Lost credit cards on vacation - reporting problem we encountered
 

While on vacation our 19 year old son lost his wallet. While it was later recovered, he encountered some reporting problems that might be useful for others. For him, just remembering the 2 banks involved in credit and debit cards was a challenge. Then he had to find the phone number (you know - the one printed on the reverse of the cards he no longer had) and he obviously no longer knew his account number.

This would have been only a minor time consuming process, but he had no idea what is social security number was. He had taken the time to write it IN CODE in his wallet, but of course that was of no use.

He had also taken the time to photocopy the contents of his wallet and leave that at home before he went to college - but we were 2500 miles from that photocopy.

I suspect that many young people do not know their social security number anymore - us old people do, but almost no one is using it as an account ID number anymore, it is not on driver's license in most states - the only place I have been asked for it recently is on job applications.

Just a word of warning to be more preapred than he/we were.

Yikes, what a pain in the neck! I guess when you're making that photocopy of the cards, it would be a good idea to make a couple of spares, to keep in car, suitcase, etc. Then there is the risk of THAT list getting into the wrong hands.

Some organizations will keep a registry of your CC's so you can can cancel them all with just one phone call. AAA has done this in the past for free, not sure who does it now.

Gail,
Sorry to hear about your troubles.

Here are a couple of tips I've picked up here on Fodors or from other experienced travellers.

- bring two credit cards and two debit cards on a trip, but keep them separate, i.e. carry one set in the wallet and keep one set hidden away in a suitcase. If there are problems with one debit card PIN, or other access problems, you have a 2nd to fall back on. Ditto if your wallet is stolen.

- scan passport and email the file to yourself, plus bring a printout. If you passport is lost, you can retrieve the info anywhere you can access the internet.

- email yourself a list of credit card accounts & toll free #'s.

Thanks for responses - for us it was nothing more than time consuming since we were together as family with enough credit cards, etc. to handle any eventuality. It was mainly the reporting problem (so no one else used them) that was the issue.

But as our forgetful son is now at age when he is off without Mommy and Daddy to fall back on, and is traveling alone, it could be an issue for him.

I like the idea of emailing info to yourself before you go - never thought of that!

J62, I like your idea of e-mailing yourself this important information.

However, why would I want to bring two credit cards and two debit cards on a trip? Well, my spouse bring Visa and I bring MC. We also have one ATM card and always bring travelers checks when traveling abroad but only for emergency situation. For years we never used them and after returning home we redeposit them in our checking account.

But why would one want to bring two debit cards? What debit card does that cc cannot? I never had debit card and don't see any need for it. What is an advantage of having one? Any charge is taken on a spot from your account? What is an advantage here? Am I missing something?

For college kids, having them use the debit card for regular expenditures and have a real CC only for emergencies and other authorized categories (medical copays, books, etc.) help them learn to keep in a budget. Also, if you pay for something with a debit, most places (especially groceries) will let you take cash back, saving a trip to the ATM and possibly some fees.

And it's always good to have a backup in case a cc is compromised, through demagnetization or other damage, or by a false-alarm hold put on the card. One of my card issues got excited when two large charges were made at the same store, an hour apart. (We bought a large item, then went back for smaller ones.)

A college kid away from home might have separate debit cards for the home bnk and the bank in the school location. I agree that it doesn't make sense to carry them both all the time, but it might not occur to a kid to not just keep all his cards in his wallet, to make sure he has the one he needs.

Not knowing the account number is a pain, but the 800 numbers on the back can be accessed as VISA or MC, I believe, not necessarily specific to the issuing bank.
Losing CCs is a real pain. On a trip to France, at our first real stop at the car rental we discovered my wallet gone with 4 credit cards missing--we always split up cards (between husband and me) so we aren't carrying the same ones, but had not done it yet. I spent the next hour in a hotel room cancelling cards. Fortunately because of the time difference it was morning in the US. The reason I am taking the time to write this is to tell you that you can have a replacement card inyour hands overnight (during the week), both in Europe and in the US, IF you demand it.
Some were quicker than others but we did have one card by the next morning and all the rest by the third day.

I still can't figure out logistic of having a debit card. How often two credit cards, MC and Visa, would get compromised, through demagnetization or other damage, or by a false-alarm hold put on both cards at the same time?

Please do note something mentioned briefly on this thread.

And that is that many young people (and this is the very first year I can remember it ever happening)- have now shown up at college for the very first time and do not know their own S.S.#.

Up until the last privacy acts etc. they were used for many venues and in High School for their student code etc. No longer. Now they have different student codes for each school etc. Another big, big problem when people have the same or similar names or when your name is George Foreman. LOL!

