Korean Job Discussion Forums

[cdninkorea]

[Tigerstyleone]

Sounds like they didn't want to deal with opening an account for a foreigner. I would never have been able to do it without my girlfriend.

They explained this scam that foreigners do with selling the bank books to gangsters that can't open bank accounts. They said it was mostly SEAsians but the bank has set this rule to include all foreingers to make it easy.
Stupid though because they are missing out on lots of business.

[Greekfreak]

I had to get this issue sorted out with KEB before I left--insisting to them that everything might not be "just fine" with their cards.

So the solution--I've got a standard bank card with them, and I had them make me an "international" bank card that can only be used overseas, but won't work in Korea. It worked pretty much everywhere I tried it.

[Caffeinated]

I just tried to use my KEB Global bank card with the Visa logo to make a non-Korean online purchase and it didn't work! Card worked fine at ATM though. I thought this was supposed to work for overseas transcations, including ATM withdrawals abroad? I didn't think we had to contact the bank to get permission etc. for overseas stuff.

[waseige1]

My understanding is that the bank card (with the Visa logo) will not and never will work for purchases overseas. If they set it up, it will work at ATMs overseas.

It also will not work on the Internet (domestic or foreign).

[Caffeinated]

I called their Global Desk at Seolleung and was told that the card can't be used at ATMs overseas as well as for ordering over the internet. Well that's useless! I thought about starting a second bank account with them to set aside for bills, sending money home etc. but I guess I'll try to find a more convenient bank.

[waseige1]

[Greekfreak]

[DaffyD73]

I don't know if anyone else has said this - but i believe this to be the main point to understand in regard to overseas access to your money.

1st - in Korea we are only allowed to use one bank for all of our foreign transactions - bank2bank remittance/ ATM overseas use - therefore if you have had a different bank and performed a transfer then that is the bank assigned to you - if you open a KEB account you have to make sure that KEB becomes your sole international business bank - ask them to do this for you.
After you have done this then your halfway there ask them again to give you a card which works overseas - ask them to check the computer to see if this option is selected - then your risk of being stuck is reduced - any problems after this can be down to human error - either yours or the bank tellers - so ask to see the screen with the option ticked and all should be hopefully well.
Having said this - always have a backup plan - we are in sparkling Korea after all.

[alljokingaside]

[ThingsComeAround]

If you set the bank to route cash home (you can only have one bank in Korea do this for you) then if you have/get an international card through them, it should work.

I got my card from KEB and after transferring money home through them, I went home and withdrew a little from my neighborhood ATM

[Caffeinated]

[allan of asia]

if you have the KEB global cheque card - it actually says on the back "valid for overseas ATM use but not for retailer transactions" or something similar. I have used mine in ATMS in Japan, UK, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore among other places and had no problem whatsoever. It will however work on Korean websites for buying online but not foreign ones. I have done this and its been fine.

If you have a CREDIT CARD you need to literally DEMAND them to check it will work overseas so you can use in shops and stuff. PLUS make sure they set up the chip and PIN properly - they don't use in Korea but in many other countries if the chip isn't set up properly they wont accept the card - and some countries ask for 6 digit PINS - but I called KEB and they told me 2 extra digits to add to my PIN so it would work. I have NEVER had one issue with KEB - they're better than any bank I have ever used in the UK even - but if youre outside of Seoul their branches are quite few and far between I think. Im hoping their impending being bought/taken over by Hana Bank doesnt wreck things as they are AWFUL!

[Popocatepetl]