Credit cards are wonderfully convenient. Accepted almost everywhere, they help us sleep in comfort, dine on wonderful international cuisine, and enjoy pinnacle experiences including some world-class diving. As you plan for your next travel adventure, take a few minutes to learn about some common credit card scams and how to avoid them. You’ll be glad you did.
Designate a Card for Frequent Use
There’s no reason to bring all your credit cards with you when you travel, as this simply increases your risk of running into problems. Instead, take the cards you intend to use, and be sure that you choose cards from banks that provide protection in case of loss or theft. Let your credit card company know where you are going, and give them your mobile number so they can contact you about any suspicious charges. While you’re at it, see if you can sign up for low or zero-percentage foreign transaction fees. This will help you save money while reducing risk potential.
Make Copies of Your Cards
Make two copies of each credit card you plan to travel with, copying both the front and back of the cards. One copy is for you, and the other is for a trusted friend or family member you can reach at home while you’re away. In addition, be sure you can call the customer service number from the country or countries you plan to travel through. This way, if there is a problem, you have all the information you need close at hand. If you’re not comfortable carrying paper copies of your cards, consider scanning them into your computer, then placing the images on a thumb drive you can keep in a safe location.
Keep Valuable Items Separate from One Another
Keep your credit cards in different locations while traveling, and keep other valuable separate as well. If you have a safe in your hotel room, put it to use; avoid leaving valuable in a main hotel safe, since staff members typically have access to those items.
Keep Tabs on Your Accounts
Keep tabs on accounts as best you can while traveling, and consider signing up for alerts from your credit card companies. These alerts can sometimes be sent via text message, so you know automatically if a large unauthorized charge comes through. If you can, bring your laptop with you and be sure you have a secure way to get online, as well as updated security software. On the flip side, be sure you never check accounts from public access points, including those in internet cafes and hotel lobbies. The risk is just too great, since tracking software is easy to install and thieves are experts at hiding it. If you can’t check accounts online safely, consider calling card issuers periodically just to ensure you are the only person making purchases with the cards you are carrying.
Finally, never let credit cards out of your sight. Handheld credit card skimmers are ubiquitous, and many people in service industries have them. They simply skim your information, then help themselves to money from your account. Once your vacation has come to an end, continue to watch your accounts closely for a while since some scammers hold information for a period of time before using it or selling it. If you think an account may have been compromised, ask your credit card company to cancel your card and issue a new one with a different number. Playing it safe does take some effort – but letting your guard down can be costly.