Korean Job Discussion Forums

[v88]

Haven't needed to do this for a while but was given money from family back home. Rather than sending me cheques that the banks take huge sums of money for fees, for whatever it is they think they do, my family members and friends have been depositing money into my account.

I seem to have been mistaken in thinking that this it should be relatively easy to withdraw my money.

So far no bank will make a direct transfer without me being at home to initiate the transfer and international ATMs seem to be only in Itaewon...the only ones I know of anyway and no bank I talk to seems to have any clue where other ones might be.

So what the hell do you do?

So far I've initiated a policy with my bank back home to allow me to authorize transfers over the phone. I still want to find ways to draw my money with my bank card (more locations than Itaewon...I have no interest in traveling all the way up there for the 1,000$ limit I'm allowed)or via online banking.

Any advice?

[Jake_Kim]

Sounds like you're in Seoul, then you have better chance with the ATMs in subway stations and/or random convenient stores than those within bank branches. That is, of course, assuming your card is either VISA or Maestro/Cirrus branded.

[Slowmotion]

I pull money out from my us bank account all the time using an atm that takes visa cards. Which area are you in and I might be able to recommend one close by. Not all the banks have them.

[v88]

I found out some banks have global ATM machines. Tried Shinhan, contacted them by phone with the number on their website and was able to get an English speaker who told me the closest global ATM to my location.

That wasn't too bad. I tried a bunch of random ATMs at corner stores and what not and had little luck. Cirrus, Visa and Maestro didn't seem to be that common. Amex did seem to pop up a bit and it did seem easier to find machines that would give you a cash advance on credit cards. Just too hit and miss though. Calling the bank directly was quick and painless.

Anyone have anything better or more to add?

and I don't live in Seoul...don't wish to head to Itaewon to get cash...especially given the piddly 500,000 won transactions the banks allow you to do each day.

[Forest]

citibank bank ATMS have always worked for me.

HSBC ones work but there aren't many

subway station ATMS usually work

so if you are miles away from hsbc or a subway station citibank is your best option as i always see a few around

[Kimchifart]

[tanklor1]

Go to your local KEB branch ask to open an account called

"easy-one Foreign Currency Remittance Service".

This a bank account which will be linked to your home country's bank account. Any money transferred into this account will directly go to your home country's account.

[Milwaukiedave]

Be careful what ATM's you use. There have been known to be phishing scams going on with ATM's.

[machoman]

instead of having your fam deposit money into your account, try western union