Impersonate my sister on the phone with the bank (with her permission)?
May 18, 2013 7:58 PM Subscribe
My sister left on an international trip (from the US), without getting a chance to inform her bank of her trip (apparently they're closed on weekends). Since she won't be able to easily make phonecalls while abroad, she's asked me to do that for her when the bank reopens on Monday. I have her card number, PIN, security question, etc. Which of these options is best: 1) call the bank, and identify myself as her, even though I don't sound like a woman and my sister has an unambiguously female name 2) call the bank, and tell them the truth - that I am calling on behalf of my sister, or 3) enlist a trusted female friend to make the call, identifying herself as my sister using information I provide.
If it matters - my sister and I are both customers of this bank - but it's a large national megabank, not a neighborhood institution. We don't bank at the same branch.
If it matters - my sister and I are both customers of this bank - but it's a large national megabank, not a neighborhood institution. We don't bank at the same branch.
I'd say neither of them. They're both forms of impersonation. Every bank I've used has made it a condition never to disclose PINs and security questions. As leopard said, it's not really a big deal being abroad.
posted by scruss at 8:11 PM on May 18, 2013
posted by scruss at 8:11 PM on May 18, 2013
What I have done in this situation is waited till my card got declined somewhere (sometimes they don't even notice), then done the annoying slog to make the international call.
I mean, I guess it depends where exactly she is, but usually this sort of thing is an inconvenience, not impossible to do.
If it's really Not At All Possible for her to do this by her ownself like a big girl, I would call as yourself, on her behalf. They may refuse to talk to you or refuse to take action on her account on your behalf, but if you try to pass yourself off as her and they call you on it, that could potentially be a lot worse.
It might be better for her to wait till her card gets declined and THEN have you call. At least that way you can say, "I'm calling on behalf of my sister, who is in a jungle in Brazil 500 miles from the nearest phone. She just had her card declined, and..."
Even though of course that makes no sense, since if she's in such a remote place, how is she able to communicate with you and who is taking her debit card? But I feel like it's at least a more honest way of dealing with the situation.
posted by Sara C. at 8:12 PM on May 18, 2013 [3 favorites]
I mean, I guess it depends where exactly she is, but usually this sort of thing is an inconvenience, not impossible to do.
If it's really Not At All Possible for her to do this by her ownself like a big girl, I would call as yourself, on her behalf. They may refuse to talk to you or refuse to take action on her account on your behalf, but if you try to pass yourself off as her and they call you on it, that could potentially be a lot worse.
It might be better for her to wait till her card gets declined and THEN have you call. At least that way you can say, "I'm calling on behalf of my sister, who is in a jungle in Brazil 500 miles from the nearest phone. She just had her card declined, and..."
Even though of course that makes no sense, since if she's in such a remote place, how is she able to communicate with you and who is taking her debit card? But I feel like it's at least a more honest way of dealing with the situation.
posted by Sara C. at 8:12 PM on May 18, 2013 [3 favorites]
If it's a big deal bank there is most likely a way for her to do this via the website. I am sort of having a tough time reconciling large national megabank with "no weekend phone support" I would not under any circumstances give anyone else her info.
posted by jessamyn at 8:14 PM on May 18, 2013 [4 favorites]
posted by jessamyn at 8:14 PM on May 18, 2013 [4 favorites]
Use the online banking system to send the bank a note saying she will be abroad.
I don't think it matters that much though. I have done enough international travel to run out of visa space in my passport, and the bank only cut me off twice due to their suspicions. One of those times was after I had called to inform the bank I would be in another country.
posted by grouse at 8:15 PM on May 18, 2013
I don't think it matters that much though. I have done enough international travel to run out of visa space in my passport, and the bank only cut me off twice due to their suspicions. One of those times was after I had called to inform the bank I would be in another country.
posted by grouse at 8:15 PM on May 18, 2013
Any bank worth their mettle would not release account information or authorize account changes/approvals to someone who admits they are not, in fact, the actual sole account holder, regardless of what "correct" information they possess.
Thats the reason those questions exist, to prove you are who you say you are. An open admission that you are not the correct person invalidates the need for those questions.
That said, lying may not be the way to go either. If you do go the route of phoning using subterfuge, and they, for whatever reason, resort to the "past address / employment info" security questions based on credit reports and such, you run the risk of having her account locked and possibly the cops brought in as well if you do not answer correctly.
