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On vacation, you want to forget about everything, but it's still worth remembering how not to be left without a livelihood. We will tell you how to save cash and cards, whether it is worth taking the currency with you or changing it on the spot, what to do if the money in the account is frozen or disappears in an unknown direction.
There is money, but you cannot pay
This can happen, for example, if a store, taxi or hotel does not accept bank cards and you do not have local currency. Payment systems also sometimes give a short-term technical failure. In this case, you need to have enough cash to pay, say, in a cafe.
Rule 1. Take some of the money with you in cash
In some countries, cards are not accepted everywhere, and finding a trustworthy ATM can be difficult. Even in Europe and America, it is worth having 100-200 euros or dollars - to buy food in the market, souvenirs on the street and just in case of emergency if something happens to the card.
Change cash in advance. This way you can choose the most favorable currency exchange rate.
You should not take bundles of bills: both for security purposes and to avoid paperwork. You can freely export abroad and import into your country no more than 10 thousand dollars in cash per person. If the amount is greater, it will have to be declared. Customs officers will also convert money in other currencies into dollars.
The bank has blocked your card
You go to a local souvenir stall and pay for your purchase with your card. But the payment does not go through, but a message comes that the card is blocked.
How did it happen? When you try to pay, the bank receives information about the merchant and the card used for the transaction. If the bank considers this information suspicious, it will block the card for security reasons until the circumstances are clarified. Operations on your card abroad are just included in the list of dubious ones.
Rule 2. Inform the bank in advance about your travels
Before the trip, call the bank at the number indicated on the back of your card, and inform about where and when you plan to go. Better to name even the places where you have a transfer. Ask the operator to repeat the locations you named so that there is no mistake. It will not take long and will save your nerves on vacation.
If the card is still blocked, immediately call the bank's support service. To unblock, you will need to name the code word or passport data, if you do not remember it. Follow the operator's instructions.
Before traveling, write down the contact number of your bank so that you can urgently contact it if necessary. Enter the number in the address book of the phone in the international format: +7 ... This is the only way you can get through from abroad.
Removing the block can take from several minutes to several days - it all depends on your bank's security policy. Better to clarify this in advance.
The card is functional, but it is impossible to withdraw money or pay
History shows: the bank may suspend card transactions or a simple technical failure is possible.
Rule 3. Use multiple bank cards
It is better to take at least two cards with you - from different banks and different payment systems, so that even in the event of force majeure, there will be a "back door".
Some payment systems do not accept bank cards abroad. There are also country-specific restrictions. Check with the bank for information on your cards before taking them with you.
The card is in place, but money disappears from it
This happens most often: it is not the cards themselves that are stolen, but their data.
Rule 4. Don't give attackers a chance
Do you have a tin foil hat? What about your bank card?
In theory, money from a contactless card can be stolen, even if you don't let go of it. Small amount transactions do not require a password. And if fraudsters in a crowd lean their payment terminal against your bag or pockets, they can write off some funds from your card.
In practice, this technology is too expensive and the potential benefit to criminals is too small to be taken seriously. But if you are determined to protect your contactless cards from any intrusion, store them in special shielded mini-cases or simply wrap them in foil.
Rule 5. Always stay in touch with the bank
Connect SMS notifications about account transactions. This way you can react quickly if fraudsters decide to use the cards.
Connect to Internet Banking or Mobile Banking. Then, as soon as you discover the theft of money or the card itself, you can immediately transfer the remaining funds from the discredited card to another.
After that, block the card: via the hotline, via the Internet bank or using the SMS blocking code to the bank's short number. Fraudsters will no longer be able to use it.
Immediately after discovering the loss, call the bank, so you can dispute the transactions that were not made by you. When you return home, contact any bank branch and leave a written application. If you do not follow all the precautions and do not promptly inform the bank about the incident, it will be problematic to get the money back.
For more information on how to protect yourself from fraud with bank cards on the Internet and offline, read our special materials.
Money on the card, but it's frozen
This usually happens when booking accommodation or a car. For example, car rental can freeze some of the funds in your account in case you suddenly scratch the rented car.
If you have connected SMS informing about transactions (after all, you have already connected it?), You will receive an SMS message that this amount has been debited from the card. Do not be alarmed: it has not been written off, but simply blocked for a while.
But when exactly and under what conditions it will be unlocked, specify in the rules for booking or renting. Please note: the defrost period depends on many factors, including your bank's rules, and can be up to 30 days or more.
Rule 6. Get a credit card specifically for booking
It is best to open a credit card with a long grace period - a period when no interest is charged for using the loan. Then the freeze will not affect your savings, but the credit funds, which will be returned to your account anyway. And the grace period will allow you not to pay for it. But you will need to make sure that the money is returned before the end of the grace period. You can find out more about cards in the article "Types of payment cards. What are they like?".
Have your wallet been stolen or you have lost it
Unfortunately, such an option cannot be completely ruled out. Therefore, you should always have a plan B.
Rule 7. Store money in different places
Don't put all your cash and cards in one wallet. Carry some money in your wallet, cards - in a separate case, and leave most of the funds in a hotel room in a safe or, in extreme cases, in a suitcase locked with a combination lock.
If a bank card is missing, the procedure is the same as for suspicious transactions: transfer all the money to another card, and block the lost one.
When you find yourself in a difficult situation, you can ask friends or family to send you funds through a money transfer service.
There is money, but you cannot pay
This can happen, for example, if a store, taxi or hotel does not accept bank cards and you do not have local currency. Payment systems also sometimes give a short-term technical failure. In this case, you need to have enough cash to pay, say, in a cafe.
