using ATMs outside Australia - best bank?

I tend to avoid overseas ATMs (and internet cafes) for money
transactions. Our last trip we took plenty of cash (toomean to buy
travelers cheques) and used our credit cards freely. They get at you
whatever you do - the fees charged for changing money at airports were
disgraceful. Even ANZ Bank (which operated where we were travelling)
charged a shocking premium. And all the credit card transactions
attracted a 'conversion fee' - the *******s!

But I must say that credit cards work pretty well most places. If you
put your card heavily into credit before you travel you avoid paying
interest in cash withdrawals. But they still make out like bandits. But
there is no question that it is now a credit card world.

Ken wrote:

I tend to avoid overseas ATMs (and internet cafes) for money
transactions.

That reminds me of the risk of internet banking from internet cafes.

Bendigo Bank users can for a small fee buy a hand-held one-off secondary password generator, which adds an
additional layer of security to internet banking. I am not aware of any other Australian banks that offer that.

"Tom N" wrote in message
...
Bendigo Bank users can for a small fee buy a hand-held one-off secondary
password generator, which adds an
additional layer of security to internet banking. I am not aware of any
other Australian banks that offer that.

I see they are now advertising that fact on TV too. But it costs you money,
and some other banks offer a security guarantee for nothing.

MrT.

On Tue, 27 Sep 2005 17:43:12 +1000, Mr.T wrote:


"Tom N" wrote in message
...
Bendigo Bank users can for a small fee buy a hand-held one-off secondary
password generator, which adds an
additional layer of security to internet banking. I am not aware of any
other Australian banks that offer that.

I see they are now advertising that fact on TV too. But it costs you
money, and some other banks offer a security guarantee for nothing.

But how useful is a "security guarantee" if you are on the other side of
the planet and your card is cancelled because of fraud?

You may eventually get things sorted out when you get back home, but it's
going to be bloody inconvenient until you do.

--
Regards, David.

David Clayton, e-mail:
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
(Remove the "XYZ." to reply)

Knowledge is a measure of how many answers you have,
intelligence is a measure of how many questions you have.

David Clayton wrote:

But how useful is a "security guarantee" if you are on the other side
of the planet and your card is cancelled because of fraud?

You may eventually get things sorted out when you get back home, but
it's going to be bloody inconvenient until you do.

You could, of course, stay at home and just have the inconvenient
possibility of burglary, rape, incest, maimed in an accident, run over by a
bus, stub your toe, etc., etc.

:O)
Gilbert

On Tue, 27 Sep 2005 10:57:53 +0100, "gilbert"
wrote:

David Clayton wrote:

But how useful is a "security guarantee" if you are on the other side
of the planet and your card is cancelled because of fraud?

You may eventually get things sorted out when you get back home, but
it's going to be bloody inconvenient until you do.

You could, of course, stay at home and just have the inconvenient
possibility of burglary, rape, incest, maimed in an accident, run over by a
bus, stub your toe, etc., etc.

:O)
Gilbert

Agreed.

Just a risk in society these days, not just overseas.

I like to carry more than one card and usually another not issued by a
bank as well. The emergency replacement option does work ok and can
cover hotel bills and such until a new card is issued and received in
an emergency scenario.

Hi Perry,

A VISA Debit card avoids the Cirrus/Maestro type conversion costs. It
simply debits money from an existing account, but uses the VISA system
to do the transaction. Means it's FREE!!!

Eg: http://www.victeach.com.au/prodserv_cards.aspx

The credit unions tend to give the best deals, though some of them
require a referral by existing memebers.

SOME OTHER HELPFUL TIPS:
1/ You might also want to get two such cards by making a dummy second
card holder and carry them in separate containers, just in case you get
mugged or lose one.

2/ Consider scanning all important DOCO, compressing them using
encryption onto a card-sized CDROM and carry it around at all times in
multiple places. Have the card verified by a local JP to ensure it is
ALL LEGIT. JUST IN CASE!! Can be VERY helpful if you emergency
situations.

Regards,
Funkers
----
Get some funk into ya!!

Tom N wrote:
Ken wrote:

I tend to avoid overseas ATMs (and internet cafes) for money
transactions.

That reminds me of the risk of internet banking from internet cafes.

That's certainly a real risk. I know someone whose use of an internet
cafe in Thailand to check his balances lead to a loss of $20k. Expats
tell me these scams are generally run by the friendly cafe staff, not
sinister internet hackers.


Bendigo Bank users can for a small fee buy a hand-held one-off secondary password generator, which adds an
additional layer of security to internet banking. I am not aware of any other Australian banks that offer that.

Sounds like a PITA when you're on the road: one more thing you can't
afford to lose. It's still vulnerable to a real-time man-in-the-middle
attack.

cheers,
--mt.

A User wrote:
On Tue, 27 Sep 2005 10:57:53 +0100, "gilbert"
wrote:

David Clayton wrote:

But how useful is a "security guarantee" if you are on the other side
of the planet and your card is cancelled because of fraud?

You may eventually get things sorted out when you get back home, but
it's going to be bloody inconvenient until you do.

You could, of course, stay at home and just have the inconvenient
possibility of burglary, rape, incest, maimed in an accident, run over by a
bus, stub your toe, etc., etc.

:O)
Gilbert

Agreed.

Just a risk in society these days, not just overseas.

I like to carry more than one card and usually another not issued by a
bank as well. The emergency replacement option does work ok and can
cover hotel bills and such until a new card is issued and received in
an emergency scenario.

One in my wallet, one in the moneybelt under my clothes, and one hidden
in my luggage -- it's worked for me. Since I've started using this
system I haven't lost one card. :-)

cheers,
--mt.

Market Theory wrote:
Tom N wrote:

Ken wrote:


I tend to avoid overseas ATMs (and internet cafes) for money
transactions.

That reminds me of the risk of internet banking from internet cafes.


That's certainly a real risk. I know someone whose use of an internet
cafe in Thailand to check his balances lead to a loss of $20k. Expats
tell me these scams are generally run by the friendly cafe staff, not
sinister internet hackers.


I've lived in Thailand on-and-off for 5 years and always use Thai
Farmer' Bank ATM's - never had a problem.

I think the risks are no greater in Thailand than in Australia - the
recent card-skimming case etc. Just be careful, wherever you are.

Bendigo Bank users can for a small fee buy a hand-held one-off secondary password generator, which adds an
additional layer of security to internet banking. I am not aware of any other Australian banks that offer that.


Sounds like a PITA when you're on the road: one more thing you can't
afford to lose. It's still vulnerable to a real-time man-in-the-middle
attack.

cheers,
--mt.