Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Fofazoju]

Ok so I just got back to Korea and have a new bank account with KB Star.

My problemo:

I am trying to send money home and apparently, the bank has a new bogus policy (well we did not establish whether it was new, simply that it existed) that as a foreigner, you have to be employed for 6 months and show records for those 6 months before you can do a wire transfer to your account back home.

Has anyone ever heard of this?? When I was in Daegu, there was NO problem! Sure they made me bring my contract, but that was it.

I understand they recently made it impossible for foreigners to use their cash card OUTside of Korea, I am wondering if at the same time they made this bullsh*t rule.

Anyone, anyone?

Also, what other ways have peeps been sending money to Canada. Any advice would be great. I can't wait 6 months to send money home.

Any info on other banks would be great too.

[kat2]

Try Woori Bank. They have always done what I needed. Just go in all smiles and act sweet.

[venus]

I'm with KB Star and never had that problem, but I opened my account eleven months ago....

Things have become strange though. Moved from Ilsan to Hannam City and whereas I had no problems with the Ilsan branch who actually used to hurry things up for me, the Hannam branch started demanding my passport; alien card; AND a stamped copy of my bloody wage slip.... Even though the deposit will show it was from my school on the computer.... duh....

Jesus, makes it feel like you can't do what you like with your own money. Which of course it seems you can't what with the 10,000 US$ a year limit...

[hellofaniceguy]

Another option...one that I was doing....exchange korean money for dollars....exchange places all over the place....go to the post office and mail the cash by certified mail/return receipt, back home...they deposit into my account and I was able to use my U.S. ATM card in korea. I never had a problem mailing cash via the post office; it was sent certified. I was using those thick padded envelopes.

[ilovebdt]

[dmbfan]

Yeah, I had the same problem.

I went to Thailand for my vacation, and realized my "international debit card" no longer worked. I emailed someone at KB Suck, and really did not get a straight answer. Then, I requested a Western Union transfer, and they could not do that either.........................

What is up their ass? Korea wants to be competitive, but when simple things like this come up, they can't do it, or can't make it work.

Oh well.

dmbfan

[maddog]

Surley this is illegal. Korea is a member of the WTO, no? You are working legally on an E-2 visa. The money in your account was paid in by your employer. It's your money, so it's your to do with whatever you wish. I would raise hell. But, I get no such horse-sh!t from wooribank.

[munji]

I sent around 12K KRW today overseas via Hanabank.

They didnt ask my passport, yes ARC, but then they have asked me for that everytime I have been there. They even pulled my last transfer and used the same details, so didnt even need to fill the whole form - just the amount and sign. Didnt ask any salary receipts or proof of earned income.

I've had the account for over 6 months, but I had bought USD TC's once and transferred money overseas prior to that as well.

Its easy if you use the same person on the other side for your transactions. They know you and trust you. I also use a small branch with just 3-5 people working there.

6-month rule is bs and you should ask to talk to the manager or the call center.

[kermo]

When I saw "new rule" in the header, the first thing I thought was "Oh dear, some bank worker is being lazy or ridiculous, and is inventing new policies."

I highly doubt this has any merit. Come back on a different day, get a new teller, take care of business as usual.

I had a similar problem once while trying to get a replacement bank card. I showed them my passport, but they asked for my ARC card. This had been lost, along with the rest of the cards, but on that particular day, they said it was mandatory in order to get a replacement cash card.

I asked them how I was supposed to get money for bus fare and to eat for the 2-week waiting period, but they said their hands were tied. The teller on the following day, thankfully, obliged me without a word of objection.

[uberscheisse]

i think it's a face-saving thing in many situations.

some younger bank tellers would rather say "ohhh... it cannot be done" rather than admit "i cannot do it because i haven't been fully trained on every aspect of this bank's services".

the shame. oh the shame.

[ChuckECheese]

I think KB bank is full of crap!

Today, at KB bank I wired $2000 to my off-shore account. Had no problem.

Initially, they told me that my limit on wire transfer is $10,000/year since I didn't provide them with my employment contract, etc. And the new year will start 1/1/07 with new $10,000 limit. I been in Korea less than 6 months.

So they are filling you with full of crap!

My advice to the OP is change the bank ASAP.

[MantisBot]

That's BS. Go back and speak with another teller. My school sets us up with KB star accounts and a coworker of mine who got here two weeks before me has wired $1000 a month back to the states with no problems.

Keep asking for someone who is higher up until you get it resolved. Don't take "no" for an answer:p

Good luck!

[OiGirl]

[Novernae]

[venus]