Card lost, stolen or fraudulently charged abroad: prevent first, then respond in order

Is it safe to use a credit card abroad: where the real risks are

There is no single answer to whether using a card abroad is safe. Most risk does not come from a country being more dangerous, but from where and how you use the card: tampered ATMs, shops that take the card out of sight, untrustworthy websites, or public Wi-Fi when you type card details.

• Risks you can control: alerts on every transaction, temporary lock in the app, ATMs in staffed and camera-covered places.
• Risks that are harder to control: a merchant or system whose data leaks later, which is why regular statement checks matter.
• Protection when something goes wrong: depends on your issuer's terms and how it happened, so do not assume.

How to protect your card data before you travel

Preparation before departure reduces both the chance of an incident and the time lost if one happens. Do it at home where you have easy internet and phone access.

1. 1Turn on alerts for every transactionSet app or SMS alerts that cover overseas card use. Check they reach you without relying on a Thai number that may be offline abroad. If unsure, prefer in-app notifications and read the OTP guide linked below.
2. 2Know how to lock the card in the appFind the temporary lock or block option in your bank app before you go, so you are not hunting for it in a panic. Menu names differ by bank.
3. 3Save emergency contacts offlineNote the issuer's from-abroad number where you can reach it without internet and separate from the card. Verify the number on the bank's official site.
4. 4Check travel settings with the bankCheck that the card is enabled for overseas use and whether your bank wants a travel notice, which varies. See the card set-up guide for more.
5. 5Store cards and cash in separate placesKeep a backup card apart from your everyday wallet so a single incident does not leave you with no way to pay.

Card skimming abroad: how to inspect ATMs and card readers

Skimming means a device fitted to read card data or capture your PIN without your knowledge. It tends to appear at unattended ATMs and fuel pumps. Inspection is a general habit and cannot guarantee you will spot every device, so combine it with transaction alerts.

• Cover the keypad with your hand every time you enter your PIN.
• If a machine looks wrong or swallows your card, stop and do not walk away. Contact the machine's bank or your issuer straight away.
• For cash withdrawals in general, see the ATM withdrawal guide.

Is contactless credit card payment safe

Contactless is often about as safe as inserting a card, and in some respects safer, because the card stays in your hand and each transaction uses a one-off code. But there are common myths in both directions, over-fear and over-confidence. Check your issuer's options for locking or limiting contactless.

Card lost abroad: what to do and in what order

When a card is lost or stolen, order matters. Stop the damage first, then solve the problem. You do not need to be sure it was stolen. If you merely cannot find it, a temporary lock in the app is a first step you can undo if the card turns up.

1. 1Lock or block immediatelyUse the bank app or the issuer's emergency line. If you cannot call for lack of signal, use hotel Wi-Fi or any internet you have to open the app or call through an app.
2. 2Review recent transactionsCheck for charges that are not yours. Screenshot them and note when and where you last saw the card.
3. 3Report unknown charges to dispute themTell the bank which items are not yours. They will explain the dispute process and documents needed, which differ by issuer.
4. 4File a police report if neededIf stolen, report to local police and ask for a copy or reference number, because the bank or your travel insurer may ask for it. Ask the bank whether it is required.
5. 5Ask about a replacement and how to pay meanwhileAsk whether emergency replacement cards or emergency cash are offered. These services differ by bank. Meanwhile, use your backup card or cash.

Card fraudulently charged or hacked abroad

If you still hold the card but see charges you did not make, the card data may have leaked somewhere, such as an ATM, a shop or a website. Treat it with the same urgency as a lost card, because the data can be reused.

• Lock the card and ask for a new card number, because the old one may keep being used.
• List the unrecognised items precisely (date, merchant, amount) and ask the bank to open a dispute.
• If you recently typed card details on a website or public Wi-Fi, tell the bank; it helps identify the leak.
• Check other accounts that share the same email or password, and change your banking app password.

Whether you are compensated for a hacked or fraudulently charged card depends on your issuer's terms, how it happened and whether you reported in time, so nothing should be promised in advance. Ask the bank directly and keep all paperwork.

App controls and online safety while travelling

Many bank apps let you switch overseas, online or contactless use on and off separately. If yours does, enable only what you need during the trip and switch it off afterwards. Names and options differ by bank.

• Use a connection you trust for banking and card entry, such as your own eSIM or mobile data instead of unknown public Wi-Fi.
• Enable two-step verification and a screen lock, because a lost phone also puts linked cards at risk. See the lost phone guide.
• Compare merchant names in alerts with where you actually paid.

You need to be online to reach your bank app and block a card quickly. See eSIM options for your destination.

A backup card and emergency cash

One of the most effective protections is having no single point of failure: a backup card from a different bank and ideally a different network, stored apart from the main one, plus a little cash for when cards stop working. That keeps an incident from becoming a crisis.

For how to decide the number of cards and the cash share, see the carry-cash-and-cards guide linked below.

Frequently asked questions on lost, stolen and skimmed cards