Check with your bank to confirm that your card has been activated for overseas use and take note of the daily ATM withdrawal limit for your card. Know the expiry dates, account balance and amount of credit available to you. This way, you won’t be caught short with a card that doesn’t work while you’re away, or not have enough credit to cover your trip expenses.

Sign up for free SMS transaction alerts to receive instant SMS messages when a transaction exceeds a pre-set amount or when unusual card activities are detected.

Whether you are using a magnetic strip or chip card, know your credit card PIN before travelling overseas. If you have forgotten your PIN, reapply for a new one.

Keep a record of card account numbers and telephone numbers for reporting lost or stolen cards. But remember to keep this information in a safe place. Always keep your credit card number and the three-digit CVV2 code on the back of your Visa card confidential.

Check that your bank or credit card company has updated contact information. Tell them where and when you’ll be travelling – so that your card isn’t flagged for unusual activity.

Take note of your card account number and the telephone number for the Visa Global Customer Assistance Services (GCAS) of the country you are travelling to. Visa cardholders can report lost or stolen Visa cards and request emergency services by calling the GCAS number. Learn more about GCAS here.

Using your Visa card when you travel is safer than carrying large amounts of cash. Plus, paying with Visa lets you enjoy Visa’s exchange rate. This frees you from the need to compare and calculate exchange rates.

Look out for ATMs with Visa PLUS mark anywhere to withdraw local currency with ease. Visa cards that bear the PLUS logo can be used for cash withdrawals, using the same PIN at ATMs worldwide. Click here to locate ATMs.

Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) offers you a choice of paying in home currency when you use your card overseas. This service is offered by merchants and includes a service fee in the exchange rate used. To use Visa’s exchange rate, you can pay in the local currency instead. If you didn’t pay with DCC but still see it on your bill, contact your bank to contest the charge.

Always double-check the information on the sales receipts, including the currency you are being charged, before you make payment. Keep a copy of all sales receipts.

Go through your receipts and make sure they reconcile with your monthly statement.

If you see a charge you don’t recognise or if you notice any inconsistencies, contact your bank immediately.