WARNING ATM USE IN CHINA

[OKIE2 0]

Here is what happen to me last thursday 3-27-09

I needed money to pay for my new 6 month visa I only had 9 days left on my old visa my atm bank debit card would not work after trying at 4 different machines I went to a bank here and they tryed to scan my card like when you buy something it would not work. this card has worked here in China for the whole 11 months I have been here with no problems ever.

I put my daughter on my account before I came to china. I wrote her an email ask her to go to my bank to see what was wrong here is the email my daughter send me back today.

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I went to Pratville branch so they could help me with the ATM issue on your card. As soon as I told them you were in China and your card did not work, they told me that someone had a fraud scam going on in China that was accessing some of their customers money, so they froze any atm cards that showed transactions made in China!!! The girl at the bank got on the phone and talked to someone who re-activated your card. She said that it should work right now, so go try it and let me know please, Love you

Donna

and it does work now!

[Azzudiin 26]

Helpful hint, before you travel to China call your banks security department, tell them you will be in China and for how long. They will actually put extra security measures on your account to protect you if you lose your card or it is stolen, they can also raise your daily limit to allow for the currency exchange rate.

I do it everytime I travel there and they even called me once in China to confirm it was me using card since it was odd time I used it (4am). Couldnt sleep because of the time change so went for a walk.

[Ling Ling 22]

Same thing happened to me in Japan. Really embarrassing, really pissed me off. I have accounts with Harris, Citibank, and Fifth3rd.

Only the Fifth3rd and a personal account at Harris would work. When I got back, I reamed Harris a new one, and cancelled Citibank.

Harris kept saying it was for my protection...then why only one card and not the other. Also, I didn't have this problem with any of the

cards when I was there in 2007 or early 2008.

Long story short, your bank(s) and credit card provider(s) need to know when you're traveling.