Bankmachine in Ukraine?

[Victoria]

Hi all,
can someone please tell me if it is hard or easy to use visa card in Ukraine? I wanted to transfer money to my relatives and this way it seems to be easier and safer, but I am not sure if they have bank machines there and wether they usually funktion properly (in big cities).
Thank you in advance,
Victoria

[Quasimoto]

... in response to Bankmachine in Ukraine?, posted by Victoria on Oct 10, 2001

Victoria,

You are no trouble for me. I would go to the bank where you and your husband are banking. Tell them you want to open a 2nd (another) checking account and recieve an ATM card for it. They will issue you an ATM card, but at first it may be a temporary card. You can wait until a permanent card arrives to you. They will send it in a normal envelope to you, but do not do the same. Send this card in a mailer envelope that is made of cardboard. If you want to hurry this card to Ukraine, then you can send it express mail to Kharkov. The post office has an express code just for Kharkov. Put it is a regular envelope and then inside the express mail package envelope made of cardboard. This way the postal workers in Ukraine will not feel the card.

* Then you should call your parents with the 4 number code for using the card. Do not send the code with the card. Without the code, no one will be able to use it even if it is stolen.

* Make certain this ATM card is not attached (has access) to your normal checking account.

* My fiancee used the ATM card I sent her last week for the first time yesterday. It was no problem.

Steve

[Victoria]

... in response to Bankmachine in Ukraine?, posted by Victoria on Oct 10, 2001

Thank you for all your help and advices!
I appreciate them very much! And it was really helpful for me.
Good luck to everyone,
Victoria

[Quasimoto]

... in response to Bankmachine in Ukraine?, posted by Victoria on Oct 10, 2001

Victoria,

I sent a bank ATM card connected to a special bank checking account to my fiancee in the Kyiv area (you do not need to use any checks, only make deposits and use the card). I think you would be more secure to send a bank card for the following reasons. It is easier to control a bank card.

* You can go to your bank and make deposits easier and faster.
* It is easier to protect a bank card from fraud. It should be set up as a separate account, and the card that is sent should not have access to any other of your bank accounts.
* Most ATM machines there accept major bank ATM cards, though all of them accept a VISA card. Once they find a machine or machines, then it will be easy to use the bank card.
* I currently have a case of fraud associated with my VISA card. Every month they are taking money and yet VISA has a phoney address and phone number for this company. They have researched it, and yet 6 months later, I am still being charged. Imagine how international fraud could affect you. To stop any activity with a bank card, should it become lost, you simply go to the bank and change the access code when you get a new card.

Steve

[Victoria]

... in response to Re: Bankmachine in Ukraine?, posted by Quasimoto on Oct 10, 2001

Hi Steve,
If you do not mind me asking, I understand that your fiancee can withdraw money in Kiev area using the card you sent her? I was thinking of opening a new bank account on my name or name of my husband and then somehow forward the card to my parents in Kharkov so they can use it there. The question is how do I send this card to Ukraine (is an envelope safe or is it legal at all to do that? Like I know you cannot send money like that, the post workers will find it. Do I have to hide it between pictures for example?). Or is it possible to open an account on my Dad's or Mom's name? So they would have no troubles using that card in Ukraine?
Sorry for that whole lot of questions!!
Thank you very much,
Victoria

[Etienne]

... in response to Bankmachine in Ukraine?, posted by Victoria on Oct 10, 2001

I don't know what cities you are interested in. My personal experience: There are bank machines that accept Visa in Odessa, Kiev and Yalta. In these places I tried it myself. I hope this is of any help to you.

[Oatmeal]

... in response to Bankmachine in Ukraine?, posted by Victoria on Oct 10, 2001

I know it sounds a bit redundant, but I do know that you can set up a Visa/Atm card with your relatives to send money to them.  I have personally used visa cards quite a bit throughout Ukraine with no problems.  If you want specifics you will want to talk to Jack Bragg of First Dream as he can give you a better idea of how to do this.  I think it is cheaper than using Western Union.
Good luck,  Jim

[Victoria]

... in response to Re: Bankmachine in Ukraine?, posted by Oatmeal on Oct 10, 2001

Thank you very much, it was really very helpful.
As to the cities, I meant Kharkov. I think if they can do that in Odessa and Yalta, there will be no problem in Kharkov.
Thank you again,
Victoria

[DE]

... in response to Re: Re: Bankmachine in Ukraine?, posted by Victoria on Oct 10, 2001

Well, as a matter of fact I was just in your city of Kharkov (just returned October 11th) for the second time this year.  I used the auto teller in the hotel which is located just off Sumsyka St. next two the wedding chapel (North of Freedom square).  It's located in the hotel lobby and its the best one because it will pay out in US dollars.  They charge a standard fee of $2.50 per $100 withdrawn.  Looking at your IP address from your message it appears that you are writing from Sacramento?  I bet I know you!

Dwayne

[Johninm]

... in response to Re: Re: Bankmachine in Ukraine?, posted by Victoria on Oct 10, 2001

Visa cards or ATM cards with visa logo work fine in Ukraine .  Occasionally they may some technical difficulties ( ATM mashines ), or are temporarly out of cash, but there are at least few others in city centers , near McDonalds , major banks ets. There is a limit though . Usually , up to 550 hryvnas per transaction ( I`m not sure if you alowed one or more per day ) . The exchange rate comes close to 5,30 to 1 $US  + around $2 US per transactions ( at least with Bank of America ). Kharkiev is a major commerce and industrial place in Ukraine . You shouldn't have any problems with that city . I withdrew funds from ATM machines in much smaller cities in Ukraine . Exchange rates US/hryvna varies slightly in diffrent towns .

[Quasimoto]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Bankmachine in Ukraine?, posted by Johninm on Oct 10, 2001

Good point guys, I forgot about the transaction fees. I was charged $1.50 each by the ATM owner, and my bank, for $3 total.

Kharkov was not problem to find machines. The only problem is that they may say VISA - Mastercard on them, but they do not have other banking logos on them like the machines in Kyiv. So you have to try the card and see if it works.

NOTE: Call with the pin number for the card, and do not send it with the card.

Steve