Latest update September 22nd, 2026 10:30 AM
Jun 14, 2019 Letters
DEAR EDITOR,
After all the media coverage on the fleecing of Republic Bank customers via the Visa Debit Cards, I decided to ascertain if my card was compromised. I was overseas the past few months and upon my return to Guyana, decided to check my debit card’s bank statements that were send via postal mail. My worst fears were realized when I noticed suspicious transactions that I had not made, appeared on my statements.
On June 12, I visited Republic Bank Water Street branch and was directed to a department that handled customers’ queries. The bank’s representative told me that they were only reviewing transactions that occurred within the past three months and which is part of Republic Bank’s pact with Visa International. Thus, my inquiry could not be reviewed, since the time for queries had elapsed (the suspicious transactions on my statement had occurred at the beginning of this year).
This is unfair to the bank’s customers who have been unsuspecting victims to these cases of outright fraud. Whether the fraud occurred several months or years ago, the fact remains that it occurred and the bank should take responsibility and not attempt to hide behind the veneer of its agreement with Visa. This is poor customer service, at best, on the bank’s part to dismiss customers’ legitimate evidence of fraud.
The bank should assume responsibility and reimburse all affected customers. Absent of this, the government or central bank should intervene to ascertain what happened here in order to protect customers or customers should organize and file a lawsuit against the bank and Visa.
Regards,
Chontelle Sewett
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Sep 22, 2026
…Hamilton, Dennis star with hat-tricks (Kaieteur News) – The goals came in bunches as Guyana Football Federation’s Season Eight Elite League produced another weekend of attacking football,...Sep 22, 2026
(Kaieteur News) – There are many things Guyana has acquired since the discovery of oil, including wealth, multi-storied buildings, newly built apartments that will remain empty, traffic jams and the sudden appearance of people who have always known how to spend money they never previously had....Sep 20, 2026
By Sir Ronald Sanders (Kaieteur News) – Crime in Latin America and the Caribbean is no longer only a matter for the police. It is weakening societies, draining economies and obstructing development. It is also testing public confidence in courts, governments and democratic institutions. The...Sep 22, 2026
(Kaieteur News) – This is the secular world. Not the space of the spiritual. It’s a world of sometimes subtle, other times, astonishing changes. The areas covered are endless. Filled with the contradictory. Where crimes are covered over (transgressions overlooked). Pursued for the...Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: glennlall2000@gmail.com / kaieteurnews@yahoo.com