Seriously, please keep some ID with photo at their home plus make sure that they have State ID if not a driver's license at school away from home as well. The same for credit cards, photos of both sides in both locations.

It's been a miserable story this year with lost c.c.'s etc. And some of these people have "permissions" on these cards that they themselves do NOT know.
Like their mother's maiden name etc. The soc.sec.# trace avoided some of this, now that isn't all on the same page either.

I do know that stolen cards were used for gas purchases and the owner of the card did not have to pay for these charges as they attempted to report the card stolen on the same day.

Sorry for the double post, I was trying to edit and hiccuped.

To the person who doesn't understand debit cards.

(And I didn't double post, but it page jumped so I thought it did for sure, I think Fodor's changes have started already, folks- good feature if it deletes double posts.)

Some people and many young people among them can ONLY handle the responsibility of a debit card. They are automatically denied when they do not have funds in the bank with a debit card. And that process is the only way they can keep themselves from getting into financial disaster.

I give them lots of praise for only using debit cards, whatever age, if this is the problem they are trying to avoid.

Worst Freshman college problem has become getting into BIG, BIG credit card debt- please educate them about interest rates etc. before they leave home.

for clarification, by debit cards are visa branded cards that are linked to my bank account or credit union account. I use my debit card to get cash, and my cc to make purchases.

Some people use the term ATM card and debit card interchangably, while others make a distinction. In my vernacular they mean the same thing.

(Hijacking my own thread). I use a debit card because it is an immediate and direct charge to my checking account. For me, it is the most effective way to not end up with a big "surprise" on my credit card at the end of the month. Certainly, I could keep track of charges and pay them off - I do that anyway. But since it is linked to my checking account and I do my banking and record-keeping on-line, it also shows up immediately on my on-line bank statement.

I use it in the same way I used to write checks - except that a debit card with PIN is much faster and less annoying than writing a check.

To each his own.

Thank you JJ5, that's what I thought. I couldn't get it because I never charge anything if I can't pay in full when the next credit card statement arrives. But it makes sense for college students.

this is something i do. i have an ipod loaded with music when i go on a trip, as a backup to the other suggestions posted here. if you own an ipod, i would suggest, to save a text file (windows user) with all that info...code it, so you understand it. and macintosh user, you can upolad your contacts from the address book onto the ipod.

The advantage of a debit card is that it eliminates the need to carry a check book - or write checks. Debits are faster, easier, and more convenient than writing checks - and you don;t have to carry a lot of money around with you.

I rarely carry more than $100. At the supermarket, dry cleaner, drug store or whatever - whenever the charge is above about $20 or so I simply use the debit card to pay. It also saves the trouble of going to the bank to get cash - or paying for a withdrawal at a commercial ATM machine - since when you start to run low on cash you simply take some cash back when you make a purchase,

I don't know how we ever lived without them - it saves a huge amount of time - I haven;t been to the bank in over six months.

I never carry more than $40.00 cash. I pay for everything with credit card except The New York Times during a week. Dry cleaner, grocery, gas, restaurants, car wash, stamps in the post office. I charge everything regardless whether it is more or less than $20.00. Only checks we write are four times a year to IRS and to send deposit for some of our accommodations in Alaska. Only times we carry check book with us is when we travel in the US. As someone mention if something is wrong with a credit card it can be replaced within one-two days. I guess I still don't get a reason for having a debit card instead od cc if you are not a student. Our bank does not charge for withdrawals not only in the US but also in any other countries

Just to elaborate a little on something that's already been mentioned...We rely on our debit card to get cash when we're traveling. Most grocery stores, WalMarts, etc., will give you up to $100 back on a purchase. Our bank charges us thirty cents. (There's no charge when we use it as a credit card rather than a debit card. Still comes out of our checking account but we sign rather than using a PIN and cannot get cash back.) Obviously, much cheaper than an ATM. And since we travel by car and always carry a cooler, we stop at that type of store every few days to restock.

I'm still confused by comments like that of nytraveler above. Sure, it's easy to see why a debit card is better than carrying around a check book (does anyone still do that?), but I still don't understand why the debit card is better than a credit card. Instead of having to keep track of each purchase with money automatically coming out of your checking account, with a credit card -- they do all the figuring for you and you only have to take one lump sum out of your checking account each month, when you write your check (or transfer online) to pay your monthly bill.

Patrick, thank you for stating my point so much clearer.

