Notifying UK banks of travel

[2Tiggies]

I always phone my bank prior to departure to advise them that I am taking my card abroad when I travel. They recommend doing this to avoid cards being blocked.

For those of you who do this, how long in advance do you notify your bank?

 

[tashasmum]

When we went in July DH rang up a few days before and they just asked for the dates.

 

[karentan]

when i've called the last 2 times they've put a note on my account because i asked them to, but they all said that they dont need to be told beforehand, and if they think there's anything dodgy going on, they'll still cancel the card even if you've told them you're away.

 

[2Tiggies]

when i've called the last 2 times they've put a note on my account because i asked them to, but they all said that they dont need to be told beforehand, and if they think there's anything dodgy going on, they'll still cancel the card even if you've told them you're away.

Some banks don't require this. They just 'watch' for general inconsistencies. My bank recommends calling up and doing this so I always have. They always ask where I am going, what dates I will be away and what, if any, amount I anticipate spending on the card. They always tell me that if I had not contacted them and tried to use the card, that it would be blocked. Since my last trip there was fraudulent activity on my card and I had additional security measures applied to the account. I don't usually use my credit cards in the US, but I do always take them as a back up. Just wondered if a week or two is sufficient notice, but it looks like it is more than adequate.

Thanks.

 

[wayneg]

Post office always ask where we are visiting and dates, they then add this to our acciunt, tried to inform Nationwide a few years back, they said no point, if the computers picks up irregularities they will block the card, nothing they can do to alter it.

 

[Lizzybear]

Me and the ex both informed Nationwide before last year's holiday but his card was still declined in Best Buy when he tried to buy an iPod Touch. A quick call to Nationwide sorted it out (card wasn't cancelled luckily!) and he went back to buy it the next day with the same card.

 

[Disneymad]

Yup, some banks ask you do it, some banks don't - all will still stop your card if they see something that they view as suspicious.

Fortunately I've never had any problems with declines so far *touch wood* even when I used to travel without saying a word (I did always make sure I'd put some on it at the airport though). Amazingly, the one time my CC got cloned they picked up on it BAM straight away when someone withdrew cash in NYC and it was them that told me it happened, not vice versa - I was very impressed!

I always let them know 2-3 days in advance now.

 

[2Tiggies]

(I did always make sure I'd put some on it at the airport though). Amazingly, the one time my CC got cloned they picked up on it BAM straight away when someone withdrew cash in NYC and it was them that told me it happened, not vice versa - I was very impressed!

That's reassuring. They picked up the illicit transactions on my card last year, ableit only on the second transaction in quick succession. One went through for $500 and an hour later there was a second attempt and they declined it.

How strange that Nationwide, a bank which has always used their no fees on foreign purchases as a sales pitch, that they are amongst the ones who decline transactions. Personally, I am quite happy with a call to the bank, but their numbers are not free from the US - especially if you have your mobile on roaming.

 

[BethEJo]

I always inform my bank. The first time i used my card abroad it was declined after the first couple of transactions. Took a couple of phone calls from abroad to sort out - no biggie, but if you can avoid it all the better.

I wouldn't risk not telling the bank now. I just pop into a branch the week before I leave for them to put a "note" on my account where they too ask for place, dates and spending.

 

[2Tiggies]

I always inform my bank. The first time i used my card abroad it was declined after the first couple of transactions. Took a couple of phone calls from abroad to sort out - no biggie, but if you can avoid it all the better.

I wouldn't risk not telling the bank now. I just pop into a branch the week before I leave for them to put a "note" on my account where they too ask for place, dates and spending.

I wasn't not going to tell them. I just wondered how far in advance people do it. Thanks.

 

[suzybear6]

But it's not just using your card abroad that can cause problems. A couple of years ago Egg put a stop on my card because I had used it for our hotel bill at Stansted Airport before we had even left the country. They did try to contact me on my mobile but I missed their calls and as their number is not one I recognised I was hesitant to phone it back as they hadn't actually left a message until they had tried 3 or 4 times and I had left the country by then!

So I do ring them up a few days before I go, but I am sure I was told last time that there is no need...if they think something is dodgy they will put a stop on the card regardless until they can contact you and confirm it is you using it...bit tricky if you are in the US without your mobile (as I think I will be).

Luv Suzy

 

[Danauk]

I usually phone my credit card company about a week before we travel. A few years ago even though I had phoned them about 2 weeks into the 3 week trip they phoned my house to speak to me. My uncle was house sitting at the time and told them I was in the USA and they just said, oh thats OK then! They didn't try to get in contact with me on my mobile.

 

[whatcateydid]

I told my bank (Lloyds TSB) a couple of weeks ago. I was told that they'd make a note of it, but they couldn't guarantee that my card wouldn't be declined while I was abroad. I'm not planning on using it except in emergencies, so it'd better work!

 

[PJB71]

We only ever use our credit cards in the USA so just notify them about a week before

 

[igk]

I call Citibank a few days before I leave to make sure my debit card is linked to my dollar account (as it's the same card for sterling and euro accounts), and when I do that I tell them where I'm going and what dates. They make a note and seem to appreciate the info. Only ever got the card turned down once which was in Basel airport paying for food and I hadn't been using the card (no swiss franc account) so in a way it was reassuring.

 

[crabbie1]

Im not taking any CC just my natwest debit card as have mainly Dollar cheques and some cash. Wll have about £400 in bank to have as back up so shall I just tell the bank this? I def dont want my card declined and if the bank have your consent they shouldnt do this.Not on.
Whatcateydid -the last time I went I forgot to tell lloysd whom I was with at the time and spent about £700 on my debit card and never had any issues. I think if it is large amounts in a short space of time they may stop it. I also used the cash point at OKW and had no issues.Hope natwest are as good. Anyone else with natwest?

 

[2Tiggies]

Im not taking any CC just my natwest debit card as have mainly Dollar cheques and some cash. Wll have about £400 in bank to have as back up so shall I just tell the bank this? I def dont want my card declined and if the bank have your consent they shouldnt do this.Not on.
Whatcateydid -the last time I went I forgot to tell lloysd whom I was with at the time and spent about £700 on my debit card and never had any issues. I think if it is large amounts in a short space of time they may stop it. I also used the cash point at OKW and had no issues.Hope natwest are as good. Anyone else with natwest?

I'm not with Natwest, but being extra careful to advise the bank this year since I asked for extra security to be added to my account. And since the fraud was in US$, I need to check all the boxes properly. I don't use my cc there either. I have a FairFX, cash and TCs. It is just back up

Some banks don't need it. Some say they do but don't do anything about making a note on your account. Some say they do, make a note on your account and still decline the transactions. Others say they need notification, the card holder forgets and the transactions go through fine. It would be nice to have some consisitency.

 

[strawberry blonde]

I have a Tesco credit card and when I phoned them up to tell them we were going to Florida they said they would make a note on the account but if anything irregular came up, the card would be blocked anyway and gave me a number to ring to unblock it. Told them a couple of weeeks before we went but had no problems once there.

On the other hand, I tried to top my mobile up here and thought I'd do it by credit card. The transaction wouldn't go through and about an hour later Tesco phoned me to ask if I'd tried to top up. Apparently, if someone tries to clone your card, they often try to do a mobile top up for about £10 and if it goes through ok then they go for a big amount on a purchase. Fair play to Tesco for being thorough.

 

[ford family]

With HSBC internet banking you can now tell them online if you plan on being away.

ford family

 

[T16GEM]

We use a Post Office card while away and usually tell them a couple of days before we leave. Never had any problems by doing it that way.