| Pages:
1
2 |
bajajazz
Nomad
Posts: 386
Registered: 12-18-2006
Location: La Paz, BCS, Mexico
Member Is Offline
|
|
CREDIT CARD FRAUD
Returning to BCS on a recent trip north, we used a credit card to pay for two nights of lodging at the Lazy 8 Motel in Tucson ("Tucson's Cleanest
Budget Motel" -- not) and the Mulege Hotel in, of course, Mulege.
One of these two establishments used our card information to make whopping purchases (of furniture, we think) and maxxed out our card, a fact we
discovered when it came time to use it again. Our bank immediately removed the fraudulent charges but we're still waiting for a new card to be
reissued and delivered to us here in La Paz. If it's sent by US/Mexican postal service it will be stolen and maxxed out again, if our past experience
is any guide.
Just a word to the wise when traveling by highway and using motels . . .
|
|
|
Brian L
Nomad
Posts: 250
Registered: 6-21-2010
Location: Alpine, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: No Bad Days
|
|
How do you know it was from one of those? Were the purchases delivered there? Were those the only places you used your card in the recent past?
When you accuse someone, you should put as many facts as possible.
Brian
|
|
|
durrelllrobert
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7393
Registered: 11-22-2007
Location: Punta Banda BC
Member Is Offline
Mood: thriving in Baja
|
|
Someone in the UK or Finland got my Citibank Visa number and maxed it out in mid-Dec. Of course they cancelled my card and sent a new one along with a
declaration of unathorized charges form to sign (via snail mail) and return(via snail mail) , but so far they have not removed any of the $7K +
fradulant charges, foreign transaction fees or interest so that I can use it. As you can see these included a bunch of hotel rooms in Finland, airline
tickets to Duba, India and other unknown places + 2 Macafee charges in Canada. Yikes!!
Trans
Date Post
Date Description Charged To Amount
12/12 12/12 EM AIR 762138824377-DUBAI GB Standard Purch 1,572.06
12/12 12/12 MCAFEE.COM 866-622-3911 CA Standard Purch 19.99
12/12 12/12 AIR-INDIA 607WWW.AIRINDIA.GB GB ,1,154.74 POUND STERLING GB Standard Purch 1,828.28
12/12 12/12 MYVACATIONS.CO.UK ILFORD GB GB ,1,560.17 POUND STERLING GB Standard Purch 2,470.19
12/15 12/15 MCAFEE.COM 866-622-3911 CA Standard Purch 19.99
12/15 12/15 Omenahotelli Vaasa FI FI ,65.00 EURO FI Standard Purch 86.78
12/15 12/15 Omenahotelli Vaasa FI FI ,98.00 EURO FI Standard Purch 130.84
12/16 12/16 Omenahotelli Vaasa FI Standard Purch 129.89
12/16 12/16 Omenahotelli Vaasa FI Standard Purch 145.80
12/16 12/16 Omenahotelli Vaasa FI Standard Purch 145.80
12/16 12/16 Omenahotelli Vaasa FI Standard Purch 145.80
12/16 12/16 Omenahotelli Vaasa FI Standard Purch 172.31
12/17 12/17 Omenahotelli Vaasa FI Standard Purch 156.40
Subtotal of Activity $6,869.35
12/16 12/16 FOREIGN TRANSACTION FEE*INTEREST CHARGE Standard Purch 3.89
12/16 12/16 FOREIGN TRANSACTION FEE*INTEREST CHARGE Standard Purch 4.37
12/16 12/16 FOREIGN TRANSACTION FEE*INTEREST CHARGE Standard Purch 4.37
12/16 12/16 FOREIGN TRANSACTION FEE*INTEREST CHARGE Standard Purch 4.37
12/16 12/16 FOREIGN TRANSACTION FEE*INTEREST CHARGE Standard Purch 5.16
12/17 12/17 FOREIGN TRANSACTION FEE*INTEREST CHARGE Standard Purch 4.69
01/11 01/11 PURCHASES*INTEREST CHARGE*PERIODIC RATE Standard Purch 122.41
01/11 01/11 FOREIGN TRANSACTION FEE*INTEREST CHARGE Standard Purch 182.62
$331.88
Interest Charge Summary
Nominal
APR Periodic
INTEREST
CHARGE Transaction Fee/
INTEREST
CHARGE
PURCHASES
Standard Purch 19.990% $122.41 $182.62
CASH ADVANCES
Standard Adv 21.990% $0.00 $0.00
Total INTEREST CHARGE = $305.03
Trans
Date Post
Date Description Amount
01/11 01/11 OVER CREDIT LIMIT FEE 39.00
Bob Durrell
|
|
|
DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by bajajazz
One of these two establishments used our card information to make whopping purchases (of furniture, we think) and maxxed out our card, a fact we
discovered when it came time to use it again. |
It wouldn't have to be someone associated with the two Motels. There are other devious ways to get your info.
