When you manage your account, the account stays in your complete control. To make this possible, banks often have local branches or ATMs abroad. You also may be able to manage your account via telephone, online banking, or third-party smartphone applications (e.g., digital wallets). Digital wallet apps may allow you to transfer your money between the U.S. and other countries more easily. Make sure to ask your bank what the best way is to manage your account abroad.
In addition, while maintaining your account, never share your personal information like your identification numbers or account numbers with anyone or any business that you do not trust. Also, you should frequently change your passwords to any online bank accounts and make sure that the passwords are strong. If you do notice fraudulent activity, notify your bank as soon as possible.
Be careful of:
- Situations where you would have to come into a bank;
- Two-step verification processes that require access to your U.S. devices that you no longer have;
- Not being able to access your money using online banking if you do not have internet access;
- Using certain banks that may have limitations for you to access your account internationally;
- The account becoming inactive;
- Fees that can accrue when money exchanges happen from abroad. Foreign transaction fees can deplete an account;
- Fraudulent transactions that were not made or authorized by you;
- Scams and other criminal schemes that could be used to gain access to your account;
- Banks possibly flagging your account for fraud or money laundering suspicion;
- Accessing online banking services over unsecured public Wi-Fi networks; and
- Scams claiming to offer services that sound too good to be true. Always, verify such offers with official sources.
Make sure to discuss all of these concerns with your bank in order to avoid any potential problems and reduce the likelihood of fraudulent activity.