Traveling can be an exhilarating experience, offering the chance to explore new places, meet new people, and create lasting memories. However, amidst the excitement, it's crucial to remain vigilant about the security of your financial information. Whether you're embarking on a weekend getaway or a month-long adventure, keeping your cards and accounts secure should be a top priority. In this article, we'll share five tips to help you safeguard your financial information while you travel for an enjoyable, worry-free adventure.
1. Use Card Management In Online & Mobile Banking
Card Management is a feature in Royal’s mobile app and online banking that lets you easily manage your Royal payment cards and perform actions like adding a travel notification and turning a card on or off.
Travel Notifications
As part of our commitment to preventing fraud, Royal monitors transactions on your debit card, credit card, and ATM card. If we notice activity outside your normal spending patterns, such as taking place in a different geographical location, we may verify the activity with you and potentially block transactions that meet specific risk criteria.
To help prevent having transactions blocked, it is important to notify Royal of your travel plans, especially if you plan to use your card outside the country. If you’re planning to travel outside your normal spending area, please submit a travel notification at least one business day in advance.
Learn how to add a travel notification here.
Turning Cards On & Off
If your Royal debit or credit card is ever lost or stolen while you travel, you can use Card Management to quickly “freeze” or turn off your card in online banking or the mobile app. When a card is turned off, transactions cannot be made with your physical card. (Electronic transactions made with the card number or a digital wallet will still be able to be made.) This option isn’t available for all cards.
Learn how to turn payment cards on & off here.
2. Set Up Real-Time Alerts In Online Banking
Royal accounts feature the ability to personalize alerts and get notified within seconds of account activity. Alert categories include low balance, high balance, large withdrawal, large deposit, and check cleared alerts. You can customize different combinations of alerts for your accounts, and even choose custom dollar amounts for an account alert to be sent.
Learn how to set up real-time alerts here.
3. Check For Card Skimmers
A card skimmer “skims” or collects payment card information from a legitimate card reading device, such as an ATM, gas station pump, or point-of-sale terminal. Skimmers can be attached to the legitimate card reader in various ways, often to the card slot or card feed mechanism. Because skimming requires you to put your card into or through the skimming device, be on the lookout for suspicious devices attached to a card reader. Criminals are also after your PIN, so many skimming schemes include hidden cameras or fake PIN keypads on the ATM. You can spot a skimmer by watching out for anything that looks like it doesn’t belong on the ATM or card reader.
Learn more about card skimmers here.
4. Avoid Using Public Wi-Fi
Public Wi-Fi networks found at airports, coffee shops, and more are often unsecured and can be a target for hackers looking to steal your information. Avoid using public Wi-Fi for any financial transactions, online shopping, or accessing sensitive accounts and information. Instead, use a secure, private connection, personal mobile hotspot, or a virtual private network (VPN).
5. Consider Bringing Multiple Payment Methods
It's a good idea to carry multiple payment methods, such as a credit card, debit card, and a small amount of cash. This way, if one method fails or is compromised, you have a backup option.
In addition to physical cards and cash, consider using digital wallets such as Apple Pay, Google Wallet, or Samsung Pay. Digital wallets offer an extra layer of security by using encryption and tokenization to protect your card information. Digital wallets also allow you to store multiple cards in one place, making it convenient to switch between different payment methods without carrying all your physical cards. They can be used for contactless payments, which are not only faster but also more secure than swiping or inserting your card.
Learn more about digital wallets here.
By following these tips, you can significantly reduce the risk of financial fraud and ensure that your cards and accounts remain secure while you travel. From informing your financial institution about your travel plans to using digital wallets and setting up account alerts, these strategies will help you stay one step ahead of potential threats. Remember, a little preparation goes a long way in protecting your financial well-being.
