United States: Lost or Stolen Cards and Checks

ACCESSING FUNDS Currency You cannot use any other currency in the U.S., but some major banks will offer to change other currencies. Larger hotels often offer currency exchange, but don't expect great exchange rates, so it is advisable to arrive with U.S. Dollars. Otherwise, you can change money in airport kiosks, private exchange offices, banks, or at American Express and Thomas Cook offices; none will offer optimal rates. ATMs ATMs are prevalent most everywhere in the country and offer the best exchange rates. If you bank with a large, international bank in your home country, transactions may be free if you use ATMs of that same bank or its associated banks in other countries. Check with your bank before departure for ATM locations at the destination to which you plan to travel. Traveler’s Checks Traveler's checks in U.S. currency are widely accepted at banks, hotels, and department stores, although smaller establishments may refuse to cash them. It is best to buy traveler's checks denominated in U.S. currency before travel. Visitors should note that many banks do not have the facility to cash traveler’s checks and those that do require items of identification such as passport, credit card or driving license, and are likely to charge a high commission. To avoid a surcharge on exchange rate charges, visitors are advised to take traveler’s checks in U.S. Dollars. Credit Cards International bankcards (MasterCard, Visa, and Access) are widely accepted in most businesses, while American Express, Diners Club, and Discover credit cards are less widely accepted. Credit/bank cards offer the most favorable exchange rates. Hotels accept the full range of bank and credit cards. A traveler can obtain cash advances using a credit card from select banks. Your credit card company translates foreign purchases into your own currency when the charges appear on your credit card statement. However, be aware that most credit card companies now charge a “foreign transaction fee” for converting foreign currency—sometimes up to 2% of each purchase transaction!  This could add up quickly. Read the fine print of your card disclosure paperwork or call your credit card company to verify. For details regarding merchant acceptability and other available services, you must check with your credit or debit card company. Travelers should also notify their credit card company when they travel out of the country. Cards and the requisite funds can suddenly be frozen without any notification if credit card security notices unusual activity and flags it as suspicious. In this case, your card will be declined if you attempt to use it, i.e., at the end of an otherwise successful business deal in a restaurant.  If this does occur, notify your card company immediately, as it may take 24 hours to reinstate!  Have other payment options on hand in case such an occasion does occur. Currency Restrictions - There are no restrictions on the import or export of either foreign or local currency. Note: Banks will not cash a personal check unless you have an account there. Retail businesses will only accept local (very local) checks. Most major cities have American Express offices. American Express Chicago American Express Travel Service 605 North Michigan Ave., Suite 105 Chicago, IL 60611 Tel: [1] (312) 943-7840 Fax: [1] (312) 943-8740 Email: nmichiganctn@aexp.com Hours: Monday to Friday 9a.m. to 6p.m., Saturday 9a.m. to 5p.m. Houston American Express Travel Service 650 West Bough Lane, Suite 100 Houston, TX 77024 Tel: [1] (713) 465-3494 Fax: [1] (713) 465-3649 Email: houstontownandcountryctn@aexp.com Hours: Monday to Friday 9a.m. to 6p.m. and Saturday 10a.m. to 5p.m. Los Angeles American Express Travel Service 8493 W 3rd St. At La Cienega Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90048 Tel: [1] (310) 659-1682 Fax: [1] (310) 659-1151 Email: beverlyconnectiontfs@aexp.com Hours: Monday to Friday 9a.m. to 6p.m., Saturday 10a.m. to 3p.m. Miami American Express Travel Service 100 Biscayne Boulevard, New World Tower Miami, FL 33132 Tel: [1] (305) 358-7350 Fax: [1] (305) 358-3932 Email: biscaynectn@aexp.com Hours: Monday to Friday 9a.m. to 5p.m. New York City American Express Travel 111 Broadway New York, NY 10006 Tel: [1] (212) 693-1100 Fax: [1] (212) 693-1229 Email: 111broadwayctn@aexp.com Hours: Monday to Friday 8.30a.m. to 5.30p.m. San Francisco American Express Travel Service 455 Market St. San Francisco, CA 94105 Tel: [1] (415) 536-2600 Fax: [1] (415) 512-8260 Email: Embarcaderoctn@aexp.com Hours: Monday to Friday 9a.m. to 5.30p.m., Saturday 10a.m. to 2p.m. Seattle American Express Travel 600 Stewart Seattle, WA 98101 Tel: [1] (206) 441-8622 Fax: [1] (206) 448-0656 Web: www.azumano.com Email: mmiller@azumano.com Washington D.C. American Express Travel Service 1501 K St. NW, On 15th at K St. Washington, DC 20005 Tel: [1] (202) 457-1300 Fax: [1] (202) 783-2970 Email: Dcconnecticutctn@aexp.com Hours: Monday to Friday 9a.m. to 5.30p.m. Additional locations may be found on the AmEx website: www.amextravelresources.com/search. MasterCard/Maestro/Cirrus ATM Locations Chicago Chicago National Bank 1800 S Halsted St. Chicago, IL 60608 Nesnah Inc. Dba Minuteman Ctr 2477 S Archer Ave. Chicago, IL 60616 Skylark 2149 S Halsted St. Chicago, IL 60608 Houston 600 Preston and LA 600 Preston St. Houston, TX 77002 Bank One 600 Preston St. Houston, TX 77002 Franklin St Motor Bank 800 Franklin St. Houston, TX 77002 Los Angeles Bank Of The West 123 Astronaut E S Onizuka St., Ste. 101 Los Angeles, CA 90012 Express Loto 201 N Los Angeles St., Ste. 14 Los Angeles, CA 90012 Los Angeles Federal Credit Union 200 N Spring St. Los Angeles, CA 90012-4801 Miami Burdines 22 E Flagler St. Miami, FL 33131 City National Bank (Miami) 25 W Flagler St. Miami, FL 33130 Dade County Federal Credit Union 73 W Flagler St., Ste 136 Miami, FL 33130 New York City Duane Reade #289 280 Broadway New York, NY 10007 Emigrant Savings Bank 261 Broadway New York, NY 10007 Manhattan/Broadway and Chambers #4 270 Broadway New York, NY 10007 San Francisco Atm Inside Rite Aid 1496 Market St. San Francisco, CA 94102 Market-Van Ness 1525 Market St. San Francisco, CA 94103 Walgreens #4609 1301 Market St. San Francisco, CA 94103 Seattle 4th At Madison Wall 1001 4th Ave. Seattle, WA 98154 5th And Columbia 701 5th Ave. Seattle, WA 98104 Gateway 700 5th Ave. Seattle, WA 98104 Washington D.C. American Red Cross 1730 E St. NW Washington, DC 20006 United Unions 1750 New York Ave. NW Washington, DC 20006 White House Federal Credit UN 1724 F St. NW Washington, DC 20006 For other MasterCard ATM locations, see their website at:www.mastercard.com/us/personal/en/cardholderservices/atmlocations/index.html. Visa ATM Locations Chicago Credit Union 1 1901 W Harrison St. Chicago, IL 60612 Hours: 24 hours Dupage National Bank 1750 W Harrison St. