Debit Card Abroad, Tell Your Bank

A

alan8376

Well-Known Member
Joined
8 Jul 2006
Messages
88
Location
Norfolk
Visit site
This may only apply to HSBC customers!

I recently travelled to Antigua. On trying to get money out of the hole in the wall, my debit card was refused !

On speaking to my bank on my return, I was told they need to be informed of my travels so as to allow transactions!

I have been all over the place, but not to Antigua and never had a problem, nor told HSBC I was going further than Europe!

Is this normal practise for all banks? I can't imagine ALL travellers informing their bank by phone each time they travel.

Could this have been a cock-up by my bank who recently issued me a new card?
 
Same thing happened to me last month in Malaysia, bank (RBOS) said it was an "unusual pattern of use" and was for my security. They asked me to let them know beforehand next time apparently Malaysia is a well known area for debit card fraud.
Barry
 
They are trying to protect you from identity fraud. My credit card was ripped off, Visa identified 'unusual' spending in Hong Kong and suspended my card when I was on a business trip in Italy. It was inconvenient for me at the time but saved me considerable amounts of money in the longer term. Discussing it with them later they suggested that it is always good practice to inform them when travelling. A colleague was not so lucky, his card was also ripped off and he finished up thousands out of pocket, trying to prove that he was not the spender.
 
Our cards were ripped off in Malaysia. At least four of us who attended a meeting in Port Dickson subsequently had problems with identity fraud. Apparently the desk clerks carry a small swipe box on their belts and it takes no more than a second for all the card details to be downloaded.
 
Can anyone tell me how the banks operate this block. When I tried my cash withdrawl, the refusal was instantaeous. I don't believe anyone was viewing my attempts!

I was always thought they put a 'tick' in a box to allow transactions from specified nominated countrys.
 
I suspect that they are blocked from certain locations as a matter of course. You used to get one transaction before it was blocked. This time it was instantaneous.

Barry
 
This can be the bane of cruisers lives! Just a word of warning if you use a card regularly overseas, a debit card does not carry as many guarantees of safety as a credit card. It seems to be easier to regain disputed credit card charges than those on a debit card.
Also ensure there are not vast funds available on any cards that you carry and use in the ATM's. At least then if your card is riped off the losses will be minimal.
We have a policy of using a card with under $1000 dollar limit if we are in one of the Caribbean countries. We have so many friends who have found their funds wiped out before they even knew their card had been ripped. 10,000 pounds in Venezuela being the worst we have heard of.
Also check the info given by your bank. Mine insisted that Maestro was the one for the Caribbean, rubbish it's not recognized in most places. Stick to Visa and mastercard.

www.gerryantics.blogspot.com
 
I found that France is not altogether up to speed with Debit Cards, some places it just did not work but Visa was no problem. In Mallorca this year one bank's ATM insantly refused my card but crossed the road and it worked OK


There is a scam where a person phones you and lets you think they are your bank, they ask for the security numbers on reverse of card to check " you are in possession of your card ". Your bank already know these numbers, they issued your card didn't they. Never let a card go out of your sight, ask for the machine to be brought to you. ALWAYS let your bank know where you are if you need to use your cards abroad.

Good luck and happy sailing.
 
Re: Debit Card Abroad, What about the Charges

A slight bit of thread wander I know...but what about the charges? Lloyds TSB are charging me 2.75% plus other charges on my debit card. I am pretty fed up with it and looking for alternatives. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Any suggestions?
 
Re: Debit Card Abroad, What about the Charges

Liverpool Victoria credit card charges for cash but not on purchases. Nationwide do charge but at a lower rate outside of EC.
 
Re: Debit Card Abroad, What about the Charges

Nationwide apply no charge to Debit card cash withdrawals in countries outside the EU, the only extra is the exchange rate applied at that days' level.
 
Re: I have to dispute the

Poor wording on my behalf; should have said Nationwide do charge outside of the EC, but at a lower rate than others.
 
Re: Liverpool Victoria Card

Liverpool Victoria cancelled my credit card after I had lived in France for a year, claiming it was a policy change, so I am stuck with my bank's card which gives a poor exchange rate.

Does anyone know of a card giving the proper exchange rate and available to non UK residents with a UK bank account?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top