Korean Job Discussion Forums

skas · Joined: 08 Dec 2004

I am moving to Korea (Daegu) in about 3 weeks time. I called my bank (President Choice Financial) in Ottawa and they told me they can't guarantee that my card will work in Korea. I have used it a few times in mexico and it was fine.

Anyone have a PC bank card, and if so have you been able to use it????

medical_herbalist · Joined: 10 Dec 2004 Location: Seosan, Chungnam, Korea

Hi Skas,

Wanted to let you know that I am a fellow Canadian and I also have a PC card. It is fine to use over here in most bank machines. We live in smaller town (Seosan) and there is only one bank machine in the whole town that it works at, the bank is Shinhan. In major cities, most bank machines allow PC cards, especially in Seoul (We have used Happy Cash and 365 Cash). It works at any machine that allows international cards. You should be fine in Daegu.

Here is some advice though, if your magnetic strip is wearing out, replace the card before you leave Canada as PC does not pre program the PC cards. To create a new card you have to go to a CIBC bank machine and program the PIN, which of course, there are none in Korea! Hope that helps.

GeoMaster · Joined: 11 Nov 2004 Location: Republic of Korea

Never even tried my PC Bank Card, assumed it couldnt be used internationally....ah well!

However, I did have a huge problem when my account was deactivated due to a bank scam while I was over here, so I called PCF to fix the problem; I then told them I was in Korea and they threatened to deactivate my account after 6 months because I was not returning to Canada for the year and they could not offer me services anymore In some PCF regulation you must notify them of everything (even the slightest fart)...wrote to the ombudsman and they fixed me up right away, sent me a new card through a third party at home and reactivated my account...up an running!

Does your PC Card have international symbols on the back of them?

medical_herbalist · Joined: 10 Dec 2004 Location: Seosan, Chungnam, Korea

No, mine just has the Interac sign on the back. No PLUS symbol or anything, but it works. I even used the card in the Philippines when I was travelling, worked fine there as well. If you have a problem at one bank, try another, because they do vary affiliations.

Hope this helps, and enjoy Daegu!

Atkinson · Joined: 15 Oct 2004 Location: Land of the Golden Twist-tie

Yes. Many PC Bangs use cards. You take one when you come in, and use the number on the back to sign on. Very Happy

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Koreabound2004 · Joined: 19 Nov 2003

redd · Joined: 08 Nov 2004

Damn!! I specifically closed my PC account because it didn't have the international symbols on it. I even keep asking periodically at the little booths in the grocery store and any employee i've asked has always told me the card will only work in North America.

Good to know this isn't true for next time.

skas · Joined: 08 Dec 2004

Glad to know some people have had some luck with the bank card. I used it in mexico without problem. PC Financial is great, but there are some downsides to not having an actual branch to go to.
I am not too worried about it, b/c I am actually going to be working, and will have a Korean bank account, but just in case of emergency.

Thanks for the help...gotta love Dave's, there is no doubt someone has an answer to a question about something about Korea..no matter how obscure.