Notify your bank about your cruise!

[hpecorari]

Excellent advise. I always contact my CC company and let them know. More so because my husband, who does not travel with me, is using his card in PA and here I am using my card on the ship, ports, etc. After I had a problem years ago, and again, thanks to NCL for letting me use their phone, got it taken care of. Like I said, I do it all the time now.

 

Harriet

[DevCruise]

Excellent advise. I always contact my CC company and let them know. More so because my husband, who does not travel with me, is using his card in PA and here I am using my card on the ship, ports, etc. After I had a problem years ago, and again, thanks to NCL for letting me use their phone, got it taken care of. Like I said, I do it all the time now.

 

This reminds me of when I was younger in college. I had a card on my parent's credit card. Somehow, my dad, my mom, and I all bought gas within the same 30 minute time period in three different cities on both sides of the same state. They froze the card and my parents got a phone call to verify it was us.

[artist47]

This reminds me of when I was younger in college. I had a card on my parent's credit card. Somehow, my dad, my mom, and I all bought gas within the same 30 minute time period in three different cities on both sides of the same state. They froze the card and my parents got a phone call to verify it was us.

 

Glad they did , arent' you??? :) In a way , although these stories are definitely frustrating (i mean, when you're going through it) in the end, it's a good thing someone is looking out for you. I am glad they did that....oh my gosh -- what "could have been"! People have had their life savings WIPED out.

 

My daughter is in college ---here's something that happened just last night == recently, someone hacked her account and the bank immediately shut everything down and called....she was crying until I explained to her that it was all going to be okay and only temporary until the bank could straighten it out. She was out with a couple girlfriends for coffee and the restaurant threatened to call police ("Dine and dash" is common here in Nevada and is very serious offense.) She called me, and I ran down there to pay the bill because the other girls didn't have any cards or cash. All the girls were a bit hysterical, thinking they might get arrested for something not really their fault. I talked to the manager and calmed him down and explained the situation...(it was in a casino restaurant)For the manager's peace of mind, I gave him my CC over the phone as collateral until I got there. Once he understood what was happening, he was totally cool with it , I was there within 15 minutes and everyone very relieved. (I haven't had a "real" hug from my daughter in a long time. LOL ...KIDS! LOL) It all worked out and the girls will pay me back I am sure. But it was pretty sobering experience for them. And a good learning experience for them all, to keep track of their money carefully and to watch their accounts on line.

Edited March 3, 2014 by artist47

[artist47]

I just want to thank everyone personally for their stories and input. (I'm sorry I can't quote all of you)...Everyone has really contributed great ideas and tips and I have learned a lot too....I posted this as a general warning, but we ended up with such a great discussion and so many great ideas. Great group of people here willing to share information and stories to help others. I guess that really is what CC is all about.

 

Thanks again!

 

Edited March 3, 2014 by artist47

[Barb Nahoumi]

Done----Thanks for the advice.

[artist47]

One more thing.............. Notifying your card issuer is important but it doesn't guarantee that your card won't be frozen. Things like numerous transactions in a very short period of time, or using your card in a store & then using it in the same store a few hours later may result in the card being shut down. Knowing where you are is great but your bank can never be sure who's using the card so make sure you have a back-up.

 

I'm telling you this from both sides of the fence. It happened to me & for quite a few years I worked credit card fraud....

 

Hearing it from an expert is excellent. I really appreciate you taking the time to share.

[jamminlion]

Thank you for the reminder. Excellent info. On the phone now!

[jaja]

This is an important thread for everyone..thanks to OP..

 

I always call my two CC companies before traveling...(I take two different cards in case there is a problem with one)

 

Yes--I too clean out my wallet before leaving...don't need all the store cards,etc..and loosing them would be a hassle...

 

Having been a victim of identity theft (from a lost wallet years ago)...I am ultra cautious...and am always happy when my cc companies are too !!!

 

I like the idea of a small separate "wallet"..just for going off ship...thanks for the idea...(I usually have one just for the casino...another for off ship is good too!--then I can just grab only what I need )

[perkydebrajean]

They froze one of our cards the other day for possible fraud. We had our daughter added onto one of our cards in case of emergency for the most part. But while she was in Florida visiting her fiancé she had made a purchase at the store and pulled that card out of her wallet by mistake and the card was declined. When I called the card company they said that it was flagged because all of the charges on that card are normally made here in Georgia and then an attempted purchase in Florida was made.

[perkydebrajean]

This is an important thread for everyone..thanks to OP..

 

I always call my two CC companies before traveling...(I take two different cards in case there is a problem with one)

 

Yes--I too clean out my wallet before leaving...don't need all the store cards,etc..and loosing them would be a hassle...

 

Having been a victim of identity theft (from a lost wallet years ago)...I am ultra cautious...and am always happy when my cc companies are too !!!

 

I like the idea of a small separate "wallet"..just for going off ship...thanks for the idea...(I usually have one just for the casino...another for off ship is good too!--then I can just grab only what I need )

 

I do the same thing. I take out all of the store cards but I take 3 or 4 regular credit cards with me. I use a card a low credit availability in port but make sure that I do have a couple of other cards just in case one gets declined or stolen.

 

I read a suggestion somewhere about when you go into port keeping an old wallet with a few bucks in it but keeping your cards and other money elsewhere. Then if you are robbed you give them that wallet.

[mpk218]

All very sage advise .. I'll add ,, , always carry a dime in your shoe in case you need to call your mom.. ;)

[fergusonvt]

Capital one has a place online where you can enter your cruise information and the countries you will be visiting. You then get a confirmation email and a welcome back once your vacation is done.

[fergusonvt]

All very sage advise .. I'll add ,, , always carry a dime in your shoe in case you need to call your mom.. ;)

 

Don't forget to wear clean underwear (as if anyone needs to be reminded of that) :rolleyes:

[perkydebrajean]

Capital one has a place online where you can enter your cruise information and the countries you will be visiting. You then get a confirmation email and a welcome back once your vacation is done.

 

Didn't realize this. Thanks! A couple of the cards that I take are Capital One. I'll have to look for it next time I log into my account.

[Miemtu]

Excellent tips and easy to do. If you do take your passport ashore with you then carry it separate from your other valuables, i.e. don't carry it in your camera bag or purse that a thief will target.

 

I also bring copies of my passport and hide it in different places just in case it is stolen.

[DevCruise]

[quote name='artist47']Glad they did , arent' you??? :) In a way , although these stories are definitely frustrating (i mean, when you're going through it) in the end, it's a good thing someone is looking out for you. I am glad they did that....oh my gosh -- what "could have been"! People have had their life savings WIPED out.[/quote]

I'm always glad and I even tell them as much when I call. :) I usually also carry three credit cards with me. So one of them usually works when one doesn't.