Thirding that the website/ e-mail is the way to go, or that she should just hope for the best.
posted by Debaser626 at 8:24 PM on May 18, 2013
Thats the reason those questions exist, to prove you are who you say you are. An open admission that you are not the correct person invalidates the need for those questions.
That said, lying may not be the way to go either. If you do go the route of phoning using subterfuge, and they, for whatever reason, resort to the "past address / employment info" security questions based on credit reports and such, you run the risk of having her account locked and possibly the cops brought in as well if you do not answer correctly.
Thirding that the website/ e-mail is the way to go, or that she should just hope for the best.
posted by Debaser626 at 8:24 PM on May 18, 2013
FWIW I have called banks and credit card companies on behalf of other people before and it's usually not a problem. I won't attempt to answer security questions or otherwise imply that I am that person, and I try to confine my calls to enquiries about action on the account rather than calling to make an important change. But usually getting to a representative ASAP and explaining the situation starting with "I'm so and so's assistant, and I'm calling on his behalf because..." works OK.
That said, you're calling about a fraud-related thing. And you're requesting that the bank take action on your sister's account in a way that could facilitate fraud. So this could be a whole different kettle of fish. Certainly if your sister is vacationing in Europe for a week and simply wants to avoid the inconvenience of making an international call, you should not attempt this.
posted by Sara C. at 8:35 PM on May 18, 2013 [1 favorite]
That said, you're calling about a fraud-related thing. And you're requesting that the bank take action on your sister's account in a way that could facilitate fraud. So this could be a whole different kettle of fish. Certainly if your sister is vacationing in Europe for a week and simply wants to avoid the inconvenience of making an international call, you should not attempt this.
posted by Sara C. at 8:35 PM on May 18, 2013 [1 favorite]
My too-big-to-fail mega bank does not give a shit when I use the card internationally. I called them before leaving a few years ago and they said have a nice trip but they didn't need to know in advance. Years (like 6+) I had an account at another large bank did block me in Germany. From their website I found I could call them collect via a toll free number when I was in Germany and they released the block.
I would think that your sister will have a worse time if they bank suspects you of committing some sort of fraud than if she just used the card abroad as usual.
posted by birdherder at 8:42 PM on May 18, 2013 [1 favorite]
I would think that your sister will have a worse time if they bank suspects you of committing some sort of fraud than if she just used the card abroad as usual.
posted by birdherder at 8:42 PM on May 18, 2013 [1 favorite]
You will not go to jail if they can't verify your identity, they will simply (nicely) hang up on you. This happened to me recently when I apparently incorrectly answered one of my own questions. My account was unaffected. I have no opinion on whether it's advisable to call on her behalf, but if you do, and what they asks puts you out of your comfort zone, just hang up and find a new way.
posted by deadweightloss at 8:51 PM on May 18, 2013
posted by deadweightloss at 8:51 PM on May 18, 2013
If your sister is using a US credit or debit card while overseas, it has a number printed on the back that is for calling collect from overseas. That number is specifically for these situations. She needs to call herself. (Note: I'm assuming here that the reason she isn't able to easily call herself is because she does not have access to a phone with which to make free international calls, which a lot of travelers run into... that's why large banks that issue credit cards have international collect numbers printed on their cards. If she is someplace that does not have phones, period... take some of the above advice, but consider whether the place with no phones is also unlikely to accept credit cards, you know?)
posted by juniperesque at 8:54 PM on May 18, 2013 [6 favorites]
posted by juniperesque at 8:54 PM on May 18, 2013 [6 favorites]
I agree that calling them collect is the best route. I did this with Bank of America once and it took maybe 15 minutes. If the alternative is potentially dealing with them shutting down the card due to fraud alerts, it's worth the time investment, because who knows what that will entail. All of my cards, debit and credit, have an international collect number.
posted by feloniousmonk at 9:10 PM on May 18, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by feloniousmonk at 9:10 PM on May 18, 2013 [1 favorite]
A lot of people answering here sound really uptight. If the bank suspects you're not your sister when you call it's not like they're going to trace the call and come immediately arrest you. They'll just say sorry no can do.
