News & Media

Summertime can bring on sun, sand, and new adventures — and a few sneaky scammers who love busy travel seasons. Keep your trip fun and carefree by protecting your financial information with these five simple tips.

1. Make credit cards your go-to while traveling: Debit cards can give thieves direct access to your bank account if compromised while your credit card does not. You can also earn double points on gas and travel. 

2. Scan and stash important documents Before you go: Scan passports, driver’s licenses, itineraries, and store them in a secure online repository you can access from anywhere. If something goes missing, digital copies make recovery and replacements much easier.
   
   
3. Use secure ATMs and shield your PIN: Stick to ATMs in well-lit, secure locations. Watch for tampering or skimming devices and when entering your PIN, cover the keypad with your hand so no one can view it over your shoulder.
   
   
4. Keep valuables locked or close: Don’t leave passports, credit cards, or laptops loose in hotel rooms or cars. Lock valuables in a hotel safe (not just in your suitcase), carry essentials in inside-the-shirt pouches or cross-body bags, and keep laptops in view or secured with a cable. Do not ever check your important documents in your luggage under the plane. 
   
   
5. Avoid public Wi‑Fi for banking and use 2FA: Public Wi‑Fi can let others capture your information. Avoid online banking on unsecured networks — use cellular data or an encrypted connection (VPN) if you must. Also enable two-factor authentication on financial accounts so if your password is stolen, scammers don’t have automatic access to your accounts.

At Blue Ridge Bank, we work to keep your accounts safe and secure, whether you're accessing them online, through an ATM, mobile device, or in one of our branches. For more information on how to keep your personal information secure, reach out to your local BRB representative.