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Pay with a credit card , not a debit card
If you are going to pay for goods or services with a card , a credit card is the better option . A debit card takes the money from your account immediately , making it harder to get back if there is a problem . Also , most credit cards offer some protection against unauthorized transactions , whereas most debit cards do not . Even if your bank does protect you from unauthorized uses , it can take weeks to get the money back .
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Use a credit card with no foreign transaction fees
Some credit cards charge exorbitant fees every time you use them . Find out if yours does by visiting the card company ’ s website ( or just call and ask ). Credit cards marketed to travelers often claim “ no fees ” on foreign transactions . In some cases there is no fee at all ; in others , the bank might only charge the 1 % or so that the international networks charge for making the exchange .
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Sign up for push notifications
If your bank supports it , enable mobile push notifications for every transaction made with your card . This way , if your card is stolen or skimmed , you will be instantly aware of fraudulent transactions and can notify your bank to disable the card immediately . Otherwise , just check your transactions online at the end of each day to make sure there is nothing suspicious going on .
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Choose chip cards
These use an EMV chip instead of a magnetic strip to store sensitive data . EMV stands for “ Europay , Mastercard , Visa ” respectively , and while the chip technology cannot protect you from all types of breaches , it ’ s harder for scammers to skim .
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Shield your PIN and watch out for tampered ATM machines
When entering your PIN number into the ATM , use your other hand and / or body to obscure the view of the keypad from a potential “ shoulder surfing ” thief . Before you do any transaction , check the machine for signs of a false front . Some scammers install pinhole cameras that capture your pin number as you enter it . Make sure the card slot is not loose or too wide or unusual in any way — even an odd color scheme . If the keypad feels soft or spongy , don ’ t use it . It could be an overlay that captures your info and relays it to criminals . The bottom line : if anything looks awry , walk away .