As the summer months are approaching, it's time to start thinking about that family vacation once again. A vacation should be a time of rest and relaxation, not a time to worry about the safety and security of your funds and bank accounts. There are a few things to consider before planning your next trip:

1. In order to protect our customers, Arvest Bank has a fraud alert team that monitors your card activity. If you're visiting areas outside of your home region, it is possible that transactions on your card may be deemed suspicious and your card deactivated for your protection. In order to avoid this, just give us a quick call or email to let us know that you will be traveling, including your destination and dates of departure and return.

2. Never leave your wallet or purse unattended in your vehicle, especially where it can be seen. Thieves prey on vacationers and know that many people leave valuables in their cars while visiting amusement parks, water parks, etc.

3. Always know where your cards are. Most places allow you to swipe your card yourself when making a purchase so it never leaves your possession. But in some instances, like restaurants, the cashier must take your card in order to run it. In this situation, try to look for suspicious activity, such as the cashier possibly writing down your card number or using their cell phone to take a picture of the card.

4. Before going on vacation, make copies of all your debit and credit cards (front and back) that you will be taking with you. Keep these in a safe, secure place, such as the safe in the hotel room. If your wallet or purse is stolen, you will be able to call the company immediately to cancel your cards by using your card number and the telephone number on the back of the card.

5. When you return from your vacation, check your Online Banking for any fraudulent activity, or for constant monitoring, use Arvest Mobile Banking.

If you are planning an extended vacation, an excellent way to help protect your accounts from fraud is the Arvest Spending Card. This reloadable prepaid debit card can be linked to an account, solely for your vacation funds. The Spending Card is also a great way to save up for a big trip and stay on budget while vacationing!

Also don’t forget that funds can always be transferred into your vacation account via Online Banking, Mobile Banking, or contacting us.

If you become a victim of fraud, please contact us as soon as possible. We will work with you in order to cancel your Arvest cards and dispute any fraudulent activity.