Tag Archives: travel

Summer Travels: Protecting Your Finances On the Go

Staying Safe Abroad

Summer is here, and with it comes the thrill of new adventures and the allure of distant horizons. But as we pack our bags and set out to make memories, it’s vital to remember that our financial security should travel with us. From the sun-drenched shores to the vibrant pulse of city life, ensuring the safety of your finances is as important as your itinerary. Here’s how you can protect your financial well-being while savoring the joys of summer travel.

Before You Go

There are a few steps you can take to make sure you’re secured and well prepared for your trip, so be sure to:

Update your device: Make sure your smartphone, tablet, or laptop, and any apps are updated to the latest software as this will improve your device’s ability to defend against malware.
Back up your information: Perform a backup of your photos, videos, contacts, and any other important information.
Enable ‘Find My Device’: Whether you’re an Android or iOS user, make sure to enable the ‘Find My Device’ feature on all your devices. This will allow you to find your device, like your phone, laptop or tablet, as well as disable it or wipe it remotely.
Lock it up: If your devices do not have passwords on them, it’s time to enable a strong PIN or password! Get into the habit of locking all your devices before you stop using them to ensure no one has time to steal information.

Using Public Wi-Fi Wisely

Public Wi-Fi is a traveler’s best friend for staying connected, but it’s also a playground for cybercriminals. To stay safe:

Verify the network: Always confirm you’re connecting to an official hotspot.
Use a VPN: A Virtual Private Network encrypts your data, shielding your online activities from prying eyes. Learn more about VPNs here: What Is a VPN, and Why Would I Need One? (howtogeek.com)
Stick to HTTPS: Ensure the websites you visit are secure, indicated by ‘https://’ in the URL. Here’s how to check if the connection is secure: 2 Ways To Tell If Your Communication To A Website Is Secure – UW–⁠Madison Information Technology (wisc.edu)
Keep it limited: Avoid accessing sensitive information like bank accounts or personal data on public networks.

Handling Cash and Credit Cards

Cash is king in many places, but carrying too much can be risky. Credit cards, on the other hand, offer convenience and security. Here’s how to manage both:

Divide and conquer: Keep a small amount of cash handy and stash the rest in a secure spot like a money belt or hotel safe.
Notify your bank: Inform your bank of your travel plans to prevent any blocks on your cards due to unusual activity.
Choose credit over debit: Credit cards offer better protection against fraud, chargebacks, and often come with travel insurance benefits.

Stay Alert with Mobile Notifications

Download your bank or card’s app: Before you travel, download your credit/debit card or bank’s app to have easy access to your account.
Enable notifications: Set up instant alerts to be notified on your phone whenever your card is charged, giving you real-time updates on your spending and immediate notice of unauthorized use.

In Case of Lost or Stolen Items

Theft or loss can happen to anyone. If you find yourself in this unfortunate situation:

Act fast: Report any stolen items to local authorities and your bank immediately.
Document everything: Keep copies of important documents and receipts, which will be helpful when filing claims.
Use credit card benefits: Many credit cards offer protection for lost or stolen items, so be sure to leverage these features.

Why Credit is Better Than Debit

When traveling, credit cards are your financial armor. They offer:

Fraud protection: Credit cards limit your liability on fraudulent charges.
Chargeback options: If services aren’t rendered, you can dispute charges more easily than with debit cards.
Rewards and perks: Earn points, miles, or cashback on your travel expenses, which can be used for future adventures.

We’re Your Trusted Travel Partner

At Peoples Bank and Trust, we understand the importance of financial security during your travels. Our range of credit card options is designed to provide you with peace of mind, so you can focus on making memories. Before you pack your bags, visit Peoples Bank and Trust to find the perfect travel companion in our credit card offerings.

Enjoy your summer travels with confidence, knowing that Peoples Bank & Trust has got your back every step of the way.

