'Thief racked up a $380,000 bill on my credit card'

Tell Claudienne

with Claudienne Edwards

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Dear Claudienne

I got your e-mail address from a friend of mine who suggested that you might be able to help me with my situation.

I am a Jamaican currently on a training programme in Canada. My Jamaican Scotia bank credit card was stolen from my apartment, unbeknown to me.

This is a card which I rarely use while in Canada, as most of the purchases that I make with it are when I visit Jamaica or when I purchase a ticket online to go home to Jamaica.

The card is kept in a purse with my other Jamaican cards: ABM, voter's ID etc. It's a purse that I use only when I am in Jamaica. The last transaction before it was stolen in July was in March 2011. I moved from my apartment on July 6, 2011, with the help of a moving company. On July 19, I was about to leave for the airport to catch a flight headed to Jamaica, so of course, as is my routine, I tried to find my purse to take it home to Jamaica with me, but I did not find it and stupidly assumed that it was among my unpacked stuff.

I returned to Toronto on July 23, and after a couple of days, unpacked all my boxes/ suitcases. Not finding the purse, I called and reported it misplaced. The bank then informed me that transactions exceeding my credit limit had been made from July 7 to July 25, totalling J$380,000.

I have been in communication with Scotia and they are insisting that I am responsible for all transactions made prior to the card being reported stolen/missing; despite the fact that some of the transactions took place while I was on 24-hour call at the hospital where I worked (hence I was unable to leave the hospital). Some transactions were also made while I wasn't physically in the country, hence I could not have made said purchases. I also pointed out to the bank that their fraud team should have noticed the highly unusual activity on the card and contacted me. Six to eight transactions were done daily (up to 10 on one day for two and a half weeks on a card that over the last two years would only be used once every few months for one or maybe two transactions, maximum J$50,000.

I reported the loss of the credit card to the police here in Canada, but they said that the bank should sort it out.

This happend in July 2011 and it still has not been resolved.

Could you kindly assist me in resolving this matter.

Dear VC

We communicated with Scotiabank and asked them to contact you. Tell Claudienne notes that the bank has come to an understanding with you. They have phoned you and will write and state the terms of the agreement reached.

We have been advised that the credit card loan has been written off. However, you were concerned that your credit history and rating could be affected by the theft of your credit card.

The bank said that it could not guarantee that your credit card rating would not be affected in the future. "The person reviewing such an application would take everything into consideration and make a decision at the time of the new application," the Scotia spokesman said.

The bank said that on the back of the application form you filled out when you applied for the credit card is a section that speaks to loss/ theft and the responsibility of customers.

The following is stated on the back of the card: "You will inform us immediately by telephone and in writing about the loss, theft or unauthorised use of your card, PIN or Convenience cheques. If you even suspect unauthorised use, you will let us know."

It is also stated that "If your card and/or convenience cheques are lost or stolen, you will be liable for all debts resulting from their use, until you have told us that they have been lost or stolen."

Good luck

Dear Claudienne

I reached retirement age (65) in 2008. I did not make my claim for the national insurance pension benefit immediately but did so in April 2011. They told me that my claim would be ready in three months but after almost a year, I have not heard from them.

Could you kindly look into the matter for me.

Dear TC

The Ripon Road NIS office has advised Tell Claudienne that your pension has been approved. The Accounts Department will prepare a cheque for you shortly, and within a month you should get a registered slip in the mail. NIS apologised for the delay.

Good luck.

Have a problem with a store, utility, a company? Telephone 936-9436 or write to: Tell Claudienne c/o Sunday Finance, Jamaica Observer, 40-42 1/2 Beechwood Avenue, Kingston 5; or e-mail: edwardsc@jamaicaobserver.com. Please include a contact phone number.

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'Thief racked up a $380,000 bill on my credit card'