Debit Card Travel Tips
Bank Safe & Enjoy your Travel
Let us know, Before You Go!
Travel shouldn’t be a hassle.
Letting us know of your travel plans is the best way to help avoid blocked debit card transactions while traveling. Just let us know where you’ll be traveling and how long you’ll be there. The last thing you want to worry about on your trip is having a legitimate travel transaction declined because we think someone stole your card. Even if you don’t think you’ll use your debit card, let us know when you’ll be traveling. This way, if you run into a financial emergency, you have another way to pay.
Give us a call at 573.348.2265 or toll free at 888.828.0167 during regular business hours Monday thru Friday 8 am to 4 pm CT to notify us of your upcoming travel.
Bank safely while you're traveling.
Domestic Travel
Traveling outside of your home state?
Be sure to let us know if you’re traveling out of state so we can make sure that transactions will be available in the states in which you are traveling.
- Insert your card so the chip can be read.
- If the card must be swiped, it is best to use your PIN, but keep it protected from roaming eyes! Using your PIN while traveling will reduce the risk scores associated with our fraud monitoring systems and will result in a more favorable cardholder experience.
- Never write your PIN on anything.
- Never allow a merchant to enter your PIN for you.
International Travel
Heading abroad for travel and adventure?
Be sure to let us know when you’re traveling outside of the country so we can make sure that transactions will be available in the countries in which you are traveling.
- Due to the potential for international fraud, most transactions originating outside of the United States are automatically restricted if we are unaware of your travel plans.
- These restrictions include the countries of Mexico and Canada.
- If we are aware of your travel plans, we can easily open the counties that you are traveling in to allow transactions to process normally during your travel periods.
Download the CardValet® mobile app!
Enjoy complete control over your debit card.
Whether your card is used down the street, online, or overseas, you're in complete control. It’s your card, on your terms!
- Easily freeze your debit card when it’s misplaced and unfreeze when it’s found.
- See transactions in real-time with instant alerts.
- Turn payments on or off, which is handy when you can’t locate your card and while you’re traveling.
- Set your personal card limits. You can limit your card to a certain location or region, limit it to specific types of merchants, specific transaction types and limit purchase amounts.
- Curb spending by setting a purchase amount limit.
- Tailor your real-time alerts to match your unique spending patterns. It lets you customize the types of alerts you receive.
Be Prepared!
- Take First Bank of the Lake’s contact info with you.
If you card is lost or stolen, immediately call 800.417.8715, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. - Know your Debit Card Limits.
To better prepare for your trip, make sure you know your daily debit card ATM cash withdrawal and purchase limits. The standard daily limit at an ATM and point of sale is $500 (including ATM fees). If you need to discuss raising your daily limit, please contact your banker before you travel.
Contact Us - Pack a couple forms of payment.
Always pack an alternative form of payment, in case your First Bank of the Lake debit card is lost, stolen or otherwise compromised. - Photocopy the front and back of your cards and IDs.
Take copies with you and keep them in a separate place so if your cards are lost or stolen, you can immediately pull out the copies and can cancel the cards. - Sign up for Mobile Banking
View your balance, make transfers, review your debit card transactions even pay your bills while traveling with Mobile Banking. It’s free and it’s the perfect travel companion!
