More Japanese Tourists Ripped-off In Italy

[Mulboyne]

When one of Rome's best restaurants was found guilty of presenting a Japanese couple with a very inflated lunch bill, they were closed down by local authorities and Italy's tourism minister issued an apology to the visitors. The Yomiuri reports (Japanese) that another complaint has also recently come to light. Three Japanese men were in Milan on business in December last year and spent an evening in the Pussy Cat nightclub. When the bill came, it appeared to be for 500 euros and they handed over a credit card. The club swiped the card twice which the cardholder, identified as "Mr K", believed was because the first transaction was invalid. Later, on a trip to Turin, Mr. K's card was refused which, at the time, he thought was just bad luck. However, when his statement arrived in January back in Japan, he saw the club had maxed out his card by putting through two charges for a total of 7,265 euros, roughly equivalent to 970,000 yen. Mr K says he tried repeatedly to contact the club but could make no headway. When he read of the couple ripped-off in Rome and realized that they had received assistance, he complained to the Italian Tourist Office in Tokyo. They in turn informed the Consumer Affairs Bureau who have appointed a lawyer and, with the assistance of the Italian Embassy, will take action against the club to recover the money. This story was first published last week by La Repubblica (Italian) who say that the bureau is pursuing dozens of other complaints which have come their way since the Rome rip-off was reported.

[Nadrew]

Don't Japanese credit cards have any protection for card holders? I thought disputed charges were not credited. Fraud is already priced into the interest rates. I don't understand why the money has to be recovered.

[IkemenTommy]

When in Rome, do what what Romans do...
I say, go rip off one of their bronze statues in the city and see how the Italians react.

[Mike Oxlong]

Originally Posted by Nadrew

Don't Japanese credit cards have any protection for card holders? I thought disputed charges were not credited. Fraud is already priced into the interest rates. I don't understand why the money has to be recovered.

I did a bit of contract work for a little JCB branch out in the inaka, and they were totally unwilling to even investigate when one of the foreign card holders disputed some charges. He ended up doing all the legwork on his own to prove that the charges were fraudulent, but had to fight tooth and nail just to have the CC company freeze the charges while he investigated himself. Eye-opening experience.