{"id":3947,"date":"2026-08-02T17:10:02","date_gmt":"2026-08-02T17:10:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/?p=3947"},"modified":"2026-08-02T17:10:02","modified_gmt":"2026-08-02T17:10:02","slug":"prevent-fraud-when-traveling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/travel\/credit-cards\/prevent-fraud-when-traveling\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Ways To Prevent Credit Card Fraud When Traveling Abroad"},"content":{"rendered":"

Picture this: you return home from a vacation and head to the grocery store to restock your pantry after being gone for so long. You pull out your card to pay for your purchase, but it is declined due to insufficient funds. Not only is this embarrassing, but it also doesn't make sense \u2014 didn't you have plenty of money in your account or available credit the last time you checked?<\/p>\n

Then, you see it: charges for thousands of dollars that you don't recognize. You contact your bank and are informed that the transactions were made at the same place you were recently vacationing. However, you're already home, so these transactions couldn't be yours.<\/p>\n

It's every traveler's worst nightmare. Your credit card information was skimmed, and your card will need to be canceled. Here's what to know about credit card fraud, and how to prevent it while traveling.<\/p>\n

What Is Credit Card Skimming?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Card skimming is an illegal method of capturing personal banking information for use in credit card fraud and bank fraud. Skimming occurs when devices are illegally installed on ATMs, point-of-sale terminals, or fuel pumps to capture or record cardholders' information. Criminals then use the data to create fake debit or credit cards and steal from victims' accounts. According to the FBI, skimming costs consumers and merchants over $1 billion<\/a> each year.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, AI has helped payment fraud get much more complex. In 2025 alone, hackers compromised 23 million online transactions<\/a> through a cyberattack called Magecart, in which scammers rewrite code on an online checkout page. And even though banks heavily invested in chip technology, hackers have adapted their techniques. New scams continue to emerge worldwide, especially targeting travelers who think they're safe based on security recommendations from several years ago.<\/p>\n

In other words, your RFID-blocking wallet isn't nearly as useful as it used to be. In the past, scammers might have used mobile POS machines and bumped into people's back pockets and bags to steal, which is why RFID-blocking wallets became so popular. Now, this generally doesn't happen and can create a false sense of security. Most scams use far more complex methods, such as credit card shimming devices<\/a> that steal chip data and are installed inside ATMs or POS terminals, where the user can't see them.<\/p>\n

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Credit: Tim Samuel\/Pexels<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n

Primary ways identity thieves can skim your card<\/span><\/h3>\n
    \n
  1. At an ATM: <\/strong>Using an overlay on the card reader or a shimming device inside the machine, the data from the magnetic strip or chip is scanned, and PINs are recorded \u2014 either via a camera or pressure-sensitive keypads.<\/li>\n
  2. During a purchase: <\/strong>Information is typically harvested using card readers at the point of sale. Criminals can install malware on the device to capture chip information or tamper with the machine to make the chip unreadable, forcing users to swipe their card.<\/li>\n
  3. Online: <\/strong>Still the most widespread credit card fraud (and typically not the result of user error). The majority of credit card details obtained online are from hacked e-commerce merchants or breaches involving the processor or network handling online payments.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    How To Prevent Credit Card Fraud When Traveling<\/span><\/h2>\n

    While there are multiple ways identity thieves can get your credit or debit card details, there are also several ways you can protect yourself from becoming a victim of identity theft. Here are a few tips to prevent credit card fraud when traveling.<\/p>\n

    Mobile payments<\/span><\/h3>\n

    For the best protection, add your cards to your mobile wallet like Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. When you pay with your mobile wallet, it generates a one-time digital code for each transaction, so your card number is never shared. Each transaction is fully encrypted, making it significantly more difficult for criminals to steal your payment information.<\/p>\n

    Plus, these transactions are protected by Face ID or a secure PIN, so even if you lose your phone, criminals can't use the cards stored in your mobile wallet to make purchases. You can also easily erase your mobile wallet data if your phone gets stolen.<\/p>\n

    \"Person
    Credit: CardMapr.nl\/Unsplash<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n

