irecommend

We returned from Africa almost two months ago and one of the members of our group just reported a $2000 charge to his credit card on Dec 16 from one of the gift shops that we had stopped at.
It is probably advisable to only use cash at these stops.

Celia

You don't say what country or city you were in, but I have found in South Africa, over 14 or 15 trips over the last 30 years, that we've never experienced any credit card fraud at all. We've used our cards at all kinds of places, and never had any trouble.

I'm sorry for your friend. I hope the credit card company can clear it up quickly.

Celia

cwn

I will second this caution! Especially if your are dealing with a SA company.

Several months ago we booked with Kirkmans Kamp through CCAfrica in SA direct. According to them their bank (in SA) needed a photocopy of both sides of the credit card. Sent the copies of the credit card to CCAfrica Agent. After the CCAfrica charge went through, about two weeks later we had two separate charges on the card totaling over $2000.

The credit card company called us as soon as the charges hit...as they also came from a SA non travel related source...to check if they were actually good and should be paid. Of course, they weren't so the card company refused them after checking with us. We were heavy into planning for this 5 month trip at the time so the card company sent a new card.

It is now time to pay the balance...talked to card company... they said to go ahead and charge it and they will watch for bad charges from SA sources.

We did complain to the CCAfrica agent and she said she would report it to mangemant. Yes, we could have paid with a bank transfer and have done that for another trip, but it is expensive and involved. We would rather use the credit card.

I have been arranging for this trip over the internet and have used our card in Australia, New Zealand, Japan, China, Thailand, Cambodia, Egypt and Jordan over the last six months making reservations/deposits and the only place that wanted the photo copies was CCAfrica in SA. That is the only problem we have had! So yes, we will pay with cash when we actually get to SA.

ShayTay

Most of the companies overseas that take credit cards charge the merchant fees back to the purchaser. That can be 3% or more. Of course, you get the protection of the credit card company if the services are not provided. I use Washington Mutual to wire funds to Africa. The account is free, as is the wire transfer, which is a good deal.

As for using cash, be careful, as robberies can occur. Use a money belt and keep only a small amount in an outside wallet. The danger would be mainly in the cities, but I always use the money belt even in safari camps. I do the same in any major city in the world when I'm carrying cash, not just African cities.

I crunched the numbers one year after traveling in South Africa and found that I got more "bang for my buck" by using cash from an ATM than by using my credit card. The ATM fees were lower than the exchange rate fees my credit card company charged.

cwn

ShayTay,

You are right about not carrying a lot of cash, ATM's being a good deal and using a money belt for any cash. That is what we do, once we leave the US. Though we still like to pay the big bill's...hotels and any big purchase with the credit card.

I was really commenting on this first time experience for us.

ShayTay

CWN, I certainly am not disagreeing with you. I'd also use a credit card for large purchases in-country. I just thought that folks might like to know how the dollars compare when all is said and done. It's a shame that someone tried to rip you off. Fortunately, the credit card companies have good screening software that often catches unusual charges.

lbodem

When I travel outside my home country (for me the US) I call the credit card company ahead of time and give them my itinerary. They seem to take it seriously so I think it is a good idea. I had a problem once when I was in Hong Kong and the credit card company didn't want to accept my charges. What a hassle.

ShayTay

I do the same; both for credit and debit cards. Yes, they DO take it seriously! Of course, if the fraud happens in that foreign country, such as what happened to CWN, then they may not catch it.

Back2Sabi

About 10 days after I returned from SA in June, I got two calls from Amex. Apparently, someone had stolen my CC number and used it to buy about $170 worth of meat from a butcher on two occasions and also spent $57 going to the movies. Was I worried? No. They were the ones who caught it first, investigated it and absolved me of all charges. (And sent me a new card free of charge overnight.) I don't worry about stuff like that because that is what I pay them for: that protection. Of course we all pay for it in the end with higher yearly fees and interest rates, but the collective cost doesn't make me use my CC any less oversees. And I doubt my not using my CC -- thus being fraud-proof -- would lower those costs any!

I'm pretty sure someone from the rental car agency took the number. They had a copy of the card on file AND the final charges for the rental did not go through until the day before the fraudulent charges started up. (Nine days after we had returned the car!)

