Whether summer or winter is your favourite time of year to travel, make sure you keep in mind something that is often overlooked: how to protect yourself from fraud or theft when travelling abroad. 

With the upcoming Eid holidays, traveling without cash is by far the safest way to travel, so don’t forget these five pointers to protect yourself:

• Check that your EMV-enabled Chip-and-PIN payment card isn’t going to expire while you are travelling, as this is your best line of defence.
• Make a list of the cards you’ll have with you and the account numbers. Better yet, enter details into your personal phone.
• You’ve told your Facebook friends where you’re going, but have you told your bank? Alert them to the fact that you will be travelling so they don’t think your transactions are fraudulent.
• Make sure you have your PIN for your MasterCard, so that if required you can withdraw a cash advance from any ATM.
• Never leave home without your prepaid  Cash Passport payment card; it gives you the flexibility to pay with U.S. Dollars, Pound Sterling, Australian Dollars, Euros, New Zealand Dollar, Hong Kong Dollar, Singapore Dollar, Japanese Yen or Canadian Dollar.
• Remember to never let your debit or credit payment cards out of your sight and make sure transactions are done in front of you.
• Take as little cash with you as possible, if you need to top up when you arrive make use of the ATM Locator with your smartphone.