Credit card taken behind closed doors
I was recently at the new vehicle licensing office out east (in Breakers) and used my credit card to pay for my yearly vehicle registration and the young man took my card and closed the door to the office whilst processing my payment. He took over 10 minutes to complete the processing. Should I be concerned? Not only would he have access to my card number but my address and who knows what else is in the system. In the “real” world, I would never lose sight of my card, which is why this concerns me so, plus the length of time he had it as well as all the other info. Please advise.
Auntie’s answer: These days when the threat of identity theft is real and seemingly ever present, I certainly understand your concern. I would like to point out, however, that any time you use your credit or debit card to pay at a restaurant it will be well out of your view for a while. But I took your question to Jason Azan, who is the deputy director of the Department of Vehicle and Drivers’ Licensing.
First of all, Mr Azan wanted to stress that his answer is based on a few assumptions, since certain details were not included in your question. For starters, he is presuming that you went to the photo room at the office you specified, where customer service officers (CSOs) sometimes assist in processing transactions. In that case, he said, “It would be necessary for the CSO to take the customer’s card to the credit card terminal to ‘swipe’ the card. The door that separates the photo room from the back office is supposed to be closed at all times (for obvious reasons).”
As to the length of time the processing required, Mr Azan explained, “If it occurred over the past two weeks, it would be around the time our bankers installed the new chip card terminals,” which I’m guessing would have slowed things down. I believe his assumption is correct because I received the question within the last two weeks.
Since his response was based on assumptions, which made it a bit difficult to provide specific help, Mr Azan has requested that the reader contact him to discuss further, adding, “It is a bit nerve-racking, yes, when something like your credit/debit card goes with someone else for a few minutes.”
You can email Jason Azan or call 945-8344. I know he would be happy to ease your concerns as best he can.
Category: Ask Auntie, Vehicle Licensing Questions
I also had the same thing happen to me, although I was left in the waiting room whilst he took my card to process. He also took a very long time. Definitely concerning!
I find Mr Azan to be a very helpful individual 100% of the time.
In my opinion I wouldn’t worry. I haven’t heard of any cases of credit card cloning or fraud in Cayman, but you should always keep an eye on your account. I have lived here all my life and was surprised when someone told me to never lose sight of your card, I wasn’t completely naive to it.
I wouldn’t put my head on the block that card cloning or fraud does not occur here. My identity was stolen and my card used to purchase several thousand dollars worth of goods before i even picked it up from the bank. Brand new account
my wife and I have had our card information hijacked. This kind of crime is on the rise but i will say this, at breakers there is a young man that helps customers, so that they don’t have to wait to long. I hope his helpfulness does not cause him harm!
I was recently the victim of data fraud when my phone was stolen from my apartment. That data fraud included my credit card info. Several years ago my friend and I were at a restaurant and she paid with her card which the waiter took to the till while we remained at the table. Not only was she charged the same amount twice on the day, but a month later the same double charge was deducted from her bank account again.
Don’t be so complacent.
I would be concerned. It’s not normal to have the card out of your view ever. No business of any kind should have a process in place that requires your card to be out of your hands or sight. YOU should be putting your card through the machine NOT an employee.