How to Protect Yourself from Credit Card Fraud While Traveling

Whether you're an experienced traveler or occasional vacationer, chances are you'll need to use your credit card when traveling.

It is crucial for you to help protect yourself from credit card fraud, whether traveling for business or pleasure. These simple tips will help you keep your information secure, no matter where you are.


Enjoy your travels without safety concerns by preparing.

Let Your Card Issuer Know Where You Will Be

When it comes to both your bank account and credit card, you'll want to set a travel alert to let the issuer know where you will be and for how long. This will stop them from flagging your account for suspicious activity -- like repeated purchases outside of your home state or country.

Keep It Minimal

You may have a selection of credit cards, but don't travel with them all. The more you have and the more accounts you use, the greater the chance that a fraudulent charge will escape your notice. It's best to pick one card to use for the majority of your purchases, as well as a backup if you have it.

Know Who To Contact

Your credit card issuer will have multiple layers of protection in place in the case that your cards are stolen, but you'll need to know how to contact them and have the correct account information to verify who you are. Write down or make copies of the front and back of your cards, which will typically also include necessary contact information. Store this information in a safe place that is separate from the cards themselves.

Monitor Your Account (If Possible)

If you can keep an eye on your account activity when traveling, that is a great way to catch any suspicious activity quickly. However, you have to be safe, and accessing your financial data over public wireless or through public computers is not recommended. These methods can be prone to prying eyes and hackers, so you are better off waiting until you have access to a secure network.