Table of Contents
Money Scams: 11 Travel Hacks
Travel Tips
Money Scams can happen any time while traveling, but with these helpful Travel Hacks your next vacation should be stress free.
There is nothing worse than your bank card or credit card that is hacked and you have no access to money. Therefore you must rely on family and friends to help you out. Consequently trying to get a replacement card overseas is not easy.
This happened to me and expat living overseas. I received a call while standing in line to board my next flight of my journey that resulted in finding out my cards were hacked. For this reason, see what I learned to keep my money safe while traveling.
These Travel Hacks that I share, will help prevent money scams from happening to you. It is always better to be prepared, diligent with safety in mind when you travel.
11 Travel Hacks to Avoid Money Scams
- How much cash do you need? – Plan ahead before your travels. Decide approximately how you will be paying for activities, food, hotels, gifts and transportation. Then decide how much cash you need
- Call your bank – Notify them of your International Travel Dates and Countries visiting so a hold is not placed on your card.
- Bank International Phone Numbers – Write down both toll free and regular in case you need to call them.
- Backup Bank Card. – This will give you access to your account if your other card has been hacked. Therefore, I suggest one keep it in a separate place.
- Research what cards are acceptable in the Country visiting. – Maybe some restaurants and hotels do not accept American Express or other cards, hence some cash on hand is helpful.
- Carry enough Cash -In case you are unable to use your card even when they state they do, for some reason it does not work. Some restaurant card readers, convenient for the owners, do not work therefore cash on hand is important.
- Know the Currency Exchange Rate of the Country you are visiting. – I suggest to keep exchange rate card with different denominations written down. This comes in handy when some ATM’s only let you pull out max $250.00, $300.00 or sometimes less.
- ATM Cash Withdrawal – First check the machine for fake equipment. Then cover up your hand when you put your pin code in. Make sure no one is leaning over looking at your code. Try the RFID Blocking Wallets or Card Holders to stop thieves from getting your card numbers by scanning.
- Monitor your card accounts. – Fraud charges may not show up for days, weeks or months later so keep an eye on your accounts.
- Buy Currency for the Country visiting – At the Bank before departure or at the Airport upon arriving into that country stop at the ATM. Keep in mind ATM’s are not always easy to locate.
- Try money belt or clothes with hidden pockets – to hold larger amounts of cash. Attempt to not flash your cash to avoid problems. Finally, try a purse or bag with slash proof straps to keep your money safe.
Etcetera – Money Scams
These travel hacks are just a few tips that you can do to avoid money scams. Do not let them happen to you. It is always easier to think this will not happen to me. Therefore I am here to tell you it happens even to the most diligent travelers. Above all Money Scams are the last problems you want on your vacation.
Look for other Travel Tips to help make your travels fun without worry. This Expat 1Adventure Traveler enjoyed many travels throughout Asia & Europe. Take a look at my blogs for all your travel needs!
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Some great tips there Steph! Understanding financial matters is so important because it can be the difference between a great trip and a disaster! Knowing the exchange rate and checking the ATMs for anything suspicious are super important as are all of your suggestions! Thanks for sharing
Thanks Alexei, Glad you like my tips. With money scams out there, getting the word out there to others I feel is important. Just some basic tips that will let the traveler have a fantastic trip. Thanks for your comment.
Brilliant suggestions, people are always finding new ways to scam us so we have to keep ahead haha! Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard
Thanks Michael, we definitely have to stay one step ahead to keep our money safe. Thanks for the comment!
These are some great money hacks! We’ve never had a problem (thank god!) but we’re very careful! Thanks for linking up with #TheWeeklyPostcard!
Thanks, Glad you have not been scammed. Its not fun when it happens on vacation. Thanks for the comment!
Excellent advice! It’s always a good idea to carry enough cash with you when traveling abroad. #TheWeeklyPostcard
Thanks, Cash is good to have on hand. Nothing worse that trying to pay for a dinner when your credit card has been scammed. Thanks for the comment ❀
It is really sad that you have to worry about thefts and scams. Even here in supersefe Copenhagen the pick pockets are out in force. Great reminders for my next trip Than s for sharing on #theweklypostcard
Thanks Carolyn, It is sad to have to worry about scams when we travel but with these gentle reminders will keep our money safe.
Great tips. It is so important to be careful with this because if anything goes wrong it could ruin your whole trip. Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard
Thanks Anisa, Glad you like my tips, just a few things we can do to have a great vacation.
Great tips! Last year I got money for Prague, as it’s not Euros, at my bank before we left. We paid mostly by credit card and used that money for gelato and little things. Worked perfectly. One time in Rome our bank (Chase) was down for the day at the ATM, but I had my backup ATM card from Union Bank. That worked! On the other hand, we took Euros out of the hotel ATM in Berlin and got burned with a high fee. Live and learn!
Thanks Sharon, glad you liked my tips. I agree the ATM fees can be very high. I also like to pay with cash to avoid some of the ATM costs or the chance of getting my card hacked. Kudos to you for having that backup ATM card 😊 Happy Travels!
I haven’t been part of a money scam *touch wood* but was part of a jewellery scam in Thailand. I have had my bank card cloned before and money taken out, but because it was an app, I was able to see immediately and contact my provider who made a refund. It’s always good to be vigilent with your money, you just never know. #feetdotravel
Hi Angie, that’s terrible you had your card cloned. Smart that you where diligent on keeping an eye on that app and was quick to spot a problem. I agree it is important to be vigilant with our money, we never know if something will happen. Happy Travels!
Great tips, Stephanie. I’ve run out of money before and the ATMs in town weren’t working, but luckily I was visiting family and after a few days I was able to withdraw when we went to another town. The same thing tends to happen to me when I travel to Mexico, in some towns the ATMs are not working or are very slow, so we need to take time away from vacationing to find banks… I have plenty of memories standing in line in banks. Definitely, bring enough cash, it’s something I still keep forgetting. And yes, call the bank, I’ve been without funds once before when they didn’t’ know I was traveling and shut down my account when I tried accessing money from overseas. Thanks for sharing these helpful tips. 🙂
Thanks Emese, like you, I have spent many hours of my vacation time searching for ATM’s and coming across them in towns not working. Oh, what an ordeal. lol How crazy your problems with money happens when you travel in Mexico. Thanks for sharing your experiences which will help others. Happy Travels 😊
Great tips – I also always use an anti pickpocketing handbag to protect my cash.
Last year when we travelled to 5 countries I did a currency card with all currencies and equivalents to £1 £5 £10 etc for each on it then laminated one for me and my husband. If you make it credit card size it’s handy to pop in your purse.
Thanks Tracy, How cool love that you do a currency card credit card size laminated to keep you your bag. Great tip – plus kudos for using an anti-pickpocketing handbag. Happy Travels!
Some great tips, and things that all travelers should be thinking about, especially if traveling internationally! Best, Jessica
Thanks Jessica, Glad you like my tips. I agree us travelers should be thinking about these tips when we travel 😊Happy Travels!