Letting your bank & CC know your travel plans

[mitchja]

I've just phoned up both Amex and MBNA to let them both know I'm off to DXB tomorrow in order that any transactions I make whilst there dont get stopped.

This is the first time I've actually remembered to do this [:I] as I was reading this week, that banks and credit card companies are getting more alert to off-shore transactions and are stopping a lot more cards when you use them on holiday.

Both Amex and MBNA were fantastic and made a note on my accounts the length of time I will be away and where I'll be.

If you are planning on travelling it's now recommended that you do let your bank and credit card companies know where and when you are going.

Regards

[Scrooge]

MBNA and Capitol one sucks at this,even when I have called I have had issues.

Amex has never been a problem,even when i forget to call.

I have to say my experience with MBNA was totally different on this one Jetwet. I rang them before going to SAfrica and had no problems when I got out there. However, my card was cloned, and they spotted it had been used twice with in minutes in both J'burg and cape town. They rang me immidiately, and said that as I was on holiday and thus unlikely to be making internet purchases they were concerned. And they were right to be! They had the card stopped instantly. I have to say, although I was frustrated to be with out the card, I was impressed that they picked up the pattern so quickly, and managed to put 2 and 2 together with my travel plans.

I did this with Tesco before we went to Orlando. No issues while we were out there, but I suspect I will have a problem once the bills start to come in [:I].

My partner had a bad experience with Citbank (ATM Card) while we were in Sydney. They phoned to make sure he was in possession of his card, he confirmed that he still had itÉ. Next time he used his card the ATM retained it as instructed by Citibank.

Patrick

I hadn't thought of doing this, but what a good idea, despite your mixed experiences. Did you call a central number for MBNA or customer services (aaarrrghh) or - who?

How did you cope without your card though Jeremy - am guessing you took along another as a spare? How far in advance did you call - you said they called you, so I assume you gave them your mobile number. For which you had to pay through the nose when they called?

[mitchja]

Claire

I just called the 0800 number that's on the back of my card.

Regards

[mcmbenjamin]

Good point James. I called AmEx once and the agent stated that they cross reference travel booked via the card to future charging locations. Was a long time ago. Seams to make sense.

I think one of the best things to prevent fraud is to monitor your accounts daily, possibly via Quicken or other software.

[Scrooge]

Funny thing is,when we were over last Sept,capitalone would let everyother charge go through,at one resturant we had lunch at I gave the waiter both my capitalone card and amex,explained the situation and he was more than happy to have my card declined for me so I could use it to buy show tickets.

Have you seen the way amex convert your purchases?! I wouldnt dare us mine abroad![:o)]

I always ring my cc company. nationwide are great for using aboad even though you cant earn any points [V]

Which leads me to this question, when I'm away to oz, do you think i should use my nationwide visa or use my virgin card, get charged 2.75% but earn miles?!

[Scrooge]

thats why I try and use the capitalone card,no fee on the exchange rate.

CAT - I had a spare card. No doubt the call did cost me. but to be honest, although I am not liable, it's worth it to stop the scum who do the fraud. The good thing is that I knew where it happened - a restaurant in Bo Cap. I think the owner was somewhat surprised to see us when we went back at the end of our holiday. Especially when the Rear Admiral gave him a piece of her mind, and a little slap.

Originally posted by mitchja
Claire

I just called the 0800 number that's on the back of my card.

Regards

Thanks James. Think I'll also get the name of the person I speak to - just in case!

Originally posted by mcmbenjamin
Good point James. I called AmEx once and the agent stated that they cross reference travel booked via the card to future charging locations. Was a long time ago. Seams to make sense.

I think one of the best things to prevent fraud is to monitor your accounts daily, possibly via Quicken or other software.

Your last comment is very valid - and it's how I realised fraud had been committed, well in advance of when my paper statement would have hit the mat. Seems very hit and miss, as to whether and how companies are alerted to possible fraud though.

Originally posted by sailor99
CAT - I had a spare card. No doubt the call did cost me. but to be honest, although I am not liable, it's worth it to stop the scum who do the fraud. The good thing is that I knew where it happened - a restaurant in Bo Cap. I think the owner was somewhat surprised to see us when we went back at the end of our holiday. Especially when the Rear Admiral gave him a piece of her mind, and a little slap.

LOL - would have loved to have been a fly on the wall!

I have always used an amex card when away, never told them of travel plans and never had it declined,I assumed they monitored the spend patterns.Remember my mate's TSB visa and mastercard being stopped everytime we went away even after he had informed them of travel plans this was 15 years ago.

Originally posted by jaguarpig
I have always used an amex card when away, never told them of travel plans and never had it declined,I assumed they monitored the spend patterns.Remember my mate's TSB visa and mastercard being stopped everytime we went away even after he had informed them of travel plans this was 15 years ago.

I've never informed banks before either - but I'm unconvinced about their monitoring policies. Perhaps Amex is different, but when we were cloned and thus talking to fraud, and asked why on earth no software flagged up that 3 large purchases were made in one day to one place in the south of France (which is not a haunt of ours at all), the reply was that only random checks are made. I know that most, if not all, cc companies usually don't make a fuss about re-imbursing, but nonetheless it felt like a violation - the sum involved was something like £7k. Way different from any spending pattern we have.[:$]

Originally posted by catsilversword
I know that most, if not all, cc companies usually don't make a fuss about re-imbursing, but nonetheless it felt like a violation

I know exactly what you mean. So long as you have been responsible then there is no liability for you to settle the bill. Nevertheless you do feel like you have been robbed, even though you know you are not out of pocket.

Just a thought on this informing banks. If the worse does happen and your card is stolen or cloned, then if you have rung up the bank before going it is another tick in the box to indicate you are a responsible customer, and cannot be held to blame for the fraud that has occured.

Originally posted by sailor99

Originally posted by catsilversword
I know that most, if not all, cc companies usually don't make a fuss about re-imbursing, but nonetheless it felt like a violation

I know exactly what you mean. So long as you have been responsible then there is no liability for you to settle the bill. Nevertheless you do feel like you have been robbed, even though you know you are not out of pocket.

Just a thought on this informing banks. If the worse does happen and your card is stolen or cloned, then if you have rung up the bank before going it is another tick in the box to indicate you are a responsible customer, and cannot be held to blame for the fraud that has occured.

The same thought occurred to me Jeremy. I'll be making a note, not only of the name of who I speak to, but also of date and time....

Control freak? Who, moi?!

I did once ask Nationwide what the impact of calling them was and they said that you woudl be able to use your card abroad in most circumstances but that if you tried to use it for purchases of over £450 then it would be declined or if cash of over £100 value was asked for from an ATM!!

At least if you tell them they can also keep an eye on transactions when yoy get back - especially if someone has skimmed your card.

On a slightly different not I use the Nationewide card becasue there are no 2.5% Visa fees - and I also use it for cash from ATM's - I het a great reate and not having the fees makes it the best card ( in my opinion ) for use abroad!!

Sounds good, but do they give FC miles?;)

Slightly OT, but I'm wondering - I also remotely store details of passports etc, just in case.... anyone else do this?