Caution about Credit Cards---

luv2teech7 · 10-21-2009, 05:36 PM

I haven't stepped foot in Ling and Son's since May; however a charge appeared today on my credit card. Fortunately, I noticed it before the bill arrived. (More reasons to check your accounts on line!) The reason I am posting here is very simple. I've never lost my wallet. I keep my cards in the safe when not being used. I was told by the issuing company that the charge was done "manually"...meaning the card wasn't necessarily there. Clearly it wasn't. I have it here, with me. Just wanted to warn you all. I don't want to send out unnecessary warning, but be sure to contact your credit card companies to notify them that you will be out of the country and the dates you will be there. I have traveled to Aruba 11 times in the past 4 years and have never before had any issues. But, it only takes one incident to change everything.....I will be there in less than 3 weeks and wholeheartedly intend to visit Ling and Sons while I'm there. They need to know that some dishonest employee is amongst them and that they've lost my business because of it. Please---check your credit card statements frequently!!!!

Randi · 10-21-2009, 05:39 PM

I always notify my CC companies of the dates I will be in Aruba. That is the best advise to give.

*Andrea J.* · 10-21-2009, 07:32 PM

could somone other than from LINGS have put charges on your card?
EX: Employee from Gift shop XYZ got your number from your card when you made a purchase for in May That person held your credit card number and then used it at Lings......maybe an online deliver order?

Sorry that this happened to you.
People's dishonesty is disheartening.

Andrea

Quote:

Originally Posted by luv2teech7

I haven't stepped foot in Ling and Son's since May; however a charge appeared today on my credit card. Fortunately, I noticed it before the bill arrived. (More reasons to check your accounts on line!) The reason I am posting here is very simple. I've never lost my wallet. I keep my cards in the safe when not being used. I was told by the issuing company that the charge was done "manually"...meaning the card wasn't necessarily there. Clearly it wasn't. I have it here, with me. Just wanted to warn you all. I don't want to send out unnecessary warning, but be sure to contact your credit card companies to notify them that you will be out of the country and the dates you will be there. I have traveled to Aruba 11 times in the past 4 years and have never before had any issues. But, it only takes one incident to change everything.....I will be there in less than 3 weeks and wholeheartedly intend to visit Ling and Sons while I'm there. They need to know that some dishonest employee is amongst them and that they've lost my business because of it. Please---check your credit card statements frequently!!!!

luv2teech7 · 10-21-2009, 10:46 PM

Good question, Andrea. Once my charges come through on my credit cards, I throw out all of my receipts. I can't say I do much while in Aruba, other than sit at the beach, the bar, or the casino. I did shop at Ling and Sons, though. I rarely use credit cards while on the island.....regardless, I was relieved it wasn't identity theft. Apparently just that one card.

*Andrea J.* · 10-21-2009, 11:01 PM

i am glad to hear it was just the one card.

isn't it great being able to check our credit card statements online?

andrea

Quote:

Originally Posted by luv2teech7

Good question, Andrea. Once my charges come through on my credit cards, I throw out all of my receipts. I can't say I do much while in Aruba, other than sit at the beach, the bar, or the casino. I did shop at Ling and Sons, though. I rarely use credit cards while on the island.....regardless, I was relieved it wasn't identity theft. Apparently just that one card.

lizzardo · 10-22-2009, 09:10 AM

Merchants seem to use each other card machines sometimes. Also we had a "mysterious" bill from a place that we had never heard from - it turned out to be Maggy's at the Passeo - but the merchant name did not indicate that. Took some investigation and help from the boards to figure it out.

wildewoman · 10-22-2009, 09:48 AM

That is very scary & sad too.

I always call the credit card company & let them when we are out of town - I also check my account on-line frequently. Especially if I think something is hinky.

We just returned from a trip to NY and we paid our last taxi with a CC - the machine kept saying DID NOT GO THROUGH - once it did & we checked in to the hotel I went on line & sure enough - it had gone through 3 times!!

I called the card & they said the charges were still pending & that I would have to wait until the taxi actually put the charges through - she did make a note on my account so if I called back they would be aware.

Luckily - the taxi only changed us once - but still - you need to be proactive when it comes to your money!!

Sorry to hear that.

TomFrederick · 10-22-2009, 11:41 AM

>>> "check your credit card statements frequently!!!!"
---- I do. But same thing has happen in the States. Twice to us in the States but never in Aruba. It happens everywhere. Last year wife was on a trip out WEST. A charge for over $1,000 was manually done to her card in a town like 10 miles from where she was. The card companies can tell when the # is enterred manually. We called them on the phone and the charge was removed right then. We got a new card and # and but never heard what happened.
>>> "They need to know that some dishonest employee is amongst them"
---- Think they know that since the Credit Card People would go back to them and charge them back the $$. Also last June when I charged at Lings they also asked to see my ID. If their cash registers are any good they should be able to tell who ran the charge through. Lings will continue to get my business.
>>> "My husband and I have been paying Cash at the stores in Aruba."
---- At restaurants in Aruba I always pay with Amer Express Travel Checks and cash. There a credit card can leave your sight and # copied.

wnysnow · 10-22-2009, 12:07 PM

My husband and I have been paying Cash at the stores in Aruba.

