Unfair Visa practice

I am a Visa credit card holder, and for years here I have been suffering through a policy practiced by most non-international stores in which I am charged (read cheated) three percent of my purchase that they claim is supposed to be paid to Visa for the privilege of using the credit card services. The same holds true for Master Card and American Express. I have complained in vain many times whenever this has happened. I have also contacted Visa International concerning this insipid method of corruption and, for the rest of you out there, here is their reply:

"We have been informed that these types of surcharges are not law in Indonesia. At this point, we would suggest that you file a dispute/compliance case with the bank which issued your Visa Card, to obtain a chargeback to your account for the amount of the surcharge that is stated on your sales receipt; Visa headquarters is currently working with our offices in the Asia- Pacific region to reinforce merchant compliance."

Insist that these crooks add the charge to the surcharge section and not to the total purchase. Lets all do our part to eradicate this loss of control over our money.

BF DOYLE

Jakarta