VISA card problems
Murgi
My last VISA payment breakdown contains a monthly payment for an Internet
provider that was canceled 6 months ago, and one of a newsgroup provider in
the USA which was canceled in January. The latter one is billed by a third
party.
I called VISA to block the payment, but the person on the phone said that he
needs to discuss the matter with his superiors, and that he'd get back to me
on Monday. Today is Tuesday, and I haven't heard yet from them. In the past
they have automatically sent a form to fill in and I returned it afterward.
Now you need to negotiate with them?!
It looks like they are reluctant to do this kind of "service". I don't want
to enter a lenghty letter exchange with overseas companies in order to get
my money back which they shouldn't have withdrawn in the first place.
What would you do in this situation? I don't think that VISA has the right
to determine who I should pay and who not...
Sigi
Ryan Ginstrom
"Murgi" <srin...@da2.so-net.ne.jp> wrote in message
news:068df2a2a1f75a25...@news.secureusenet.com...
I have actually been worrying about this for a while. With US card
companies, the cardholder has a lot of power. For a "card not present"
transaction -- which all Internet purchases are -- they will give you a
chargeback with no questions asked.
I get the feeling that it would not be as easy with a Japanese card company,
so I have always made major purchases with my sepponian card. But that is a
pain when the expense is deductible.
Interested to find out whether you can get your charge reversed.
--
Regards,
Ryan Ginstrom
Murgi
company,
> so I have always made major purchases with my sepponian card.
I'll report back. After all it's my money...
If somebody overcharges me, I don't think that I need to prove everything
in detail to the credit card company. Both parties are Visa clients, and
nobody should be advantaged or disadvantaged.
Once I asked Visa to block payment since some company I didn't know tried to
withdraw money. It turned out that this company was handling incoming
payments, however, the company I dealt with did not inform me about this
one. Anybody can try to get 4.95US$ month by month...
I have read that this scam is very common in the US.
Sigi
mr.sumo.snr
news:c20nua$1n8hp3$1...@ID-101276.news.uni-berlin.de...
>
> "Murgi" <srin...@da2.so-net.ne.jp> wrote in message
> news:068df2a2a1f75a25...@news.secureusenet.com...
>>
> companies, the cardholder has a lot of power. For a "card not present"
> transaction -- which all Internet purchases are -- they will give you a
> chargeback with no questions asked.
> I get the feeling that it would not be as easy with a Japanese card
company,
> so I have always made major purchases with my sepponian card. But that is
a
> pain when the expense is deductible.
>
> Interested to find out whether you can get your charge reversed.
>
SAISON themselves once called me up and queried a payment charged to my
card - it had yet to appear on any monthly statement. They asked if I had
indeed spent X-amount of dollars in New York on such and such a date. Upon
informing them I had never actually been to New York and to my knowledge had
not purchased anything on the internet from a NY-based retailer in recent
months they politely told me that the payment would NOT be charged to my
account and that that would be the end of the matter. Fine by me!
I think - along with the time travel questions raised in the Austin Powers
movies - it's best NOT to think too long and too hard about just how the
credit card companies know a dodgy purchase from a legitimate one.
Have you ever managed to successfully deduct an expense incurred
'internationally'? My accountant has always encouraged me to "spend in
Japan". (Just as I'm printing out the annual records prior to his visit
tomorrow - first year with 'sumo.jnr' as a factor...please tell me it's
going to slash my tax burden!)
--
jonathan
--
"never give a gun to ducks"
Ryan Ginstrom
"mr.sumo.snr" <llane...@NOSPAMyahoo.com> wrote in message
news:c20sug$1np4bs$1...@ID-141600.news.uni-berlin.de...
> Have you ever managed to successfully deduct an expense incurred
> 'internationally'?
Not when spent abroad, but I often deduct e.g. reference books bought
through Amazon US. However it seems that the boys in the tax office would
prefer it to be charged on my Japanese card. At least, with the Japanese
card it is charged in yen, so it is easier to calculate.
> My accountant has always encouraged me to "spend in
> Japan".
Seems pretty common.
> (Just as I'm printing out the annual records prior to his visit
> tomorrow - first year with 'sumo.jnr' as a factor...please tell me it's
> going to slash my tax burden!)
It does lower the taxes a bit, but not as much as doing the blue form if I
recall. You probably don't qualify for the jidou teate either.
--
Regards,
Ryan Ginstrom
Reg. Blank
You contacted Visa Japan? I would suggest contacting the issuer of your
Visa card.
When questionable charges appeared, the issuer (Saison) told me that
they would file some kind of "protest/objection" with Visa but the bank
transfer would go forward anyway. It took them 2-3 months to sort
things out but in the end, they put the refund into my bank account.
As another poster pointed out, Saison seems to be OK with things like that.
reg.
Matthew Endo
> Did anybody of you have problems with the office for VISA in Tokyo?
Who is your card issuer?
