Using an ATM abroad usually feels safer than carrying large amounts of cash. But in some destinations, the ATM itself can be the risk.
A traveler in Thailand learned this the hard way after what seemed like a normal cash withdrawal turned into nearly $900 in fraudulent charges within hours.
Here's exactly what happened, and how to avoid it.
The Situation
An American tourist arrived in Bangkok and needed local currency. They found an ATM on a busy street near bars, restaurants, and hostels, the kind of place travelers withdraw cash every day.
The machine worked normally. Card inserted, PIN entered, withdrawal approved, cash dispensed. Nothing looked suspicious. They took out the equivalent of about $250 USD in Thai baht and continued their trip.
What Went Wrong
The next morning, their bank app showed multiple withdrawals they never made: $300, then another $300, then $280. All from ATMs in different parts of the city, all overnight.
Total fraud: about $880.
Their debit card had been cloned.
How This ATM Scam Works
This is a common tactic in parts of Southeast Asia and tourist-heavy areas worldwide. Criminals install a skimming device on the ATM that captures both your card's magnetic stripe data and your PIN entry.
The skimmer itself is usually a thin overlay placed over the card slot. It reads your card data as you insert it. To capture your PIN, criminals use either a tiny pinhole camera mounted above the keypad or a fake keypad overlay that records each button press. These devices are designed to look like part of the machine, and most people never notice them.
How Fast It Happens
Once a skimmer captures your card data, criminals can clone your card within minutes. They then use the duplicate card at other ATMs across the city, often withdrawing the maximum amount multiple times before you even realize something is wrong.
This same type of fraud affects travelers across Southeast Asia. Our Vietnam and Philippines guides also cover ATM safety for those countries, where similar skimming operations have been reported.
Why Travelers Are Easy Targets
Tourists are especially vulnerable because they're using unfamiliar machines in unfamiliar places. You don't know what a normal ATM in Bangkok is supposed to look like, so you're unlikely to spot something slightly off about the card slot or keypad.
Travelers also tend to withdraw larger amounts to avoid making multiple trips, which gives criminals more to steal in fewer transactions. And because of time zone differences, most people don't check their bank app until the next morning, giving thieves a long window to drain the account.
In this case, the traveler used a standalone street ATM not attached to a bank branch. That's the highest-risk type of machine. Freestanding ATMs in nightlife districts and tourist zones are the easiest for criminals to tamper with because there's no bank security, no cameras, and no staff nearby.
The Biggest Mistake
The ATM was not at a bank. It was a freestanding machine on the street.
Standalone street ATMs are statistically far more likely to be tampered with than machines inside bank branches, in bank lobbies, inside malls, or inside major hotels. A bank ATM is regularly inspected by staff, monitored by security cameras, and much harder for criminals to access.
Our Thailand ATM & Currency Guide lists the specific Thai banks with the most reliable ATMs and the best rates, so you know exactly which machines to look for when you arrive.
What They Should Have Done Instead
The safest approach to withdrawing cash abroad is to always use an ATM that's physically attached to or inside an actual bank branch. In Thailand, that means looking for machines at Bangkok Bank, Kasikorn Bank, or SCB, ideally at a branch location rather than a standalone kiosk.
Before inserting your card, give the card slot a gentle tug. Skimmers are attached with adhesive or friction and will feel loose or bulky compared to the built-in slot. If anything feels off, don't use that machine. Always cover the keypad with your other hand when entering your PIN. This simple habit blocks any hidden camera from recording your code.
Before you travel, enable real-time transaction alerts through your bank's app. Instant notifications for every withdrawal mean you'll catch fraudulent charges in minutes instead of hours. Some travelers also set daily withdrawal limits lower while abroad, which caps the damage if a card is compromised.
Another option worth considering is carrying a dedicated travel card separate from your primary bank account. That way, even in a worst-case scenario, criminals only have access to the funds you loaded onto that card, not your main checking account.
Important Note About Thailand ATMs
Thailand charges a foreign ATM fee of about 220 baht (roughly $6 to $7 USD) on every withdrawal by a non-Thai card. This fee is the same at every legitimate Thai bank ATM, regardless of location or brand.
Some travelers try to avoid lines or seek out random machines to save time. But choosing a safer ATM at a bank branch does not cost more. The fee is identical. The only difference is your security.
Also watch out for Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) at Thai ATMs. Many machines will ask if you want to be charged in USD instead of baht. Always choose to be charged in the local currency. Accepting the USD conversion adds another 3 to 5% markup on top of everything else.
What Happened Next
Fortunately, the traveler's bank reimbursed the fraudulent withdrawals after an investigation. But the process took weeks, and their card was frozen mid-trip, leaving them without access to funds temporarily.
A stressful situation that started with a routine ATM withdrawal. Having a backup payment method, whether a second debit card, a travel credit card, or even a small amount of emergency cash, would have made the disruption far less severe.
Bottom Line
ATMs abroad are usually safe, but location matters enormously. Using a standalone street ATM instead of a bank ATM can be the difference between a normal withdrawal and major fraud.
This type of card cloning happens to travelers in Thailand every year. Choosing the right ATM is one of the simplest ways to avoid it.
For specific bank and ATM recommendations in Thailand, read our Thailand ATM & Currency Guide. If you're planning a trip to Southeast Asia, our guides for Vietnam, the Philippines, and Japan cover ATM safety and the best ways to get local currency in each country. And our complete guide to getting foreign currency ranks every method by cost and safety.