Turkish Tour Operator asking for info that may present identity theft risk?

[agathasmum]

Hi,

I am in the process of booking a 5 day pre-cruise tour of Istanbul and Cappadocia.

Everything went well until it came to pay. I paid the first installment by US credit card and the payment went through. The tour operator is now asking me to provide a copy of my credit card as well as a copy of my passport. To me this sounds unusual.

The operator is not getting a turkish visa for me so I don't see why he needs a copy of the passport. As the credit card transaction has already gone through I don't see why he needs a copy of that either.

Can anyone enlighten me whether this is standard business practice for Turkey or whether I should cancel the booking and try someone else.

Many thanks

Susan

[John Bull]

Did you check reviews & other factors about the tour operator prior to booking? That should give you an indication of whether you should be suspicious.

Credit card copy is a bit of a strange request. You've already made a payment on the card, so they already have the personal details that are shown on the card.
I'd be inclined to contact your card supplier.
A 5-day tour presumably involves a great deal of money, and it may well be that your card supplier is requiring that the merchant has sight of your card to guard against fraud. Conversely, providing a copy might prejudice your rights against the card company if the copy is used fraudulently.

Turkish hotels are required by law to record passport details of aliens. Whether they are required to have that information in advance is another matter, it certainly hasn't been the case for us.

I would certainly want a great deal of reassurance from third parties before complying with the request.

JB

[agathasmum]

Thanks JB.

Glad I am not the only person who thought this a little odd. I did already speak with the fraud dept of my credit card as the first time I tried to process payment it failed, but went through on the second try, which sent up all sorts of red flags.

They are an agency that other people have recommended, but I think I will look into a plan B.

[cruisemom42]

I am not minimizing your concerns, you should definitely follow up on them. But being that this is a 5-day tour that will presumably involve booking hotels on your behalf, etc., it could be that they need your passport number. I recall when staying in hotels in Turkey in the past, they always ask to see your passport and make a copy of it, sometimes wanting to return it later. (I generally ask if I can just wait while they do it.)

[agathasmum]

Thanks for your input everyone. If they had just asked for my passport number that would have been different, but a photocopy of it and a copy of the credit card, no way.

When I spoke to them today they said it was standard practice to ask for that to prevent themselves from fraud. Sadly I cancelled my booking with them and explained why. They have refunded my deposit in full, so now I have to start again.

Better safe than sorry.

[Langley Cruisers]

Originally Posted by agathasmum

...They have refunded my deposit in full, so now I have to start again....Better safe than sorry.

I absolutely agree with you. Trust me, had you gone along with your plans, you would always have worried about it, I mean like, forever. I have a dear friend who just had his identity stolen and it has been an absolute nightmare.

Something else will come along, some other plans that you are more comfortable with.

Take care.