Gaijin Credit card problems

[canman]

Has this happened to any FG recently. Yesterday I went to the store the Sports Authority, and having a 15% discount card proceeded to buy some stuff. Got the the register total came to 18420yen, gave the girl my credit card and waited. First swipe, wouldn't work. Second time same thing. I was only a little uncomfortable, as there was a line behind me. My wife then gave her card, no problem. I didn't think much of it, as the card is old, I thought maybe the magnetic strip was scratched or something. I then went to a bank machine, as this is a dual credit and bank card, and checked my balance. No problem. So this morning my wife called the credit company called Bank Card or BC, the girl said there was no problem with my account, and that yes they could see that the store had tried twice to access my account. But because I'm a foreigner, they now have to confirm that the user and the card are the same. To complete the transaction they have to call a free dial number on the back and talk to a representative. So the BC credit girl said probably the store clerk couldn't be bothered so she just said the card didn't work. Now I don't know if this has anything to do with the current Al Quida scares here in Japan, but that is just a little scary, not to mention highly racist. Now please look carefully at my location, if you don't know where that is I'm not surprised, but it is a very local area. But still this was not some local Mom and Pop shop it is a failry big US company doing this. This is not a very promising turn of events for us old timers.

[Taro Toporific]

Bank Card or BC... because I'm a foreigner, they now have to confirm that the user and the card are the same. To complete the transaction they have to call a free dial number on the back and talk to a representative...

I used my CitiBank Visa card and my AMEX this weekend without any problem even though both were issued in Japan. Specifically, I used my Japan AMEX at my local Sports Authority.

Most likely it's the fact that BC cards are freely given out like tissue packs in front to the train station. If you open a bank account, you get a card. Therefore, they have a crackdown on evil gaijin. You have to feel sorry for the BC people and merchants because there is no "collection mechanism" for them to get gaijin blood-out-of-turnip.

[Big Booger]

BC, bye bye..

[canman]

My wife called the store and told the manager what happened, and what BC credit company said. He gave her a song and dance about how, since we are so close to Misawa airbase, they sometimes have trouble with credit cards issued in the States, to which my wife replied my card was issued in Japan. Then he said if the purchase is over 100 man yen, they refuse the purchase, to which again my wife stated the purchase was for 18 000 yen. He then told her that if that situation occurs again, I should demand the cashier call the free dial number on the back of the card. Like everybody knows about that. He then tried to pass it off on the credit company. So my wife called again, and then maintained that it was the The Sports Authority and not them that were the villian. But the company person did say that they are having more and more problems with foreigners and credit fraud. So as BB said goodbye BC, the only problem is that BC is the only credit company my bank issues credit cards through. I do have an Amex, but was alittle hesitant to use it after what happened with the VISA.

[AssKissinger]

But because I'm a foreigner, they now have to confirm that the user and the card are the same.

That's just not logical. TIJ Foreign name on the card. Foreign face on the person. Shit, in Japan that's a pretty good match right from the get go. It would be a million times easier for a JPN to steal a card from a another JPN considering they make up 99% of the population and we make up 1%. (Actually I did steal Big Booger's credit card so it is kind of ironic) But I guess since they're so honest and we're so crooked it makes sense. Dude, I know Hachinohe. Aomori gaijin unite! People down south don't even know what inaka means!

[kamome]

Instead of a real credit card, I use a cash card issued by my bank in the US, which has a Visa symbol on it. Never had a problem. It just deducts the equivalent amount in dollars straight from my account at the normal exchange rate.

On occasion I have had problems purchasing on credit from certain merchants that will only accept a few credit cards issued by Japanese banks. Ticket Pia is notoriously bad. If you buy tickets to events through a Ticket Pia outlet, better make sure you have plenty o' cash on hand.

[Big Booger]

I have a Bank One US Cash Card, a JCB, an Idemitsu CC (visa used mainly for gas discounts), and a local Bank CC.

I've never had a problem, except at one store, I had to sign the CC on the back.. even though I had used it dozens of times before... LOL

[Steve Bildermann]

I have had no problem getting credit cards issued from quite a few different sources. Tsutaya had a nice one, Vodaphone issues a credit
card, all the big department stores issue credit cards. I even have ones from the hospital and sports club I go to.

