With the holiday season fast approaching, The UK Cards Association and ABTA have published the Using your card overseas guide, providing advice and information for those planning to use their cards abroad this summer.
The UK Cards Association’s latest statistics show that just over three per cent of all card transactions on UK-issued cards took place overseas last year. The Using your card overseas guide provides tips on[img_assist|nid=680|title=|desc=This year's top tips for holidaymakers using their cards overseas what to do before, during and after your trip to minimise the chances of being a victim of fraud.
The following advice can help ensure that using your cards abroad is a hassle-free experience:
- Only take cards with you that you intend to use; leave others in a secure place at home.
- Ensure you have your card company’s 24-hour contact phone number.
- Ensure your card company has up-to-date contact details for you, including a mobile telephone number.
- If your cards are registered with a card protection agency, ensure you have their contact telephone number and your policy number with you.
- Don’t let your card out of your sight, especially when using it in restaurants and bars.
- Don’t give your PIN to anyone – even if they claim to be from the police or your card company.
- Shield your PIN with your free hand when typing it into a keypad in a shop or at a cash machine.
- When you pay make sure you know which currency you are paying in. Some retailers may allow you to pay in sterling but this should be made clear to you at the time of purchase.
- Check any charges for using your card abroad before you depart. You will probably find that it’s generally cheaper to use your debit card for cash withdrawals and your credit card for purchases.
- Remember that your credit card provides great additional consumer protection if you buy something over £100 and less than £30,000 that you don’t get if you pay by cash. However this should never be seen as a replacement for travel insurance.
Read more about the Using your card overseas guide on the UK Cards Association website.
Please note: Action Fraud is not responsible for the content on external websites.
To report a fraud, call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or use our online fraud reporting tool.
See also:
Credit card fraud
Debit card fraud
