I advised my bank (Westpac) that I was going to Bali in late Sept.Returned from Bali 8/10/05. Bank phoned me 18/10/05 to ask if I was in England. No I am not. Aparently my card is being used in England. Went through all the usual questions etc re not letting card out of my sight and that my card was still in my wallet. I only used my card at Mataharis and Ramayana Dept Stores. The bank have told me that the old Credit Card machines that are used in Bali print out all your details on the receipt - ie Full Name, Full card number and the expiry date. Usually a dishonest employee (in the office section that is responsible for filing all the credit card slips) can copy down all your details and then sell them. A new card can be made within 3 hours and they can apply their own signature and it is accepted anywhere. All of the transactions on my credit card ($19,000 Aust) in 7 hours are from the same suburb in England.
I know a lot has been written on this forum about credit card fraud (I had a look before posting this message) but most people believe that it is the card being swiped twice. My card was never swiped twice, it never left my sight and no receipts were ever left laying around my room.
The banks theory makes sense to me as here in Australia when you get your receipt it does not show all of the details (there is usually numbers missing and no name) When I checked my Bali receipts there was my full details of which they would have their own copy. I am going to ask my bank before I go back whether or not it is legal to actually cross out one or two of the numbers or expiry date on their copy once your have signed it and it has been approved therefore not leaving them with your full details.
Thought I would just update previous postings on this subject.