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Learn how to avoid problems with credit card abroad

01/04/2013

This article was translated by an automatic translation system, and was therefore not reviewed by people.

 


 



Card is the main form of payment for purchases of Brazilians out there.
Consumers can seek compensation for wrongfully locked card

Recent record spending by Brazilians abroad also driving transactions out there with credit cards, the main form of payment such purchases. In some cases, however, problems when using "plastic money" international spoil the trip for many consumers, such as blocks of shopping and looting. If proven failure of the bank, you can ask for in court compensation for loss and damage caused. Experts consulted by G1 give tips on how to prevent headaches and ensure the ride.

In 2008, lawyer Leticia lolovitch Brossard, 34, had purchases on the credit card denied amid a trip to New York. "I tried to talk to the bank, but they were passing the connection from one department to another (...) and did not give me any explanation," he says. Because of the unexpected, Leticia had to make a series of restrictions by the end of the trip, how to let go of the rides, and need to borrow from a friend. "My trip has changed from that moment," he says.

The lawyer, who lives in Rio Grande do Sul, says that the bank warned in advance about the ride and what was planned to be available to limit spending in the United States. "I tend to be quite cautious. It was a great arbitrariness of the bank, "he suggests.

Upon returning to Brazil, he discovered that the institution sent a letter, during the trip, stating who locked detected because card use in the U.S. in a shop suspected, with a history of fraud. She filed a lawsuit and four years later, in 2012, received compensation of $ 10,000 for damages.

Security
For security, the institutions have rigid systems of control transactions out there, explains Henry Takaki, coordinator of the Committee for Security and Fraud Prevention Brazilian Association of Credit Card Companies and Services (Abecs). "The anti-fraud features here are more evolved than in many countries out there (...). If a person has cloned his card and went to the U.S., there they hardly have terminals that read chips, many only read stripe "he says.

To avoid problems, Abecs's main orientation that consumers tell the bank about the trip before leaving the country, so that the institution can unlock international use. Oura tip is to take the phone call center institution for possible emergencies. It is also important not to store passwords or leave them stored in the same place that card. Check the limit available for spending before traveling is also important (see recommendations in the sidebar).

The supervisor of the financial affairs of the Foundation Procon-SP, Renata Reis, clarifies the obligation of banks to detail in the contract previously ceded to the consumer at the time of contracting, any kind of restriction on travel card usage. The document must also predict the shapes collection of invoices with respect to rates and conversions. "You have to be broken where the customer can use the card, as if no limit, as vai be the accounting and payment service channels which consumer should look for."

The expert also recommends that the consumer contact the customer service of the bank before the trip to ask questions about the rules regarding using the card abroad.

She says there is no specific legislation on consumer rights with regard to credit cards, but the rules are set out in the Consumer Protection Code (CDC). "Nothing that is not included in the contract can be claimed later by the bank."

Indemnification
In the case of Leticia, however, she had warned the bank about the trip and still had the card locked, so managed to indemnification. "The bank may ask the consumer to communicate to the release, [action] that is associated with some safety rules (...). When the consumer notifies the bank can not block this card, "said Robert Pfeiffer, professor of graduate law Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV).

If you drive into such a situation, the expert recommends that consumers keep all evidence of damage (such as proof of extra spending, protocol numbers of links to the bench, witness statements etc).

"When they denied my purchases, I asked for a receipt several establishments [with information] that the purchase had been denied. Any problem that can be proven physically, you should save, "says the lawyer Leticia.

In such case, you can look at the bank's return trip to get repairs. If not done, there is the possibility of seeking the help of associations for consumer protection or rights in court.

Financial Planning
Moreover, experts warn about the importance of the consumer to plan on ways of payments to be used during the trip. An important detail about the card is that not everyone can be used outside, only those of the sport internationally. The Abecs directs the consumer to compare the costs and read the contract carefully before purchasing one.

Another alert Abecs is related to the conversion of purchases made in foreign currency. The price is valid from the date of payment of the invoice and, if there is exchange rate between the the closing date of the invoice and the payment of the same, the difference will be considered at the next due date, clarifies the entity.

The coordinator Takaki remembers, though, that some stores offer the option to close the Exchange on the date of purchase. "The consumer has to assess what is most advantageous." Moreover, he says it is important to rely on other forms of payment besides credit card in case of emergencies such as debit cards prepaid.

It is important also is alert to the card limit before going traveling in case of unforeseen events. Lawyer Alberto Saba Barbella, 29, for example, went through a hard time. He had to buy a ticket last minute on a trip through Europe and did not limit available on the card. Had to borrow money with a friend to make the purchase. "I had to buy a plane ticket out of what was planned, which was very car.
The card has blocked because it had no limit, "he explains.




Source: G1 - News

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This article was translated by an automatic translation system, and was therefore not reviewed by people.

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