Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Victim pays for burglars' shopping spree

PETALING JAYA: Lai Kim Lan, 24, had her house broken into and her valuables stolen. But that was not the end of her woes.

For among the items the robbers took from her home in Petaling Jaya was her rarely-used credit card.

The robber purchased jewellery and home electrical appliances amounting to RM3,400 with her credit card.

Lai, an electronic designer, is now pressed by her credit card company to pay RM3,600 including interest. The company is refusing to discuss better payment terms and is blaming Lai for being negligent, said Lau Weng San, Kampung Tunku assemblyman.

Lai's house was broken into on May 13 and she lodged a police report the same day. She realised her credit card was missing the next day and rushed to the bank and was relieved to find that no transactions had been made.


But then her bank statement arrived -- with records of four transactions conducted on May 13.

"The statement showed a transaction at a petrol station amounting to RM20, two transactions amounting to RM1,884.9 at an electrical appliances shop and RM1,559 at a goldsmith. All transactions took place in Klang.

I immediately lodged a report at the bank. To my surprise the bank said that although I lodged my police report on May 13, I only reported my credit card missing on May 14," said Lai.

She has also submitted a letter from her superior stating that she was at work while all those transactions were being made.

Lai said the bank did not call to verify the transactions although all the signatures on the bills were different. She said no verification phone calls were made to her before the purchase of the expensive items with her credit card.

Lai has received a notice by the bank to pay the sum in full in 14 days.

"It's impossible for me to pay the sum, the bank should be more understanding," said Lai.

Assemblyman Lau said: "I will write to the financial mediation bureau in Bank Negara to assist the victim."

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