Using credit cards overseas and fraud alerts

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Mal

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Interesting article on the SMH site today:

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national...the-wrongplaces/2005/10/15/1128796715495.html (registration might be required)

In part:

"A growing number of cardholders is being told by banks that their cards have been cancelled because they have used them in cities or countries identified by software as hotspots for fraud. But the banks will not publish blacklists to warn customers in advance, because it might reduce credit card use."

So, watch out!!

My card has been flagged for "suspicious" transactions a few times. Never while overseas though...
 
Interesting article.

I always notify my card providers before I travel. You would hope that if it was such a high risk they would tell you at the time you notified them.
 
I had $25,000 fraudulent transactions on my Amex triggered by a hotel clerk in Manila sending the details (which they get when you check in) to his Balikbayan in US. They rang up golf equipment, leather luggage, electrical and computer items.

AX were fantastic. Cleared the lot, cancelled my card, protected me at the IC in SIN where I was headed before returning to Sydney.

Since then they once cancelled my card without telling me after about 5 or 6 internet transactions for small amounts appeared on Christmas Day. Problem was it was me getting software updates for my new toy (Palm) (I know - get a life). It caused a few difficulties, but better they did it than not. But I felt they could have rung me first, although I suspect these things are all untouched by human hands!
 
Credit Card fraud, it's there fault

I'm heading to Europe later this week and obtained a "new" card just for the trip which I will cancel upon my return.

The issue with credit cards is that the banking system has allowed an inherently unsecure system to evolve. I can recall 12 years ago in the UK where "skimming" was taking hold, restaurant patrons were having their electronic details stolen, their physical card returned which they could continue to use while unknowingly the card numbers were racking up fuel bills and cash advances for the merchants on the take.

Fraud is costing them (read "us") but I assume that it is not costing them more than their calculations on the cost of overhauling the whole system possibly introducing some kind of additional user protections.

On this trip I will also leave all of my other cards here just in case my wallet gets stolen which would be a nightmare given the few automatic transactions, ISP accts, Google accts, ebay etc which would start bouncing if those cards got frozen.
 
May I suggest, like a copy of your passport, you should carry a spare credit or debit card in case something does happen to the only one you have.

I keep my spare in the hotel safe with my passport and other cash and in a separate bag when travelling (not a check-in bag).
 
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I've had a small fraudulant transaction on my account, but in all my travels I have never had a problem with my credit cards (despite a wierd phone call about my AMEX last week). On the other hand, I was with my brother O/S once and he got phoned by his bank about a transaction that had occured on his card, and if it was legitimate, so the banks do have some sort of monitoring going on.
 
It can happen anywhere.Just back from USA.Always take 2 cards.Had used my main card at 2 NY restaurants when it started being used at gas stations which I never do.
Glad that first I do regularly check my balance and that I had a spare card.
 
On my last trip (organised thru AMEX Centurion) they asked me how much I thought I might spend o/s - I said I had no idea.

I was going thru Taiwan, Laos, Thailand and HK.

The day I got back AMEX rang and asked if they could go thru the charges on my card.

There were no fraudulent charges but is was good they were monitoring.

Only once have I had dodgy charges and AMEX reversed them instantly.

Cheers
 
infoworks said:
I agree, online access to accounts is a real benefit that I use and check often.

Agreed. I check my credit card accounts (and normal ransaction accounts) regularly (at least once a week)
 
I have been lucky and never had a problem with credit card overseas.

I know what it is like to have card cancelled as it happened to me here in Sydney. Went to use the amex card and was advised that transaction was not authorised. Rang amex and was advised that my card has been compromised and I will be issued with new card and number. Would not tell me who it was although I guess it was at one of the many dodgy and cheap petrol stations in Sydney who are run by very suspicious people. Took months to get all direct debit payments back in order as most companies want a signed direct debit form before they will accept direct debit.
 
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