BEWARE: ATM scams in Bali

If there is one thing I despise in life it is thieving: whether it be on a pickpocket scale or a straight out rip-off at a bank or shop. Even worse than the aforementioned are those assholes who rip-off money at ATM machines using various scams. This issue has been brought to my notice by Kenneth Cole, owner of Chocky’s Place in Bingin north of Bali. Innocent people and those unaware of these scams are getting done big-time when using their ATM cards. It’s natural, I suppose, when you are on holiday and especially in Bali where we all trust the Balinese, that you wouldn’t even think of this kind of thing happening. But, IT IS and so BEWARE. Here are two warnings posted by Baliblog Forum members alerting the situation.

Kenneth Cole (owner of Chocky’s Place in Bali) – Forum Member

HI THERE AGAIN, I POSTED A WARNING SEVERAL DAYS AGO ABOUT CARD FRAUD, ITS BECOMING OUT OF CONTROL HERE IN BALI AND THE POLICE CANT DO A THING AS THE FUNDS ARE BEING DIRECTED TO ATM’S IN JAKARTA.. I WAS BACK AT POLICE STAION AGAIN AND RAN INTO A KIWI SURFER WHO HAS ALSO BEEN RELIEVED OF ROUGHLY $40,000.00 AND THREE FRIENDS ALSO LOST SUBSTANCIAL AMOUNTS, SO BE CAREFUL AND YES IT WAS A BCA ATM.CHEERS KENNETH COLE

Eagle – Forum Member:

One scam doing the rounds is placing a bogus “helpline sticker” in an ATM then fiddling the access hole. When you can’t retrieve your card the obvious thing to do is to call the scam number. Details such as confirming your card number, security number and password are requested. After you depart (without your card)it is then easy for funds to be skimmed by the scammer. Hint: check the slot before you shove your card in. A loop of fishing line or cassette tape is a giveaway.

And, if you are not a member of the Baliblog Forum yet, then check us out and join in on the conversations, post a question or answer someone else’s. It’s free!

Also check out this article on ATM skimmers and how to spot them.