I would totally do what your sister asked you to do unless there's some other reason you don't wish to help her. People have weird names, I know a woman named Joseph for instance, and some people sound of the opposite gender when they talk, if that's really what's worrying you. I guess the worst that could happen is they lock her account down if they suspect you're trying to defraud it. But, hey, she asked you to do it.
posted by ZabeLeeZoo at 9:12 PM on May 18, 2013 [3 favorites]
I would totally do what your sister asked you to do unless there's some other reason you don't wish to help her. People have weird names, I know a woman named Joseph for instance, and some people sound of the opposite gender when they talk, if that's really what's worrying you. I guess the worst that could happen is they lock her account down if they suspect you're trying to defraud it. But, hey, she asked you to do it.
posted by ZabeLeeZoo at 9:12 PM on May 18, 2013 [3 favorites]
Why don't you call and ask an attendant "If I (someone) leave for an international trip, do you need to know in advance?"
That will give you your answer on whether or not you need to inform them at all.
Usually a bank won't shut off your card unless there are obvious suspicions. (Such as you buy goods in another country but not gas payments, plane tickets, or hotel reservations.)
If she has online banking and you have her info, you can send a message online without having to deal with the phone at all. If she can just call from an airport when she get's there then it solves all of it really.
posted by Crystalinne at 9:16 PM on May 18, 2013 [1 favorite]
That will give you your answer on whether or not you need to inform them at all.
Usually a bank won't shut off your card unless there are obvious suspicions. (Such as you buy goods in another country but not gas payments, plane tickets, or hotel reservations.)
If she has online banking and you have her info, you can send a message online without having to deal with the phone at all. If she can just call from an airport when she get's there then it solves all of it really.
posted by Crystalinne at 9:16 PM on May 18, 2013 [1 favorite]
Don't do it! I got a family member to do this once - the bank asked the completely unexpected question "what colour is the card", which stumped my family member and resulted in my card being cancelled. I ended up having to make an international call to the bank anyway and by that way there was no means of getting the card re-activated. It was just fortunate that I had another account and card, otherwise this would have turned into a very challenging situation.
posted by Alice Russel-Wallace at 9:17 PM on May 18, 2013 [6 favorites]
posted by Alice Russel-Wallace at 9:17 PM on May 18, 2013 [6 favorites]
For next time, have your sister nominate you or someone else as having power of attorney - this makes all such issues moot.
posted by Alice Russel-Wallace at 9:18 PM on May 18, 2013
posted by Alice Russel-Wallace at 9:18 PM on May 18, 2013
I have social anxiety issues and have my sister call as me to banks (and other businesses)... especially if I have a problem. She's more assertive. Never had an issue.
posted by KogeLiz at 9:31 PM on May 18, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by KogeLiz at 9:31 PM on May 18, 2013 [1 favorite]
I agree with ZabeLeeZoo that most of these responses sound really uptight. I call banks (and credit card companies, the DMV, IRS, etc) for my wife all the time -- English isn't her first language, and sometimes talking on the phone can be difficult for her. The first time, I explained that I was calling on her behalf, and the bank representative said that he couldn't help me access her account in any way. Every time since, I've just said I was her -- foreign female name and all -- and had no problems whatsoever.
posted by bradf at 10:05 PM on May 18, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by bradf at 10:05 PM on May 18, 2013 [1 favorite]
Does her bank have a "chat online with a CSR" feature on the website? Sometimes I've found that to be easier than figuring out how to make a telephone call that doesn't cost me multiple dollars per minute while I wade through a automatic menu system.
This has happened to me a couple of times (card getting frozen for suspected fraud) and really, once you call the number on the back of the card, they get you right back going. However, making that phone call when you don't have a local cell phone, aren't in your hotel, and don't even know what string of numbers to dial to get to where you can dial the number on the back, can be harder than it sounds.
posted by ctmf at 10:18 PM on May 18, 2013
This has happened to me a couple of times (card getting frozen for suspected fraud) and really, once you call the number on the back of the card, they get you right back going. However, making that phone call when you don't have a local cell phone, aren't in your hotel, and don't even know what string of numbers to dial to get to where you can dial the number on the back, can be harder than it sounds.
posted by ctmf at 10:18 PM on May 18, 2013
Does she have access to a computer/laptop with internet access? Because international calls to a real phone via Skype or Google Voice is super cheap and what I've used to contact my bank when traveling internationally.
