Safeguard your money when traveling for the holidays
Before you hop on that plane or set out on the road to see family and friends for holiday get-togethers, let your bank know you’ll be away. That’s the advice from One Community Bank, a locally owned bank serving 15 Wisconsin communities, many in the Madison area.
Traveling this holiday season? Here are more money tips.
Avoid having your card declined
Every time you use your bank card, the purchase amount and location are monitored, explained Jonathan Lauersdorf, VP – Digital Banking Manager at One Community Bank.
“If a client doesn’t let their bank know they’re traveling and they attempt to make a purchase out of state or in another country, the transaction and the card might be flagged for potential fraud,” Lauersdorf said. When this happens, the transaction could be declined and the card blocked from further transactions.
“The last thing you want is for your card to stop working when making a purchase, especially when traveling,” he said.
It’s easy to place a travel notice
It’s simple to let One Community Bank know you’ll be traveling, said Lauersdorf. “You can log in to your online or mobile banking account, navigate to card management and place a travel notice,” he explained. “Or you can call the One Community Bank Client Contact Center or stop into any bank location.”
Holiday budgeting tools
Holiday travel and spending can wreak havoc with any budget. One Community Bank has real-time tools to help you stay on track, monitor where your money is going and prevent fraud.
“I recommend that clients enroll in online and mobile banking and download the One Community Bank mobile app to their device before traveling,” Lauersdorf said. “Logging in every day and reviewing transactions is the best way to stay on top of spending.”
Steer clear of scammers
The holiday season can bring increased risk for fraud, Lauersdorf noted. Keep your money out of scammers’ hands by checking your account daily and protecting your personal information.
Lauersdorf advised not answering calls from unknown numbers. “Never provide secure access codes, account numbers or online or mobile banking credentials to someone, even if they say they are calling from One Community Bank or emailing you,” he said. “We would never ask you directly for this information.”
If you get a call or email asking for private banking information, hang up or delete the email and call One Community Bank directly. “Use our website for contact information and avoid search engines,” he said.
Be cautious if you’re asked to pay for something via wire transfer, gift cards or peer-to-peer payment systems, Lauersdorf said. “Make sure you know the person you’re sending money to. Otherwise, you may not get the item you thought you were purchasing and never get your money back.”
Get expert help
With 16 years of experience in digital banking, Lauersdorf especially enjoys interacting with clients. “I like seeing clients have that ‘aha!’ moment when we help them find a solution to their banking issues,” he said.
One Community Bank staff is always ready to help clients with personal or business accounts, Lauersdorf said. “Our goal is to prevent fraud before it happens.” Visit the One Community Bank website to find a bank location near you.
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