Each Scam Watch feature is taken from Scam Watch Volumes One and Two. Scam Watch Volumes One and Two are written and copyrighted by the Canadian Institute of Travel Counsellors of Ontario, a non-profit membership organization for travel professionals throughout the province.

Travel Scam # 1 - Do you mind if I photocopy your credit card?
You enter a bank to cash a travellers cheque. You show your passport as identification. The teller explains that in his/her mind, the signature on the travellers cheques doesn’t match the passport. They ask if you have a credit card – which you show them. The teller explains that they must make a photocopy of your card and attach it to the travellers cheque or else the bank won’t accept the signature on the cheque. You agree. You get your money. A few weeks later you see a number of charges on your card that you are certain you did not make. How did they get there?

Comments: There could indeed be a visual discrepancy between your travellers cheque signature and your passport, depending on when you signed your passport (i.e. how many years before) or if you happened to be excited or nervous on the day you wrote your signature. However there are other kinds of identification with a signature that you could easily show the bank; everything to a driver’s license to a library card to a membership card. If the teller insists on seeing a major credit card, do not allow the teller to take the card out of your sight. If they insist on taking a photocopy, ask to see the manager. If they still insist, and you definitely want to cash you money at this bank, then get the manager’s business card or have him write down his name and a note that he has taken a photocopy of your credit card. This may at least discourage any thought of illegal activities by the bank.

Steve Gillick

The booklets may be purchased directly from the Institute as a package for $6.00, which includes Volumes One & Two, as well as GST and Mailing charges. Please forward a cheque, payable to CITC-ONTARIO, to 55 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 209, Toronto, ON, M4P 1G8, Canada. For more information, click CITC-ONTARIO’s website: http://www.citc.ca/consumer-awareness.html#scam