Before you hit the road there are a few simple things you can do to protect your finances while on vacation.

If you are traveling this summer be mindful when you are getting gas. Credit card fraudsters are filling up at the gas pumps. According to an article from The Des Moines Register, three credit card skimmers have been found recently at metro Des Moines gas stations. Here are five tips from GoBankingRates to protect yourself from card fraud at the pump. Be sure to look for things such as tamper-evident stickers and credit card skimming devices. And, when in doubt, use cash.

Not only do you have to be vigilant at the pump, but you will also want to make sure that you protect yourself while shopping and dining. The best option is to use an EMV chip enabled card, commonly known as a chip card. When you make a transaction with a chip card, the chip-enabled terminal sends a unique code to verify the transaction, not your actual card number. This prevents stolen data from being used fraudulently. 

Although we only offer chip card technology for our credit cards (debit cards coming soon), we do offer a free mobile app called CardValet™ that allows you to safeguard and monitor your Collins Community CU debit card. With CardValet you can turn your debit card on and off, receive push notifications when your card is used, approved or exceeds transaction controls, and receive real-time balances for your account. To download the app, search CardValet in the App Store or Google Play Store. 

And last, but certainly not least, make sure to call the Credit Union and let us know that you’re traveling. 

Whether you are traveling across the country or across town, we want you to stay safe and have fun on your summer vacation!