Our both credit cards take automatically full payments directly from our checking account

My college daughters have debit cards. Two reasons why:

1) Free cash back with purchase, so no ATM or CC advance fees

2) Amounts available to use (or steal) are much lower, providing some limits for people who need them.

I use credit cards for everything, except I also have an ATM card without the VISA/MC debit feature. (It was hard to get my bank to issue me one).

It can only be used in an ATM machine with a pin, so if stolen can't be used to "charge" things. I use it only to get foreign currency on trips.

Have you considered programming the 800 numbers for your credit card companies in your cell phone? You don't have to name them things like Visa and Amex but instead Victoria and Ahmed... You get the idea.

It doesn't resolve the problem completely, but it does facilitate reporting the cards missing. Now... just don't misplace the cell at the same time! :)

Both my 18 and 20 year old daughters know their social security numbers (I know them also, mainly because I filled out so many forms over the last few years, I just remember them both!). They needed their #'s for many things over the years, high school forms & then college forms), so they both just know them. Thought that would be the same with most people their age... shows you how much I know!!

On the subject of debit card pros & cons--I too am one of those people who has resisted debit cards for a variety of reasons, some of which I'm now realizing may no longer be valid.

1. Fear that if stolen, I'd have my entire checking account wiped out. (It now seems that there is better protection against that, along the lines of losing a credit card, but that wasn't the case originally.)

2. No "reward" for using a debit card, such as miles, points or cashback. But according to Icuy, this may no longer be the case. I'd be interested to know more about this program.

3. Having to make sure there's enough in my checking account to cover my purchases. And no, I don't live hand to mouth so to speak, but I like the flexibility of waiting till I get a bill and then deciding which account I want to pay it out of, if I want to move money from a higher interest account to my checking account, or if I want to time it to coincide with a paycheck or other deposit I know is coming. I also get a "float" of up to 30 days between the time I make a purchase and the time I owe the payment. And I always pay the full amount due each month.

The only advantages I can see are what nytraveler mentions, since my dry cleaner does not take credit cards, and the cheaper cash withdrawal fees, although I usually get cash from my local ATM so that's not an issue.

But I do enjoy hearing other's reasoning since that's how I learn!

My 20 year old daughter knows hers too, cb. 16 year old son doesn't as he hasn't had as much reason to use it yet.
I too was kind of surprised that it was an issue.

I made a mistake in my earlier reply. It should have said cash back (as in $50 change)when using the card for purchases without having to pay cash advance fees or ATM fees.

However, my daughter with the account at US bank in Oregon also gets a rebate based on useage. I'm not sure how it works, but I do know she likes it.

I'm getting the impression from reading this thread that many of you pay no fee to use your debit card. Is that the case? As I mentioned, when we use ours (a Visa Check Card) as a debit card rather than as a credit card, we're assessed a thirty cent fee. A few years ago, our bank charged seventy-five cents. Apparently a lot of customers complained and they dropped the fee altogether. Then, about a year ago, they imposed the thirty cent fee. As I said in my other post, it's a lot cheaper than using an ATM when we're traveling. But, obviously, no fee at all is even better! If many of you are not charged, maybe we need to consider changing banks!

Regarding social security numbers as ID - only one school to which are son applied 2 years ago requested SS number. His current college does not use it for anything - they have student ID. My daughter is in HS and I have never had anyone request her SS number on any form in the past few years - from schools, to MD, etc. CAPH52 may be surprised with newer privacy/identity theft awareness how few times (other than for employment)her 16 year old son will need to use his.

I pay no fee for transactions with my debit card (Bank of America) - but I think that may be related to how much we keep in our savings account with them plus our mortgage, credit card being with them.

Actually, gail, my son did have to take his ss card with him to apply for his driving permit. And he had to have his number with him when he registered for school this year. Not sure why as they have always (at least since my daughter started there in 2000) used student ID numbers rather than ss. But, obviously, those two times have not been enough for him to have memorized the number.

Our daughter has had to use hers often in the past year or so in applying for jobs, student financial aid, getting her drivers license, filling out her federal and state taxes, etc., etc.

We used to use a debit card but no more. We had our number stolen while in Mexico (and we still had the card) and we finally realized what had happened (about two days later) when our bank account had been drained and our card was not accepted. We did not realized that debit cards are not protected by the same laws as Visa cards, etc. and we were not reimbursed by the bank. We fought it but they said they had no way to know we didn't use all the money. This was not a small amount of money and we were not happy. We have checked with a number of banks since and they all say it is up to the bank to decide on the circumstances. This is not acceptable and we no longer will use a debit card for anything. Instead, we just pay our visa in full every month.