Although you didn't, this is what bothers me about using a Debit Card while traveling. It's much more difficult to have the charges dismissed.
Maybe reserve the Debit Card for the ATMs and use a credit card elsewhere.
|
|
|
Bob H
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5867
Registered: 8-19-2003
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
| Quote: | Originally posted by bajajazz
One of these two establishments used our card information to make whopping purchases (of furniture, we think) and maxxed out our card, a fact we
discovered when it came time to use it again. |
It wouldn't have to be someone associated with the two Motels. There are other devious ways to get your info.
Although you didn't, this is what bothers me about using a Debit Card while traveling. It's much more difficult to have the charges dismissed.
Maybe reserve the Debit Card for the ATMs and use a credit card elsewhere. |
Excellent advice!!!
|
|
|
longlegsinlapaz
Super Nomad
Posts: 1685
Registered: 11-18-2005
Location: La Paz
Member Is Offline
|
|
Bajajazz, I'm sorry this happened, but it sounds like your bank had absolved you of any responsibility. Maybe I've just been lucky, but I've had
credit & debit cards sent to me in La Paz for the past 11 years without any problems. Have it sent in a non-bank envelope, slightly padded with
several sheets of paper to help disguise the fact it's a credit card & DON'T ACTIVATE IT until you get it in your hot little hands. If you've had
bad luck doing that, there's always DHL.
I know several people in La Paz who get new debit & credit cards through Mexican mail & activate it once they get it.
[Edited on 1-15-2011 by longlegsinlapaz]
|
|
|
wessongroup
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21152
Registered: 8-9-2009
Location: Mission Viejo
Member Is Offline
Mood: Suicide Hot line ... please hold
|
|
Sorry to hear your bad luck, and hope your able to get it straightened out... to your satisfaction and benefit
|
|
|
BajaBlanca
Select Nomad
Posts: 13165
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
Member Is Offline
|
|
|
|
|
mulegejim
Nomad
Posts: 470
Registered: 9-4-2006
Location: San Clemente, CA/Mulege, BCS
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
| Quote: | Originally posted by bajajazz
One of these two establishments used our card information to make whopping purchases (of furniture, we think) and maxxed out our card, a fact we
discovered when it came time to use it again. |
It wouldn't have to be someone associated with the two Motels. There are other devious ways to get your info.
Although you didn't, this is what bothers me about using a Debit Card while traveling. It's much more difficult to have the charges dismissed.
Maybe reserve the Debit Card for the ATMs and use a credit card elsewhere. |
I believe it was indicated a credit card was used- your advice is good, however, about the difference between a debit and credit card. I have stayed
many times at the Hotel Mulege and paid with a credit card with no problem - doubt that is where the problem was. A very well respected local family
owns and runs that motel. Jim
|
|
|
Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
Member Is Offline
|
|
While it is certainly a royal pain to have to wait for a new card, the good news is that federal laws limits card issuers to charging a maximum of $50
in this situation. And the reality is that most banks don't even assess the $50.
Credit card theft is a worldwide problem. Noting that bajajazz mentioned two hotels, I was wondering about other recent use of the card. Card info is
often stolen when people make internet purchases on an unsecured site, or are using an unsecured wifi connection.
With respect to the hotel experience, did anyone take your card away from your line of sight? I always feel just a little bit better when my card is
swiped right in front of me at the counter, a receipt is handed to me along with the card.
|
|
|
DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
|
|
Something else just came to mind. [that's twice in one day. I'm on a roll] A debit card used for purchases doesn't require a pin number if it has a
VISA logo. It acts like a credit card...signature etc.
|
|
|
bajajazz
Nomad
Posts: 386
Registered: 12-18-2006
Location: La Paz, BCS, Mexico
Member Is Offline
|
|
We used cash to pay for all our travel expenses and are therefore rather certain the theft occurred in either Tucson or Mulege. We generally use our
card for automatic bill-paying deductions, only. Based on comments above testifying to the honesty of the family that owns the Mulege Hotel, we would
now bet the fraud originated in Tucson. The only good thing we can say about the Lazy 8 Motel in Tucson is that the steakhouse restaurant next door
is terrific, giving us the best meal we had on the whole trip to Albuquerque and back.
As expected, the new card issued by our bank six weeks ago has gone astray in the Mexican mail, and so far we have spent 25 dollars in "free" calls to
our bank, as the portion of the "free" call that travels on Carlos Slim's landlines in Mexico is charged at the regular ripoff rate, a fact we just
discovered.
We have found that the only safe way to send a credit card or anything else of value to La Paz is by registered mail (expensive) or by DHL (also
expensive).
|
|
|
wilderone
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3778
Registered: 2-9-2004
Member Is Offline
|
|
"this is what bothers me about using a Debit Card while traveling. It's much more difficult to have the charges dismissed"
Fraud is fraud. Your bank is supposed to investigate the incident in every case, which should prove the facts.
