How to Look After Your International Prepaid Cards Accordingly
For people who travel outside the country on a consistent basis, international prepaid cards have become their dependable allies. This is not surprising however since international prepaid cards can be used pretty much in the same manner as credit or debit cards.
However, since they are not linked to any bank accounts, you’re not putting your account balance or any personal information at any risk. Aside from protecting your account balance and confidential data, international prepaid cards are also easy to use, convenient, and safe.
Ways to Keep Your International Prepaid Cards Safe
While international prepaid cards offer several benefits that are hard to miss, they also have a few downsides. For instance, while they can keep your bank accounts and personal information secure, you can also end up losing all the funds loaded in your card if you are not careful.
That being said, the importance of knowing how to properly look after your prepaid card cannot be overemphasised. To ensure your transactions using your international prepaid card are protected, keep in mind the following safety measures:
Pick a password and PIN carefully.
When you use your international prepaid card for ATM withdrawals, you will be required to enter a PIN. In line with this, consider it best to pick a PIN that’s unique and not easy for anyone to guess. As a general rule of thumb, stay away from using your birthday. Pick a number combination that’s easy for you to remember but hard for other people to figure out.
In addition, resist the temptation to write the PIN on a piece of paper. Avoid putting the paper in your wallet as well. This is especially a no-no if you keep it in the same place as your international prepaid card. Also, do not disclose your card PIN to anyone, even family members.
If you’re going to use your international prepaid card on an online platform, it is likely that you’ll be asked to create a username and a password. Exercise the same caution when creating your password and make sure you are the only one who knows what it is.
Be mindful of your limits.
While most international prepaid cards often have a higher load limit compared to local prepaid cards, it is still essential that you are aware of the maximum amount you can load on your card so you can budget your money accordingly.
It is not advisable to load a large amount in one go as you might experience difficulties retrieving the money in case of card theft or card loss. Ideally, consider it best to tailor fit the amount you load on your spending habits and other things you intend to use the funds for.
Ensure you have read the fine print
Not reading the fine print is something many people are guilty of. Regardless if it’s a brand new device or a gadget, many people rarely read the fine print. While seemingly harmless, this can get some people in trouble and oftentimes hinder them from using something to their full advantage. The same principle applies to international prepaid cards.
If you want to enjoy all the peerless and amazing benefits the card has to offer and use it accordingly, make sure you take the time to read the fine prints. If the card has a site, visit the site and find out all there is to know about the card, the transaction fees (if any), where you can use it, how you can use it for purchase transactions, the ATMs you can withdraw money from, etc.
Keep in mind that the fine prints can help ensure you are able to enjoy all your card has to offer and you are aware of all the fees and charges each time you use it.