There’s a lot to do before taking a big trip. And although you are sure to pack your credit cards, you may not even think about contacting your credit card company.
It’s a hassle while you’re preparing for the trip, but contacting your credit card company before you start traveling can save you a lot of time and frustration. Many issuers and banks keep track of spending patterns and will automatically assume that unexpected purchases made far away from your normal location are suspicious and fraudulent activities. As a result, your bank may lock your account if you use your card in a different location without notifying them, leaving you with no access to your money. If being stranded in an unknown place with no money isn’t stressful enough, you then have to spend hours calling your credit card company to fix the problem.
In addition, by notifying your issuer, they can keep an eye out for any fraudulent activity made in your own home town while you are gone. You can also get the phone numbers you need in the event your credit card does get lost or stolen. If you are traveling internationally, this number is often different than the toll-free number on the back of your card.