I have more than one credit card - they all have $0 balances, but if I have to use one in emergencies I can. Your Macy's card, Toy R Us card - you
can use them for anything you know. I got an Expedia credit card while I was booking my flight for Hawaii. They offered $100 credit, which paid for
one of my inter-island flights. Such a deal, and travel insurance too. If you don't use credit cards they will cancel them after some time. Many
years ago I played the "no interest for year if you switch debit balances" game (which is essentially putting your balance on a new credit card). It
was fantastic. I don't find those deals in my mailbox like I used to. Anyway, you can play the game to your advantage, and you have to stay on top of
techno security and know who you're dealing with. If retailers don't take precautions and keep up, move on to someone who does or pay cash. The US
economy is the real loser - and that's all of us.
|
|
|
DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by bajajazz
.
As expected, the new card issued by our bank six weeks ago has gone astray in the Mexican mail, and so far we have spent 25 dollars in "free" calls to
our bank, as the portion of the "free" call that travels on Carlos Slim's landlines in Mexico is charged at the regular ripoff rate, a fact we just
discovered.
|
Mexican Mail Service? I won't ask.
25 dollars is 15 months worth of Magic Jack.
|
|
|
wessongroup
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21152
Registered: 8-9-2009
Location: Mission Viejo
Member Is Offline
Mood: Suicide Hot line ... please hold
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
Something else just came to mind. [that's twice in one day. I'm on a roll] A debit card used for purchases doesn't require a pin number if it has a
VISA logo. It acts like a credit card...signature etc. |
|
|
|
toneart
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4901
Registered: 7-23-2006
Member Is Offline
Mood: Skeptical
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
Something else just came to mind. [that's twice in one day. I'm on a roll] A debit card used for purchases doesn't require a pin number if it has a
VISA logo. It acts like a credit card...signature etc. |
Just to complete your observation, Dennis: It can be used as a debit card or a credit card if it has the VISA logo. People need to know that it is
their option as to how to use the card. You have to request that it be used as a credit card. It just takes slightly longer for it to come out
of your bank account, whereas a debit is instant.
If you use it as a credit card, do you get the same guaranteed fraud protection as you do with a regular credit card? I think you do, but I am not
sure.
|
|
|
goldhuntress
Senior Nomad
Posts: 663
Registered: 1-28-2010
Member Is Offline
|
|
This has a FAQ section I skimmed over, may help answer a few questions about liability. http://usa.visa.com/personal/cards/debit/index.html
|
|
|
bajalera
Super Nomad
Posts: 1875
Registered: 10-15-2003
Location: Santa Maria CA
Member Is Offline
|
|
What a bummer, Ray--hope you get things straightened out soon.
\"Very few things happen at the right time, and the rest never happen at all. The conscientious historian will correct these defects.\" -
Mark Twain
|
|
|
C-Urchin
Nomad
Posts: 234
Registered: 12-17-2008
Location: La Paz
Member Is Offline
|
|
credit cards
| Quote: | Originally posted by bajajazz
Returning to BCS on a recent trip north, we used a credit card to pay for two nights of lodging at the Lazy 8 Motel in Tucson ("Tucson's Cleanest
Budget Motel" -- not) and the Mulege Hotel in, of course, Mulege.
One of these two establishments used our card information to make whopping purchases (of furniture, we think) and maxxed out our card, a fact we
discovered when it came time to use it again. Our bank immediately removed the fraudulent charges but we're still waiting for a new card to be
reissued and delivered to us here in La Paz. If it's sent by US/Mexican postal service it will be stolen and maxxed out again, if our past experience
is any guide.
Just a word to the wise when traveling by highway and using motels . . . |
American Express or cash.
|
|
|
C-Urchin
Nomad
Posts: 234
Registered: 12-17-2008
Location: La Paz
Member Is Offline
|
|
Jamaica and Visa
A couple pf years ago I was in Jamaica for a few days of scuba diving. I like to pay with Amex or cash. That's the way I operate. The dive shop asked
me to hold a credit card for deposit since I was paying cash for the day trip. I gave them a Visa since they did not accept Amex (always
suspicious...)
After I came home there were thousands of dollars of charges in Japan on that card. Japan. Jamaica, I never used it. Not even once. It was in the cash
drawer of the dive shop for the whole day, it did not leave my wallet at any other time.
No problem man!...
I'll never go there again. Mofos. Thieves. Bad diving anyway. Nothing works there. Too much mota. They hate white people. Bad food.
Don't get me started... Get Amex.
*Be the man your dog thinks you are
|
|
|
| Pages:
1
2 |
![[*]](images/xmbforum/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
