ATM and Card Safety – Here and Abroad

If you’re planning for a trip this summer across the country or internationally, here are some common safety tips when using your ATM or credit card. These basic tips are designed to keep you and your funds safe.

ATM transaction safety

  • Observe the surroundings near the ATM. If they are poorly lit or hidden from public view, find another ATM.
  • Have your ATM card out and ready to use before you get to the ATM.
  • When using an ATM at night, have someone accompany you.
  • Count your cash after leaving an ATM.

When you’re entering your Personal Identification Number (PIN), shield the screen and keyboard to protect your login and account information. Also, never write your PIN on your card or store it near your card. Another good practice is to write down your financial institution’s phone number and bring it with you in case you need to report a lost or stolen card immediately.

Credit card safety

Protecting your credit cards while on vacation is similar to ATM safety; keep your cards with you, be aware of your surroundings and don’t reveal your PIN to others. One of the first things to do is to notify your card issuer that you may be using the credit card outside of the U.S. so your transaction isn’t automatically blocked.

Here are some other tips about using your credit card on vacation:

  • Keep a list of the contact numbers for your credit card and ATM issuers. Store this list away from your wallet or purse. If either gets lost or stolen, you’ll be able to call the card issuers right away to cancel the cards, which may prevent their fraudulent use.
  • Double-check receipts before you sign them. Never sign a blank receipt and be sure to draw a line through any blank spaces so nothing can be added to it.
  • Keep a credit card separate from your wallet or purse for emergencies.

For more information about protecting yourself from scams, visit: Protect Yourself from Scams.

Have a fun and safe trip!

Protect Yourself from Scams

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