I am in Buenos Aires at the moment and yesterday my husband had the unfortunate experience of being having his wallet stolen on the subte. As we were dealing with the task of informing credit card and banks of the situation, we discovered something on the credit card receipts that alarmed me. All of the receipts at restaurants and shops print out the entire credit card number with the expiration dates on the receipts! So, I just wanted to caution everyone to keep receipts secure. We are very experienced travelers and this is the first time in 30 years that we have had such a loss (guess that we have been lucky).

Many here in central Mexico do also.
M

Beware of petty theft in all of Central and South America, notably Mexico but also Peru.

I've seen it too, in Costa Rica. But how do you keep the receipts "secure" when the business keeps one? You would think something could be done about this.

I still see it on occasion in the states. Anywhere it opens you up to a creat potential for theft. Cuidado-

Bucerias:

I have had a concern about credit card information on the receipts too.

At home in Canada, when the full credit card number is printed, I block out much of that number with my pen when I sign. I leave the last 4 numbers but no more.

When I do sign the receipt, the purchase has already been approved so I do not feel bad to mark out most of the number.

I have yet to be challenged about doing this, but I am at home when I do.

Travelling to most countries I do not use my credit card but rather cash withdraw from an ATM. That ATM account is at a bank where I have no other accounts [for them to KINDLY transfer money without my knowledge]. This limits my risk to only what is in that account, not a small amount of risk but limited.

I also carry some money in traveller cheques even though the fee is higher. Of course I enter the country with some local cash that I get at home before departure.

Hope this is of help.

Woodie

I'm sorry to hear about your husband's stolen wallet, Bucerias. I hope things can be resolved without TOO much hassle.

I like your approach to crossing out the number, Woodie. Yes, this has always concerned me too.

I just checked out of a hotel in Guatemala this morning and the credit card receipt showed only the last four digits of my card number. Hooray!

Woodie, you have an excellent idea in setting up an ATM account that is separate from your regular checking. Pretty easy to do as well. We recently started a new online checking (for Advantage points) and are going to use it in that way. I can go online and transfer $$ from our main account to it, and then use the ATM card that goes with the lesser account. The one thing about the new acct. that I regret is that it isn't Plus, which would be much more compatible with most ATM's in CR. We just about have to rely on Bank of San Jose ATM's with our Cirrus card. Fortunately, that is what they have at the airport!

We are fortunate to be former military and USAA has announced a new ATM card that reimburses you for all fees from other banks including foreign charges.

This might be a good time to start a travel account with a company we don't use otherwise. We have thought about it before but usually just bring cash. People always tell us we are crazy to carry cash but at least we knew that was all we would loose. Not so if they get ahold of a cc number. There have always been warnings of using cc's at stores because the employees can easily get the info from the slip. There are still businesses using the slide/paper press machine to keep a record.

Thanks for reminding us. I hope things work out for you.

Thanks all for the great ideas. We just returned from Buenos Aires after quite a round about way because of the recent rain storm. Our plane was "grounded" in Uraguay so went home via New York, then San Diego, and finally home to Seattle. Anyway, a cab driver turned in the credit cards to the American Embassy (the thiefs probably took a cab and pocketed the money and left the rest). We have a phone message from the Embassy today regarding the cards. Learned lots this trip!

Glad there was some resolution for you. Welcome home!