Bryonydays
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- Time of past OR future Camino
- Camino Portuguese planned for April 2022
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My credit card was hacked in 2022 in Spain. I have learned since that I can freeze or turn the card "on and off" online before and after I use it. It does happen unfortunately and as a result it is always good to have a backup card of some kind. At the time my card was hacked, someone in Paris was ordering clothing at H&M with my card and also buying a bus fare in Valencia...I was in a remote albergue location on the Aragones with limited cell service and no internet and did not see the transactions until the next day as a result when I regained service. The CC company shut down my card account right away, but unfortunately it was the best card for "points". because I was itinerant, they just mailed me a new card back home in the US instead of trying to track me down at an albergue somewhere on the Camino. Really a pain...I am currently walking the Camino Frances with my parents and am enjoying every moment. I brought some euros with me and loaded money onto a cash passport as I thought this would be safe. Unfortunately after checking my balance today over €300 has been taken. The transactions are online ones to Amazon and Deliveroo. The only time I used my cash card was in Biarritz and St Jean as I have been using my cash since then. I spoke with the card company and they have blocked my card and are looking into it. I thought I’d share it here - be careful if you are using a card. I always have been, so was really surprised this has happened!
I’m not going to let it spoil my Camino though!
Buen camino to anyone currently on Camino.
Me too. I was asleep in Spain and someone bought a kitchen unit on my card at Home Depot, in Carson City, Nevada. I wouldn’t have minded but I am of no fixed abode and don’t own a kitchen! I freeze my cards a lot but got caught that time. My bank is great and they refunded the money straight away. Sure it will get sorted. A previous attempt when I was in Central America was thwarted when they tried to buy an Apple Computer amongst other things. Whatever the outcome carry on! It won’t change your life!My credit card was hacked in 2022 in Spain. I have learned since that I can freeze or turn the card "on and off" online before and after I use it. It does happen unfortunately and as a result it is always good to have a backup card of some kind. At the time my card was hacked, someone in Paris was ordering clothing at H&M with my card and also buying a bus fare in Valencia...I was in a remote albergue location on the Aragones with limited cell service and no internet and did not see the transactions until the next day as a result when I regained service. The CC company shut down my card account right away, but unfortunately it was the best card for "points". because I was itinerant, they just mailed me a new card back home in the US instead of trying to track me down at an albergue somewhere on the Camino. Really a pain...
I was ready for that. I put my credit cards in my digital wallet and used them. Then, using my e-cards in Europe too many times without physically putting them in the machine and entering the PIN triggered the fraud detection algorithm. They sent a text for me to confirm it was me, but I had a different SIM in my phone. Just sayin' proceed with caution.With many travel cards now, you can order digital versions, which are then on your phone. You don't need a physical card to make payments although you do for taking money out of an ATM. You can instantly replace a digital card, can use it, then block it, then unblock and use it again. Always worth getting your head around digital cards.
Oh, and never check balances etc unless you are using a VPN. The biggest no no is using a public WiFi system or the WiFi in an albergue - asking for trouble!!
I have set my accounts to text and email me when any purchase is made over $5.00 which is always a nice reminder that I spend too much and often more painful with exchange rates. I also lock and unlock my accounts as needed.My credit card was hacked in 2022 in Spain. I have learned since that I can freeze or turn the card "on and off" online before and after I use it. It does happen unfortunately and as a result it is always good to have a backup card of some kind. At the time my card was hacked, someone in Paris was ordering clothing at H&M with my card and also buying a bus fare in Valencia...I was in a remote albergue location on the Aragones with limited cell service and no internet and did not see the transactions until the next day as a result when I regained service. The CC company shut down my card account right away, but unfortunately it was the best card for "points". because I was itinerant, they just mailed me a new card back home in the US instead of trying to track me down at an albergue somewhere on the Camino. Really a pain...
Good for you; such a good and healthy perspective.I am currently walking the Camino Frances with my parents and am enjoying every moment. I brought some euros with me and loaded money onto a cash passport as I thought this would be safe. Unfortunately after checking my balance today over €300 has been taken. The transactions are online ones to Amazon and Deliveroo. The only time I used my cash card was in Biarritz and St Jean as I have been using my cash since then. I spoke with the card company and they have blocked my card and are looking into it. I thought I’d share it here - be careful if you are using a card. I always have been, so was really surprised this has happened!
I’m not going to let it spoil my Camino though!
Buen camino to anyone currently on Camino.
never knew you could freeze/unfreeze cards, that’s useful
I do it all the time. Did an ATM today in a country known for ATM fraud and froze straight after. Actually thanks for reminding me as still frozen and would have forgotten to unfreeze before I buy a coffee on morning. Always do that! !never knew you could freeze/unfreeze cards, that’s useful
I am currently walking the Camino Frances with my parents and am enjoying every moment. I brought some euros with me and loaded money onto a cash passport as I thought this would be safe. Unfortunately after checking my balance today over €300 has been taken. The transactions are online ones to Amazon and Deliveroo. The only time I used my cash card was in Biarritz and St Jean as I have been using my cash since then. I spoke with the card company and they have blocked my card and are looking into it. I thought I’d share it here - be careful if you are using a card. I always have been, so was really surprised this has happened!