About three years ago, my mother returned from SA and two weeks later someone charged $450 in car tires to her card. She, too, was absolved. I just assumed it was pretty common!

cary999

Gotta agree with B2S. Using a credit card is pretty good protection. More protection than carrying a wade of cash. We use a bank ATM card for cash withdrawal as required. Less fees than the CC that starts charging you exorbitant interest rates the moment you get the cash. ATM has same protection as CC. At least in USA.

regards - tom

ann_nyc

Tom, I agree with what you said in general, but I'm not sure that the laws protecting ATM cards are the same as credit cards -- I would just double check that detail.

cwn

Back2Sabi,

Just to clarify my situation. We have not made the trip yet. we leave next riday. We also just arranged for our rental car last week through American Express. CCAfrica was the only company that had our card information at the time and they had photo copies of the card. We will soon see if it happens again since we just paid the final payment this week.

This situation did prove to us once again the value of using the card and its protecrion.

amycyma

question on cash

i am going to Botswana in May. the travel operator in this case African Adventure Co suggested that i bring what seems to me a lot of cash- neatly arranged in envelopes for tips to the camp guides and staff, and then a wad of $1 bills for extraneous "tips". i will of course have a money belt.

Is this what you all would recommend. As i don't really think i will have access to ATM machines etc, and besides i think they prefer the tips in US currency.

and I concur with the advice of alerting your CC co about your travel plans-

cary999

annnyc - with BofA your ATM liability is $0. So they told me, but have not tested them.

Cash for guide, staff tips, depending, your tip total for two people could be $500-$1000. You want to carry that much cash around? I use CC for those bigger tips. You can put the amount with guide/staff name on your camp bill. I do take maybe $100 in crisp $1 bills for various tips.

Cash - don't carry anymore than you are willing to lose. This one I have tested I've been pickpocket a few times in Europe and South America. But they always get very little, maybe just a tourist guide map .

And agree, do tell your CC and ATM that you will be out of country. That caught me once but no big problem.

regards - tom

ShayTay

Yes, amycyma, this is what I've done on all my safaris. If you find that gets too bulky with all those envelopes, you could also just wrap each bundle of cash in an inch-wide strap of paper and mark on it what it's for. Take extra cash in larger denominations, too ($5 or $10). You may find that the service of the guides or camps is extraordinary and you might want to tip extra or you might want to purchase some souvenirs. At one of our Botswana camps, the ladies in the camp had woven some baskets which were for sale. We managed to squeeze a couple in our bags.

sf7307

Your individual bank may have even better policies, but this link explains the MAXIMUM liability under federal law for unauthorized use of a credit or debit card:

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/cons...dit/cre04.shtm

sandi

This problem with credit cards can happen anywhere. While it hasn't happened to me, it has to friends when we've been on the same trip in France, Turkey and Kenya. In all instances it was when both of us were making purchases at the same time and unfortunately, my friend's credit card was charged and only a few minutes after the initial purchase.

Somehow, if one wants use your cc number, get into your bag or pick your pocket, they will.

Whether at home or when traveling, I always keep my cc separate from notes, notes from change... to the extent that I keep notes (local and USD in separate wallets); if someone gets into my stuff it would be rare to get everything... been lucky so far.

We always have to be cautious.

tockoloshe

"According to them their bank (in SA) needed a photocopy of both sides of the credit card."

I too was surprised to be asked for this - for a booking in Botswana through a South African company. I didn't like the idea of giving them my signature so I just sent them the usual information (card no., name, expiry date and security no.) and told them that my credit card issuer wouldn't allow me to send them a photocopy of my card. It worked, the payment went through.

divine54

i think an authorisation form with all details should do. i don't send them copies of front/back despite often requested. somehow i am hesitant to cope fron/back.
as the payment is due in advance also in order to secure a booking i think it should be sufficient to send the form by fax.
CC company will accept that without front/back.

div

suehoff

Interesting, because we too, almost immediately after returning from SA were informed by our CC co. (to whom I had also given a complete itinerary) that several charges had shown up (new tires, etc) I think the itinerary really assisted us/the cc co. because the charges were made one day after we left the country. The timing seemed to coincide w/ some purchases made in Victoria Market in Durban, but I was apprehensive as several of our bookings required a front/back copy of our CC.