Rule 1. Take some of the money with you in cash
In some countries, cards are not accepted everywhere, and finding a trustworthy ATM can be difficult. Even in Europe and America, it is worth having 100-200 euros or dollars - to buy food in the market, souvenirs on the street and just in case of emergency if something happens to the card.
Change cash in advance. This way you can choose the most favorable currency exchange rate.
You should not take bundles of bills: both for security purposes and to avoid paperwork. You can freely export abroad and import into your country no more than 10 thousand dollars in cash per person. If the amount is greater, it will have to be declared. Customs officers will also convert money in other currencies into dollars.
The bank has blocked your card
You go to a local souvenir stall and pay for your purchase with your card. But the payment does not go through, but a message comes that the card is blocked.
How did it happen? When you try to pay, the bank receives information about the merchant and the card used for the transaction. If the bank considers this information suspicious, it will block the card for security reasons until the circumstances are clarified. Operations on your card abroad are just included in the list of dubious ones.
Rule 2. Inform the bank in advance about your travels
Before the trip, call the bank at the number indicated on the back of your card, and inform about where and when you plan to go. Better to name even the places where you have a transfer. Ask the operator to repeat the locations you named so that there is no mistake. It will not take long and will save your nerves on vacation.
If the card is still blocked, immediately call the bank's support service. To unblock, you will need to name the code word or passport data, if you do not remember it. Follow the operator's instructions.
Before traveling, write down the contact number of your bank so that you can urgently contact it if necessary. Enter the number in the address book of the phone in the international format: +7 ... This is the only way you can get through from abroad.
Removing the block can take from several minutes to several days - it all depends on your bank's security policy. Better to clarify this in advance.
The card is functional, but it is impossible to withdraw money or pay
History shows: the bank may suspend card transactions or a simple technical failure is possible.
Rule 3. Use multiple bank cards
It is better to take at least two cards with you - from different banks and different payment systems, so that even in the event of force majeure, there will be a "back door".
Some payment systems do not accept bank cards abroad. There are also country-specific restrictions. Check with the bank for information on your cards before taking them with you.
The card is in place, but money disappears from it
This happens most often: it is not the cards themselves that are stolen, but their data.
Rule 4. Don't give attackers a chance
- Never allow your bank card to be taken out of sight. At this time, criminals can copy its number, expiration date, owner's name and code on the back. This is enough to make purchases at your expense on many sites.
- Choose only ATM machines that are located in secure locations, such as large hotels or shopping malls. It is best to use terminals in bank branches.
- Before using the ATM, carefully inspect it: there are no overhead keyboards, micro cameras and other "extraneous" parts.
- If you need help using an ATM, do not contact strangers. Especially to those who "happened to be at the ATM" or who "had exactly the same problem yesterday, but he entered the PIN code twice and everything worked out." Go to the bank branch and check everything with a consultant.
- Cover the keyboard with your hand when entering the PIN.
Do you have a tin foil hat? What about your bank card?
In theory, money from a contactless card can be stolen, even if you don't let go of it. Small amount transactions do not require a password. And if fraudsters in a crowd lean their payment terminal against your bag or pockets, they can write off some funds from your card.
In practice, this technology is too expensive and the potential benefit to criminals is too small to be taken seriously. But if you are determined to protect your contactless cards from any intrusion, store them in special shielded mini-cases or simply wrap them in foil.
Rule 5. Always stay in touch with the bank
Connect SMS notifications about account transactions. This way you can react quickly if fraudsters decide to use the cards.
Connect to Internet Banking or Mobile Banking. Then, as soon as you discover the theft of money or the card itself, you can immediately transfer the remaining funds from the discredited card to another.
After that, block the card: via the hotline, via the Internet bank or using the SMS blocking code to the bank's short number. Fraudsters will no longer be able to use it.
Immediately after discovering the loss, call the bank, so you can dispute the transactions that were not made by you. When you return home, contact any bank branch and leave a written application. If you do not follow all the precautions and do not promptly inform the bank about the incident, it will be problematic to get the money back.
For more information on how to protect yourself from fraud with bank cards on the Internet and offline, read our special materials.
Money on the card, but it's frozen
This usually happens when booking accommodation or a car. For example, car rental can freeze some of the funds in your account in case you suddenly scratch the rented car.
If you have connected SMS informing about transactions (after all, you have already connected it?), You will receive an SMS message that this amount has been debited from the card. Do not be alarmed: it has not been written off, but simply blocked for a while.
But when exactly and under what conditions it will be unlocked, specify in the rules for booking or renting. Please note: the defrost period depends on many factors, including your bank's rules, and can be up to 30 days or more.
Rule 6. Get a credit card specifically for booking
It is best to open a credit card with a long grace period - a period when no interest is charged for using the loan. Then the freeze will not affect your savings, but the credit funds, which will be returned to your account anyway. And the grace period will allow you not to pay for it. But you will need to make sure that the money is returned before the end of the grace period. You can find out more about cards in the article "Types of payment cards. What are they like?".
Have your wallet been stolen or you have lost it
Unfortunately, such an option cannot be completely ruled out. Therefore, you should always have a plan B.
Rule 7. Store money in different places
Don't put all your cash and cards in one wallet. Carry some money in your wallet, cards - in a separate case, and leave most of the funds in a hotel room in a safe or, in extreme cases, in a suitcase locked with a combination lock.
If a bank card is missing, the procedure is the same as for suspicious transactions: transfer all the money to another card, and block the lost one.
When you find yourself in a difficult situation, you can ask friends or family to send you funds through a money transfer service.
