Korean Job Discussion Forums

jajdude · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

It sucks. This latest one for me may be the worst. I was away for a few days. Came back to my room, and passport, alien ID thing (foreign expert certificate in China - looks a bit like a passport), and over $400 USD in local currency all gone. Place was not secure. Living on a campus at a high school here. Ugh. Just a terrible violation. Will survive no doubt but really feel disgusted at this.

poet13 · Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 3:41 pm Post subject:

Wow, that sucks. Sorry it happened. I worry about the day it happens to us, and how violated we will feel. Just across the courtyard, there was a rooftop window smashed the other night, and we're about to go away for a week.

spliff · Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

What's your address, I'll watch your place.

jim_we · Joined: 06 May 2004 Location: Korea

Came home a couple years ago and found a guy working on my door. He'd broken into another one and was in the process of doing mine. Unfortunately, I was drinking with some friends and not so sober. He ran down the back way, and damn could that guy move. I think we'll see more break in's as the economic situation gets worse in Korea.

browneyedgirl · Joined: 17 Jul 2007

Was this in China or Korea? Is Korea getting that bad? Confused

sojourner1 · Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 6:56 pm Post subject:

I knew a Canadian last year I worked with who had his apartment broken into and he missed his laptop, $1000 cash in his desk drawer, and some mens jewelry. Many young Korean dudes will steal just as many young Western dudes will steal.

This worries me as window and sliding door locks are weak on Korean apartments.

Join Me · Joined: 14 Jan 2008

The key is you need to keep your valuables in a creative place. Most of the time these are just quick in and out kinda deals where they grab whatever is in sight. I know a few teachers who have had large sums of cash taken from their apartments. Leaving that kinda money in an apartment is just foolish.

greedy_bones · Joined: 01 Jul 2007 Location: not quite sure anymore

I was ripped off my first year. Laptop, camera, passport, ipod and $40 taken.

I suggest getting a digital lock. After my place was ripped off, my boss had one installed. I'm sure if you have a good wanjangnim(or whatever the Chinese equivalent is), he'll put one in if you request it.

jajdude · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

Got a strong feeling Korean ex- boss will keep my severance too. "Ah, just send me your bank info from China," he said. It's worth 3 grand. I sent all the details. No email reply. I will go back to Korea to get this, because I know he doesn't give a crap.

jajdude · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

PeteJB · Joined: 06 Jul 2007

Sorry to hear that. Just curious, does "getting ripped off" also mean to get things stolen from you while away as well as being ripped off in person?

Adventurer · Joined: 28 Jan 2006

spliff · Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

justaguy · Joined: 01 Jan 2008 Location: seoul

You have only one line of defence against theft. Prevention

Do everything you can to prevent it.

sojourner1 · Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2008 8:06 pm Post subject:

Hide that laptop on top of your wardrobe closet every time you leave the house. It's a hassle, but worth it as doing so makes it look like I'm packing it around in my bag as I come and go.