To this day nobody has ever checked my signature and I've signed as just all the big historical figures Oda nobunaga, Natsume Soseki, Toyotomi Hideyoshi. I had a few weeks as John Lennon and during the world cup I was most of the British Team. The local regi girl even started saying 'gambatte Kudasai' when England were playing.

They sometimes ask for my telephone number as a check so I usually give them their own number and that seems to satisfy them.

[canman]

Are you able to get a foreign credit card, while living in Japan. I thought banks wouldn't give you a card if you weren't living in the country.
I just worry that with the checking and everything, its just another way for them to make life difficult for us foreigners. Its something Blinky Ishihara really likes, harass the gaijin.

[Taro Toporific]

Are you able to get a foreign credit card, while living in Japan. I thought banks wouldn't give you a card if you weren't living in the country.

Foreign "Debit" credit cards while living in Japan are possible. Stock trading accounts ofter issue foreign credit cards to FG here. Likewise holders of long-term substantial bank accounts outside Japan can get them too. However, foreign credit cards don't work in many on-site terminals and they have to "call to check." ALso a foreign credit card requires a currency FX transaction making using them more expensive. It's not a great solution.

[maraboutslim]

Instead of a real credit card, I use a cash card issued by my bank in the US, which has a Visa symbol on it. Never had a problem. It just deducts the equivalent amount in dollars straight from my account at the normal exchange rate.

Not a good idea. You have no fraud protection. If someone gets this "debit card" from you, they can use it like a visa card (i.e. with no pin number) and basically wipe out your entire bank balance. You will have a hell of a time convincing your bank to give you back the money. Even if you succeed, your checking account remains empty for weeks while you fight with the bank and prove to them that you weren't the one who made the purchases.

If you had instead used an actual visa card, the most you can ever be held liable for is $50. And if someone racks up $10k worth of charges, you don't lose that money first and fight about it later like you would with the debit/visa cards.

Real credit cards also often have further benefits such as extended warranty coverage, theft coverage, etc. on the items you buy. And promotional programs for frequent flyer miles, cash back, etc.

[emperor]

Ive only used my credit card (issued in Ireland) for large purchases and in all of those instances they called the card company to confirm and but me on to a friendly person with a lovely voice from back home to make sure its me;
but i didnt mind - if anything it gave me reassurance.

A japanese using a foreigner cards or vice-versa will look odd.
The only kind of person that could get away with using or might actually steal a credit card in the first place (in my humble opinion) is another gaijin (not you lovely people! - eg.one of satans minions that you see in the bowels of Roppongi)

[bejiita]

I've had the opposite effect. I've made very expensive purchases with a foreign card and the salesperson just processed it with no questions asked.

On the other hand, I remember making an Amazon purchase online, and they flagged it and didn't process it because my IP address was a non-US one.

[GomiGirl]

I have the same trouble with my foreign and Japanese credit cards.. paying the bills...

I keep telling then that "YES I do need 65 pairs of shoes" but alas they don't see this as a valid reason for late payment...

Visa currently has a bounty on my head so please don't tell them where to find me...

[Taro Toporific]

I've had the opposite effect. I've made very expensive purchases with a foreign card and the salesperson just processed it with no questions asked.
On the other hand, I remember making an Amazon purchase online, and they flagged it and didn't process it because my IP address was a non-US one.

Those are two issues.

It's almost impossible to order larger-ticket items online from the States with a foreign isssued (Japanese) card. More than 80% of online fraud in America is committed by people (mostly American) using foreign isssued credit cards so it's impossible to order airline tickets at US prices rather arse-reaming Japanese prices.

If you try to buy big ticket items in Japan with American card at DISCOUNT places like BIC Camera, etc, they will phone it in. On the other hand, if you make very expensive purchases at a Japanese Departo they never call in or check.

Basically, I need TWO complete sets of credit cards, American-issued and Japanese-issue to get anthing done.

