Halifax has reminded customers of a good practice to follow when making payments.
A customer contacted the bank as they were soon to travel to the USA and were worried that their card would not work out there.
Planning ahead for a worse case scenario, they asked: “Who do I have to contact if my card gets blocked when trying to use it? I have the app installed, the website says you use security to check, panicking it will say fraudulent as I’m out the country.”
Guidance on the Halifax website advises customers going overseas: “Our fraud and security systems are always on the lookout for suspicious activity on your accounts meaning you can relax when you are away, making going abroad stress free.
“Please be aware though, that our Fraud and Security systems may still stop payments you are making whilst abroad if they suspect they may be fraudulent.”
Responding to the customer, Halifax assured that if the customer ran into any issues while they were in the USA, they could message Halifax through mobile banking app for help.
The customer later clarified that they have a contactless bank card with Halifax. The bank replied to this offering a further piece of advice.
Halifax explained: “It’s always worth making your first payment as Chip and PIN to ensure the contactless function is active, but we wouldn’t automatically decline your card because it’s being used abroad. If you face any problems, just message us or ring the number on the back of the card.”
The bank also encourages customers to take another form of payment with them in case of an emergency. It’s also worth making sure your contact details are up to date, in case Halifax needs to contact you.
People planning a trip abroad may also want to think about any extra transaction or cash machine fees they may face while making payments overseas.
James Lynn, co-founder of travel debit card provider Currensea, said: “With UK travellers forking out an unnecessary £2.7billion in foreign exchange fees every year, it’s vital that they have access to simple and transparent spending solutions that cut fees and make holiday savings stretch further.
“Fortunately, there are travel cards on the market that can reduce holiday costs and give families the confidence they are getting as good a deal on their spending money as they do on accommodation or flights.
“With the right tools and knowledge, people can keep more of their money for what really matters – enjoying their holiday.”
Mr Lynn also warned to look out for the high fees that you may face when using a cash machine while abroad. He said: “Some foreign ATM providers can charge around £5 extra for every transaction on top of your withdrawal, this can quickly add up and eat into your holiday budget.”
