Brought to You by IndieBound Naperville Community Banks: Naperville Bank & Trust and First Community Financial Bank
Editor’s Note: IndieBound Naperville is an educational organization comprised of independent business owners and managers. The group meets monthly to discuss best practices, the value of shopping locally and the common challenges of running a small independent business. They also share connections of community spirit. After a meeting earlier this summer when the topic of vacations and changing currency and credit card usage came up, Shoshana Frank of Naperville Bank & Trust and Mary Jane Leisten of First Community Financial Bank Naperville put their heads together to provide an advisory check list for readers who travel internationally as well as domestically. Thanks for reading.
The Check List
1. Contact your financial institutions of any debit/credit cards you will be using on your trip.
a. Give them the dates and locations of travel – this will ensure your cards work perfectly throughout your vacation.
b. When your bank knows you are out of town, it will reduce the potential for fraud.
2. Bring multiple forms of payment; don’t rely on just one type of payment such as a debit card. For example: Cash gift cards, traveler’s checks, cash, debit cards, credit cards, and checks.
3. Set up Auto or Scheduled Bill pay for anything coming due during your vacation.
4. Update your contact information with your financial institutions; make sure your cell phone is on your accounts so you can be reached anywhere.
5. For an extended vacation, change your statement delivery method –
a. Either get online e-statements or hold your mail at the post office.
b. This keeps your statements from sitting in your mailbox and possibly getting stolen.
6. Check your balance on the go – register for online/mobile banking. This is a great way to ensure you have enough funds in your checking account to buy that last souvenir or make a quick transfer to cover that special dinner out!