Common Cyber-Security Threats While Traveling

Whether you are traveling for work or pleasure, the last thing you want to battle with is having your cyber-security compromised. If knowledge is power, Peoples Bank & Trust has created a list of potential threats to your private information and steps to prevent damage while away from home.

Before You Go

Along with remembering to pack a toothbrush, you should also prepare your devices for travel. You should ensure all updates are completed. This will make your systems harder for hackers to penetrate as they have all of the necessary guards and protections the device has to offer at the time.

You may consider backing up your information on cloud storage. You would hate to have forever lost important documents and photos. Should your information become compromised, having these copies of your private information will be useful. We would also recommend changing all of your passwords prior to leaving and again when you return. It is also extremely important, especially when traveling abroad, to let Peoples Bank & Trust know where you will be traveling and when.

While You’re There

Unfortunately, you are at a higher risk the more you travel and use the internet abroad. However, this shouldn’t stop you should you use the proper precautions from these threats.

While convenient, public wireless networks are not secure. Nevertheless, if you need to connect, be sure is a legitimate network by verifying the account with employees. However, your mobile connection is going to be more secure. You are going to want to turn off auto-connect for wifi and Bluetooth as well. If you are able, purchase a VPN (Virtual Private Network), so you can have peace of mind while surfing the web. We would recommend staying away from public computers-even the hotel and library. You cannot trust that these are on secure networks, and that Keylogger Malware is not present.

To many people’s dismay, you are being watched in ways like never before. You should get into the habit of guarding yourself at all times. When traveling to fun places, it is tempting to share your location. But waiting to share this information is best, so hackers don’t follow where you are, and maybe even make their way up to your hotel room to take your computer. This is another reason why you might consider eating meals outside the normal hours, as that is when most hotel thefts occur.

You can’t avoid purchase while on the road, but be aware of ATM skimmers, point of sale compromises and hidden cameras. ATM skimmers have been on the news frequently. If you can avoid using this altogether by sticking to credit cards or Apple Pay on the road, it may make the experience easier. Businesses card readers may be compromised or a hidden camera could be tracking your pin input. It’s important to always be aware.

We hope that these tips have informed you to be a cyber-secure traveler. For more information about Peoples Bank & Trust’s anti-fraud services, please stop by!

Peoples Bank & Trust Co.

Member FDIC

Equal Housing Lender

Bon Voyage! Summer Vacations and Debit/Credit Card Safety

Travel safely with your debit and credit cards by sticking with these simple tips.

Summer is a great time to take a vacation and travel to new places. No matter where you are going, the easiest way to take “cash” with you is by using a debit or credit card. Although it is easier to travel with your card than with a heavy wallet, there are various risks that arise when traveling with a credit or debit card.

Whether you are traveling a few hours away or across the ocean, Peoples Bank & Trust wants to supply you with information to consider before you take off with your debit or credit card.

Before you leave for your destination, call your bank to let them know that you will be using your credit or debit card in a different city or country. It is important to include where you will be going as well as how long. Your bank wants to protect you, so if they see your card being used 1,000 miles away they may put a hold on your card unless otherwise notified.
Always keep your credit or debit card in a safe compartment. Again, whether you are staying within the country or going overseas, always keep your card in a secure bag or wallet. Consider a bag that can be zipped shut or a bag or wallet that is easy to carry so you won’t accidently misplace it. For men, it is often times handy to use a front pocket wallet for extra protection against pickpocketers.
Consider using a credit or debit card that is set up to an account with limited funds. In case of card theft while on vacation, it might be helpful to have a special travel card set up to a separate travel account. Although it would be less than ideal to have your card lost or stolen, a travel account would minimize your risk of total loss.

Summer traveling should be a time for fun and relaxation! Properly preparing your credit and debit cards will help contribute to a worry-free vacation. Peoples Bank & Trust is here to help if you have any further questions regarding credit or debit card use while on vacation.

Feel free to give us a call or stop in anytime!