Here's my situation:

I went to place a considerably sizable order, and my credit card was denied due to a "restriction on overseas transactions". I was told to contact my credit card company to remove the "block".

I contacted them, and to confirm it was okay to remove the "block" they went through my most recent transactions with me to make sure I had made them. All three were cigar (the pattern emerges) purchases...2 in the States (no big deal) and the one I was trying to complete...not in the States.

They kindly removed the "block" after my confirmation of the purchases. They told me to proceed in ordering again, and there should be no problem this time. They know the name (by which you can tell what I am purchasing) and the location of the attempted purchase, so I guess what I am asking is:

Is there any reason for my credit card to flag me for this?

Would you proceed with such order?

Maybe it's just a routine thing for large international purchases on a credit card...I don't know. What worries me is they know it is a cigar merchant, although they do not sell CC's exclusively.

Am I just paranoid??? All help and/or comments are appreciated.

...and YES, this may affect a certain box-split

This message has been edited. Last edited by: jinx25,

I know which box split/source you are talking about...my bank did the same thing to me. I went ahead and ordered and had no problems....it appeared to be due the large amount of an overseas purchase on the internet.

CC companies are in business to make money. Seems to me they don't do that by ratting out their customers. What would they have to gain by doing this?

Happens all the time. Should be nothing to worry about.

Yes, probably not a big deal. My initial reaction was panic since this has NOT happened before. The amount of $$$ spent was significantly more than usual for a single purchase, which I assume put up the red flag, or like bcb said...a lot of online overseas purchasing going on.

My friend's credit card called the house, left a message and then froze his account. They got him on his cell phone, verified the order and immediately lifted the freeze. The order went through and he received his order of non-cubans from overseas in 5 days.

I think they're more concerned with someone getting your credit card info overseas via hacking or viruses and using it than telling the gov't about it.

BTW, has anyone received a letter since Obama got in? I remember reading a thread recently where someone's shipment didn't arrive.

Just fraud protection, nothing to worry about really.

quote:

Originally posted by jms2788:
Just fraud protection, nothing to worry about really.

x2...just like if you make a string of 3-6 medium to large purchases in a very short period of time. The company will usually hold your account until they get a hold of you to verify you made the purchases.

Cool. I was just worried about the credit card company assuming illegality and making a fuss due to the location and the fact that I am purchasing cigars. As I stated, they do not deal exclusively in CC's. I will commence with the Padron box-split. Thanx folks!

I had that recently too, a few days ago.
The call was from an automated machine and I only had to confirm the price charged.

quote:

Originally posted by Ozz1113:
I had that recently too, a few days ago.
The call was from an automated machine and I only had to confirm the price charged.

That's exactly what I get when this kind of thing happens to me...

It is a common occurance for US credit and bank cards. They have restrictions automatically for asia, south america, and some parts of the carribean.

No big deal. Just security issues since these areas have alot of fraud.

CM

TRUST ME JUST FRAUD PROTECTION.

You are not liable for fraud and the banks eat the charges on these transactions sometimes. They are trying not to piss the customer off, yet protect themselves.

I recently bought a sewing machine from the UK and had the automatic block of a large overseas transaction happened. Sometimes it is not enough to tell them to allow a certain merchant. The fraud protection software must be turned off for a period of time and the regular credit card reps don't know this.

funny, you get flagged for a large overseas purchase, but so many people get no flags for sending much more to overseas scams.

at least thats where I sent all my money to, my new rich bride should be here soon.

Don't sweat it -- I's normal operating procdure

quote:

Originally posted by SixPackSunday:
at least thats where I sent all my money to, my new rich bride should be here soon.

No disrespect but would it be out of line to ask for pictures?

I also purchased my wife overseas and just wanted to know if I got a good deal.

no biggie...

the credit card comapny doesn't give a hoot's a$$ about your cubans.. all they care about is the moula......

rest assured.. the only thing you'll get flagged for, is a higher credit limit

Like eveyone else said. It's just your credit card comppnay looking out for you...

quote:

CC companies are in business to make money. Seems to me they don't do that by ratting out their customers. What would they have to gain by doing this?

I don't know what they personally have to gain but it appears some time back.
In Hong Kong a company was doing just that.
Whether intentional or not many received fines and letters.
I guess they do not safe guard your info as well as they say.
That and the fact that the government owns at least in part many of the banks.
Makes one tend to wonder.