Credit Card Fraud

[Robert]

Originally Posted by rio2003

That is very true, but in the US and UK measures are being bought in all the time in an effort to try to combat this and outwit the fraudsters. The old method of a manual swipe and handwriting of the docket is just about obsolete here now but is still very widely used in the DR.

Rio

You must live in a different part of the DR to me

If it's so widely used here, why haven't I received a hand written docket in the past 4-5 years? What popular businesses still do this?

[mobrouser]

In addition to checking your CC statement as soon as it arrives for errors, you should also have one credit card with a relatively low limit on it. $1000.00 to $1500.00 that you use only for what you might think of as "risky" purchases.

On-line transactions, out of country travelling expenses, damage deposit for a car rental--that sort of thing. Fraudulent charges would be easy to spot on the statement, and with the low limit, should the CC company not be as co-operative as Charlielyn's, (highly unlikely) the short and long term effect on your credit rating is minor.

[DrChrisHE]

Originally Posted by SKY

It seem to me that the people that live here all the time, like Robert do not have these problems. This is only conjecture, but the non residents stick out like a sore thumb here, and possibly the people doing the scamming would rather pick on someone that is gone quickly.

Just an educated guess.

I think you are right. I've notice that even the hawkers of the DR tourist stuff have stopped asking me if I want to buy anything--even in areas where I don't frequent much here. It could be the tan (although I'm not very tan) or a certain 'look' we give them. Then again, it could be that after 2 years in the DR sun, all my clothing is as faded as the locals!

I'd hate to "jinx" myself but we use our debit card all the time (with normal precautions). My BIGGEST problem so far has been our card companies having a tizzy over the charges in the DR and then issue a STOP on all action down here because they think the card is stolen. They now have little notes in their files, but I still have a daily limit in place for safety.

We've mentioned this before, but one always needs to get and check receipts. This includes ATMS--before you leave the terminal count your money and look at your receipt. Dh has had two times when he's been shorted. Our bank took care of it, but it IS a pain.

[DrChrisHE]

Originally Posted by Robert

You must live in a different part of the DR to me

If it's so widely used here, why haven't I received a hand written docket in the past 4-5 years? What popular businesses still do this?

There are still places in San Pedro de Macoris that use that ancient method. I have been to small clothing outlets and also a school bookstore (both run out of homes) in the city of SPM that did this. I wouldn't say they were popular but they did a lot of business each time (repeatedly) that I was in each store.

[montreal]

Originally Posted by DrChrisHE

I think you are right. I've notice that even the hawkers of the DR tourist stuff have stopped asking me if I want to buy anything--even in areas where I don't frequent much here. It could be the tan (although I'm not very tan) or a certain 'look' we give them. Then again, it could be that after 2 years in the DR sun, all my clothing is as faded as the locals!

I'd hate to "jinx" myself but we use our debit card all the time (with normal precautions). My BIGGEST problem so far has been our card companies having a tizzy over the charges in the DR and then issue a STOP on all action down here because they think the card is stolen. They now have little notes in their files, but I still have a daily limit in place for safety.

We've mentioned this before, but one always needs to get and check receipts. This includes ATMS--before you leave the terminal count your money and look at your receipt. Dh has had two times when he's been shorted. Our bank took care of it, but it IS a pain.

Right on! Even if you are white and blonde (like many dominicans), if you look like you know where you are going then you will pass as a resident. Tourists on vacation tend to walk around with their heads in the air taking everything in. The sandals, shorts and flower print also don't help though ; )

[trabajadora]

Hey Charlielyn, so sorry this happened to you on your last visit. I appreciate the reminder to check all bank accounts, credit card statements, etc. My sister is arriving here for vacation today (POP) and just yesterday she emailed me asking which credit card she should bring (AMEX or VISA) as she was not planning to bring much cash. Just for this very reason (a lot of credit card fraudulent charges), I attempted to defer her from using her card and advised her to bring cash instead. She is hard-headed and is doing what she wants. So I told her that I'd advise her to at least bring 2 cards, not just one, just in case something happens (fraudulent charges) and she has to close one card immediately; she'd still have another one to use. And with your reminder, I'll be doubly sure to tell her to check all of her statements closely. Thanks again for the alert.

[rio2003]

Originally Posted by Robert

You must live in a different part of the DR to me

If it's so widely used here, why haven't I received a hand written docket in the past 4-5 years? What popular businesses still do this?

Puerto Plata - Robert

In January this year and June last year I had manual dockets given to me at POP airport by two different car rental companies and again at a restaurant in town..

Sorry, for that reason I thought it was more commonplace than it obviously is.


Rio

[Alyonka]

Yes, tourists, especially females, are one of the main target categories for scammers. Those who commit fraud think - her husband is going to pay the bill and will not notice anything or she is not going to pay attention. Hotels where you stay and restaurants add charges for products you have not used or calls you have not made. It has happened to me a couple of times in various places. That is why I only bring cash and stay in hotels I can pay cash for even if they are not the nicest ones out there. I would rather be safe than having to call my credit card company and spend time filling out the paper work about a fraud case.

[edm7583]

Yes, credit card fraud is a problem in most of Latin America, but it is particulary rampant in the DR. In all my trips, I have used my credit card exactly one time. (at an international hotel chain in Santo Domingo.) The transaction went through, but after I used it, my credit card company put a security block on my card simply because a transaction was made in the Dominican Republic. I didn't realize it until I was back in the States and I tried to use the card and it was rejected. I was told it is their policy to put a security block on cards when transactions appear from the DR.

I would never use a credit card there, except in an absoulte emergency where I had no other option, and I very rarely (if ever) use an ATM there. When I do, it's located right at the bank and during opening hours.

[Charlielyn]

Originally Posted by leekiv

or was the number just manually input. In that I mean can the bank tell you that it was swiped? Can they tell? Just curious and glad you caught it.Best of luck to you.

The bank told me that it was swiped.