Travel smart: Keep your finances safe while on vacation

With summer just around the corner, getting one?s finances in order is just as essential as finding a hotel, booking a flight or packing the sunscreen when it comes to vacation planning.

In order to truly relax on vacation, consumers should safeguard against possible financial problems by taking precautions before they leave home, said Steven Katz, spokesman for Trans Union?s . Most importantly, he said, people should call their credit card companies to notify them of any travel plans."I don?t think a lot of people do it," Katz said. But letting credit card issuers in on your travel itinerary lets them know where you will be making purchases, so they can better detect any fraudulent charges, he said.Since many people feel uncomfortable carrying a lot of cash on vacation, credit cards are a popular alternative, but it is best to bring just a few — only one, if possible — while traveling, Katz said. That lessens the likelihood that cards will be lost or stolen.Similarly, any unnecessary source of identification, such as Social Security cards, should be left behind in a safe place at home, he said."You want to carry as few pieces of personal information as possible," he said.When it comes to essential travel documents, such as driver?s licenses and passports, Katz advises people to make two copies of each. They should carry one copy with them, in case the original document gets lost or stolen, and leave the other behind, either in a safe deposit box at home or with a trusted friend or family member.When traveling, particularly abroad, people should keep a close eye on their credit cards to prevent someone from stealing account information, Katz said."Keep your credit card in your sights as frequently as possible," he said. If they feel uncomfortable giving their card to someone, travelers should instead pay with cash, he said.In the midst of minding their credit cards and enjoying their vacation, many people tend to forget about bills they may have piling up back home."Sometimes they forget about their payment cycle," Katz said, and missing a bill payment can damage consumers? credit scores. To prevent that, people should check their billing cycle before they leave for vacation and, if possible, either arrange for automatic bill payment or switch the payment due date. Both of these things typically can be done online, Katz said.Also, vacationers should have the post office hold all of their mail while they are traveling. Mail that piles up in a home?s mailbox is an easy target for would-be identity thieves, giving them access to personal information, especially if any bills arrive with account numbers on them.Finally, with all of the precautions people take before leaving for vacation, it is equally important that they are financially responsible on their trip. Even the best financial intentions can be undone by overspending on a vacation, Katz said."People do tend to get themselves into some trouble," he said.One way to control spending is to pay with cash or travelers? checks whenever possible to ensure that vacationers are spending money they actually have, he said. Also, setting a budget is key, he said."If you can, know what you are willing to spend on the trip — and don?t exceed it," he said.Cara Baruzzi can be reached at or 789-5748.