Kruger National Park Travel Forum

Hello all,

Just a quick question ...

I have made a booking with Ele Plains for next April 08.

They requested credit card details to charge a deposit (25%). However, they also require me to photocopy and fax my passport and credit card. Is this usual? Seems a bit over the top and insecure?

Having said that, I did give them the usual details (passport number, credit card details).

Just wondering...

Regards,

SM

That sounds highly dodgy to me. I wouldn't be sending that sort of stuff if it were me.

I am not suggesting you do it, but having been to SA last March, I do recall being surprised at the number of times this was done...renting the car, renting the cell phone, seems like it is a much more standard practice than we had encountered in most other places we have visited. We had no incidents, (although I found it necessary to check bills very carefully for 'errors' or misclculations...or misunderstadings (in most cases probably innocent, but I learned to be wary).
Perhaps someone who knows this company or who has travelled more often than I can comment on the whole obsession with photocopying your documents...it certainly seems very widespread there.

Fraud is a big problem in the country and they are just checking that you are the rightful owner of the credit card that is being billed. It is just that you're not used to being asked for the info.
FYI: I have heard of more cases of fraudlent charges to credit cards of my friends in Europe than I have in SA, but it is good practice to check your bills and charges every month no matter where you live.
Have a great trip.
Kim

This is a normal request. As a South African, if I make a purchase or booking without being at the check ut I often have to fax a copy of my credit card. This is to protect me: I am who I say I am. It is also to protect the vendor: the charge can be disputed or reversed if they did not physically see the card for the purchase. The passport is a way of verifying your identity too. Here we are often asked to produce our Identity books or drivers licences for the same purpose. Nevertheless, keep reconciling your credit card statements. (now also please visit some of my pages and rate them... please)

I am from the United States and use to work for a tour operator and travel agency. That is normal when making large purchases. Almost all vendors that I have worked with require a copy of passport and credit card.

Most of the credit card merchant acceptors (the people who provide the credit card machines, usually the banks) in South Africa DO require this in all cases when the person making the payment is not physically present.

The level of card fraud was historically high, and it has become common practise.

More disclosure = less fraud = lower credit card fees for you or your operator (the last bit is certainly true in theory!)