--
Matt
ma...@gol.com
Murgi
"Matthew Endo" <ma...@gol.com> wrote in message
news:1ga28d5.14t...@yahoobb219000172010.bbtec.net...
> Murgi <srin...@da2.so-net.ne.jp> wrote:
>
> > Did anybody of you have problems with the office for VISA in Tokyo?
>
> Who is your card issuer?
Sumitomo Bank... but the monthly statements come from Visa Japan. Naturally
I need to call them when a problem arises.
Of course, this is just a bloody normal Visa card (no VIP Gold/Platinum), if
this matters.
A bank customer usually tells the bank how his money shall be handled,
whether the bank shall continue paying or block a payment (some fee might be
involved), and the bank will comply. Visa appears to be arrogant in
comparison. So far it sounds like that Visa wants me to tell the withdrawing
company to stop milking me and to beg them to refund the amount! I'll call
Visa again this afternoon to see what's going on.
Right now I can't do more than having dreams about crushing anything
associated with Visa underfoot...
Sigi
mr.sumo.snr
>
> "Matthew Endo" <ma...@gol.com> wrote in message
> news:1ga28d5.14t...@yahoobb219000172010.bbtec.net...
> > Murgi <srin...@da2.so-net.ne.jp> wrote:
> >
> > > Did anybody of you have problems with the office for VISA in Tokyo?
> >
> > Who is your card issuer?
>
>
> Sumitomo Bank... but the monthly statements come from Visa Japan.
Naturally
> I need to call them when a problem arises.
Then it's the VISA card issuing section of Sumitomo Bank that is sending you
the statements. VISA is a payment method collectively owned by thousands of
financial organizations. Each issues its own card and charges its own
interest rates etc.
My VISA card is a United Airlines Mileage Plus credit card issued in Japan
by Credit Saison (which I don't know but expect is part of some larger
banking network). The number I call is a freephone number on the back of
the card - and incidentially they never fail to have an English-speaking
operator available when I ask for one.
History lesson aside I suggest you get back on the phone to Sumitomo and
speak to someone who can answer you questions directly without having to
speak to a supervisor.
You say that several services were already canceled. Were they canceled
with charges still outstanding? Japanese retailers can be pretty slow in
making payment requests. Or were the payments to be spread out over several
months? Strictly speaking VISA cards shouldn't allow for this but I always
manage to get Toys R Us in Komaki and Maruzen in Nagoya to split the
deductions. Compumart will also do it but curiously my local Eiden (the
same company) won't.
Split payments appear seperate from other deductions at the bottom of my
credit card statement.
--
jonathan
Eric Takabayashi
> Did anybody of you have problems with the office for VISA in Tokyo?
My problem with VISA (Citi) in Japan was they never, ever sent out the bill in
time to arrive in Japan before it was due, thus I had to make penalty payments
and my percentage rate went up from the preferred rate (which does not really
matter because I always pay in full). When I complained, they claimed that they
were not responsible for mail delivery (no matter how late they made a policy
of sending the statements).
I finally got a card from my local home bank, and their statement arrives over
two and a half weeks before payment is due. I never used the Citi card again.
Citi, attempting to keep my business, keeps sending me new cards when the old
ones expire.
--
If Gibson decides to make his next film about Rasputin or that Utah hiker who
had to cut off his arm after it got trapped under a boulder, it might be time
for him to seek professional help.
- Jon Niccum, Entertainment Editor
http://www.mercycorps.org/
http://www.mercycorps.org/items/1398/
http://www.mercycorps.org/mercykits.php
Mercy Corps' goal in Iraq is to work with conflict-affected communities to meet
their urgent needs while also providing a firm foundation for the future
development of economic opportunities and civil society.
Efficiency
Over 92% of our resources go directly to humanitarian programs.
Excellence
Worth Magazine named Mercy Corps one of America's best charities.
High-Value
Every dollar you give helps us secure $12.71 in donated food and other
supplies.
Matthew Endo
> > Sumitomo Bank... but the monthly statements come from Visa Japan.
> Naturally
> > I need to call them when a problem arises.
>
> Then it's the VISA card issuing section of Sumitomo Bank that is sending you
> the statements. VISA is a payment method collectively owned by thousands of
> financial organizations. Each issues its own card and charges its own
> interest rates etc.
Correct, Jonathan is.
Sigi, you called the telephone number on the back of your credit card,
correct?
In the USA, for a protest on a charge, you normally need to send the
credit card issuer a written document. Telephone calls are nice, but
there must be a written letter to open a file case number.
My suggestion is always to get the name of the person, a case number if
they assign one, and the direct telephone number or extension so that
you can call back and ask the supervisor why Customer Representative
Suzuki or whoever didn't resolve your problem.