(FWIW my bank requested I tell them when I was going to be overseas. I always did, but it never seemed to make a difference. I always had to call specifically to clear major purchases that they wouldn't blink at when I was at home.)
posted by Ookseer at 10:37 PM on May 18, 2013 [1 favorite]
(FWIW my bank requested I tell them when I was going to be overseas. I always did, but it never seemed to make a difference. I always had to call specifically to clear major purchases that they wouldn't blink at when I was at home.)
posted by Ookseer at 10:37 PM on May 18, 2013 [1 favorite]
This does happen. It happened to me a couple of years ago. I was in Asia, hadn't known that I needed to "inform" my bank, and as a result my card just plain wouldn't work in ATMs there. Thank goodness it would at least get spit back out of the machine instead of being eaten!
Although my card may have had some sort of international help number on the back, the way I had to do it was look up some sort of local US contact number on the banks web site, go to an internet cafe at like 1am, call that number over the internet cafe's "International Call" phone (basically, a phone hooked up to their internet line, providing intl. calls at cheap rates), and then had to answer the customer service reps various security answers and something like the date and amount of my last deposit.
So yeah, if you're planning on leaving the country and using your ATM card, although it sounds idiotic/paternalistic, drop into your bank (or call them) and let them know what countries you're going to and the dates.
posted by blueberry at 11:00 PM on May 18, 2013
Although my card may have had some sort of international help number on the back, the way I had to do it was look up some sort of local US contact number on the banks web site, go to an internet cafe at like 1am, call that number over the internet cafe's "International Call" phone (basically, a phone hooked up to their internet line, providing intl. calls at cheap rates), and then had to answer the customer service reps various security answers and something like the date and amount of my last deposit.
So yeah, if you're planning on leaving the country and using your ATM card, although it sounds idiotic/paternalistic, drop into your bank (or call them) and let them know what countries you're going to and the dates.
posted by blueberry at 11:00 PM on May 18, 2013
Since you are a customer or the same bank, go to your local branch and talk to the person there who handles your account. Explain the situation and ask what you need to do at this point (do not suggest impersonating your sister.)
posted by JohnnyGunn at 11:12 PM on May 18, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by JohnnyGunn at 11:12 PM on May 18, 2013 [1 favorite]
My large international bank used to freeze my credit card every time I made a purchase while traveling thousands of miles from home, since I don't do so often.
The first couple of times, I was surprised and called.
Subsequently, I have always called them in advance of the trip ("I'm going to be in Austria for ten days") and this pre-empted trouble.
More recently, I forgot, and went to the website, logged in, and sent them a message via "contact us"-- as others here suggested. Worked a charm. If she can't call or log in, you can log into the account and send a message. The beauty of that is, having logged into her account, they don't play the whole "what's your card number, now tell us your secret password" game and just follow your directions.
posted by electricalbanana at 11:30 PM on May 18, 2013 [1 favorite]
The first couple of times, I was surprised and called.
Subsequently, I have always called them in advance of the trip ("I'm going to be in Austria for ten days") and this pre-empted trouble.
More recently, I forgot, and went to the website, logged in, and sent them a message via "contact us"-- as others here suggested. Worked a charm. If she can't call or log in, you can log into the account and send a message. The beauty of that is, having logged into her account, they don't play the whole "what's your card number, now tell us your secret password" game and just follow your directions.
posted by electricalbanana at 11:30 PM on May 18, 2013 [1 favorite]
Oh What a Tangled Web We Weave When First We Practice to Deceive
No, please don't make life harder for everyone by being dishonest.
Your choices are to inform the bank on behalf of your sister or get your sister to do it herself.
I would try the former and if that doesnt work resort to the latter.
The banks prefer to be informed of foreign travel because it helps them to contain fraud.
Sharing passwords Pins and security information is irresponsible and unnecessary.
posted by BenPens at 11:30 PM on May 18, 2013
No, please don't make life harder for everyone by being dishonest.
Your choices are to inform the bank on behalf of your sister or get your sister to do it herself.
I would try the former and if that doesnt work resort to the latter.
The banks prefer to be informed of foreign travel because it helps them to contain fraud.
