Be sure and check your bank balance daily upon return!!

[jamaicajeanne]

The problem is actually world wide....not just in Jamaica.
I have been sitting at my bankers desk (I am a banker, LOL) for the past 16 years. Fraud is rampant right now and only getting worse.

To those of you who have been unsuccessful at obtaining cash while on vacation. Many processing companies will no longer allow transactions from another country without prior authorization. It is necessary to call your bank or credit card to alert them that you may want your card to work while traveling internationally. Once you are skimmed or the network is hacked, duplicate cards can be made very easily and quickly and then sold internationally. Most of our fraud attempts occur during on line purchases from outside of the US as your number has been sold around the country. The fraudsters will try high dollar merchandise purchases.
Duplicate transactions are not usually fraud and can occur when there is a "hiccup" in the network.

Processing companies use a mathematical calculation to try to combat fraudulent transactions. We strive to make sure all contact information is correct on your account as our processor will literally shut down transactions that score too high and your card will become restricted for use if the fraud experts at your processing company cannot contact you.
In addition, your bank will not generally text you nor will the processing company....do not respond with personal details (acct #, SSN). If you receive a text from your bank, definitely give them a call instead of responding to the text.


There is no perfect solution.