[parurorges]

Sad to report I have just heard from my bank that my credit card number was used in santo Domingo two weeks ago. I have not been in country for several months. Card has been closed, now to file fraud paperwork. It's a shame. I was staying in punta Cana last year and used my card at nacional and the mail box place exclusively. I was very careful where I used it. Beware.

[Mello]

Breach in the processing company, I have my card attached to a account that I only wire money to to withdraw from.

[Hpdovoxm]

Another confirmation that out of country credit cards should never be used in the DR. As mentioned it is not where you used it but the processing center that is usually the problem.

[soprofaxel]

Just to add additional confirmation - I had it happen to me also on my BofA card. The credit fraud protection kicked - and I did not lose any money because of that. But did have to get a new card. I even changed my ATM pass code, just to be safe, even though it was a new card.
But I think you are right that it is happening at the processing center. Because I used my card at reputable places or known places - so should have been safe - then much later charges had shown up that I did not do and did not match up with any of my travels.

[Cabinanteerip]

The same thing happened to one of my sisters last year.I don't use my credit card,while I'm here.
I pay everything in cash.

[rowneigerie]

This happens frequently in the USA as well.

[Hpdovoxm]

This happens frequently in the USA as well.

I am very glad to hear that this "happens everywhere" which is totally irrelevant to what happens ALL THE TIME in the DR. It happened to me two times in the DR and I used my credit card perhaps 4 times. I used my credit card in the US thousands of times and it never happened.
You do the math.

[styhorporry]

It can happen anywhere. But that's beside the point. Actually, if you're the victim of credit card fraud, (or as the banks like to call it, "identity theft", which is actually something different and far worse), you really don't loose anything, the banks have your back on that. If you're robbed of cash... you're screwed. canceling your cards is a pain in the ass, but ONLY a p.i.t.a., the only thing lost is a little time and effort. The banks loose some money, but that is figured into their operating costs and you've already paid for it with your fees.

[BUMbaronos]

It can happen anywhere. But that's beside the point. Actually, if you're the victim of credit card fraud, (or as the banks like to call it, "identity theft", which is actually something different and far worse), you really don't loose anything, the banks have your back on that. If you're robbed of cash... you're screwed. canceling your cards is a pain in the ass, but ONLY a p.i.t.a., the only thing lost is a little time and effort. The banks loose some money, but that is figured into their operating costs and you've already paid for it with your fees.

Sounds good if t worked that way! I bought a bit over 4000 pesos of food at La Sirena en Puerto Plata on the 30th day of April and they charged me accordingly and they charged me again the following day for the same exact amount $131.24. I walked into the store on the 4 th of May and laked to the person at customer service. She said there was nothing she could do. I'd have to ake it up with my bank. I did I filed a double charge form with my Texas bank and then 60 days later they informed me that La Sirena had prven that the charge was valid. And I lost the money.
Der Fish

[griddle]

Bottom line here is, anybody that uses a CC or debit card here is a favorite to have your card compromised. But hey, "it happens everywhere", just a lot more in the DR.

[Hpdovoxm]

It can happen anywhere. But that's beside the point. Actually, if you're the victim of credit card fraud, (or as the banks like to call it, "identity theft", which is actually something different and far worse), you really don't loose anything, the banks have your back on that. If you're robbed of cash... you're screwed. canceling your cards is a pain in the ass, but ONLY a p.i.t.a., the only thing lost is a little time and effort. The banks loose some money, but that is figured into their operating costs and you've already paid for it with your fees.

If you have had it happen to you while living here, I think you would think differently about the "little time and effort" that it takes to fix the problem. I agree that those on travel here have less to worry about.

[Hpdovoxm]

It can happen anywhere. But that's beside the point. Actually, if you're the victim of credit card fraud, (or as the banks like to call it, "identity theft", which is actually something different and far worse), you really don't loose anything, the banks have your back on that. If you're robbed of cash... you're screwed. canceling your cards is a pain in the ass, but ONLY a p.i.t.a., the only thing lost is a little time and effort. The banks loose some money, but that is figured into their operating costs and you've already paid for it with your fees.

If you have had it happen to you while living here, I think you would think differently about the "little time and effort" that it takes to fix the problem. I agree that those on travel here have less to worry about. Just don't use your credit card here.

[Npbfamgt]

My gf put 1500$/RD in gas at a Shell around Moca a couple of weeks ago. Shortly after(the same day), exactly 2000$/RD was stolen from her account via an online transaction. It took about ten days to get it straightened out with Banco Popular. Then she goes to withdraw from another bank's ATM and gets a receipt stating that the amount requested has been deducted from her account, but no money was dispensed. She notifies the bank and they tell her to take it up with BP.

[KJnbceja]

I only use local debt cards and American Express here - never had a problem with Amex in 20 years. The local BanReservas put a hold on my card when I made withdrawals out of my area and not in the usual amount. I had to go into the bank and explain the charge = which was under 1000 pesos. OK so it took a few HOURS of my life but somehow I did appreciate that BanReservas was making the effort to protect me.

When I first came here, I had my major ATM card used in the Ukraine. the bank automatically stopped it and I had to get a new one sent to my sister;s address etc etc etc .. That took over a MONTH.. So I NEVER use the big account US account here. In fact, I lost the ATM card and never applied for a new one.. just use checks, as I do for one of my accounts here...

ok.. i just got that one and it is hard to write

tres mil quatro cien trente ocho .. out on the legal line

but I feel safe!!!

[M1zdL0hh]

we use a dominican credit card on a daily basis, never had a problem. neither in DR nor in any of our trip to europe. but someone did a nice shopping with miesposo's card in NYC, few days after he came back from a trip there. and two of my polish friends who have visited chicago on two different occasions had money stolen from their cards after they came back.
so go figure, to it sounds like USA sucks more than DR when it comes to the credit card fraud.

also, funnily enough, it took less time and effort to get monies back from a dominican bank in DR than from a polish bank in PL.

[Hpdovoxm]

Using local cards does not seem to be a problem here. Those committing fraud at the local processing center avoid them. No idea why AMEX has been immune for Mountainannie, but I dropped AMEX years ago.

[MizzDaizzy]

Been using a local Visa Credit Card from Banco Popular for over 3 years and never a problem.........
And I use it quite a bit............
I only use my U.S. Visa for Ebay purchases..........
Bottom line..........DON'T USE A U.S. CREDIT CARD HERE.............

B in Santiago

[M1zdL0hh]

Using local cards does not seem to be a problem here.

Bottom line..........DON'T USE A U.S. CREDIT CARD HERE

there may be something there. i had several visitors over the years, all of them from europe. all used their credit cards. none had any problem whatsoever...

[Kiariitf]

Want to ask you guys something.

What if you go into a Dominican bank and have them withdraw cash from your credit card would that be any safer or is that the same as using the CC in a store/gas station?

[adesseridopaw]

Want to ask you guys something.

What if you go into a Dominican bank and have them withdraw cash from your credit card would that be any safer or is that the same as using the CC in a store/gas station?

I always withdraw money inside the bank, and i have never experienced any problems doing this. I also put money into my Dominican card, so if i need something i can use that card instead of using my European card.