Expat Travels: Look After Your Cards

Photo: Steve Roberts

As an expat you tend to travel a little more than the average person - whether it be to explore your new host  country, take trips back home, for business, or to get to know the countries surrounding your new home.

This also means you there's extra danger when it comes to keeping your credit and debit cards safe. Skimming is widespread, and you often don't know you have been a victim until you're back from your travels and see a rather strange (and usually large) withdrawal from your bank account that you know you haven't made. Alternatively, you get a call from your bank about your spending behaviour... either way it's not an enviable situation to be in.

Of course, it can also happen without leaving the country. There are huge instances of skimming at supermarkets, petrol stations and garden centres in the Netherlands so recognising the signs that an ATM has been tampered with, or noticing unwanted attention whilst using your PIN or withdrawing money are handy habits to develop.

Europol (courtesy of my husband) has issued general guidelines and precautions to help you keep your credit and debit cards safe. Visit "Be Smart With Your Card" for all the information you need.