[kamome]

Instead of a real credit card, I use a cash card issued by my bank in the US, which has a Visa symbol on it. Never had a problem. It just deducts the equivalent amount in dollars straight from my account at the normal exchange rate.

Not a good idea. You have no fraud protection. If someone gets this "debit card" from you, they can use it like a visa card (i.e. with no pin number) and basically wipe out your entire bank balance.

Well, it's the same risk as a regular credit card. If someone steals your Visa in Japan, they can also use that to make purchases. Why do you think the first thing everyone does when they lose their wallet is cancel their credit cards? I don't perceive any additional risk by using a bank-issued cash card.

You will have a hell of a time convincing your bank to give you back the money. Even if you succeed, your checking account remains empty for weeks while you fight with the bank and prove to them that you weren't the one who made the purchases.

There's a $500 limit on withdrawals/charges made with a bank card. So even if someone ran out and made a purchase with my card, they wouldn't be able to empty my account in a single day. Hopefully, I will have cancelled it before any real damage occurred.

Real credit cards also often have further benefits such as extended warranty coverage, theft coverage, etc. on the items you buy. And promotional programs for frequent flyer miles, cash back, etc.

Yes, but they also impose finance charges and annual fees. If I need some kind of warranty coverage or traveler's insurance for big ticket items, then I will whip out my U.S. credit card. I just think it's better to pay for something upfront rather than increase your debt load.

[maraboutslim]

Well, it's the same risk as a regular credit card. If someone steals your Visa in Japan, they can also use that to make purchases.

The risk is indeed the same. The difference is in how you clean it up afterwards. With a debit card, the money is gone from your account and you have to fight to get it back. With a real credit card, you get a bill for the items but you just call them and say "i didn't make those charges" and it then becomes up to the store to prove to visa that you did and in the meantime you're not out a dime (max legally would be $50 but the rarely impose this).

There's a $500 limit on withdrawals/charges made with a bank card. So even if someone ran out and made a purchase with my card, they wouldn't be able to empty my account in a single day. Hopefully, I will have cancelled it before any real damage occurred.

If you lose your wallet, sure, you can cancel your card quickly and perhaps suffer no damage. But remember that people don't need your actual card to make purchases online or over the phone. They could get your number when you use the card at a shop and then go online and rack up thousands of dollars in purchases before you get your next bank statement and see what is happening. Your checks would be bouncing, all sorts of fees would be imposed, and all your money is gone. When this happens, people have a hell of a time working things out with their bank.

You might also want to check if your bank truely imposes the $500 limit - I know mine (wells fargo) does not because I have used the card to make large purchases in the past (before I heard horror stories about what happens when people get the card number). But it doesn't matter because like I said, they could have your number and rack up $500 a day for weeks until you notice what has happened. Even if there is a cap on your liability, in the meantime, your money is gone while you fight to get it back.

I just think it's better to pay for something upfront rather than increase your debt load.

Increasing debt load only happens if you charge up more than you can pay when the bill comes! I use credit cards all the time and have zero debt.

[AssKissinger]

There's a $500 limit on withdrawals/charges made with a bank card. So even if someone ran out and made a purchase with my card, they wouldn't be able to empty my account in a single day.

From that we can conclude you're richer than I am.

[kamome]

There's a $500 limit on withdrawals/charges made with a bank card. So even if someone ran out and made a purchase with my card, they wouldn't be able to empty my account in a single day.

From that we can conclude you're richer than I am.

Hey, it pays to suck the "corporate cock".

[Taro Toporific]

Here's a whole different angle to getting a hassle-free F'ed-Gaijin credit card in Japan---an airline-based VISA card.

LIFELINES
Visa cards, pensions and thesaurus info
By KEN JOSEPH JR.

Japan Times / Tuesday, June 22, 2004

Visa card

Is it possible to get a zero annual fee Visa or Mastercard from a Japanese bank? It is quite common in the U.S., but I have never heard of or seen one here.

Try as we might, we have not been able to find a zero Annual Fee card. At the same time, there are many opportunities for various cards that give you benefits each time you use them. For example, United Airlines has a "Mileage Plus" credit card (see www. unitedairines.co.jp ) that lets you earn air miles as you purchase.

