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ATMs are easy to find worldwide. Visa-branded cards are accepted at more than 480,000 ATMs around the globe in the Visa Global ATM Network. MasterCard's Cirrus network has more than 350,000 machines in foreign countries. Both networks have machines in more than 100 countries. The Web sites of Visa, MasterCard and American Express list ATM locations around the world, and the sites include travel tips and resources, including numbers to call if a card is lost or stolen outside the United States. Replacement cards may be available in as little as 24 hours. Cardholder liability is capped at $50 and may be waived if the card loss is reported immediately. Be sure to test debit cards before leaving the country and make sure you have a four-digit personal identification number for your card. Many ATMs outside the U.S. do not have letters on the keypad or the letters appear in a different order. Also, find out what kind of fees your bank charges for using ATMs outside the country. They usually range from $2 to $5 per transaction. To reduce fees, minimize the number of withdrawals you make, and make larger withdrawals. Also, consider cash, traveler's checks and credit cards as payment alternatives. Thinking about an Auto Loan? Home Equity? Any bank product? We give you unbiased rates for your area at bankrate.com. |