Sharing passwords Pins and security information is irresponsible and unnecessary.
posted by BenPens at 11:30 PM on May 18, 2013
If your sister purchased a ticket to her destination using her bank account, the bank already knows she's on a trip and that her card being in another country is legit. Seriously, their fraud detection is extremely sophisticated these days, I don't think it will be an issue.
posted by fearnothing at 12:45 AM on May 19, 2013
posted by fearnothing at 12:45 AM on May 19, 2013
Tell her to look on her debit card. They usually have an international number that you can call collect. I did this as a US citizen while in Israel. I bank with Wells Fargo.
Hardest part was realizing that the US country code is +001, not +1.
posted by oceanjesse at 12:54 AM on May 19, 2013
Hardest part was realizing that the US country code is +001, not +1.
posted by oceanjesse at 12:54 AM on May 19, 2013
I recently had a store card blocked because my aunt managed to get confused when she kindly arranged collection of an item I wanted to return. It took me providing additional identification of myself to them to get this unblocked.
So if you are sure you have all relevant information by all means make that helpful call but be clear that you could get your sister in a situation where all her stuff gets frozen if you get it wrong, which is worse than having the odd transaction declined and having to ring the bank from overseas.
posted by koahiatamadl at 1:14 AM on May 19, 2013
So if you are sure you have all relevant information by all means make that helpful call but be clear that you could get your sister in a situation where all her stuff gets frozen if you get it wrong, which is worse than having the odd transaction declined and having to ring the bank from overseas.
posted by koahiatamadl at 1:14 AM on May 19, 2013
I've called on behalf of someone else before and it wasn't an issue. Since you already have the security question information, I don't see why that would be a problem. You sounding like a man could be an issue, but some women sound like men and some have female names. I don't even know if they pay that much attention - the last time I called for someone I told them I was calling on their behalf, they said I couldn't do that so I called back thirty minutes later and pretended to be them. Got the same person and they didn't even recognize my voice.
I'd say talk to your sister and ask her if she wants to risk the hassle of getting her card frozen because you sound like a dude. If she does, go for it.
posted by Autumn at 1:44 AM on May 19, 2013 [2 favorites]
I'd say talk to your sister and ask her if she wants to risk the hassle of getting her card frozen because you sound like a dude. If she does, go for it.
posted by Autumn at 1:44 AM on May 19, 2013 [2 favorites]
I would disagree with it "not being a big deal." I also bank at a large bank known for dealing with servicemen and women, they are used to having people leave with little notice and I travel internationally quite a lot. I forgot to inform them this time that I was headed overseas. Then my card was declined and I have to call to get it authorized now. So, not informing them can cause a hassle that could have been avoided.
I would just stop by a branch and tell them what's up -- you can take a screenshot of your sister's email to prove this. Worst thing that will happen is that she will need to call herself. In that case, yes, Autumn is right. Just call and say you are her (or have a female friend do it) and be done.
posted by mrfuga0 at 2:31 AM on May 19, 2013
I would just stop by a branch and tell them what's up -- you can take a screenshot of your sister's email to prove this. Worst thing that will happen is that she will need to call herself. In that case, yes, Autumn is right. Just call and say you are her (or have a female friend do it) and be done.
posted by mrfuga0 at 2:31 AM on May 19, 2013
My global megabank doesn't seem to care most of the time, except when it does - it seems to really dislike me using my CC in Iceland (cut off at petrol stations twice on separate trips)
but doesn't mind lots of other foreign places (A while back I put £1400 on it at a 5* hotel in Cameroon and they didn't blink though this is very atypical of my lifestyle). My SO called the same bank on our way to Austrian holiday 2 years ago and was warned that simply warning them might mean that the card was now classified as at risk and might thus be cut off. I called at the same time and they just took a note. Bascially they are woefully inconsistent - there is a good chance they will not cut your sister off if you don't get in touch and it might be worth leaving it rather than calling on her behalf and kicking off trouble.
If you want to help her out it might be useful for you to find out exactly who in her bank she needs to speak to should her card be cut off, that way she can call direct and get it put right asap if it becomes a problem.
posted by biffa at 2:56 AM on May 19, 2013
but doesn't mind lots of other foreign places (A while back I put £1400 on it at a 5* hotel in Cameroon and they didn't blink though this is very atypical of my lifestyle). My SO called the same bank on our way to Austrian holiday 2 years ago and was warned that simply warning them might mean that the card was now classified as at risk and might thus be cut off. I called at the same time and they just took a note. Bascially they are woefully inconsistent - there is a good chance they will not cut your sister off if you don't get in touch and it might be worth leaving it rather than calling on her behalf and kicking off trouble.
