I recently had a credit card copied while holidaying in China. Blissfully unaware of the problem until the card company contacted me on my return I was equally surprised several months later when the cancelled card was used again. Second time, I was billed and successfully contested the transactions.

Here are some lessons I learnt from the experience.

Watch your credit card

Be aware of where you credit card is and what people are doing with it. It’s when you’re making payments that it’s most vulnerable to being copied. I had no idea my card was copied until I arrived home and the card issuer contacted me (my next statement hadn’t even arrived).

Use cash when in doubt

If you’re going somewhere with a reputation for card copying, have an ample supply of cash with you. Use cash if you’re in any way uncomfortable handing over your card. I had been using cash throughout our trip to China and had used the card sparingly.

The card was only used the card at the end of the trip as I didn’t want to have a wad of currency which I couldn’t use in Europe. The card was out of my sight one, as far as I can recollect, but wasn’t suspicious at the time. With hindsight, I won’t be dining there again.

Check your statements

Even though credit card issuers have processes and systems in place to catch credit card fraud, sometimes they fail. The card company had contacted me the first time about the fraud but, somehow, fraudulent transactions appeared on my statements several months later.

Fraud can happen again

Just because you blocked your card, doesn’t mean the card can’t be used. I was surprised that my cancelled card was used again and I got billed for it – several months later. Once a card is blocked the card company will usually have to acknowledge the fraud and you will not be liable.

Keep checking your statements.

Document the problem

When I spoke to the card company the second time, having complete information to hand (card numbers, statements with the dodgy transactions etc.) to hand was indispensable. It helped them and me to resolve the problem quickly and easily.

Talk to your card issuer early and before you pay the bill

The sooner you talk to your card issuer, the sooner they can block the card and any liability you may incur will be minimised. As I spoke to the card company before I paid them – they simply cancelled the transactions and gave me a new balance eliminating the hassle of claiming for a refund.

I’m no lawyer, but paying the full amount could be construed as my accepting liability.

Don’t get angry with the person on the phone

I didn’t (obviously) but they’re human too. If the holiday fraud is clear, you will receive a sympathetic hearing if you’re calm, clear and to the point. Always take care with your credit cards but do not forget to enjoy your holiday.

Your tips and advice on credit card fraud

Thanks to Mark Sukhija who writes on Mark Travel Notes for sharing his experiences with credit card fraud. Have you had a similar issue? What tips would you give holidaymakers who plan to take their credit card with them on holiday.

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