Card Fraud While Travelling
Travel brings new ATMs, unfamiliar terminals and card use in busy places. How to protect your cards abroad: tell your bank, carry a backup, use safe ATMs and watch for skimming.
Travel is a busy time for your cards: airports, hotels, new cash machines, restaurants where cards leave the table. A little preparation protects your money and keeps you from being stranded.
Before you go
- Check whether your bank wants to know about travel.
- Save your bank's international contact number somewhere other than your phone.
- Carry a backup card kept separately from your main one.
- Turn on alerts and learn to freeze cards in your app. See alerts and limits.
While away
- Use ATMs inside banks or airports, and cover your PIN. See ATM skimming.
- Keep cards in sight at restaurants and fuel stations. See POS tricks.
- Choose to pay in local currency when asked.
- Avoid banking on public Wi-Fi. See working securely while travelling.
If something goes wrong
- Freeze the card and call your bank's international number.
- Switch to your backup card.
- Report theft to local police if you need a report for insurance.
Related: travel account security and travel booking scams. For more, see how to protect your money.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to tell my bank I'm travelling?
Many banks no longer require it, but some do. Check your app or bank's advice so genuine payments are not blocked.
Should I pay in local currency or my home currency?
Choosing local currency is usually cheaper. Converting at the terminal often adds a poor exchange rate.
What if my card is lost abroad?
Freeze it in your app, call your bank's international number, and use your backup card.
Sources
- Avoid Scams When You Travel, US Federal Trade Commission
- Lost or Stolen Credit, ATM, and Debit Cards, US Federal Trade Commission
- Credit Card Loss Protection, US Federal Trade Commission
