Backpackers mistaken for credit card fraudsters

26 January 2009 07:59

More and more backpackers are finding that their credit cards are being cancelled while travelling abroad.

According to one travel expert, finance companies are cancelling the cards after mistaking travellers for fraudsters.

Such a situation has likely led to a number of travellers stranded abroad in need of extra funds.

The founder of gapyear.com, Tom Griffiths, said: "This is because the computer sees a card that hasn't been used much in the UK suddenly being nailed in Ecuador or Fiji.

"It just looks like fraud, so the card's … stopped."

Backpackers looking to cover themselves from any other unfortunate events while abroad, such as injury or illness, should take out specialist travel insurance - which is becoming increasingly vital as the average cost of a basic hospital operation in the US has soared to £24,000.

Research published by American Express last month revealed that about a quarter of holidaymakers are considering not taking out travel insurance in a bid to save money. ADNFCR-1320-ID-18806010-ADNFCR

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