Watch Those Credit/Debit Cards

there's always the option to notify your credit card company(ies) of your travel plans.

Required by most now.

In addition to the suggestions to set alerts (which one should do regardless if one is traveling or not), when traveling, there's always the option to notify your credit card company(ies) of your travel plans. This can frequently be done on-line at their website, or a simple phone call. AND some cards are better than others for monitoring spend patterns. American Express, for example, may decline charges that are outside of your normal spend pattern, and contact you immediately, even if you don't have any alerts set.

I always contact my credit card company for the card I plan to use when traveling across country. I let them know what state(s) I plan to be in, and how long I'll be gone.

Some folks may say this isn't necessary. I say, better safe than sorry; it takes minimal time to do. And yes, your credit card limits liability, but why not take all steps to prevent fraud?

Setting up alerts is a good idea.
I was hit for $1,500.00 on a trip to see my daughter. Left the debit card with the clerk, they said that way I would get the cash price for fuel. Next thing I know my bank is calling me to see if I just bought three tanks of fuel at $500.00 a tank. I was lucky as the bank took care of all the charges, after some paper work.

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Set up 'alerts' on your Credit/Debit Cards!!!!

x2.

Nobody needs to wait for the 'statement' - which you can do daily yourself.

Set up 'alerts' on your Credit/Debit Cards!!!!

You can set them to alert:

Whenever used w/o a pin
Transaction via on-line, phone, mail
When over a fixed amount
Transfer activity
Available Balance
New card sent
ETC.

It's the 21st Century
There is NO reason to not be 'instantly' informed of activity on any of your Cards

I don't have a fancy smart phone, I don't instant messaging, I don't have 'APPS'
BUT I do know within minutes when/where/how much if my 'Cards' have been used.
And I only need to respond IF there is an issue.

Justaguy wrote:
A lot of us are on the road this time of year so maybe a little reminder. We got hit for over $1000 before the fraud alert shut it down. The CC is declined and luckily we have others with us. Be careful and practice safe swiping/inserting (chipped). Don't give you card to the attendant and let them keep it until you come back in. Just prepay.

"Let's be careful out there."

In reality Paying at the pump is most likely where any problem will occur. Small piggyback devices are put on those swipers that copy and remember the card info. Once removed it can be used to make credit cards or used to make online purchases.

Inside virtually any and all space is covered by camera. It is unlikely that a card is compromised there...

Chip cards arent susceptible to this as there has to be a transaction entered into the register for them to work, and it's a one off deal with no way for the attendant to profit from it.

We will only be as secure as most of the other developed countries when we go 100% to Chip technology or better yet to Tap and Pay.

I've yet to have a problem leaving a card with the clerk, but I have with pump swiping.