Cali, you checked with the wrong bank. Bank of American insists (and it is spelled out on their website) that you are 100% covered from fraud on your ATM/debit card with them, even if it is a couple days before you realize it and report a problem.

This happened last Sept. and it was with Bank of America and we were not covered. Get it in writing!!

Cali - it is in writing on their website - I just checked since I was also under the impression that my credit card and "check card" - which is what they call their debit card - were equally protected.

Obviously I do not know anything about your individual and specific circumstances - so I am in no way commenting on that.

I really wonder if this has changed since this happened to us a year ago as we were not covered. We have banked with them for years both with our personal and biz accounts and they knew us well but they didn't stand behind their card or help us in any way. Possibly laws have changed since then I don't know but I do know I will never use a debit card again!!!

How did they use your card number without the physical card?

Interesting thread.

Surprised me somewhat that people get charged for some of these transactions. I don't for either credit or debit cards I've had. I do not use debit cards for purchases, just a nation wide bank one for cash back at ATM's- and I have had NO fees except for one time at quite a distance from my home state.
I feel exactly like Patrick on this one.
And I don't write checks more than a couple times a year either, and not even for taxes (online)- as I have automatic transfers done and the bill sent to me after the fact. If there is a problem, I KNOW it and it gets fixed.

But all these methods surmise and demand that you have sufficient money in the bank at all times and live under your level of banking umbrella. I am so frugal that it works for me plus I earn money on points and interest both. I have never paid interest on a credit card in my life, even when I've been in the poverty level of income. It is possible- you spend less than you HAVE.

Actually not one person has mentioned that some credit cards are quite costly for the vendor from whom YOU purchase. And also that cash back and double points etc. programs ADD funds to your own spendability amounts. I've never paid for a video at Blockbuster for instance, and always get back about $120 at Christmas time on the cash back Discover.

Discover is giving a lot of vendors problems as that card costs them more money on a close profit margin. Visa and Master Card are less $$$ for the vendor, but still hava a small fee. It isn't "fair" to charge $10.00 purchases on some credit cards as the vendor makes no profit at all. I'm very aware of which cards will cause this to happen and have had vendors reduce the cost of a larger purchase just because it went on "another" card or I paid them cash instead. This just happened at a winery in Michigan and he gave me 10% more off a case when I mentioned the better method for him.

And because of privacy laws, the schools have totally updated their record keeping in the last year. My college has NO appearance of S.S# on anything anymore. So the freshman this year who are 17 or 18 are the first class that has come in NOT knowing their S.S.#'s.

As more schools and Fed. services change S.S.# usage- this is going to be a problem with more and more new adults.

JJ5 wrote:
"Discover is giving a lot of vendors problems as that card costs them more money on a close profit margin. Visa and Master Card are less $$$ for the vendor, but still hava a small fee."

Actually, the opposite is true for me (I'm a merchant). Visa & MC have higher fees than Discover, they always have. In fact, this year Visa/MC made the lovely announcement that Cash Back Cards will be charged to me at a higher rate than regular credit cards (corporate cards already are at a higher rate - and I have no choice but to accept all cards). So, that "cash back" is actually coming from the merchant. Sleazy, aren't they?

joan, that may be coming by me in the Midwest as well- but right now it is the Discover that is causing our near vendors enough problems and expense that they are dropping the card altogether.

I've had two restaurants and a small sports' vendor (fishing equipment) that have refused the Discover in the last month.

Yes they take all kinds of hits on the vendors- and the card owners don't realize this for the most part at all.
And yes, I want to know, because it is sleazy.

And some by me do not take American Express for the same reasons.

Gail, mine are 29 and 23, and let me tell you: your son is a typical careless 19-year-old :) If not on vacation, would he even bother to notify anybody?

Hi gail, my 19 year old grandson managed one week to lose his wallet. The next week he lost his keys including his car keys, house keys and workplace keys. The next week he lost his his second wallet. I thought his mother was going to have a nervous breakdown! Guess it is the age as Faina indicated. They can be so intelligent and yet so uhm stupid, LOL. Best wishes to you. And hang in there!

We had a 18 year old here forget where he parked his car (about 15 different lots on campus) NOT find it since the first day of school, or even try (he admits this) and then report it to the Security people as stolen. When they found it parked where he left it, he insisted THEY pardon the parking fines (wrong lot, STAFF/Faculty and no tags or sticker either)because he just had "TOO MUCH TO DO" to think about it.

And he goes to class about 20 hours a week on the outside.

ummmmmmmm! True and not the worst by any means.