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as i recall (and thunder gerbil will tell you for sure), it was the credit card bank that you choose. 1 is ok, the other is not. coin toss. (just a guess, but the "Visa Only" may be the bad one)

i think it was "World bank". just the bank, not the card, but I AM NOT SURE.

in truth, my wife (Japanese) "orders" the cigars, so i do not pay attention to which is which. but you are right, some brothers boycott them due to this. but again, i think it is the bank.

If it was JUST the bank, then there is no way to connect a customer to a pre-paid debit Visa that I can see.

you could be right, but i heard they have 2 bank choices, and 1 bank seems ok--no one gets the letter. the other is suspect.

RE #4

That's the way I heard it too.

Supposedly it was World Pay, which is a UK based CC processor, and not Ravi who actually gave the transaction info to the government.

From what I heard, the letters were kind of interesting, since all OFAC had was a record of payment, but no shipment manifests, they weren't actually "that letter" but rather something along the lines of "We noticed you spent money at a vendor who sells Cuban cigars, if you bought Cuban cigars from him, tell us how many you bought."

Since at the time Ravi also sold Phillipine cigars, humidors, accessories and possibly other non-Cuban merchandise, they really couldn't prove anything.

From what I understand, the option to use World Pay is no longer available on his site.

TYVM

Thanks Adam.

Unfortunately, because of the banks failure to keep the transaction private, the on-line shop has been black listed by some BOTLs.

I have to admit, when a deal came up from this site, I actually said I'd rather pay the extra $25 for the peace of mind of not getting on the letter list.

Too bad for them.

Including me.

for any overseas product, do most of you use prepaid credit/debit cards for security purposes?

I don't, GJ...but, I'm admittedly lazy, if not downright careless, with my procurements...not to mention the fact that I use the same PW for dozens of sites...and don't always wash my hands with soap...livin on the edge

Some people skydive or hang-glide, others SCUBA in uncharted waters or race cars on treacherous mountain roads.

I eat raw cookie dough.

Statistically, what I do is more dangerous, so there.

TollHouse!!!

So if you receive one of these do you then say......OFUC???

These are different than customs letters

Didn't realize it was old.

I haven't heard of anyone getting letters recently.