Traveling with credit cards can be convenient, but it's important to take steps to keep them safe and secure. Here are some tips for safely traveling with credit cards:
Notify your bank: Before you travel, let your bank or credit card company know where and when you will be traveling, so they can monitor your account for suspicious activity. This is especially true if you are traveling overseas. I was in Malaysia once and neither of the two bank cards I took with me would work. My buddy had an AMEX that worked so we did not have to clean hotel rooms to get out of Kuala Lumpur.
Carry only what you need: Only carry the credit cards you need for your trip and leave the others at home. This will reduce the risk of losing them or having them stolen.
My Note: If I am leaving town I carry cards from three different banks, Chase, Cap One, and Wells Fargo. Close to home I always carry two cards from different banks. Recently I tried to use one of my Chase cards with a low credit limit to purchase an expensive item. Chase stopped usage of all four of my Chase cards for four days until my account got straightened out. If I had been out of town and only had two Chase cards I would have been out of luck.
Keep them secure: Keep your credit cards in a secure place, such as a travel wallet or a purse that can be worn close to your body.
My Note: I have an ankle wallet that I carry most of my cash and two of my cards. My very small wallet in my pocket has some cash, ID and one or sometimes two credit cards.
Be cautious when using public Wi-Fi to access your credit card or Bank accounts. These networks can be unsecured and make it easy for hackers to intercept your information. If you do use one of these networks be sure to close the account as soon as you are done using or checking the account.
Check your statements: Regularly check your credit card statements while traveling to ensure there are no unauthorized charges. Most cards will email you with every charge made on your cards if you select that option. This is really handy while traveling.
Use ATMs wisely: Use ATMs located in well-lit, public areas and avoid using ones that appear to have been tampered with. I am not a fan of using debit cards if at all possible and only use Credit cards and never at ATMs.
Use chip-enabled credit cards: Chip-enabled credit cards have the little silver chip on the front of the card. They are more secure than magnetic stripe cards, as they create a unique code for each transaction that cannot be reused. This is critical if traveling internationally as non-chip cards do not work in a lot of countries.
Write down your card number, exp date, three digit code, and the phone numbers to contact the bank with each of your cards. Put clear tape over this so it won’t smear if it gets wet. I keep this in my ankle wallet. I write down the critical phone numbers in my life on this card also.
Use hotel safes: If your hotel has a safe, consider using it to store your credit cards and other valuables when you're not using them.
Be aware of your surroundings when using your credit card for transactions, and keep an eye out for anyone who appears to be watching or following you.
Use a credit monitoring service: Consider using a credit monitoring service that alerts you to any changes in your credit report, such as new accounts or inquiries, which could be a sign of identity theft. Check out my chapters on Identity theft for more information on this.
Use a RFID-blocking wallet or sleeve: If your credit card has a RFID chip, consider using a RFID-blocking wallet or sleeve to prevent someone from scanning your card without your knowledge.
Don't leave credit cards unattended: Never leave your credit cards unattended, such as at a restaurant or in a hotel room. Keep them with you at all times. I never let a waiter take my card, I will go to the cash register with my card.
Be cautious when using your credit cards abroad, as some countries may have different regulations or security measures for credit card transactions.
Use secure websites for online transactions: When making online purchases or transactions with your credit card, use secure websites with https:// in the URL, and avoid entering personal information on unsecured sites. I buy everything with either Paypal or Amazon pay.
Regularly check your credit report for any unusual activity, such as new accounts or inquiries, and report any suspicious activity to your credit card company immediately. Check out my articles on Identity theft.
Be aware of phishing scams: Scammers may use phishing emails or texts to trick you into providing your credit card information. Be cautious of unsolicited emails or texts, and never provide personal or financial information in response to these messages.
My local bank that I have been with for 30+ years was recently hacked. I am getting phishing emails and texts all the time. Don't fall for phishing emails and texts.
Use a VPN: Consider using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) when accessing your credit card accounts or making transactions online, especially when using public Wi-Fi.
Report lost or stolen credit cards immediately: If your credit card is lost or stolen while traveling, report it to your credit card company immediately to prevent unauthorized charges. For the cards you carry keep the bank phone number on your important number list for easy access if your wallet is stolen.
Carry two wallets. I carry a wallet with a little cash, ID and two of my credit cards in one wallet. I also use an ankle wallet that has another ID and two different credit cards in it. If I end up getting robbed hopefully I can just give them one of my wallets and they won’t find my ankle wallet.
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