Beware of credit card fraud!1!!1!

[JeebusLives]

Ok so I left the island for the last time last week and today I got a phone call from my credit card company saying that there has been some suspicious activity on my account the last 2 days.


It was 2 charges for $20 chippe cards $10 somewhere else and 2 $800 plane tickets on KLM airlines.

So like i said, beware of credit card fraud :p

O and someone tell MyStore to stop printing the entire credit card number and expiration date on every receipt, I tried to keep them all safe in my wallet but i guess i got lazy/forgetful and left one somewhere behind. Partially my fault i suppose but still, its stupid to have the whole number on those things.

[golfman]

That is what you get for leaving without telling your local island girlfriend goodbye. We all know how friendly you were with those locals. ;)

[bigkap87]

This happened to a friend of mine as well. I would also suggest just using cash for winair tickets and that is all I am going to say.

[JeebusLives]

yea i told a friend about it and he said it happened to him after sending him info to winair.

[raptors]

Do you think it's safe booking a Winair flight through expedia?

[golfman]

Yes it is, but you will pay MUCH more compared to what you would pay at the airport at Saba. If you are coming to saba for the first time, i'd suggest taking the boat since Win-air has recently changed their baggage costs and it is much cheaper to take the Dawn II as a result. If you are only coming with 1 bag and 1 carry-on then I would take Win-air hands down. JMO

[KingMo]

I guess Winair continues to (as darkmansaad would say) pwn people even after they've left the island.

[Experienced]

It was 2 charges for $20 chippe cards $10 somewhere else and 2 $800 plane tickets on KLM airlines.

Man, sorry that happened as your farewell but you have to laugh at the criminal mind. How hard will it be to trace the thief who bought the two plane tickets and have the police there at the ticket counter when they check in?

Good suggestion about MyStore, though. I haven't seen that because I always pay cash in guilders on Wed or Sat to get the 10% discount. But that's a horrible idea to have your full CC info on each receipt. Caveat emptor, or carpe diem, or e pluribus unum....

And all of you lay off Winair unless a) you're fond of seasickness, or b) you're a damn good swimmer. Plus, the takeoff and landings on Saba are worth the price of admission ;)

E.

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[kryptik]

some small stores and restaurants show the entire credit card number on their receipts which make it easy for fraudster to get hold of your number, what i do is carry a black permanent marker and politely request i cross the first 12 numbers out, you have the right to do that.

[tiger15lily]

Good suggestion about MyStore, though. I haven't seen that because I always pay cash in guilders on Wed or Sat to get the 10% discount. But that's a horrible idea to have your full CC info on each receipt. Caveat emptor, or carpe diem, or e pluribus unum....

E.

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Do you get the 10% discount only if you pay in guilders or is $US OK?
Do we get ripped off on exchange at the stores or restaurants:confused:

[JeebusLives]

10% is with cash and guilders. Just not credit.

Im just glad the credit card company declined the credit for $1600 in plane tickets and forgave the remaining $50 in other stuff.

[Experienced]

Do you get the 10% discount only if you pay in guilders or is $US OK?
Do we get ripped off on exchange at the stores or restaurants:confused:

Chill, no one here will be ripping you off. In fact you get a better exchange rate here than on Dutch St Maarten. It's a little extra work but I try to do most of my transactions here in guilders. The local grocers and merchants and such (not so much the restauranteurs, who are all non-Sabans) seem to appreciate it because it's a nice way to acknowledge that you are not in the US and are respecting their local currency. They won't reach over the counter and hug you or anything, but it's fun to watch them react with pleasant surprise when you offer to pay in guilders. The ATM gives dollars or its equivalent in guilders so it's no problem getting guilders. Btw, even if you pay in dollars, ALWAYS say yes if they ask if they can give you your change in guilders, or if they just do it.

The gasoline station is a different matter. ALWAYS pay for gasoline with guilders, or you may end up tipping the guy a few dollars every time you fill up - btw gas here is now around $6.70 per gallon, another reason to take advantage of the great school bus system.

Oh yeah, regarding restaurants, be sure to ask whether they have added a 15% service charge (esp at Scout's Place and Brigadoon) to your bill. I found out the hard way the first time I ate at Scout's and tipped 30% for some mediocre service :headchop:

E.

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[Rebbster18]

However just know that the servers at Scouts place do not see any of that 15%! So if you get better than mediocre service, think about leaving a dollar or two on the table as they are only making a whopping 12 guilders an hour!

[Experienced]

However just know that the servers at Scouts place do not see any of that 15%! So if you get better than mediocre service, think about leaving a dollar or two on the table as they are only making a whopping 12 guilders an hour!

Are you saying that Wolfgang & Barbara don't share any of the 'service charge' with foodservers? Is that true for back of the house folks, too?

E.

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