Recourse against bank ATM fraud in China
While in Beijing recently I had an ATM belonging to the largest bank in the world (the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China) issue me with a sheaf of nice crisp new counterfeit notes. I noticed this soon after when taxis, fruit shops etc refused the notes. Closer inspection revealed that several even had the same serial number. I went inside the bank (branch is adjacent to the ATM) with an interpreter from the place I was staying. They basically shrugged and sent me away. When I went to the police station with the same interpreter it became apparent that I would be there for hours getting nothing done and I gave up there too. The bank's position was "We don't operate the ATMs that's another company". This despite the ATMs being branded ICBC and on the same premises as the ICBC branch.
The money was withdrawn on an Australian credit card, about AU$250 or so, so I presume the ATM has been programmed to target just foreign credit cards to avoid locals arriving with pitchforks to burn down the bank.
My question is: Can I submit a claim on my credit card to be refunded? In the same way that I can with non-supply of goods from a vendor.
Also: Is there any other recourse against what you would suppose to be a reputable bank?
Best Answer
This has happened to me multiple times with local cards as well so I doubt they target foreign cards.
Every time the police have helped me rather swiftly, provided me with a copy of the case registered which I took to the bank who then changed the money for me without delay at all.
But yes dealing with Chinese police can be frustrating and take a long time but it is what is it, can’t say it’s much quicker in sweden or other countries where I have had to deal with police
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How do you recover money from ATM fraud?
First and foremost, contact your bank and block your debit card immediately. File a First Information Report (FIR) \u2013 once you have blocked your card, lodge an FIR at the nearest police station. This is an important step that must not be missed.Can ATM withdrawals be disputed?
Just as you can dispute an unauthorized debit charge to your bank account you can also dispute an ATM withdrawal in some cases. Banks have procedures for handling this type of situation that may vary slightly, depending on the institution.Are banks liable for fraud?
Because Banks are well protected against liability for losses associated with wire fraud, it is incumbent upon businesses and individuals to remain watchful for hackers trying to pry their way into financial transactions. An email from a vendor claiming a new bank account should be a red flag.Is the bank obligated to refund stolen money from my debit card?
Understanding 60-Day RulesThe bank has no obligation to refund stolen money if you wait 60 days after you receive the bank statement that lists the unauthorized charges. If you don't take fast action, you risk losing all of the money you have in the account, plus overdrawn amounts and overdraft fees.Robbery Trial At An ATM In China: Thief Attacked By A Brave Man
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Answer 2
You said you used an credit card for this. Call the credit card issuer and ask to file a dispute. They will probably ask you what you've tried to resolve the dispute yourself, so be prepared to tell them about your unsuccessful attempt at involving the police.
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