Travel Smarter: How to Keep Your Money and Personal Information Safe While Traveling
Whether you’re heading overseas, planning a weekend getaway, or visiting family across the country, travel should be about making memories, not worrying about fraud, identity theft or financial headaches. A little preparation can go a long way when it comes to protecting your money and personal information while traveling.
Here are a few simple ways to help keep your finances safe wherever your travels take you.
Use Card Alerts to Monitor Your Accounts While Traveling
One of the easiest ways to spot suspicious activity quickly is by turning on card alerts through your banking app. Alerts can notify you about purchases, large transactions, ATM withdrawals, or unusual activity in real time while you travel.
With the Service Credit Union mobile app, members can use “My Cards” to monitor transactions, manage cards and keep an eye on account activity from almost anywhere. If something doesn’t look right, you can act fast before a small issue becomes a bigger problem.
Avoid Public Wi-Fi When Banking or Shopping Online
Free airport and hotel Wi-Fi may be convenient, but public networks can make it easier for scammers to intercept sensitive information. Avoid logging into your bank account, shopping online, or entering debit or credit card information while connected to unsecured public Wi-Fi.
Instead, use your phone’s cellular data or a secure personal hotspot whenever possible. If you need to access sensitive information while traveling, using a VPN can add another layer of protection.
Use a Digital Wallet for More Secure Payments
Digital wallets such as Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, and Samsung Wallet can help make purchases on the go more secure. These tools use encryption and tokenization, meaning your actual card number is not shared with merchants during transactions.
Adding your Service Credit Union debit or credit card to your digital wallet can also make checkout faster, safer and more convenient by simply tapping your phone or smartwatch to pay.
Travel With Multiple Payment Options
Even with the best travel planning, issues can happen. Carrying multiple forms of payment — such as a debit card, credit card, and a small amount of cash — can help you avoid being stranded if one payment method becomes unavailable.
Service Credit Union's credit cards are designed to help members make purchases securely and confidently whether traveling across the country or overseas. Plus, you can earn points on everything you buy with the Visa® Signature Everyday Elite and Visa® Everyday credit cards.
Travel With Confidence
Financial safety may not be the most exciting part of trip planning, but it can make a major difference in your travel experience. By staying alert, using secure payment tools, and taking advantage of digital banking features, you can better protect your finances while traveling and focus more on enjoying the journey.
Before your next trip, make sure your mobile banking app, card alerts, and digital wallet settings are updated so you can manage your finances securely from almost anywhere.
No matter where life takes you, Service Credit Union is here to help you bank with confidence at home and abroad.