Best of luck,
--
Matt
ma...@gol.com
Matthew Endo
> My problem with VISA (Citi) in Japan was they never, ever sent out the
> bill in time to arrive in Japan before it was due, thus I had to make
> penalty payments and my percentage rate went up from the preferred rate
> (which does not really matter because I always pay in full). When I
> complained, they claimed that they were not responsible for mail delivery
> (no matter how late they made a policy of sending the statements).
You're actually lucky that they didn't cancel the card. Nowadays, you
can use the web to check the payment status, make payments, etc. for
most major credit card issuers. With billpay available from most banks,
late charges can be avoided as well by setting a minimum payment every
month and then paying the balance as needed.
> I finally got a card from my local home bank, and their statement arrives
> over two and a half weeks before payment is due. I never used the Citi
> card again.
Local home in Hawaii or Hiroshima?
Suggest that you send a letter to Citi explaning the reasons and that
you want them to cancel the card. Also be sure that it does not show up
as a black mark on your credit report.
--
Matt
ma...@gol.com
Murgi
> correct?
>
bill/listing.
> In the USA, for a protest on a charge, you normally need to send the
> credit card issuer a written document. Telephone calls are nice, but
> there must be a written letter to open a file case number.
Right, that was the case here in Japan a year ago. Visa would send you a
form to fill in which had to be returned afterward.
> My suggestion is always to get the name of the person, a case number if
> they assign one, and the direct telephone number or extension so that
> you can call back and ask the supervisor why Customer Representative
> Suzuki or whoever didn't resolve your problem.
That's what I did... but they can still say: "Suzuki-san has quit his job
last week."
Anyway, the report about the resolve follows in brief.
Sigi
Ryan Ginstrom
> In the USA, for a protest on a charge, you normally need to send the
> credit card issuer a written document.
The sole purpose of which is to discourage the cardholder from disputing
fees.
Probably a good compromise overall, but it does make the old "$1 from a
million people" scam that much easier.
--
Regards,
Ryan Ginstrom
Murgi
> fees.
> Probably a good compromise overall, but it does make the old "$1 from a
> million people" scam that much easier.
>
Yes, I have already caught my Callback telephone service overcharging me for
the last couple of months. The rates for several destinations have gone up
although their website clearly states the prices for the indicated months.
It's about 5 to 10 US$/month! This company doesn't react to email either.
I'll have to call them too.
I believe that several companies ride on this scam since many people don't
notice anything. If they are caught, they might apologize and claim that it
was an innocent accounting error.
Living in another country makes it much more difficult to react.
Sigi
Eric Takabayashi
> Eric Takabayashi <eta...@yahoo.co.jp> wrote:
>
> > My problem with VISA (Citi) in Japan was they never, ever sent out the
> > bill in time to arrive in Japan before it was due, thus I had to make
> > penalty payments and my percentage rate went up from the preferred rate
> > (which does not really matter because I always pay in full). When I
> > complained, they claimed that they were not responsible for mail delivery
> > (no matter how late they made a policy of sending the statements).
>
> You're actually lucky that they didn't cancel the card.
They want me for some reason. They still send me new cards despite me not
using any in about five years.
> Nowadays, you can use the web to check the payment status, make payments,
> etc. for
> most major credit card issuers.
I've run into trouble in recent years solely for being out of the country
attempting international financial transactions. If not for my mother back in
my hometown, I wouldn't be able to do much at all. And even then, it's often
not allowed to be in my name.
> With billpay available from most banks,
> late charges can be avoided as well by setting a minimum payment every
> month and then paying the balance as needed.
My bank, a major local bank, one I have used since the age of one, is one of
those that does not let me do things from out of the country. My
representative bent the rules and issued me a login and password during one
visit home, but I've never got it to work.
> > I finally got a card from my local home bank, and their statement arrives
> > over two and a half weeks before payment is due. I never used the Citi
> > card again.
>
> Local home in Hawaii or Hiroshima?
"Home" is still Hawaii despite me never being able to afford to live there.
> Suggest that you send a letter to Citi explaning the reasons and that
> you want them to cancel the card. Also be sure that it does not show up
> as a black mark on your credit report.
--
Matthew Endo
> "Home" is still Hawaii despite me never being able to afford to live there.
Ahh, home is where the heart is...
--
Matt
ma...@gol.com
Raj Feridun
>Eric Takabayashi <eta...@yahoo.co.jp> wrote:
>
>> "Home" is still Hawaii despite me never being able to afford to live there.
>
>Ahh, home is where the heart is...
I thought home was where you hang your hat.
Kevin Wayne Williams
For truly happy people, they are the same place.
KWW
Murgi
>
> I thought home was where you hang your hat.
That makes me a homeless gaijin!
Michael Cash
<rfe...@NOSPAMyahoo.co.jp> brought down from the Mount tablets
inscribed:
Home is where the rechargers are.
--
Michael Cash
"I am sorry, Mr. Cash, but we are unable to accept your rap sheet in lieu of
a high school transcript."
Dr. Howard Sprague
Dean of Admissions
Mount Pilot College