Credit Card Fraud - MAKE SURE YOU CHECK YOUR STATEMENTS WHEN YOU RETURN HOME

This is one of the most aggravating crimes there are. It is nearly impossible to find out who is responsible. Our checking account got skimmed a couple months back -- only $300, no where near what flip had -- and I am still stewing about it, and reticent to use my debit card anywhere. Charges were in Florida (I have never been to Florida), and were in rapid succession. Bank caught it and shut the card off.

I have a Visa card I use for Jamaica; on the card is a square chip, I saw on the News one night to take the card and put a hole in the chip. I used a punch hole tool. This way they can't get any of your information. Never had any troubles. I also check my account a few times a week.

According to a Huffington Post news story - over 1000 US retailers may be infected with credit card gathering hacking malware:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/0...n_5701897.html

Just one company, interestingly enough called Target has been targeted with millions of credit card accounts hacked:

"The battle between retailers and hackers is an ongoing one. Retail giant Target, based in Minneapolis, was targeted by hackers last year and disclosed in December that a data breach compromised 40 million credit and debit card accounts between Nov. 27 and Dec. 15. On Jan. 10, it said hackers stole personal information — including names, phone numbers and email and mailing addresses — from as many as 70 million customers."

In this day and age - ALWAYS check your bank and credit card statements - this is world we live in and it is a world wide issue. The only way to combat it is to keep checking your statements. It has nothing to do with travelling anywhere... it is simply the price we all pay for using the convenience of plastic money....

You are correct Rob this happens everywhere and everyone should remain diligent. I don't think the reason for this post was to accuse Jamaica of being the only place this happens. Protect your cc anywhere you go. That said.. I work for a large wirehouse. We offer cards to our clients. I see the inner workings of card fraud. It is rampant everywhere. Not just Jamaica. With that said, flip, I believe you are correct if I understand the details your card was probably stolen at the airport on the way out or from the room before leaving. The facts that I have heard are: two different couples, no use of card on the island, two different card companies, same fraudulent charges, fraud charges were local (not overseas), both charges were made soon after departure. This is all to coincidental to blame on blind luck. It can happen anywhere but if I were investigating I think the details point to one of two obvious possibilities. And no it is not hard to recreate a card after skimming. To say that they coincidentally were both stolen before leaving the us (by target or anyone else) then coincidentally we're charged to the same place in the same country immediately after a visit is a bigger stretch than I have ever seen. To me the cards were stolen on the rock... As they could have been anywhere. To try to deny that it happened in Jam seems a bit far fetched to me. Regardless of where you live.

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Originally Posted by InnaDiRed

You are correct Rob this happens everywhere and everyone should remain diligent. I don't think the reason for this post was to accuse Jamaica of being the only place this happens. Protect you cc anywhere you go. That said.. I work for a large wirehouse. We offer cards to our clients. I see the inner workings of card fraud. It is rampant everywhere. Not just Jamaica. With that said, flip, I believe you are correct if I understand the details your card was probably stolen at the airport on the way out or from the room before leaving. The facts that I have heard are: two different couples, no use of card on the island, two different card companies, same fraudulent charges, fraud charges were local (not overseas), both charges were made soon after departure. This is all to coincidental to blame on blind luck. It can happen anywhere but if I were investigating I think the details point to one of two obvious possibilities. And no it is not hard to recreate a card after skimming. To say that they coincidentally were both stolen before leaving the us (by target or anyone else) then coincidentally we're charged to the same place in the same country immediately after a visit is a bigger stretch than I have ever seen. To me the cards were stolen on the rock... As they could have been anywhere. To try to deny that it happened in Jam seems a bit far fetched to me. Regardless of where you live.

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Agreed 100%. Someone in JA stole their card info, that seems pretty clear.

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Originally Posted by SLP

I always let my credit card and debit card companies know when I am going away. They ask the dates and how long I'll be there. If any charges seem out of sorts they call me and check. It's worthwhile to take the time and make the calls.

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I always make the call now. One time I didn't and my cc company wouldn't allow any charges to the card!

Also.. I may catch some flack for this but Huffington post is considered a credible source by 60% of the US population at best. Less than wikipedia. The target breech was before Xmas and was addressed well b4 flips trip. Not to say his card could not have been compromised in the US but the facts are hard to ignore.

I too believe that g-link may have absolutely nothing to do with this so I appreciate your defense, Rob.

For our next trip I was thinking of buying an aluminium wallet that is supposed to protect your credit cards from being scanned while they are in your pocket. Has anyone else tried this and if so, how well did it work?

Greg. I think buying a sleeve is a great idea. Don't wait til your trip. Do it now. You can get skimmed in any mall in any country. It only makes a difference if your card has a microchip, however. If no chip.. No need.

To be clear. I wasn't accusing g - link. Just saying that's where the charge was made.