Customers Warned About Using Credit And Debit Cards Abroad Over Easter Break
September 13, 2009
With the Easter holidays now upon us, many people in the UK may be thinking about heading abroad for a break with their loved ones, and many will go armed with their credit cards either for general spending or just for emergencies. However, a recent report has stated that the cost of using both credit and debit cards whilst abroad can really mount up, and consumers are better off avoiding the use of their plastic cards unless there is a dire need to do so, as otherwise they could be hit with a series of charges.
Whilst using debit cards is largely free in the UK for UK consumers the story is quite a different one abroad, and many people fail to realise this. The hefty charges that can be applied for debit card transactions whilst abroad can quickly add up, and the cardholder may suddenly find that if they have been using the card on a regular basis they owe a small fortune in fees. Using credit cards abroad is also costly due to various fees and charges that are applied, and again customers can come back to a nasty shock when their credit card statement arrives.
Fees for over the counter transactions as well as currency conversion fees can all add up, but many consumers take their cards with them and use them on a daily basis without realising how much they could be clocking up in charges. One consumer said: “I went abroad and thought that I would be fine to use my debit card whilst I was over there. However, I was shocked when I saw my bank statement and realised how much I had been charged in fees and charges. Never again!”
Consumers are now being urged only to use their cards if they really need to and to consider another form of currently such as traveller’s cheques. For those planning to take their cards abroad it is advisable to contact the lender or bank and find out just what your charges are so that there are no really nasty shocks.
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