videos are removed, they were really good, great interaction with your fans

[@BlockchainCircles]

The bank should cover you for this. Bank of Ireland do anyway. It happened me in Brazil and the bank took the hit and put the money in my account.

[@jwouldgo2531]

Always check the ATM card slot, you can tell if a skimmer is installed...tampered with etc

[@patrickwilson3962]

Hi Tom sorry to hear about this . Any chance u can follow it up with d vank+ u get some companstation ? Zane is a good looking ladyif her charcter is good i suggest u keep contact with her once in awhile. Every thing of d best.

[@keangwooichoo6138]

Take care brother

[@wontbelongnow5567]

If you always draw out from atm which is connected to bank with a lot of cameras around. And stick to it . The atm with skimmer fitted to read your card are always on side street with no cameras around to see who is fitting skimmer on machine. Also never pay with card any where always use cash . Don't give them chance.

[@Googlemarsplanet]

My x wife Thai , living in Rama 3 Bangkok , Thai son , ect come to London , ! Thailand is nothing, come to London or Ireland now it’s all changed, Bangkok is a amazing city ❤

[@WeixDraqz]

I always freeze my cards and then I use a credit card or transfer the amount of money I'll need per week and use that card as it has no fees aboard.

[@KC-in9px]

I always used the ATM by the bank on the 2nd floor of Terminal 21 mall....no issues.

[@robkeenan4551]

Hey Tom I feel your pain was just in Bali. Used my credit card a handful of times only at 5star type restaurants and accom. My card never left my hand. Get back to Australia the bank contacts me about some charges in USA. Long story short cancelled my card waiting for a new one. Bloody pain in the arsenal. How the fuck can they access it so easily.? There’s a great vlog for some scammer

[@gav6808]

Tom ,every time you use your atm card wouldnt they hit you with a big international fee for using a foreign card?

[@samquinn6427]

Every-time I use my credit card, I get a text with amount. If I do not recognize the amount, I freeze the account and file a claim for a refund which 100% of US bank will give.

[@drewnc61]

Always check the device you scan your card in on an ATM, if it is loose, do not use it.

[@Danchris345]

Oh no I hope your ok x

[@g-lighttravels5742]

Always use an ATM that’s inside the bank or inside a shopping centre if possible. Sorry to hear what happened anyway dude!

[@surfboard396]

Sorry about that mate. Hopefully it gets resolved for you. Banks usually restore your account if you didn’t make those transactions. Cheers.

[@Beapick]

Yes scams happens all over the world and people struggle tonearn money. When the city is crowded lots of goin on everywhere in the world. And people wants to survive living in the city because its expensive to live in the city. I better go holiday in the jungle really and camping in the wild. Cook ur own food because the big city now are so stressful

[@daletravels23]

cool story bro.

[@H...9346]

Sorry to hear Tom. 🍻🇨🇮

[@beckyumphrey2626]

My son was in Thailand in July. Same scam happened to him.and his card. He lost $3300 USD!!!

[@newtonlee10]

kindly share it so we all can avoid

[@mosheridan7016]

The country better get this sorted out fast or will get a bad reputation and karma very fast.

[@jeanetnkuta3623]

Roaming! sorry(Askies) for what happen,Eish it going to be okay this happen in real life is not good l know the pain of skimmer they don't fill sorry l know you are okay right now this thing happen world wide is not you only 🙏🙏🙏 keep well with your good job

[@pearling59]

Sir Tom 💛🙏🇺🇸👏👍please be careful

[@Lefilsdupaysnoir]

The easiest is to block online transactions on the card you use while travelling

[@NewMinority]

Only keep a small amount in your card account

[@offthecuffadventureswithjamie]

Never use ATM other than at reputable banks! Sorry to here this Tom. Still watching. They also need your pin. So try and block the keypad with your other hand as your entering it. They install a cam to get that pin. Been going on in BKK for 10 or 15 years. Be safe bro.

[@foxhound_ps9149]

Pretty shocked man just shows even the most savvy need to be vigilant

[@pepeee548]

I suggest mate to do a thai local bank, many agencies help in doing. And always have little money on the account, rest on a saving one

[@Keith-ui4tp]

Happy everywhere in the world, opportunistic people everywhere. Trust no one!!

[@KingBeeinthePhilippines]

Someone got my debit card number when I was in the Philippines and charged 37 USD on a Turkish home decor online store. It was bad only because I was the first month of my 3 months trip. Bank paid me back but access to cash I had to work around not having my debit card.

[@SelwynSeychelles]

ATMs have cameras, the ‘skimmers’ would have to come to the machine to remove their device. Hopefully the bank should be able to identify the culprit. Also, the bank should take responsibility for this now. This is why I use cardless ATM on mobile phones mostly now.

[@tjz123]

How much did they get? What were they buying?

[@212Roger]

I always use the big fancy bank ATM’s. I’ve have my card eaten twice by an ATM; always bring more than one card. 🙏🏼

[@socialmoravec]

Same experience. My card was eaten. 2 bank cards, and 2 credit cards is a smart thing to travel with.

[@johne9773]

dont they still need your pin code?

[@Toonottobe]

My first month since I've moved to Manila. I got scammed after my first 2 weeks. 1k dollars. First time I've ever been scammed.

[@EK10241024]

I've never been ripped off to where my bank didn't replenish the money. It really doesn't matter where you are. People are scamming from all over the world to whereever you happen to be. I don't know if there is any fool proof way, other than to limit your withdrawal limit.

[@CatsAndGoodCoffee]

That happened to a friend of mine in Dublin years ago mate, so Thailand only.