Protect your credit cards when you travel

Nothing ruins a vacation like having your credit or debit card information compromised. It’s a sinking feeling when you learn your card has been canceled, or you get the bill for purchases you never made. It can happen in the blink of an eye at an ATM, check-out stand, or in a crowd being worked by a pick-pocket. But there are things you can do to protect yourself. We have a few tips to keep you – and your card – safe from thieves.

Lighten the load before you travel

We all carry a lot of stuff in our wallets: social security cards, insurance cards, credit cards and more. Each of these is an opportunity to steal your money or your identity. Before you travel, go through your wallet and remove the cards you don’t need. Bring your Oregon State Credit Union Visa® card and one alternative form of payment as a back-up, but remove all the additional credit cards, your social security card, club membership cards and anything else you won’t be using on your travels. If it’s not with you, it can’t be lost or stolen.

Use Card Control and Card Management

Card control and card management tools within online banking can protect you from unauthorized purchases with real-time alerts when you use your card to complete certain kinds of transactions, at certain kinds of retailers, or for purchases that exceed spending limits you have set. You can even turn your credit or debit card off or report it lost or stolen. 

Before you leave, memorize your PIN(s)

Never write your PIN on your card, and never keep it on a slip of paper in your wallet where it can be found by a pick pocket.

You’re protected by fraud protection that comes with your Oregon State Credit Union Visa card

• If you’re traveling, make sure we have your cell phone number. If we detect fraud, we’ll try to contact you at the number you specified on your account. If you don’t recognize the transaction, you can confirm it as fraud.

• Before you leave town, make sure you’ve shared your travel plans with us. Let us know what dates you will be travelling and what cities you’ll be visiting. If you’re supposed to be in Los Angeles, and someone uses your card in Des Moines, you (and we) want to know. And be sure to bring an alternative form of payment with you.

• Carry our phone number with you. If you have a question or concern, you can call us any time at 800-732-0173.

If you’re not already set up to access your accounts online, sign up for online banking before you travel. You can keep tabs on your account activity from your mobile device any place you have an Internet connection. 

Back to financial education resources