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I am being asked to fax in a credit card authorization form for the hotel reservation I made when we left last year and being told "the bank" requires this. In the past I have verbally or electronically given the information but they want my signature this year. Since this is something new - I am a bit leery and wondering if this has become a new practice?
You can scan it an email it, that's what I do.
Thanks Booger - that is a good idea and it saves me having my credit card info right out there wherever I can find a fax machine!Quote:
Originally Posted by booger
i'd prefer paypal or a bank transfer
I've stayed at major hotel chains in states that have requested that I fax in a credit card authorization form. Now that most hotels have on-line reservations, there is not much need for them. I'm sure there are a few hotels in Negril that do not have on line reservation systems.
I like the idea of scanning and e-mailing the form.
Me too Seveen but they are insisting on this unfortunately. It is a change from the prior years which is why I found it strange and I don't like it one bit:(
too scary . . .Quote:
Originally Posted by plongdin
i had my credit card used in jamaica ---- and i wasn't even there
and emailing it doesn't make me feel any better . . .
Who told you this? The hotel? I would call them if you are not comfortable.
there are a ton of hotels in Negril that won't put you thru those hoops.....
in this world if they can't take it on the phone or on a secured server....you are out of luck.....
faxing and emails aren't secured....you are running a risk......
tell dem to setup a PayPal or some kind of secured account if they need a deposit etc before you reach.....
since you are an existing customer........tell them to wave it till you reach......
not like you haven't done business with them before......
if they don't.....go somewhere else.....
Cool Runnings, Marko
I'm in the insurance industry in Canada. Canada has pretty strict privacy legislation and for good reason. The companies I deal with discourage emailed personal information (especially credit card information). Such faxed information is, however, accepted. It's less likely to be hijacked. Such intercepted data can be used for obvious bad purposes. I am reluctant to email credit card information and prefer a secure online site or a verbal. My advice would be:
1 - Verbally provide the information (no paper OR electronic trail). Assuming the data is later destroyed.
2 - Use a secure online payment site such as Paypal or intuit or a secure website like Moneris or a similar respected company.
3 - Fax the information...ensuring your fax number is legit!!!!!!! and assume the data is later destroyed.
In the "old days", scum bags would simply pick the credit card carbons out from waste paper baskets or waste bins to obtain the required data. That similar risk still exists with faxes and phoned in information along with the potential for compromised electronic data.
Just saying.
Post script: Marko makes valid points regarding being a return customer "waive it until you reach" if possible. Failing that I personally would still fax an authorization knowing it's a valid number AND TRUSTING THE INFORMATION WOULD BE DESTROYED AFTER USE. Same thing with a verbal. Secure Online stands on it's own but is not without some risk.
OK let's face it......pretty much every remote method of payment has some risk. As in the insurance industry, it's a matter of managing that risk as much as reasonably possible..
Respect.
Fax is much less insecure than email. Each email you send goes through many servers on many networks, and you have no way to tell who might be storing or reading them. I would NEVER email someone my credit card info, even as an image. I'm in IT security, by the way.
Credit card transactions are protected by the credit card company. The burden is on the establishment to prove that it was legit. If not, the credit card company issues a chargeback to the establishment and the card user is off the hook. American Express is the toughest to do business with and they are the best when it comes to the user. I'm not going to share what I do for a living, however I take 6 digit loses in my business annually and clearly know how this works. The vast majority are fraud..... Organized crime being the biggest culprit.
Feel free to email your credit card info. If you need piece of mind use a different card than you plan to travel with in the rare event your card is compromised.
As Booger said. I use CCs for everything and have only had one incident where 700$ cash advance was drawn in Vegas while I was in Germany. One phone call all fixed. I have called in, faxed and emailed my CC info often. Never a problem.
As an alternative to sending credit card info, you might want to see if the hotel will accept a check. I have done business with a particular West End hotel that accepted a check as a deposit. In exchange, I was given a discounted rate since they did not have to endure any credit card processing fees. This particular business had a US mailing address (the owner lived in the States part of the year), so mailing a check was relatively cheap and easy.