@Xerloq:
yeah... way scary

@KingPsyz here for HappyFunKingPsyz©:
.com* even...
keyboard issues

@dohtem:
www.sadtrombone.come

I didn't have any trouble until I was about to leave the US and travel to Australia. I had bought a laptop in the US and the manager that served me apparently was an idiot and had no clue how to do the transaction. He ran the card through and (due to the amount) it required an extra check. Which he tried to override. He did this three times before figuring it out.

When I got to Australia I had an email from my parents (they were receiving my bank mail) and said they thought fraud was on my account. I tried to go to an Australian HSBC account but told that the 'worlds local bank' had different branches in the countries so they couldn't help me. I messaged them online (through their secure 'ebranch' or whatever it was called) and they still wanted me to phone.

I made a quick phone call which was rather silly - I phoned them, confirmed who I was (like I had online) and they just wanted me to confirm what had happened. The three extra transactions were all refused and so there was no problem there. Once that had been done, they were happy.
At no point did they cancel my card (although I think they had put some extra checks in).

Having said that I know someone who used to work for them and a few years ago they were outsourcing all the UK work to India and that was causing problems (phone the UK and chances are you will be speaking to an Indian), but I have never had an issue with it.

Also I was told the 'travelling' flag only lasts for about three months, although I travelled for longer then that and I didn't have any problems. On the few times I had to call (_rare_ times, like when a card expired) I kept reminding them I was travelling and they were fine with it.

Well that's enough. Just remember to call and warn your bank you are travelling, like other people have said!

@LastError:

I went traveling with my husband last year and called both my bank and amex about my travel plans.

I had used the amex card maybe a couple of times on the cruise ship to book excursions, I have to say I didn't experience any problems.

However for the most part we used cash.

I've tried calling to tell them I'm going somewhere, but they always claim they can't do anything with that information.

The one time they caught actual fraud, it was 2 weeks after i returned from an overseas trip.

I don't use them much at all while traveling, mostly to pay for hotel stays and the occasional meal. I also rotate them, I don't use one exclusively when I travel. One charge to Amex, next one to Chase, next one to RBS, repeat. I've never had any issues with them being flagged, but even if one was, I still have 2 other options.

I suppose all 3 of them could be flagged, but the chances are lower and surely I could convince at least one of them that I am indeed traveling.

I guess the cliff notes of this post is to have a Plan B when you travel internationally, maybe even a Plan C.

I always traveled with a backup card with a different bank, and without fail both my cards were cancelled the moment I used them in Europe, despite always letting the banks know of my travel plans. I used Bank of America and a small local bank. I had issues with both EVERY time.

I ended up figuring out a legal way to "work the system" and open up a bank account in Finland, but wouldn't have been able to do that if I hadn't had some very specific circumstances. Wouldn't it be great to be able to use our banks in the US without being assured that we will be stuck in a foreign country with no access to funds?

Why do WE have to be responsible for the banks' asinine policies?

Lord knows I hate to defend any credit card company these days and yes I have been drinking....

I actually have new respect for HSBC these days. 8 years ago after our bankruptcy (no I don't need to hear your comments on THAT) when NO ONE would touch us, HSBC was the first to give us a shot at a new life. The interest rate was high yes, and the credit limit low but under the circumstances it SHOULD have been. Over the years, as we've proven we can handle our finances they've given us generous limit increases and decreases the APR. In fact, last month we got a letter from them thanking us for our continued business and not only DOUBLING our limit but CUTTING our APR by 8%! We are now paying 6% where we started at 21%. And no, it's not a promo rate.

On the other hand, Chase, with whom we have an auto loan at 5% for 2 years now refused to lower our ratejacked WaMu card from 31.99% because GASP we have an 8 year old bankruptcy!!! Uh.....didn't they figure that out when they approved our auto loan??? This is why we haven't used that card and never will again and why we just turned in the paperwork to the credit union to transfer our auto loan to them for 5.25%. It's well worth the extra 1/4% to me.

Ended up having to talk to the fraud department and verify stuff like my last statement amount.

I learned very quickly to never use that card overseas.

The world's local bank is brain dead.

Anyway, it's probably safe to assume that if things aren't changed officially in their book, they're going to forget it. No excuse, though, 'specially given their forewarning of your whereabouts. As far as card mailing goes, for Citi at least, any card they send you can't be activated unless you call from the phone they have on file. The best way to do things in my mind.

Hope it was a fun time, nonetheless!

Thanks for everyone's comments. I don't travel out of the country but every 5-7 years and had never given the chances of this sort of problem a thought. You have enlightened me!

I called HSBC and (after asking for a supervisor, which I suspect is code for "transfer me to an American CSR") she checked and saw that I always paid from the same account, and that the other account wasn't even listed anymore. I asked for and received a credit in the amount of the overdraft fee.

HSBC: Caused the problem, but in the end the solution was acceptable.

Then I went down to my Credit Union to deposit cash to cover the charge. I explained the situation, and they informed me that the charge was covered, as long as I deposited the money within 2 weeks (nice!) and since it was my first ever over-draft, they were going to credit it back to me (BONUS - they OFFERED, I didn't ask!).

HSBC was OK, but really, what I learned was that my Credit Union is AWESOME.

I learned my lesson, and am much more careful now.

Chase used to do these "fraud alerts" with me. I would charge something (gas, etc.) while in a neighboring state and WHAM, Chase would call my office, my home and my cell until they got me to verify. UGH!

None of the charges were every fraud and I explained that I check my account online several times a week. If there was a fraudulent charge, I would call immediately. Finally, I convinced them to calm down and take the flags off my account

Wonder how much actual fraud these banks catch by stalking good customers who simply are traveling?

Damn these big companies for not being able to read people's minds and anticipated their moves without being told (giving a travel alert != living abroad for several months with your old address on file).

That's the single funniest line I've ever read on the Consumerist. Well done!

Then I forgot the card on my desk at home. :(

Discover card called and sent me email before cancelling my card. They did block the account (blocked, not cancelled) until I called.

I lived in Brazil for a while and specifically didn't take my (then) Norwest credit/debit cards with me. To my surprise I began receiving statements and replacement cards at my address in Brazil after the bank somehow tracked me down in country and decided to automatically update my address.

Never, EVER travel without a backup card - no matter how much you love your bank.