American Express and Citibank offer similar programs at http://www.Americanexpress.co.jp and http://www.citibank.co.jp

[nullpointer]

It's almost impossible to order larger-ticket items online from the States with a foreign isssued (Japanese) card.

I have a two year old AMEX which was issued in Japan and I have bought a laptop (over 2K$) and did not have any problem.

Or do you mean a Japanese card like JCB etc.?

[Taro Toporific]

It's almost impossible to order larger-ticket items online from the States with a foreign isssued (Japanese) card.

I have a two year old AMEX which was issued in Japan and I have bought a laptop (over 2K$) and did not have nay problem.

Or do you mean a Japanese card like JCB etc.?

I've got a 20+ year old Japanese AMEX heavy-metal card. Nobody but nobody will ship me a laptop to Japan. And NO aircarrier will sell me a US issued air ticket at the US price using my Japanese AMEX.

[nullpointer]

To this day nobody has ever checked my signature and I've signed as just all the big historical figures Oda nobunaga, Natsume Soseki, Toyotomi Hideyoshi. I had a few weeks as John Lennon and during the world cup I was most of the British Team.

Look at what this guy has been getting away with



He even signed "I Stole this Card" and got away with it.

[nullpointer]

I've got a 20+ year old Japanese AMEX heavy-metal card. Nobody but nobody will ship me a laptop to Japan.

I do not know about shipping to Japan as I had it shipped to an address in US. I do know that Amamzon and Bestbuy etc. will not ship certain restricted items outside US (electronics, High Value Pearls etc.).

[Taro Toporific]

I've got a 20+ year old Japanese AMEX heavy-metal card. Nobody but nobody will ship me a laptop to Japan.

I do not know about shipping to Japan as I had it shipped to an address in US. I do know that Amamzon and Bestbuy etc. will not ship certain restricted items outside US (electronics, High Value Pearls etc.).

Normally, they won't sell a laptop to an address that does not match the card's mailing address. Hmmmm, Amazon might since they're in the gift biz but Amazon Japan already does a fine job with books.

[nullpointer]

I've got a 20+ year old Japanese AMEX heavy-metal card. Nobody but nobody will ship me a laptop to Japan.

I do not know about shipping to Japan as I had it shipped to an address in US. I do know that Amamzon and Bestbuy etc. will not ship certain restricted items outside US (electronics, High Value Pearls etc.).

Normally, they won't sell a laptop to an address that does not match the card's mailing address.

Then there is something wrong. My Mailing address is of my home in Yokohama, But I had the Laptop shipped to Chicago, and there was no problem.

[Speed]

My experience has been the same as Bilderman and Beijita

Just moved to a new apartment in Japan, so I purchased about 4,000 dollars (US) worth of stuff on my US issued credit cards and they NEVER checked my ID! I bought shit at Kojima Denki, Costco, Homes, and Carrefour etc...

Any hostank could've upped and used my cards and the stores would've never known the difference.

If you lose or get your credit card stolen in Japan cancel that puppy quick!

[Steve Bildermann]

Probably the best card to carry around in Japan is the JCB card. You can get it from just about any big dept store with very little trouble. They say they start you out with about a 300,000 yen limit but almost never impose it. You can use it anywhere and get excellent purchase points, all purchases are insured and they give you extended warranties on all goods bought at the issuing Dept store.

Once you have it, take an hour and call their service department. If you register and ask they will give you all sorts of extra benefits. I get between 15% to 33% *automatic* discount on just about all purchases I make with it. They will give you free weekend and holiday cashing facilities.

Of course you can't use it outside Japan, maybe Hawaii but I'm not sure perhaps others may know more.

I have had this since they started and I have never had a problem. Lost it a couple of times and they canceled and reissued within 24 hours.

[SovietSupreme]

What is credit card? Does your government not issue you what you need to live?

[Steve Bildermann]

What is credit card? Does your government not issue you what you need to live?

Well we get the bare essentials. Free house, car,medical coverage and generous monthly allowance but after that we are pretty much on our own.

How are things in 1960?