If you want to help her out it might be useful for you to find out exactly who in her bank she needs to speak to should her card be cut off, that way she can call direct and get it put right asap if it becomes a problem.
posted by biffa at 2:56 AM on May 19, 2013
What's being overlooked by many of the people responding is that this is just a notification. No change to the account is being made or requested. Depending on the bank, of course, a notice by the customer's brother will probably be noted.
posted by yclipse at 3:36 AM on May 19, 2013
posted by yclipse at 3:36 AM on May 19, 2013
Definitely just call and pretend to be her. I've done this many times for family members of the opposite sex. The person on the other end isn't going to risk offence by suggesting that you sound like a man, and especially as you're asking for such a routine thing (rather than transferring millions) is unlikely to bat an eyelid. Just be as matter of fact as possible. It's a pain to have to deal with a cancelled card while overseas, and such a simple phone call to make right now.
posted by birch effect at 4:39 AM on May 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by birch effect at 4:39 AM on May 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
> Hardest part was realizing that the US country code is +001, not +1
The ‘+’ is the bit you replace with the local international code, which is 00 in many countries, and 011 from North America.
posted by scruss at 5:04 AM on May 19, 2013 [2 favorites]
The ‘+’ is the bit you replace with the local international code, which is 00 in many countries, and 011 from North America.
posted by scruss at 5:04 AM on May 19, 2013 [2 favorites]
I'm surprised to see people recommending you impersonate her. In my experience, if you fail any of the security questions (I've never impersonated anyone, but I have managed to fail my own security questions by not knowing the specific bill-paying methods my husband uses on our joint account), her account will be locked in a way that she won't be able to fix over the phone. I had to take ID into my branch in person (and even then, the drama continued; my bank really, really sucks). You might be luckier than me, but I'm just saying that what seems at first a shortcut might in fact lead to significantly more hassle than her just finding a way to make an international phone call.
posted by EXISTENZ IS PAUSED at 6:04 AM on May 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by EXISTENZ IS PAUSED at 6:04 AM on May 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
To be clear, the US code is +1. Scruss is right about the rest.
1) People impersonate their family members on the phone to banks/airlines/whoever all the time for this sort of thing and disastrous things don't happen to them. You're kind of stuck though, because I think it's much easier for you to do (from an answering questions believably perspective) than for a friend to do it for you, but you're more likely to run into trouble for not sounding female enough. (I have some trans friends who've had to have friends phone their bank because the bank won't believe they're the right person when they call themselves.)
2) Yes, banks really do shut off cards, sometimes even after you've phoned to tell them you're leaving the country. (Bank of America used to do it without fail.) Some banks are better at distinguishing travel from fraud and you don't run into problems even if up don't phone them.
My personal inclination is to say that she shouldn't worry about it and phone them if her card fails, just because you phoning is liable to not make a difference and does possibly invite headaches. Coincidentally, I did phone Wells Fargo before going to Japan and they gave me a number in Japan to call if the card didn't work. (I never used the card, as I was carrying a lot of cash, so no idea if they would have shut it off despite my call.) Anyway, you could call and try and get such a local number for your sister, which would probably make her life easier should she need to phone them.
posted by hoyland at 6:18 AM on May 19, 2013
1) People impersonate their family members on the phone to banks/airlines/whoever all the time for this sort of thing and disastrous things don't happen to them. You're kind of stuck though, because I think it's much easier for you to do (from an answering questions believably perspective) than for a friend to do it for you, but you're more likely to run into trouble for not sounding female enough. (I have some trans friends who've had to have friends phone their bank because the bank won't believe they're the right person when they call themselves.)
2) Yes, banks really do shut off cards, sometimes even after you've phoned to tell them you're leaving the country. (Bank of America used to do it without fail.) Some banks are better at distinguishing travel from fraud and you don't run into problems even if up don't phone them.