They still are accepting our currency

Sue

islandj · 11-03-2009, 09:30 AM

You have to be careful with charging here, if you look at the little receipt that they give you to sign it has you full credit card number on it. I know in the states they only show the last 4 numbers on the paper, but not here. Also dont just throw you receipts in the trash can here because like I said it has you full number on it, the trash goes through alot of hands. I would save them to shred back in the states.

10-21-2009, 05:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
luv2teech7 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 17	Caution about Credit Cards--- I haven't stepped foot in Ling and Son's since May; however a charge appeared today on my credit card. Fortunately, I noticed it before the bill arrived. (More reasons to check your accounts on line!) The reason I am posting here is very simple. I've never lost my wallet. I keep my cards in the safe when not being used. I was told by the issuing company that the charge was done "manually"...meaning the card wasn't necessarily there. Clearly it wasn't. I have it here, with me. Just wanted to warn you all. I don't want to send out unnecessary warning, but be sure to contact your credit card companies to notify them that you will be out of the country and the dates you will be there. I have traveled to Aruba 11 times in the past 4 years and have never before had any issues. But, it only takes one incident to change everything.....I will be there in less than 3 weeks and wholeheartedly intend to visit Ling and Sons while I'm there. They need to know that some dishonest employee is amongst them and that they've lost my business because of it. Please---check your credit card statements frequently!!!! Last edited by luv2teech7; 10-21-2009 at 05:55 PM.

10-21-2009, 05:39 PM	#2 (permalink)
Randi Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 1,044 Images: 9	I always notify my CC companies of the dates I will be in Aruba. That is the best advise to give. __________________ *Randi* *HOPING AVIS IS TRUE TO ITS WORD! SEE POSTINGS!* http://www.aruba.com/forum/f38/avis-deals-read-own-risk-if-sounds-too-good-true-38383/index6.html http://www.aruba.com/forum/f38/who-has-received-avis-rental-car-special-39053/#post141559 Next Aruba trip in

10-22-2009, 09:10 AM	#6 (permalink)
lizzardo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 402	Merchants seem to use each other card machines sometimes. Also we had a "mysterious" bill from a place that we had never heard from - it turned out to be Maggy's at the Passeo - but the merchant name did not indicate that. Took some investigation and help from the boards to figure it out. __________________ Beautiful house in Arashi for sale! www.arashibeachhouse.com Aruba Kitten Rescue www.arubakitten.org

10-22-2009, 09:48 AM	#7 (permalink)
wildewoman Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 142	That is very scary & sad too. I always call the credit card company & let them when we are out of town - I also check my account on-line frequently. Especially if I think something is hinky. We just returned from a trip to NY and we paid our last taxi with a CC - the machine kept saying DID NOT GO THROUGH - once it did & we checked in to the hotel I went on line & sure enough - it had gone through 3 times!! I called the card & they said the charges were still pending & that I would have to wait until the taxi actually put the charges through - she did make a note on my account so if I called back they would be aware. Luckily - the taxi only changed us once - but still - you need to be proactive when it comes to your money!! Sorry to hear that. __________________

10-22-2009, 11:41 AM	#8 (permalink)
TomFrederick Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 234	>>> "check your credit card statements frequently!!!!" ---- I do. But same thing has happen in the States. Twice to us in the States but never in Aruba. It happens everywhere. Last year wife was on a trip out WEST. A charge for over $1,000 was manually done to her card in a town like 10 miles from where she was. The card companies can tell when the # is enterred manually. We called them on the phone and the charge was removed right then. We got a new card and # and but never heard what happened. >>> "They need to know that some dishonest employee is amongst them" ---- Think they know that since the Credit Card People would go back to them and charge them back the $$. Also last June when I charged at Lings they also asked to see my ID. If their cash registers are any good they should be able to tell who ran the charge through. Lings will continue to get my business. >>> "My husband and I have been paying Cash at the stores in Aruba." ---- At restaurants in Aruba I always pay with Amer Express Travel Checks and cash. There a credit card can leave your sight and # copied. Last edited by TomFrederick; 10-22-2009 at 12:13 PM.

10-21-2009, 10:46 PM	#4 (permalink)
luv2teech7 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 17	Good question, Andrea. Once my charges come through on my credit cards, I throw out all of my receipts. I can't say I do much while in Aruba, other than sit at the beach, the bar, or the casino. I did shop at Ling and Sons, though. I rarely use credit cards while on the island.....regardless, I was relieved it wasn't identity theft. Apparently just that one card.

10-22-2009, 12:07 PM	#9 (permalink)
wnysnow Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Alto Vista Chapel, Renaissance Island, Arashi Beach Posts: 184	Quick Solution My husband and I have been paying Cash at the stores in Aruba. They still are accepting our currency Sue __________________ Next Aruba trip in

11-03-2009, 09:30 AM	#10 (permalink)
islandj Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 51	You have to be careful with charging here, if you look at the little receipt that they give you to sign it has you full credit card number on it. I know in the states they only show the last 4 numbers on the paper, but not here. Also dont just throw you receipts in the trash can here because like I said it has you full number on it, the trash goes through alot of hands. I would save them to shred back in the states.