l have a Japanese credit card with a Suica function that automatically charges when the balance gets low. I happened to be checking the monthly balance on an app when I saw a charge for 120,000 yen. I have a completely separate VISA card that I use for most other purchases. The JCB Suica is never used except for riding the trains and occasionally purchasing from convenience stores or vending machines within the train station.
I googled the hotel and found the number listed on the JCB Suica card’s monthly balance. It turns out 2 foreign visitors from a neighboring country made a reservation online and failed to pay using the hotel’s regular reservation site. The hotel sent these visitors a secondary payment URL that doesn’t require the card holders name, address, or the security code on the back of the credit card. Instead it requires an online password to use the credit card. Again, I have never used this credit card online.
The hotel says that it is the credit card company’s fault because it passed the security check and they tell me to call the credit card company. I call JCB and they tell me it is the hotel’s fault for not checking my information.
Then the credit card company says that I am responsible to pay the costs while they investigate the fraud. The hotel says they will not release the receipt of the hotel bill due to it containing personal information of the tourists who used my card numbers without my permission. The credit card company also wants me to pay to reissue the card or if I cancel the card I will lose the balance on the Suica card.
AND because it’s a joint card between JCB, Suica, and an airline I have to call all 3 and fill out 3 different sets of paperwork. I also filled out a police report but the police said there is very little they can do for me because the victim of this crime would be the credit card company???
Am I crazy? Why does this responsibility fall on me and how could the tourists get my numbers and an online password that I have never used! Also there was no other charge just this single charge for the hotel 2-3 weeks ago that just appeared.
I feel like I am being punished for others bad behavior. In my home country, a single phone call would rectify this situation. Has anyone had a similar experience or advice?
Thank you.
by gaikokujin39