For those that either live here and/or just visiting be aware of the following:
My cards were blocked by "VISA" because one of their merchants with whom I have done business with had their files compromised.
To protect ALL customers that had used that merchant, VISA put a block on ALL cards that had been used for that merchant.
My bank then canceled my cards and issued new cards with a different number.
Now that would have been all fine and dandy if I was home to get the new cards.
Unfortunately I was in the DR and my bank does not have a branch here.
I was trying to purchase an airline ticket and it was declined.
That left me with a slight problem, no credit card to charge the ticket.
I was advised by my bank that since there is no branch here for my bank,
that I could call 1-800-VISA-911 and they would assist me if I needed cash.
So, be sure you don?t get caught up in a bind by having only debit/credit cards to live on, etc.
If you depend on getting cash from the ATM to live on while here, you may very well have an unforeseen problem.
Just because your credit is good, that does not prevent VISA, MasterCard, etc. from blocking your cards and your bank then canceling your cards.
SantiagoDR