As summer arrives, many Maryland families are planning beach trips, road trips, and long-awaited vacations. Before you pack your bags, it’s worth taking a few simple steps to protect your money and personal information while you travel.
A little preparation can go a long way. When you know what to watch for, you can feel more confident paying for travel expenses, booking trips, and enjoying your vacation. Here are seven smart ways to avoid travel fraud and travel with confidence.
1. Refresh your daily security habits
A strong foundation of financial safety practices can help you feel more confident and secure wherever your travels take you. These habits can help protect your money at home and while traveling.
- If you get an email, text, or phone call asking for your personal or financial information, don’t engage or click links. Instead, contact your financial institution directly.
- Be suspicious of pressure to act fast. For example, a text threatening to cancel your booking unless you “verify” your credit card number immediately is probably a scam.
- Avoid paying with gift cards, wires, or cryptocurrency. Scammers love them because they can’t easily be reversed.
2. Verify booking sites and travel agents
Booking websites and travel agencies can make it simpler to plan your getaway. With a few extra steps, you can book with confidence.
- Protect your money by screening vacation rentals carefully.
- Research travel agencies and vacation rental companies before booking. Read reviews from multiple sources and verify contact information before making a payment.
- Even legitimate travel websites can be impersonated by scammers through fake emails or text messages that look real. Contact the company directly instead of clicking unexpected links.
3. Use credit cards, contactless payment, or cash
Choosing the right way to pay can keep your trip headache-free. Here’s why a mix of credit cards (especially contactless cards) and cash is often better.
- Credit cards are often the safest because they are relatively easy to cancel if lost or stolen.
- If you do run into a fraud or disputed transaction situation, your credit card company can help you resolve it, whereas with debit or cash, the money is already transferred with few options to get it back.
- Many credit cards also come with some travel rewards, perks, or extras, like lost luggage replacement or rental car insurance. Make sure to review your card benefits before buying additional, unnecessary coverage.
- Contactless payment methods add another layer of protection because your card information is encrypted during transactions.
- Using cash for small purchases once you reach your destination can help limit how often you share your card information. But be careful not to carry around a conspicuous amount of cash.
Many financial institutions no longer require travel notifications, but it’s still a good idea to review your account alerts before your trip and make sure your contact information is up to date.
4. Stay aware of your surroundings
When you know how to guard your money in a new place, you feel more relaxed. Here’s what to do so you can focus on having fun.
- Keep your passport with you, in a secure bag or belt, or in your hotel’s safe.
- Approach strangers with caution. Common scams include giving you a “free” gift then demanding payment and solicitations for fake charities.
- Avoid distractions designed to pull your attention away from your belongings. Some scams involve creating a commotion or offering assistance while an accomplice targets your wallet or phone.
Every destination is unique. A little research before your trip can help you feel more confident and prepared wherever you go.
5. Know common prices before you arrive
Advance research can also help you shut down “tourist pricing” and steer clear of tourist attraction scams. Here’s what to know before you go.
- Look up standard pricing on common purchases like taxis, restaurants, tours, and tips.
- Your hotel may be able to help you find safe transportation, dining, and other services.
- If you’re sightseeing, check hours and prices before you leave your hotel. In the “closed temple” scam, scammers say the temple is closed and offer a different tour (for a hefty price).
6. Keep your phone and devices secure
Strong digital security practices help you keep your bank account and your vacation pics safe. These three tips will help you stay connected securely.
- Keep your devices locked and install security updates right away.
- Avoid accessing financial accounts on public Wi-Fi when possible. Using mobile data or a trusted VPN can help keep your information secure.
- Public charging stations can carry security risks. Bringing your own charger and cable can help keep your devices protected.
7. If you get scammed, get help
Sometimes you do everything right, and the scammer still stays one step ahead of you. Travel scams are designed to look convincing. If something happens, acting quickly can help protect your accounts and personal information.
- If your financial information was stolen, contact your financial institution’s fraud department right away. Most are available 24/7.
- If you’ve lost your passport, contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for help.
- Filing a local police report can be helpful in some cases.
Prepare financially to travel confidently
A little planning can help you enjoy your vacation with greater peace of mind. From monitoring your accounts to responding quickly to fraud alerts, staying connected to your finances while traveling can make a big difference. Explore our Visa® credit card options to see which ones might best fit your travel needs.
If you have questions about protecting your accounts while traveling, our team is here to help. Explore our fraud prevention resources or contact us before your trip for additional guidance.
