I recently had the pleasure of being the victim of identity theft. (See the scam thread,p or feel free to ask if you have any questions). They used an apparently new tactic of mobile number porting to access bank accounts via apps/website without needing many passwords. They still need base access to your data which I guess could be mined, but more likely comes from a virus/malware. This new means that one should take all precautions to secure loved ones computers (parents etc) as much as your own.
Anyway, as well as having all my cash accounts locked down and out, I cancelled any cards I had used within the last year. This posed a problem being in semi-rural Hokkaido, the north island of Japan with no cash and no cards and no mobile phone (had been ported away from me).
Amex were very quick and helpful. Got to speak to an Aussie lady who cancelled my cards, issued new ones and had the replacement shipped to me urgently via DHL. It arrived 5 days, (3 working) days later.
VISA were a bit more of a hassle and I'm not sure if this is how I went about it, or a combination of phoneless me and Citibank issues. The card arrived in 6 days overall.
Call 1- explain story, cancel cards, ask for replacement to be shipped. Give friends phone number and address of hotel.
Calls 2+ Return call via hotel. Number doesn't work but at least I have a reference number. Apparently is visa but call Citibank as I cannot get through. Ask for contact numbers for visa Japan.
Call 3- numbers don't work.
Call 4- visa global website lists contact numbers. I reckon this might be the way to go for the outset to be honest. Call them and get a helpful lady. Give her the reference number and she wants to confirm the hotel and delivery date. 6 days away, will be moving from the hotel before then. Change the address and get the same confirmed delivery date.
Cards arrived safe and sound, express posted and simple to activate. My citi card is an unbranded visa and my Amex is my actual replacement from AU.
Overall I was actually surprised that it took as long as it did to get the cards. I thought a 2 day replacement would be possible and maybe it is in a capital city.
Anyway, as well as having all my cash accounts locked down and out, I cancelled any cards I had used within the last year. This posed a problem being in semi-rural Hokkaido, the north island of Japan with no cash and no cards and no mobile phone (had been ported away from me).
Amex were very quick and helpful. Got to speak to an Aussie lady who cancelled my cards, issued new ones and had the replacement shipped to me urgently via DHL. It arrived 5 days, (3 working) days later.
VISA were a bit more of a hassle and I'm not sure if this is how I went about it, or a combination of phoneless me and Citibank issues. The card arrived in 6 days overall.
Call 1- explain story, cancel cards, ask for replacement to be shipped. Give friends phone number and address of hotel.
Calls 2+ Return call via hotel. Number doesn't work but at least I have a reference number. Apparently is visa but call Citibank as I cannot get through. Ask for contact numbers for visa Japan.
Call 3- numbers don't work.
Call 4- visa global website lists contact numbers. I reckon this might be the way to go for the outset to be honest. Call them and get a helpful lady. Give her the reference number and she wants to confirm the hotel and delivery date. 6 days away, will be moving from the hotel before then. Change the address and get the same confirmed delivery date.
Cards arrived safe and sound, express posted and simple to activate. My citi card is an unbranded visa and my Amex is my actual replacement from AU.
Overall I was actually surprised that it took as long as it did to get the cards. I thought a 2 day replacement would be possible and maybe it is in a capital city.
