Credit/Debit/ATM card security
Securing credit cards when you travel, as well as debit cards.
The experts I spoke with don’t always agree on the perfect solution — banks vary wildly in their fraud response, and technology that protects you in one scenario can create vulnerabilities in another. But certain strategies consistently prove effective.
Carry backup cards and keep them separated.
The most important advice is also the simplest: carry backup cards from different networks, and keep them separated.
“Always have an emergency card and a replacement card just in case,” advises Sandra Zo Awodele, a frequent traveler.
Payerle, the cybersecurity expert, recommends the “three-card rule” to his cybersecurity clients: “One for hotels and flights booked in advance, one for daily expenses, and a backup that never leaves your wallet.” When one client’s primary card was skimmed at a Rome ATM, they still had clean cards to continue their trip while the bank resolved the issue.
Real-time transaction alerts help a lot.
Real-time transaction alerts were invaluable for nearly every fraud victim I spoke with. Peter Murphy, whose card was skimmed in Prague, says establishing real-time transaction notifications “has saved me thousands.” Vlad Polyanskiy’s client caught four fraudulent transactions immediately thanks to SMS alerts.
“Enable text or app notifications for every charge so you can spot suspicious activity immediately,” recommends Raymond Yorke, a spokesman for Redpoint Travel Protection, a travel insurance company.
Daniel Karon, author of “Your Lovable Lawyer’s Guide to Legal Wellness,” emphasizes the importance of proactive notification: “Notify your card issuer about your travel plans. This prevents your issuer from flagging legitimate purchases as suspicious activity and blocking your card.”
Be careful when you use ATMs.
When it comes to ATMs, location matters more than you might think. Tapos Kumar, a U.S. finance professional, follows strict ATM rules with his clients.
“Only withdraw from machines physically located inside bank branches or airports — never from freestanding kiosks,” he warns. “Street ATMs are the number one hotspot for skimming.”
Credit cards consistently offer better protection than debit cards for travel purchases.
“Generally, credit cards offer stronger fraud protection than debit cards, which are directly linked to your bank account,” Karon notes.
Kelly Hall, the director of global initiatives at Cedar Crest College, who works with student travelers, has a practical tip that many travelers overlook: “Always make copies of the front and back of cards before you leave home. Leave one copy with a friend or relative, and pack one copy separately from your credit card.”
Virtual credit card numbers.
Virtual credit card numbers, offered by many banks, can provide an additional layer of security for online bookings. James Wilson, a data privacy expert from Spokane, Wash., recommends services like Privacy.com that let you create multiple virtual cards, with the option to set spending limits.
The technology double-edged sword.
Contactless payments and mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay offer enhanced security through tokenization — your actual card number is never transmitted during the transaction. But they also create new vulnerabilities.
“Tokenized payments expose fewer card details than swiping a plastic card,” says Idil Kuyucu.
But the same technology that protects your card number can be exploited in other ways. RFID skimming — where criminals use handheld scanners to read contactless cards through wallets or purses — has become more common in crowded tourist areas. There are RFID-blocking wallets that can help protect your technology, but clever criminals are always finding new ways to get around the safeguards.
The biggest technological vulnerability might be the most basic: human behavior. Fineas Tatar, co-CEO of Viva Executive Assistants, trains high-level executives on travel security. He emphasizes daily expense tracking using tools like Google Sheets or Notion databases.
“Early detection gives travelers a stronger case with providers or banks when disputing charges,” he says.
The reality check
Even following all the expert advice won’t guarantee a fraud-free trip. Banks vary dramatically in their response to travel-related fraud claims. Some resolve disputes within days; others drag the process out for months. Some automatically side with merchants in international disputes; others give customers the benefit of the doubt.
Darius Kingsley, Head of the consumer banking practices for JPMorgan Chase, recommends travelers verify booking sites carefully to avoid trouble.
“Take extra caution when booking accommodations for your trip,” he says. “Scammers try to mimic or impersonate popular travel websites by re-recreating familiar branding, logos, or company verbiage.”
Don’t rely on your insurance policy to cover fraudulent charges.
Joe Cronin, president of International Citizens Insurance, points out an important limitation: “Insurance doesn’t cover fraudulent charges. This is something you have to talk to your credit card provider about.”
Susan Sherren, founder of Couture Trips, takes a different approach with her high-end clients: “One of the most convenient ways to protect your credit card is to first prepay for as many travel components as possible, such as hotels, tours, and transfers.” By prepaying through a secure platform, travelers reduce the number of transactions and potential exposure points during the trip.
If you travel, it could happen to you.
It’s probably not a question of if, but when, you’ll be a victim of credit card fraud while you’re traveling. The criminals are getting more sophisticated, the technology is evolving faster than security measures, and the sheer volume of transactions while traveling creates multiple vulnerability points.
Like Eric Finkel, you might think you’ve dodged a bullet when a merchant immediately “fixes” an error in front of you. But months later, when that fraudulent charge reappears on your statement and you’re fighting your credit card company from thousands of miles away, you’ll wish you’d been more prepared.
I was. I recently stayed at a hotel in Boise, Idaho, that decided to charge me an extra $400 for a second room — four months after I checked out. My credit card accepted the late charge without question. I contacted the hotel and pointed out the error, and it only reversed the charge after I threatened to file a dispute under the Fair Credit Billing Act.
The goal isn’t to avoid all credit card problems.
That’s impossible in today’s interconnected world. It’s to make yourself a harder target and to be prepared when something goes wrong. Carry backup cards. Set up real-time alerts. Keep your receipts. Monitor your accounts obsessively.
And remember Finkel’s hard-learned lesson: Even when you think a problem has been resolved, keep those receipts anyway. You never know when a “canceled” charge might mysteriously reappear.
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Christopher Elliott is the founder of Elliott Advocacy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that empowers consumers to solve their problems and helps those who can’t. He’s the author of numerous books on consumer advocacy and writes three nationally syndicated columns. He also publishes the Elliott Report, a news site for consumers, and Elliott Confidential, a critically acclaimed newsletter about customer service. If you have a consumer problem you can’t solve, contact him directly through his advocacy website. You can also follow him on X, Facebook, and LinkedIn, or sign up for his daily newsletter.
