DBS/POSB ATM fraud unrelated to your Malaysia visit

About SGD200,000 of illegal cash withdrawal, affecting some 200 DBS/ POSB bank account holders had been reported by DBS yesterday, in what could be the biggest fraud case affecting the Singapore local bank to date.

What made the news even more interesting was the fact that initial investigations reveal all the illegal withdrawals were made in Malaysia, with the victims having not lost/ misplaced their ATM cards and for that matter, ever left Singapore at all.

Withdrawals were purposely kept small to avoid immediate detection, which allows the modus operandi to continue over a period. While DBS has promised to make good on the money lost due to this fraud, a Hugh question mark remain on how it could had occurred, and how to prevent it in future. This has left yet another scar on the image of DBS, following the downtime nightmare which occured in Jul 2010. See the related article here: http://www.asiaone.com/Business/News/Story/A1Story20100707-225629.html

DBS and POSB Logo. The key is not so secure after all.

As a precaution, DBS advise that any customer who suspects their ATM or debit card has been compromised should contact the bank at 1800-220-1111 or visit any bank branch. A replacement card will be issued on the spot at any of its branches.

For now, you need not worry about making your regular trip to Johor Bahru Read on…

2 commentsJanuary 6th, 2012

3/4 Tank Rule applies to CNG Vehicles effective 1 Jan 2012

In a bid to go GREEN and encourage the purchase of environmental friendly vehicles, the Green Vehicle Rebate (GVR) was originally introduced in 2001 by the Singapore Government and among other things, includes the exemption of excise duties on purchase of CNG, leading to lower fuel prices. This was subsequently reviewed in year 2009 and extended till 2011.

On 27th Dec 2011, it was announced that an excise duty of $0.20 per kg will be imposed on compressed natural gas (CNG) starting 1 Jan 2012. This also meant that drivers of Natural Gas Vehicles (NGV) and petrol-CNG (hybrid) vehicles will have to ensure that their fuel tank is at least 3/4 full when driving across the causeway, to preserve the duties collection from Singapore customs.

The imposition of the 3/4 rule will hit existing NGV owners harder than normal petrol-fueled vehicles (when the 3/4 tank rule was first announced) due to the following:

1. The price differential between CNG price in Singapore and Malaysia is much higher (at least 70% cheaper in Malaysia) than petrol (petrol is about 40% cheaper in Malaysia).

2. Most owners of NGV would have made a conscious decision when making the purchase, and this may include a key assumption that the top up of fuel tank is done in Johor Bahru Read on…

3 commentsDecember 27th, 2011

Johor Premium Flies at the Johor Premium Outlet

Not sure what is the reason but the flies are certainly having a field day at the Johor Premium Outlet, Johor Bahru. The place is rather clean and you do not see sights of food lying around but somehow, the flies are visible everywhere you go. You see them at all pillars and storefront, as well as the the interior of the stores. Some of them has even managed to infiltrate into the display cases and fitting rooms.

Certainly not a very welcome sight at the Johor Premium Outlet (especially if one of them lands on you while you are changing at the fitting room) but the flies do not seem to care. Perhaps, they are brand conscious too!

See our actual review of Johor Premium Outlet here:
http://www.limsimi.com/leisure-entertainment-johor-bahru/a-review-of-johor-premium-outlet/

Consider planting the Venus-Flytrap instead..

Add commentDecember 27th, 2011