General Advice when abroad
- You only need to let us know if you are travelling on a cruise ship or outside of the EU. That way we won’t be surprised by foreign transactions appearing on your card and we can keep an eye out for anything unusual. Log into your online banking and update your travel note. Alternatively, you could call 0818 50 24 24.
- Don’t do your banking at internet cafes.
- Think about whether you need to carry all of your cards with you when you go out.
- Ensure that you carry the contact details in your mobile of your card issuing bank in the event that your card is lost/stolen.
Keep your travel documents, cards, passwords and PINs safe when abroad
- Always keep your personal documents in a safe place i.e. passports, tickets, bank cards etc.
- Report any lost cards immediately to the card issuer or your bank.
- Never write your passwords down or store them in your mobile phone.
- Change your password or PIN straight away if you suspect someone else has gained access to them and notify your bank.
- Be aware of others who may take note of your password or PIN including family or friends.
Stay safe at the ATM abroad
No matter which ATM you use, be sure to follow these simple steps to stay safe.
- Use an ATM in a well-lit, busy area.
- Don’t use an ATM that you think might have been tampered with or if you see anyone suspicious hanging around. Cancel your transaction immediately and contact your Bank and the local Police.
- Pay attention to the front of the ATM machine you are using. Does it look different from other ATM’s i.e does it have a sticky residue on it or extra signage.
- Pay close attention to the slot where you insert your card. Are there any differences to the slot or are there any hidden cameras?
- Have your card ready, so you don’t have to search for it while distracted.
- Cover your hand while entering your PIN number and ensure that no-one is looking over your shoulder.
- If for any reason your card is not returned to you by the ATM, contact your bank immediately and make sure you verify all transactions on your account.
Stay safe while you shop abroad
- Stay vigilant of your card when you hand it over in a shop or a restaurant. When paying for goods and services insist on being present with your card at all times.
- Make sure the information on the sales voucher or terminal is correct before signing the receipt or entering your PIN. Once the PIN is entered, the Bank will deem that you have authorised that amount to be debited from your account.
- Ensure that your card is returned to you.
- Cover your hand when you enter your PIN number and ensure no-one is looking over your shoulder Never leave your card out of your possession to cover a tab and always ask for a receipt.
- Do not give anyone your PIN.
Read more about ATM Safety.
Stay safe online abroad
- Using up-to-date good quality internet security software on your device is a must but you should also protect yourself in other ways.
- Remember, you may be on holidays but the criminals are not!
- Free Wi-Fi is readily available but it may not be secure even when it requires a password. If you use public Wi-Fi you are risking your online identity and your banking details.
- Never send money to or share the details of a money transfer with someone that you do not know.
- Be aware of unsolicited emails asking for bank card or PIN numbers and never divulge this information.
- Where a site shows the last time that you logged in, always check that this reflects the last time you accessed the website.
- Check the URL when you are providing payment details for an online purchase; the "http" should turn into a "https".
- Check the lock symbol on any website's homepage to see if it's genuine before entering your security details.
- Be aware that purchases from private sellers may be more at risk than those from registered businesses. Buy from well-known companies where possible.
- Be aware of phoney e-mails/websites that try to trick you into giving personal information including mobile telephone numbers, mother’s maiden name and date of birth etc. Try to use a known web address.
- Take care when downloading files such as music, software etc. These files may be infected or have “malware” attached.
- Always type in the web address Open24.ie and logon to your internet Banking from there. Avoid saving links to your favourites or clicking on non PTSB sites or e-mails as they may be compromised by criminals and bring you to a fraudulent website.
- Always clear your browser caches regularly.
What to do if you're a victim of a fraud while abroad
- Call your bank or your financial institution immediately.
- Change your passwords/PIN.
- Contact the local Police to make a report.
Find out more about frauds and scams and see our emergency contact numbers.