My personal inclination is to say that she shouldn't worry about it and phone them if her card fails, just because you phoning is liable to not make a difference and does possibly invite headaches. Coincidentally, I did phone Wells Fargo before going to Japan and they gave me a number in Japan to call if the card didn't work. (I never used the card, as I was carrying a lot of cash, so no idea if they would have shut it off despite my call.) Anyway, you could call and try and get such a local number for your sister, which would probably make her life easier should she need to phone them.
posted by hoyland at 6:18 AM on May 19, 2013
Just confirming that banks ask unexpected security questions. When I've called my bank to let them know that I'd be out of the country or for other reasons, I've been asked questions about linked accounts and recent transactions.
posted by amarynth at 6:22 AM on May 19, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by amarynth at 6:22 AM on May 19, 2013 [3 favorites]
I live and travel abroad. Usually, my bank waits until I've used the card once in a new location before they block it. So if your sister hasn't used the card yet, she should withdraw the maximum amount of cash first at an ATM.
Then I'd suggest that she log into her bank account and send a secure email from there as others have suggested. If the response to that email is "sorry, you have to call," then she could buy Skype credits with Paypal and call the bank. You can use Skype to call regular numbers; I do it all the time. If she's in Asia and the bank is in the US, it becomes a middle-of-the-night call, but with the jet lag she's probably feeling she might not even notice it.
In my experience, the banks sometimes do ask security questions about recent transactions or other topics.
posted by ceiba at 8:19 AM on May 19, 2013
Then I'd suggest that she log into her bank account and send a secure email from there as others have suggested. If the response to that email is "sorry, you have to call," then she could buy Skype credits with Paypal and call the bank. You can use Skype to call regular numbers; I do it all the time. If she's in Asia and the bank is in the US, it becomes a middle-of-the-night call, but with the jet lag she's probably feeling she might not even notice it.
In my experience, the banks sometimes do ask security questions about recent transactions or other topics.
posted by ceiba at 8:19 AM on May 19, 2013
I haven't read all the answers here, sorry. But my advice is to do nothing.
I travel internationally 6+ times a year and bank with Bank of America (who, it must be said, I loathe). About half the time all my cards work normally. About a quarter of the time BOA will alllow a transaction, then phone me to make sure it was me. About a quarter of the time they will shut down my card, and restore it immediately once I call the number on the card itself. It has never posed a serious problem for me: if the card is declined, I can get it restored immediately and then it'll go through.
If your sister is carrying a working cell phone known by the bank to be associated with the card, she'll have no trouble restoring her card if it's deactivated. If she's not, and the card is declined, she can probably get it working again immediately by using the merchant's phone to make a toll-free international call. I have never heard of anyone's card being permanently disabled in this kind of situation.
This is different, by the way, from her card being unable to be used because it's incompatible with the systems used in a different country. She may have trouble using it in ATMs, or at some merchants such as 7-11s. In that case, normally she'll be told the card is not recognized or that she needs a PIN or something -- that is different from having the transaction declined by her bank. In that case, she just can't use the card no matter what either of you do.
To fix this in future, the best thing to do is call the bank and say you travel a lot and want your card never to be declined for suspicious use that could be travel-related. (People who buy stuff internationally on the internet should also consider doing this.) There's very little downside to you, as long as you check your statements regularly, because you are not responsible for fraudulent access to your cards (unless you do something ridiculous like give out your PIN, in which case you may be) -- your bank is responsible.
Also FWIW, you increase your risk of your card being flagged and shut down if you incur multiple charges on multiple locations over a short period of time. So buying groceries in New York followed by lunch at Heathrow followed by a taxi in Berlin would probably get you flagged. So would a taxi in New York followed by an etsy purchase from a vendor in Seattle followed by a taxi in London. Just two locations isn't usually sufficient to get you flagged, unless your bank is very cautious.
posted by Susan PG at 12:56 PM on May 19, 2013
I travel internationally 6+ times a year and bank with Bank of America (who, it must be said, I loathe). About half the time all my cards work normally. About a quarter of the time BOA will alllow a transaction, then phone me to make sure it was me. About a quarter of the time they will shut down my card, and restore it immediately once I call the number on the card itself. It has never posed a serious problem for me: if the card is declined, I can get it restored immediately and then it'll go through.
If your sister is carrying a working cell phone known by the bank to be associated with the card, she'll have no trouble restoring her card if it's deactivated. If she's not, and the card is declined, she can probably get it working again immediately by using the merchant's phone to make a toll-free international call. I have never heard of anyone's card being permanently disabled in this kind of situation.
