The Most Common Credit Card Scams Abroad

How American Travelers Can Avoid Financial Traps Abroad

Those who travel inside and outside the country explore new cultures, try different foods, and create unique memories.

However, alongside discoveries and adventures, there is a constant risk that many Americans overlook: financial scams, especially those involving credit cards.

Understanding how the main credit card scams work is essential to protect your finances and avoid headaches during and after your trip.

The Most Common Credit Card Scams Abroad

1. ATM Skimming

One of the most frequent scams against travelers is skimming, when criminals install fake devices on ATMs to copy card data and capture the PIN.

In some places, they even hide cameras to record the password being entered and gain full access to the card’s limit.

How to avoid it:

• Use only ATMs located inside banks or in well-lit, busy areas.
• Always cover the keypad when entering your PIN.
• Be suspicious if the ATM looks altered, loose, or has suspicious parts.

2. Tampered Card Machines in Restaurants and Shops

In some countries, and even within America, waiters or clerks may take a customer’s card away from the table, which might seem like common practice.

In other cases, altered devices are used when swiping the card. Both situations open the door to cloning or data duplication.

How to avoid it:

• Always ask for the card machine to be brought to you.
• Prefer busy, reputable establishments.
• Enable transaction alerts on your bank’s app to be notified in real time.

3. Deceptive Dynamic Currency Conversion

When paying with a card, many travelers are given the option to be charged in U.S. dollars instead of the local currency.

Although it seems convenient, this practice usually includes abusive conversion fees.

How to avoid it:

• Always choose to pay in the local currency.
• Check your card’s exchange rate policies in advance.

4. Fake Travel Websites and Apps

Even before the trip begins, many Americans fall victim to scams when booking hotels, flights, or tours through fraudulent websites.

These scams collect card data and can result in unauthorized charges.

How to avoid it:

• Use only official websites or trusted aggregators like Expedia or Booking.com.
• Check reviews and look for signs of fake URLs.

5. Scams in Local Transportation

In some regions, taxi drivers or private transport providers may “accidentally” enter the wrong amount on the machine, charging much more than the actual ride.

How to avoid it:

• Prefer official ride-hailing apps like Uber or Bolt.
• Always check the amount before confirming payment.

6. Public Wi-Fi and Data Theft

Public Wi-Fi connections at airports, restaurants and hotels are another channel for scams, including more advanced electronic engineering attacks.

Hackers can intercept banking and card data transmitted without encryption.

How to avoid it:

• Never enter card information over public Wi-Fi networks.
• Use a VPN to protect your connections while traveling.

The Role of Banks and Issuers

Many U.S. card issuers, such as Chase, Amex, and Capital One, offer fraud protection, monitoring, and blocking of suspicious transactions.

Still, it is the traveler’s responsibility to act proactively.

Notifying your bank before traveling is essential to avoid blocks due to unusual activity. Additionally, carrying more than one card and keeping a cash reserve can provide peace of mind in emergencies.

Safety Checklist for American Travelers

• Notify your bank about your trip – provide dates and destinations.
• Enable transaction alerts – get real-time notifications on your phone.
• Carry cards from different networks – Visa, Mastercard, and Amex are not always equally accepted.
• Use hotel safes – don’t carry all your cards on every outing.
• Keep your bank’s emergency numbers handy – in case of loss or theft, call immediately.

Most of these scams don’t rely solely on technology but also on the distraction and trust of travelers.

Criminals take advantage of situations of hurry, lack of knowledge of the local language, and unfamiliarity with different financial practices.

Understanding this psychological dimension is just as important as knowing the technical mechanisms.

An alert tourist, who observes the environment and questions suspicious practices, drastically reduces the risk of being scammed.

Written by

Gabriel Gonçalves