What if my card is lost or stolen when I’m abroad? (2024)

FAQs

What if my card is lost or stolen when I’m abroad? ›

Contact your bank and have them send you a replacement card to your future destination. The best place to have your bank send your card is a hotel or friend's house in the area. It can take a long time (sometimes even 1-3 weeks) for international shipping so make sure to adjust your travel plans accordingly.

Take note of the phone number for the call center of your bank or credit card company. Keep this note separately from your credit cards . As soon as you notice any loss of a card , stay calm and contact the issuer bank to request that the account be frozen.

If you lose your debit card, call your bank or credit union

You may also be able to get in touch via your bank's secure mobile app or website. Once you notify your bank or credit union, a representative can walk you through the steps to take if you misplace your debit card.

If you're overseas and your credit card is lost, stolen or compromised, you can arrange an emergency credit card and/or emergency cash. You'll need to contact both your credit card provider and the bank to arrange this.

Order a replacement credit card abroad

You'll need to call in to do this, because card issuers typically don't provide an option to request a replacement card to an international address through their websites. Even if yours does, calling is still a good idea to see how long the replacement will take to arrive.

Visa's Zero Liability Policy^* is our guarantee that you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your account or account information. You're protected if your Visa credit or debit card is lost, stolen or fraudulently used, online or offline.

Report the loss to your bank or credit union as soon as you realize your debit card is missing. If you act quickly, you're legally protected from major losses from any unauthorized charges. Generally, a bank's service representative will deactivate the card and issue a replacement.

While you can use a debit card for purchases abroad, experts often recommend paying with cash or a credit card as it can offer better protection if a thief gets their hands on your plastic. Instead, debit cards are ideal for taking cash out of an ATM.

Use a Withdrawal Slip

If you're near an open branch of your bank or credit union, this is one of the easiest ways to get cash. Simply visit the bank or credit union, grab a withdrawal slip and visit a teller. You'll be asked to fill out the amount you want to withdraw and provide account information.

Can I get a replacement credit card same day? ›

You may be able to receive your new credit card within a week, but it varies by issuer. Though your credit card company may provide free next-day shipping, others may charge a fee for the service. And depending on the issuer, it could take a few weeks to receive your replacement card.

You're not required to notify your credit card company when you're going away on vacation, but it is highly recommended. By letting your credit card company know where you're going and for how long, your company will know that any card transactions from that location were likely authorized by you.

Most credit card issuers no longer require notification before you go on a trip; however, some card companies still ask you to notify them when you're traveling internationally.

If you want to keep a tab on the spending, a debit card can be a good option. Credit cards, on the other hand, are handy if you face a shortage of funds while travelling abroad.

Most major credit cards, including Amex, Chase and Capital One, offer credit cards for non-residents, including immigrants and students. Gather your paperwork, including passport information and proof of income. From there, you can apply for a credit card and start building your U.S. credit history right away.

Checks are prohibited. A maximum of 2 credit cards may be sent to an individual as a document shipment. Otherwise, credit cards are prohibited.

Yes, you should get an international credit card if you frequently travel overseas for vacation or work. A good international credit card will work domestically and abroad, and it will help you avoid foreign transaction fees for purchases made outside of the United States.