This is different, by the way, from her card being unable to be used because it's incompatible with the systems used in a different country. She may have trouble using it in ATMs, or at some merchants such as 7-11s. In that case, normally she'll be told the card is not recognized or that she needs a PIN or something -- that is different from having the transaction declined by her bank. In that case, she just can't use the card no matter what either of you do.
To fix this in future, the best thing to do is call the bank and say you travel a lot and want your card never to be declined for suspicious use that could be travel-related. (People who buy stuff internationally on the internet should also consider doing this.) There's very little downside to you, as long as you check your statements regularly, because you are not responsible for fraudulent access to your cards (unless you do something ridiculous like give out your PIN, in which case you may be) -- your bank is responsible.
Also FWIW, you increase your risk of your card being flagged and shut down if you incur multiple charges on multiple locations over a short period of time. So buying groceries in New York followed by lunch at Heathrow followed by a taxi in Berlin would probably get you flagged. So would a taxi in New York followed by an etsy purchase from a vendor in Seattle followed by a taxi in London. Just two locations isn't usually sufficient to get you flagged, unless your bank is very cautious.
posted by Susan PG at 12:56 PM on May 19, 2013
I'm assuming the goal is to keep the bank from 'freezing' her account to prevent fraud. This happened to my mother once when she took a trip overseas and it was a bit of an inconvenience. She used her card once and then the next time she made a purchase her card didn't go through. I believe she had an international phone card and ended up just calling the bank herself after a careful calculation of time differences.
If you really feel uncomfortable doing this yourself, perhaps you can purchase (or suggest she purchase) a low-balance international phone card so Sister can take care of this herself?
posted by lovecricket at 1:28 PM on May 19, 2013
If you really feel uncomfortable doing this yourself, perhaps you can purchase (or suggest she purchase) a low-balance international phone card so Sister can take care of this herself?
posted by lovecricket at 1:28 PM on May 19, 2013
Just had to do this with Bank of America, for my husband. The card had already been flagged for suspicious transactions. I called the number and it was all automated... The computer voice wanted the debit card number, security code, maybe part of his social, then asked me if I recognized the last three transactions. I never had to misrepresent myself, or even speak to a human.
(My husband could have also called collect, but we figured I'd give it a try first.)
posted by wyzewoman at 1:30 PM on May 19, 2013
(My husband could have also called collect, but we figured I'd give it a try first.)
posted by wyzewoman at 1:30 PM on May 19, 2013
If the bank has a record that you called Monday 9 a.m. EST, from a U.S. number, to say that "you" are going to be out of the country ...
And then at 9.30 EST they see charges in say Budapest...
They are going to know that the person who called to say they were out of the country is not the same person as the one who is making charges on the card. Which could raise a bunch of questions that could make your sister's life harder for a while. I'm not saying they *will* put that together, but they could.
I wouldn't do it. Call and tell the truth - you are her brother, etc.
Otherwise, email her. My bank allows me to chat with a CSR online and actually has 24-7 phone support, so it seems like she should be able to contact them from where ever she is.
posted by bunderful at 3:10 PM on May 19, 2013
And then at 9.30 EST they see charges in say Budapest...
They are going to know that the person who called to say they were out of the country is not the same person as the one who is making charges on the card. Which could raise a bunch of questions that could make your sister's life harder for a while. I'm not saying they *will* put that together, but they could.
I wouldn't do it. Call and tell the truth - you are her brother, etc.
Otherwise, email her. My bank allows me to chat with a CSR online and actually has 24-7 phone support, so it seems like she should be able to contact them from where ever she is.
posted by bunderful at 3:10 PM on May 19, 2013
I work for a bank. A bank will NOT take this information from someone besides the account holder - there's no way to truly confirm your identity as her sister and not a fraudster who wants her debit card turned on for use in another country. Having said that, there is no way to be sure they're talking to your sister, either. They only know if someone can answer the "right questions" as they have defined them for security purposes.
Some banks do allow you to set travel notices on their websites - that's worth looking into.
posted by ersatzkat at 7:48 AM on May 20, 2013
Some banks do allow you to set travel notices on their websites - that's worth looking into.
posted by ersatzkat at 7:48 AM on May 20, 2013
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by leopard at 8:09 PM on May 18, 2013