A question about credit card emergencies

warehouse

Whilst over in Barcelona last weekend a friend had his wallet stolen by a pickpocket. Luckily they didn't get his phone, where he kept details of his cards and emergency numbers.

That got me thinking that what would he have done if he had lost his wallet AND phone?

So how do you sensible people keep your card and emergency number details safe in case the worst happens?

lisyloo

I am very fastidious against pickpockets e.g. wallet is always on a metal chain and could not be taken unseen (clothing would need to be ripped apart).

That doesn't mean someone couldn't get it with a knife or a gun, but it does stop the opportunistic stuff which is the majority.

If it did go then I'd have to find phone umbers on the web and call up.
But I would never go out with half a dozen credit cards in my wallet.
Would take 2 max and possible none.
Some people are nuts the way they go out with all their worldly good.
My MIL had her bag pinched in ASDA (left in the trolley whilst picking veg) and had everything in her purse.
I always have my handbag across my body when shopping or out, not just slung on one shoulder.

So a lot of it is about being careful.

I guess your friend did not have his wallet inside his clothing or on a chain?

We have foiled 2 seperate con attempts. One fake car hire attendant taking bags and one fake hotel porter. Other people just chatted and watched con men walk off with their bags.

YorkshireBoy

OP, you may find this useful...

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cardsgone/

dalesrider

Good old fashioned paper based record stored with passport/suitcase.

chattychappy

I keep all essential information in an encrypted Word document on a TrueCrypt "container" on my laptop. I also have stuff like scanned copies of insurance documents, passport, visas etc on there.

Should I lose my laptop, then the same file is remotely accessible. Though in the event, it will probably be just as easy for me to find somewhere to google "barclaycard" or whatever and call them up.

bengalknights

I always keep it on email and paper that way either local net cafe or quick trip back to hotel

Janie4Now

It had actually never occurred to me until now that other people maybe didn't keep a separate list of all emergency details, as well as a copy of their passport, in a safe place when they travelled. They immediately go into the hotel safe on arrival, along with passport, return tickets, credit cards and cash that I do not need to use each day.

Mind you, I have an emergency file at home, too, which is all I need to pick up if I have to leave quickly (other than the cat, of course).

Just because you're paranoid, it doesn't mean they're not after you..... or is that just sad?!

unimaginative_user_name

When abroad I always leave a cc for emergencies in the hotel safe.

Slightly off topic though hopefully not completely irrelevant but My parents could have had a tricky situation a few years back when they came to stay in Paris. Dad had his wallet and cc stolen but he could call the company to cancel the card as Mum had her card with her. As the account was in Dad's name and Mum was an additional cardholder both cards had to be cancelled so they were left in France with very little cash and no cc. Fortunately as they were staying with me I could lend them cash. The first thing they did when they returned home was to apply for another credit card so they had two in case they lost one.

lisyloo

My parents could have had a tricky situation a few years back

I know these things are easy with hindight, but it's never good to only go with one method of payment.

InsideInsurance

warehouse wrote: »

So how do you sensible people keep your card and emergency number details safe in case the worst happens?

Generally dont go anywhere so remote that there is no internet anywhere and so emergency numbers can be gained via a quick google. Wherever I go in the world I only take a couple of cards rather than the complete set so only a couple to contact.

As to card numbers, I don't keep a copy of them as I see no need to. Have lost a card only once and didn't need the card number to advise them it was lost (evidently as I didn't have it any more).

I do have a service for lost wallets via my bank but it is a pain to remember to phone up and update it each time any of our cards change.

dalesrider

unimaginative_user_name wrote: »

Slightly off topic though hopefully not completely irrelevant but My parents could have had a tricky situation a few years back when they came to stay in Paris. Dad had his wallet and cc stolen but he could call the company to cancel the card as Mum had her card with her. As the account was in Dad's name and Mum was an additional cardholder both cards had to be cancelled

Yes. A few years ago all cards on a visa credit account, had the same numbers. So ALL had to be cancelled.
This hs since been changed and ALL cards no have a diffrent number. So only the card lost needs to be stopped.