How to stay safe online while travelling overseas

From a virtual minefield of fake websites to scammers lurking on unsecured Wi-Fi networks, the best defence against fraudsters is your own education. While there is no sure-fire way to protect yourself from scams, following these hints and tips can help make sure you remember your holiday for all the right reasons.

Part One: Before you go away

1. Inform your bank or financial institution when you are travelling

With instances of online fraud on the rise, financial institutions are becoming much more vigilant when it comes to minimising your – and their – losses. Informing your bank or credit union of your itinerary will give them a chance to keep a closer eye on your account while you’re away. But even if your bank catches fraudulent account activity immediately, it could still take several days to recover your money, leaving you without the means to travel, eat or even keep a roof over your head during that time.

One strategy to protect against this is to add extra protection to your accounts, setting strict daily withdrawal limits to minimise the damage a potential scammer can do. Another possible solution would be to open a second account specifically for your holiday, only keeping smaller amounts of cash in it at any one time, thereby minimising potential losses and keeping your primary account safe.

“If there’s only one tip you remember” tip: Never share your credit card details with anyone online or over the phone.

2. Keep a digital record of all important documents

In the event of loss or theft of your passport and other forms of identification, being able to access a digital copy of your important information quickly and easily will help prove who you are and expedite the process of ordering replacement documents when dealing with the local embassy.

“Distant uncle” tip: Do you know (and trust) anyone in the country you’re travelling to? If so, mail them a copy of your important documents just in case the worst happens.

3. Password-protect your devices and activate tracking tools

These days, most people use a password to lock their phones and other devices when not in use, but even if you’re an overly trusting soul you should still lock your phone while overseas. If your device is stolen, being locked can deny the thief access to your phone, keeping your personal information safe and preventing them from turning off your “locate my phone” function. Knowing you can easily locate a lost, stolen or misplaced device can deliver immediate peace of mind and potentially save you thousands of dollars to replace it or pay costly insurance premiums.

“Thou shalt not pass” tip: Never use the same password across multiple personal accounts.

4. Only deal with reputable companies and always make sure you are using their official site

While it might be tempting to accept a “too-good-to-be-true” offer from a third-party, never trust a vendor you don’t know and always be on the lookout for fake websites. Before parting with your money, check the URL of the site you’re browsing by opening another tab and comparing the company’s homepage to the link you’re using; any rogue characters, numbers, or symbols might mean it’s a fake. And never click on any unsolicited pop-up banners, no matter how attractive the offer is!

“But wait, there’s more!” tip: Before you accept any online offer, make sure you read the fine print and check the company’s track record on websites like TripAdvisor.

Part Two: While you’re away

5. Don't live-post your location on social media

While it might be fun to make everyone back home jealous of the fabulous time you’re having, local criminals and scammers have been known to use geo mapping software to locate potential targets in the area. Being in an unfamiliar part of the world without a support network, international travellers are vulnerable enough without painting a target on your (virtual) back.

“Every breath you take, every move you make” tip: Turn your location services off, or only post updates once you’ve left a particular location to prevent being targeted.

6. Don’t use unsecured Wi-Fi networks

Scammers will often set up free, unencrypted Wi-Fi connections in tourist hotspots, waiting for unsuspecting travellers to log in. While connected to an unsecured network, the scammers can capture any passwords you use, access your account numbers and other personal information, and view sensitive content such as emails and chat messages. Avoid connecting to open Wi-Fi networks unless absolutely necessary. Use your phone’s hotspot instead, or minimise your sensitive activity such as banking or personal emails.

“Pretty sly for a Wi-Fi” tip: Use a VPN whenever you connect to a public Wi-Fi network in order to protect your sensitive data while online. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) enables users to send and receive data across public networks as if their devices were directly connected to a private network.

7. Regularly monitor your credit card activity

Even if your bank is vigilant when it comes to protecting your – and their – money, it is still prudent to monitor your account activity regularly; you know where you’ve been and what payments you’ve authorised. And with the time difference between Australia and the country you’re visiting, a few hours might make the difference between taking a small hit in the hip pocket and having your account emptied.

“Yearning for the yen” tip: When dealing with smaller, independent currency exchange services, familiarise yourself with current exchange rates so you can quickly spot if you’re being taken for a ride.

8. Stay aware with SmartTraveller and other useful online portals

The Federal Government’s Smart Traveller website is full of hints and tips on how to avoid scams while you’re overseas, as well as what to do if the worst happens:

“Bon voyage” tip: Remember that when it comes to scams, the number one rule is: always trust your gut – if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.