I’m not going to let it spoil my Camino though!
Buen camino to anyone currently on Camino.
Have you weighed up the costs of cash passports / travel cards versus your normal bank card?Oh no. Is this a problem with Cash Passport. I also lost $AU120 and they refused to refund as they insisted I had authorised the transaction when it was clear that I hadn’t. There were many email exchanges I actually found that I couldn’t make online purchases with the card. I wondered is someone who actually works for them is scamming. I was going to use it again in a few weeks because it’s all set up but I think I’ll order a Wise card instead.
I've done this while on the Camino the last couple of years. Easy to do on the bank's app.never knew you could freeze/unfreeze cards, that’s useful
As far as I know, credit cards offer more protection against fraud than other types of cards.Oh no. Is this a problem with Cash Passport. I also lost $AU120 and they refused to refund as they insisted I had authorised the transaction when it was clear that I hadn’t
Yes of course. It's better for me to use a travel card and my bank doesn't do them any more.Have you weighed up the costs of cash passports / travel cards versus your normal bank card?
So, TravelingMan22, care to divulge the name of the country known for ATM fraudI do it all the time. Did an ATM today in a country known for ATM fraud and froze straight after. Actually thanks for reminding me as still frozen and would have forgotten to unfreeze before I buy a coffee on morning. Always do that! !
You can also play around with contactless limits abd triggers as to when your PiN is required.
I also get notified immediately for every single transation and have to approve the vast majority of online transactions.
Sure in this case, Romania. Not a million times worse than other countries but on my radar to ‘immediately freeze’. South Africa, Central America, and a few others come to mind. I guess it’s in my mind because of the recent huge case around ATM scamming albeit that occurred in USA, albeit not on Romanian soil.So, TravelingMan22, care to divulge the name of the country known for ATM fraud?
Hi. I’ve used Cash Passports for years and this is the first time I’ve had a problem. As soon as I realized what had happened I contacted the helpline and they froze the card immediately. Thankfully I had the 2nd card with me so I can use that. They are looking into it and I’m hoping I’ll get my money back.Oh no. Is this a problem with Cash Passport. I also lost $AU120 and they refused to refund as they insisted I had authorised the transaction when it was clear that I hadn’t. There were many email exchanges I actually found that I couldn’t make online purchases with the card. I wondered is someone who actually works for them is scamming. I was going to use it again in a few weeks because it’s all set up but I think I’ll order a Wise card instead.
Would 2 factor authentication, as in a series of number/text sent to your phone, help prevent this?
How about biometrics?
Now, you do have to make sure you don't lost your phone.....or, well, your thumbs.
However, having your password isn't going to be good enough.
I too get notifications of expenditures. However, as one person noted....this might not be of help when you are out of communication while walking.
Hi. I’ve used Cash Passports for years and this is the first time I’ve had a problem. As soon as I realized what had happened I contacted the helpline and they froze the card immediately. Thankfully I had the 2nd card with me so I can use that. They are looking into it and I’m hoping I’ll get my money back.
This is why I keep recommending one have at least two cards, and not from the same bank or credit union.The CC company shut down my card account right away, but unfortunately it was the best card for "points". because I was itinerant, they just mailed me a new card back home in the US instead of trying to track me down at an albergue somewhere on the Camino. Really a pain...
I am sorry to hear your loss. It used to happen at simple shops awhere the copied your card or drew the card twice without you noticing it.Good for you; such a good and healthy perspective.
It’s cost effectiveness probably depends on what part of the world you are from and what card deals you have!To set up requires a time frame prior to departing your home country, maybe too late to implement if already away.
A typical currency wallet charges upon converting from one currency to another, WISE is cost effective, I know from first hand experience, ease of use and reasonable charge.
I can testify most places so far on the del Norte have a facilitated cash less transactions, pay via debit card
I now have a Wise card, and much prefer it to my Cash Passport.Oh no. Is this a problem with Cash Passport. I also lost $AU120 and they refused to refund as they insisted I had authorised the transaction when it was clear that I hadn’t. There were many email exchanges I actually found that I couldn’t make online purchases with the card. I wondered is someone who actually works for them is scamming. I was going to use it again in a few weeks because it’s all set up but I think I’ll order a Wise card instead.
WISE and REVOLU are Debit cards. In the case of Wise there is an initial one off cost for the physical card, I don't think Revolut has cost for the card.It’s cost effectiveness probably depends on what part of the world you are from and what card deals you have!
Unfortunately not at all. The way to bypass 2FA has been established and is firmly in place for couple of years nowWould 2 factor authentication, as in a series of number/text sent to your phone, help prevent this?
Yes, my bank advised me to do this and I have a Debit card that I use specifically for travel and there is a limited amount in the account.Cash almost always works. I use cash almost exclusively.
The only time my DEBIT card comes out of my pocket is to get cash from an ATM, actually attached to a real bank. These are the most secure.
I also maintain a separate bank account, with only enough money for my Camino. I have a debit card on this account.
If I get hacked, or the DEBIT card lost or stolen, my exposure does not exceed the account balance. I can go online to move funds into or out of this special account.
This sounds more elaborate than it is. But it works.
Hope this helps.
Tom
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