By: Erin Brooks
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In the six months that I have lived in Siem Reap I have not encountered nor heard of any crimes committed against the physical person. In fact its one of the reasons that I love Siem Reap so much. I can walk home late at night, grab a tuk-tuk or moto from anywhere and eat at any local spots. Its such a relief to feel so safe in the town that you are living in. That being said there does seem to be some electronic crime occurring at a few of the local ATMs in town.
Ex-pat and online sources have recently claimed that their credit cards have been charged without their knowledge in amounts ranging from $1000-$2500. Further discussion has identified a few local ATMs that appear to be the culprits. These are listed below. The banks have been notified and they do not believe it to be an inside job. So that leaves open the possibility that a skimmer or camera is being used, or that someone familiar with the keypad is watching close by. Caution should always be taken when using any ATM that stands separately from a bank.
I would like to offer a few tips regarding using local ATMs to better ensure that this does not happen to you.
The best advice, if using an ATM is necessary, is to always cover the keypad with your hand while you are entering in your pin number. Then whether a camera or a person is watching, their view is obscured. Another suggestion would be to slide your card two different times. Once using your actual pin number and the second time using a fake pin number, then press cancel. Apparently this confuses the skimmer as to which pin number is actually correct.
Please take note of the identified local Siem Reap ATMS below, but fear not, my experience has shown that Siem Reap is the safest city in Southeast Asia. So please enjoy!!!
ATMs confirmed are:
1/ Canadia Bank, on Sivutha Blvd, across from the Center Market.
2/ Cambodian Public Bank, on Sivutha Blvd, across from Hotel de la Paix.
3/ ANZ, both the one in U-care Pharmacy and the one up the road from Pub Street, on the corner.