A friend of mine is going to UK shortly. I gave this friend a few pointers about credit cards and bank accounts. I want to share one of them with you also.
When you are going abroad on vacation, please inform your credit card companies and bank that you will be on vacation in “these” foreign countries from this date to this date. They will put a note on your account to this effect.
As we all know, the credit card companies and banks are very watchful to avoid any fraudulent charges to our accounts. When they see someone charging your account in a foreign country, they immediately suspect fraud and, most of the time, block your credit card or bank account. If you are in a foreign country and enjoying your vacation, and if your credit card and/or bank account is blocked, it will put you into a lot of hardship.
However, if you inform them prior to your departure, they will know that the charges from these places are legit.
This happened to me personally. I was in a small town in Tamil Nadu. Bought some silk sarees for my wife, and some gold and silver thru my credit card. Also withdrew some cash thru ATM using my American bank debit card. The next day I came to know that my credit card and bank debit card were blocked. I called them from India and they told me about their suspicion. I explained and they informed me that I should let them know prior to my travel to a foreign country.
Lesson learned.
This is very informative SG. One more word of advice, before a credit card application check if they charge an international fee, else every time you use it in a different country, a fee is charged
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments Dee. You have a good point.
DeleteThanks a lot SG. This was a very helpful tip.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments Ash. I am happy this post was helpful to you.
DeleteUseful information S...
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments Yashi. I am glad you liked this information.
DeleteThe first time I went, to the US, I didn't inform my bank. But to my luck they did nothing. But on my return they asked me to change the card, since I had used it abroad, a few times.
ReplyDeleteAnother occasion, when I went to Japan, after a couple of purchases, the card wouldn't work. Luckily, I had cash. On my return, I was told by the bank, that I should have informed them before.
You are right, SG. It's better to inform them.
Very informative post.
Thanks for your comments Pradeep. I had a double whammy. Both my credit card and bank account were blocked. I had to call them and straighten in out.
DeleteYou don't think about this, but it's true. I've never traveled to a foreign country, but even outside of my home area I once tried to buy a car and my account was blocked momentarily when I tried to pay for the registration.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments JEN. And, welcome to my blog. I understand your situation. Even within the country, if a big purchase is made outside of your home area, that triggers an alarm.
DeleteJEN, please visit here as often as possible. Thanks.
I have not travelled abroad, but once, I put my credit card inside the ATM machine (mistakenly, instead of the debit card - also from the same bank) and tried to withdraw cash. The card was promptly blocked. There was another time when I tried an online purchase 4-5 times continuously - again the card was blocked. Fortunately, the phone banking officers were helpful in resolving the issue immediately.
ReplyDeleteDestination Infinity
Thanks for your comments Rajesh. You purchased online 4 to 5 times continuously and your card was blocked. HaHaHa. I was thinking about a similar interesting incident that happened. This gave me an idea for my next blog post.
DeleteA useful tip for travellers.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments Sarala. Glad you liked this post.
DeleteThat's useful information. Are debit cards blocked too? I dont use Credit Cards and use only Debit Card, have never faced any issue when using DC abroad, but will keep in mind the next time I travel. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments Shilpa. In my view, there is a problem with using a debit card. You buy some product and use debit card. Suppose the product is defective and if the seller does not want to refund you the money, you have no recourse. The money has already been taken out of your bank account. In case you use a credit card, and if you have an issue with the seller and you complain to the credit card company, they will withhold the payment to the seller and investigate the matter and not charge you.
DeleteI know you know this. If you pay the entire credit card statement every month, no interest will be charged and this is more or less same as using a debit card.
Thanks for sharing this helpful info, SG. I wasnt aware of this. Appreciate it!
Deletesame thing happened wih my son..company said that they block the card if used in Dubai..when he is in Europe.
ReplyDeleteThis is good, useful information....We take axis bank debit card while traveling abroad ...once we noticed that a same amount was swiped twice....We informed the bank and they reversed, thank God.
ReplyDelete