I feel I need to post this, especially for those visiting Jamaica for the first time. It's been discussed before...and it's the first time it's happened to me in the close to 25 years I have been traveling to Jamaica.
My credit card was ripped off. Not physically, I've had it in my possession the entire time I was there November-January and since my return. I got a call from Citibank's fraud department...one of those automated calls...they wanted me to verify a $58US charge to a fast food restaurant. I've never hit the number "2" on my phone so fast and so hard.
Turns out there were a number of charges, starting this past Saturday at a number of establishments in Jamaica (not sure yet if it was Negril only or all over the island) amounting to about $600US. The interesting thing too is that I left the island on January 22nd...no unusual or illegal activity until just this past Saturday, just about 2 months since I've been home (ironically also the day I had my huge Jamaican themed party!)
One of the many lessons I've learned over the years was to limit my credit card use in Jamaica in general, in Negril in particular. There are only six establishments in Negril where I'll use it and never anywhere outside of Negril. Even with this precaution the number was picked up. While I will still carry my card there my plan is to go cash only everywhere from now on.
Before anyone asks, I will not name these establishments here with the exception of the HiLo Supermarket as they are a huge chain and it is not beyond the scope of reality that they have someone on the inside working to pull credit card numbers. The other establishments I know the proprietors personally as well as the staff so I'm going to innocently doubt the breach came from there. Citibank has the names of all theplaces I used the card as it is there responsibility to investigate.
So, here's my hard earned lesson that I'll share with all of you:
1. Don't use your credit card. Pay cash. If you MUST, such as in holding a hotel reservation check first to be sure they have a machine that runs the card over a phone line as opposed to just taking a swipe on one of those carbon machines. Even then, keep an eye on your statements and limit the use of that card for that purpose ONLY.
2. Alert your credit card company that you will be traveling in Jamaica. If their fraud department is anything like Citibank's they will keep an eye on all activity.
3. My card was used two months after I returned. When it was used it was used for smaller purchases at innoucuous places like a grocery store, a record store and a fast food restaurant. The charges did not exceed $250US...depending on how you use your credit card, these smaller charges can be lost in the sauce so to speak when you review your statement. Keep a close eye on your bills every month following your return from Jamaica.
This is not something that happens ONLY in Jamaica as you all well know...but Jamaica does have the dubious world-wide reputation as the "black hole of fraud". A lot of internet fraud and credit card fraud has been traced back there which is why companies like Amazon will not ship an internet order there. Citibank told me that they pay close attention to all charges eminating from Jamaica...thus my phone call this morning.
Boy, it's been quite the year for eye-opening experiences there concerning my personal and financial security!! All in all though, I'll be back in November again for a 2 to 2 1/2 month stay...just wiser and wiser each time.
