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Know Before You Go: Prepare your Credit Cards
Be sure to call all your credit cards in advance and tell them you will be moving
to country X and that charges from that country should be considered legitimate.
Conversely, remember to call them again when you move home and tell them
there shouldn't be anymore charges originating from that country. Below are additional tips for preparing in advance to use your credit card abroad.
Prepare for possible credit card mishaps
Make copies of the backs and fronts of your credit cards and leave them with a trusted
friend or relative at home. That way, if your card are lost or stolen your friend at
home can help you call and report the loss.
Or, email yourself the contact information for your credit cards so you can call
and cancel right away if need be.
Also, be sure to find out from your credit card company and your bank a phone number
that you can use to call collect from overseas, because you won't be able to dial toll-free
numbers from abroad.
Find out about credit card fees
You can bet that there will be fees associated with using your credit card
overseas, including fees for currency conversion or out-of-country transactions.
These little charges can add up and you want to be sure you're getting the best
deal possible on unavoidable fees for the next few years.
If you will be living overseas for a while it may pay to shop around for a financial
institution with the best credit and debit cards for international travellers - ones
with the lowest fees.
Establish a Security Password
Ask your bank and credit companies about establishing a special password to use
when speaking with them on the phone to ensure your account isn't compromised
by someone calling and posing as you.
What do you need?
Find out if the normal method of payment in the country you are moving to. Some
countries are a cash society and you will be hard pressed to find someone who even takes
a credit card, while in others, credit cards are the norm.
Of course, even if you won't use them for everyday purchases, it is always good to keep
one on hand in case of emergency. In some less secure countries it is comforting to know
that you can go to the airport, charge a one-way ticket, and fly out if necessary.
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