On vacation, I want to forget about everything, but it's still worth remembering how not to be left without means of livelihood. We 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 it is impossible to 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 it can be difficult to find a trustworthy ATM. Even in Europe and America, it's worth having 100-200 euros or dollars — to buy groceries at the market, souvenirs on the street and just in case something happens to the card.
Bundles of bills should not be taken: both for security purposes and to avoid paperwork. You can freely export abroad and import into Russia no more than $ 10,000 in cash per person. If the amount is more, 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 the purchase with a card. But the payment does not go through, but a message arrives that the card is blocked.
How did it happen? When you try to pay, the bank receives data about the point of sale and the card on which the transaction was carried out. If the bank considers this information suspicious, it will block the card for security reasons until the circumstances are clarified. Transactions on your card abroad are just included in the list of questionable.
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 warn them about where and when you plan to go. It is better to name even those places where you have a transplant. Ask the operator to repeat the locations that you have named so that there is no mistake. It won't take much time and will save your nerves on vacation.
If the card is still blocked, immediately call the bank's support service. To remove the lock, you will need to name a code word or passport data, if you do not remember it. Follow the operator's instructions.
It can take from a few minutes to several days to remove the lock — it all depends on your bank's security policy. It is better to clarify this in advance.
The card is working, but it is not possible 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 — different banks and different payment systems, so that even in case of force majeure there is a "backup move".
Bank cards of some payment systems are not accepted 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's not the cards themselves that are stolen, but their data.
Rule 4. Don't give the attackers a chance
Rule 5. Always stay in touch with the bank
Enable SMS notifications about account transactions. This way you will be able to react quickly if fraudsters decide to use the cards.
Connect 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 Internet banking or by SMS-blocking code to the bank's short number. Scammers will no longer be able to use it.
Immediately after the loss is detected, call the bank, so you can challenge transactions that were not made by you. When you return home, contact any branch of the bank and leave a written statement. If you do not comply with all precautions and promptly inform the bank about the incident, it will be problematic to return the money.
Read more about how to protect yourself from bank card fraud online and offline in our special materials.
The money is on the card, but it is frozen
This usually happens when booking accommodation or a car. For example, car rental can freeze part of the funds in your account in case you suddenly scratch the rented car.
If you have enabled SMS notification of transactions (after all, have you already enabled it?), you will receive an SMS message that this amount has been debited from the card. Don't be scared: it is not written off, but simply blocked for a while.
But when exactly and under what conditions it will be unblocked, specify in the booking or rental rules. Please note: the defrosting period depends on many factors, including the rules of your bank, and can reach 30 or more days.
Rule 6. Get a credit card specifically for booking
It is best to open a credit card with a large grace period - a period when no interest is accrued for using the loan. Then the freeze will not affect your savings, but credit funds, which will then return to the 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 grace period ends.
Have your wallet been stolen or have you lost it
Unfortunately, it is impossible to completely exclude this option. Therefore, you should always have a plan B.
Rule 7. Keep money in different places
It is not necessary to put all cash and cards in one purse. 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, at least, 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.
There is money, but it is impossible to 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.
In some countries, cards are not accepted everywhere, and it can be difficult to find a trustworthy ATM. Even in Europe and America, it's worth having 100-200 euros or dollars — to buy groceries at the market, souvenirs on the street and just in case something happens to the card.
Bundles of bills should not be taken: both for security purposes and to avoid paperwork. You can freely export abroad and import into Russia no more than $ 10,000 in cash per person. If the amount is more, 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 the purchase with a card. But the payment does not go through, but a message arrives that the card is blocked.
How did it happen? When you try to pay, the bank receives data about the point of sale and the card on which the transaction was carried out. If the bank considers this information suspicious, it will block the card for security reasons until the circumstances are clarified. Transactions on your card abroad are just included in the list of questionable.
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 warn them about where and when you plan to go. It is better to name even those places where you have a transplant. Ask the operator to repeat the locations that you have named so that there is no mistake. It won't take much time and will save your nerves on vacation.
If the card is still blocked, immediately call the bank's support service. To remove the lock, you will need to name a code word or passport data, if you do not remember it. Follow the operator's instructions.
It can take from a few minutes to several days to remove the lock — it all depends on your bank's security policy. It is better to clarify this in advance.
The card is working, but it is not possible 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 — different banks and different payment systems, so that even in case of force majeure there is a "backup move".
Bank cards of some payment systems are not accepted 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's not the cards themselves that are stolen, but their data.
Rule 4. Don't give the 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 those ATMs that are located in safe places, for example in large hotels or shopping malls. It is best to use terminals in bank branches.
- Before using the ATM, carefully inspect it: whether there is an overhead keyboard, micro-camera and other "foreign" parts.
- If you need help with the ATM, do not contact strangers. Especially to those who "happened to be at an 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 the consultant.
- Cover the keyboard with your hand when you enter the PIN code.
Rule 5. Always stay in touch with the bank
Enable SMS notifications about account transactions. This way you will be able to react quickly if fraudsters decide to use the cards.
Connect 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 Internet banking or by SMS-blocking code to the bank's short number. Scammers will no longer be able to use it.
Immediately after the loss is detected, call the bank, so you can challenge transactions that were not made by you. When you return home, contact any branch of the bank and leave a written statement. If you do not comply with all precautions and promptly inform the bank about the incident, it will be problematic to return the money.
Read more about how to protect yourself from bank card fraud online and offline in our special materials.
The money is on the card, but it is frozen
This usually happens when booking accommodation or a car. For example, car rental can freeze part of the funds in your account in case you suddenly scratch the rented car.
If you have enabled SMS notification of transactions (after all, have you already enabled it?), you will receive an SMS message that this amount has been debited from the card. Don't be scared: it is not written off, but simply blocked for a while.
But when exactly and under what conditions it will be unblocked, specify in the booking or rental rules. Please note: the defrosting period depends on many factors, including the rules of your bank, and can reach 30 or more days.
Rule 6. Get a credit card specifically for booking
It is best to open a credit card with a large grace period - a period when no interest is accrued for using the loan. Then the freeze will not affect your savings, but credit funds, which will then return to the 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 grace period ends.
Have your wallet been stolen or have you lost it
Unfortunately, it is impossible to completely exclude this option. Therefore, you should always have a plan B.
Rule 7. Keep money in different places
It is not necessary to put all cash and cards in one purse. 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, at least, 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.