US Embassy Warning via Credit Card Fraud

[Chip]

Originally Posted by richardmci

You can set up wires so you initiate them with just a telephone call from anywhere in the world by completing an authorization form with your bank (e.g. Wachovia)

richard

Sounds good in theory, however the only bank I know of that will do it is Citibank, and they have no branches in the south and they are are a royal pain in the arse to open an account on line, ie they rejected me numerous times.

I will give you the benefit of the doubt and call Wachovia tomorrow.

Originally Posted by richardmci

You can also authorize someone in the US, even a friend, with a power of attorney for financial matters, by stopping in at your US bank and signing the forms together. They can then initiate the wire on your instruction via email or telephone.

I'm aware of this, but this really is a big inconvenience for most people as I need my money transfered frequently.

[Lambada]

Just to let people know...........another outbreak of cloned credit cards in Sosua. Cloned off Banreservas & the crims attempted to use them at Banco Santa Cruz.
Puerto Plata Digital

[richardmci]

well thanx for the "benefit of the doubt", but there is nothing "theoretical" or "inconvenient" about wire transfers ... this is the primary way that funds are transferred internationally.

If you don't want to use wires, you can walk into your local DR bank with your US credit card and take periodic cash advances from it, depositing the funds into your dollar account. But you'd pay the 3% or $75 cash advance fee (which is not that much more than the wire fee.) Whether by wire, credit card advance or other means, you should be funding a local bank account.

The point being that its a whole lot smarter to use a local bank's peso debit / ATM card (in which you are carrying minimal balances) for everyday living rather than be waving around a USD credit card or worse, a debit card tied to your primary US account. That's just an accident waiting to happen. A lot of the pain and suffering reported here can be avoided with reasonable steps.

but what do I know ... i'm just a newby.

richard

[Dafishguy]

I was also the victim of credit card duplication and I know exactly where it happened too. I had thought I used the card at one other location but upon reviewing my charges online, I found it was another card I used.

I used my Canadian Tire credit card at Pricesmart in Santiago for some house wares. The store told me my card had a problem. A manager I assume took the card to the back for just a minute. When he came back he told me my card had been declined.

When I called the card company they told me the purchase had actually been approved but had not been posted to my account yet BUT on the very next day the thieves tried to use my card in Paris France, Tokyo, Japan and Dallas Texas as well as for some online purchases. These were duplicated cards. The purchases tried at stores were swiped into the machine at each location.

Because the company knew I was in the DR they declined ALL the purchases and froze my account. None of the fake charges went through including the one that was approved at Pricesmart. Their fraud department were definitely on the ball where my account was concerned.

All I can say is if someone wants to take your card out of your sight don't let them. Tell them that you won't allow it and call the card company immediately to see if there is in fact a problem.

Thank you Canadian Tire fraud department for saving me the hassle of trying to get charges removed. Just one more story of theft or attempted theft of credit card information.

Rick

[Charlielyn]

Sounds like my situation all over again. Maybe we should link the 2 posts.

[on the road again]

Originally Posted by Adam Spenser

I was speaking to a friend of mine in the DR tonight about this post. He wanted to know if the fraud only applied to US credit cards or DR credit cards as well.

Adam

I believe it's not just US cards that are at risk. A Serbian friend here with a debit card on an Austrian bank and our Canadian Visa card were copied. I assume that means that DR cards would also be at risk.

[GALK]

To Chris:

I read the article in Listin Diario well, the thieves caught were employed by VisaNet.
How you protect yourself from getting the personal datas stolen when the thieves not even need your card to copy the datas?

By the way, I'm using credit cards since 1986 in the DR, uncountable times, of course not for bills of less then 1000 Pesos, had 1 time a small problem in the early 90's, got the card changed and the money back.
I could even limit the places where they got the card number to 4 well known restaurants in the capital.
Paying a bill in a restaurant means you will have to trust them, because the card goes with the waiter and he comes back with the voucher one has to sign.

And now this time, again Visa was alerted and I've been informed that I will not have any costs arising from this fraud.

In addition, it would be difficult for me to advise the card companies where I intend to use my cards, as I'm travelling frequently between the DR, USA and Europe.

Still I find it the more comfortable and safest way of paying.

GALK

[jojo2130]

Yeah,

I am Canadian and my Card is Canadian as well.
I had the same call from Mastercard Security 2 Saturdays ago.
They are really on the ball.

They said they had to cancel immediately as the number had been stolen and charges would start within hours.

This is the second time for me too. about 5 or 6 years ago in Montreal I was told that the card had been scanned into a hand held scanner. the information is stored and then used to make a duplicate card. (this is how I understood it)

Probably a good time to keep the card in my pocket although I rarely use it except online.

Thanks for the info... I don't feel so simgled out now ! LOL

[cobraboy]

Originally Posted by Chip

I'm aware of this, but this really is a big inconvenience for most people as I need my money transfered frequently.

Chip, on the suggestion of a businessman I know and trust, I found that when a Cambio knows you and trusts you, they can act as a "bank" of sorts. I write personal checks drawn on my U.S. bank for my larger cash needs, and use a trusted ATM, just one at Banco Popular, for minor cash needs.

Heck, when I needed US$12,500 for certified checks drawn on BanReserves for Adaunas, he cashed my check and converted it to pesos at the top rate with a day notice.

My friend has thriving businesses and rarely uses a Dominican bank.

There are more than one way to skin a cat.

[pyratt]

A company in the USA is offering protection for up to $1million USD in fraud.

Costs $10 per month, called LifeLock. I always let the credit card companies know when I am OCONUS...and where I'll be using the cards....