Using credit/debit cards abroad

steveandlou

Just phoned our bank/credit card provider to tell them we're off to France for a few days, as we always do before travelling. Both have told us that as from yesterday's date, we no longer need to do this, and that they would be keeping a look out for any "fraudulent" activity as usual. But - if no one knows we're abroad, could not the sudden use of a card in say France, Italy, Spain or wherever be regarded as suspicious activity? Really don't want our cards to be declined with all the hassle that would involve. And we're not always somewhere with good wifi so can't easily keep a check bank accounts etc. I'm struggling to understand the reasoning behind this, having always been encouraged in the past to inform card providers of our travel plans.

EssexExile

Many haven't needed to be told for some years. No doubt they have some algorithm that tells them something strange is going on, whether in Glasgow or Granada.

dj1471

The Lloyds group implemented the same policy a while ago, I find it odd too.

That said, they tend to block cards even when you do tell them, so I'm not sure how much difference it will make in the long run.

What they should really do is give you the option to enable and disable overseas use yourself through internet banking, maybe one day...

PeacefulWaters

Plentiful backup cards are a good idea.

steveandlou

We have cards with First Direct, Barclaycard, a Halifax Clarity Card and a John Lewis credit card, so yes, we do have a choice of what to use, but until yesterday, all of these have encouraged us to inform them of travel abroad. I'm still struggling to understand the logic behind the reversal - just hoped we don't have problems on a forthcoming trip to Sri Lanka and Hong Kong!

Duckyduck

think it was Santander who explained it as follows, but they probably all do the same. But technology is better nowadays so for example banks generally have your mobile phone number and can track it with GPS, so if there’s sudden use in France while your phone (and presumably you) is in the UK then it may indicate fraud, however if your phone is physically in the same location as the transaction, then it just has a normal fraud risk.

Taking a backup card or 2 won’t do any harm.

dj1471

Nobody can track your phone with just the phone number.

If you have the banking app installed they may be able to track your location using that, if you give it the necessary permissions and have an internet connection. Revolut offer this as an optional security setting, I'm not aware of any other bank that does so.

worried_jim

dj1471 wrote: »

Nobody can track your phone with just the phone number.

If you have the banking app installed they may be able to track your location using that, if you give it the necessary permissions and have an internet connection. Revolut offer this as an optional security setting, I'm not aware of any other bank that does so.

Monzo do it, as soon as you use the app in a country. Banks have algorithms that work in the background.

photome

Duckyduck wrote: »

think it was Santander who explained it as follows, but they probably all do the same. But technology is better nowadays so for example banks generally have your mobile phone number and can track it with GPS, so if there’s sudden use in France while your phone (and presumably you) is in the UK then it may indicate fraud, however if your phone is physically in the same location as the transaction, then it just has a normal fraud risk.

Taking a backup card or 2 won’t do any harm.

They cant track my phone in the US as I never used to take it.

I do take it now but with a different sim in it.

I alwys tell the Post office and Halifax that I am going, Halifax never have a problem, PO gets blocked nearly every time!!

jackieblack

photome wrote: »

I alwys tell the Post office and Halifax that I am going, Halifax never have a problem, PO gets blocked nearly every time!!

Same here, never had a problem with Halifax, PO card was blocked this year for the first time, despite me advising them where I would be.
Someone told me that if you use the card at the airport the bank can see that subsequent usage abroad is not 'unusual activity', but I'm not convinced most banks would apply that sort of logic...