    Consider where you're using your cards<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Common sense goes a long way. If you're withdrawing money from an ATM, pick one inside bank foyers, hotel receptions, or at an airport \u2014 preferably in well-lit areas with security guards. These machines are generally inspected daily and are much less likely to be targeted. You are at greatest risk of card skimming when using ATMs on the street or at bars, gas stations, and convenience stores.<\/p>\n

    There are even “tap to pay” ATMs now, which provide another layer of security.<\/p>\n

    \"Photo
    Photo of an ATM in Rome, Italy by JT Genter\/AwardWallet<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n

    While you could avoid using a card and use cash for all your transactions, you'd have to worry about pickpockets if you're carrying a large wad of cash. Plus, you won't earn any points and miles on your purchases.<\/p>\n

    That said, cash is still king in many parts of the world, so it's always wise to carry some on you if you're somewhere that might not accept credit cards.<\/p>\n

    Pay attention to your cards<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Unfortunately, credit card fraud can be incredibly complex. Even with the best prevention methods, you might still fall victim to fraud. Keep an eye on your cards and set transaction alerts so you can know immediately if there's suspicious activity on your account. The faster you detect and report fraud, the less damage can be done.<\/p>\n

    Make sure to travel with multiple cards, but don't keep them all in your wallet at the same time. If your card information is stolen, you'll likely need to cancel that card, so it's important to have backups. However, if you keep all your cards in your wallet and it gets stolen, you'll have to cancel all of them. Keep your backups in the safe in the hotel room.<\/p>\n

    Charge to your room<\/span><\/h3>\n

    When staying in a hotel or resort, charge everything to your room and pay the total at checkout. It may sound overly simplistic, but you are much less likely to be targeted at the reception desk of a busy hotel with a reputation to protect, where your card is in sight, than you are handing your card to a pool attendant to process at the bar.<\/p>\n

    Use an app to lock or freeze your card<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Almost every major issuer allows you to lock or freeze your card that can be switched off and on via your computer or phone. The caveat is that you can't unlock the card if your phone dies or you don't have an internet connection. Depending on the issuer, it might block only new purchases while allowing recurring transactions. It might also block only purchases made with your card number while allowing digital wallet purchases, but be sure to read the terms.<\/p>\n

    \"Lock
    Screenshots of Amex, Citi, Capital One, and Chase mobile apps<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n

    Prepaid debit cards<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Loading money onto a prepaid debit card for purchases while abroad can prevent your primary credit card details from being scanned.<\/p>\n

    Revolut offers members the chance to grab one of the best international prepaid debit cards, which can hold more than 25 currencies and be used anywhere in the world that accepts Visa or Mastercard.<\/p>\n

    One of the great features of this card is that it allows you to waive currency exchange fees when converting your home currency to the local currency of your travel destination for the first $10,000 per month (depending on your plan). You'll also be able to withdraw cash from ATMs worldwide without incurring fees, up to your plan's monthly maximum. After that limit, each withdrawal will incur a 2% fee.<\/p>\n

    Related: <\/strong>Why the Charles Schwab Debit Card Is a Must-Get for International Travelers<\/a><\/p>\n

    Virtual account numbers<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Protecting yourself online, particularly when using offshore websites not subject to U.S. laws, is surprisingly easy.\u00a0Virtual account numbers from Capital One<\/a> and other banks will generate a temporary credit card number, expiry date, and security code that can only be used for one transaction.\u00a0If your bank offers this service, it should be your first stop for preventing credit card fraud when shopping online.<\/p>\n

    Final Thoughts<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Unfortunately, according to Security.org<\/a>, 61% of U.S. credit card holders have experienced credit card fraud. Of those, 51% have experienced it multiple times. Even the savviest travelers might not be able to avoid fraud, but these tips can help decrease your chances of having your card information stolen. The loss of a few hundred dollars is a nuisance, but having to cancel and cut up your cards is a hassle, especially if you're on the road.<\/p>\n

    While this list doesn't cover every solution to protect yourself from credit card fraud while traveling, implementing as many of these as you can makes the job of would-be thieves much harder.<\/p>\n

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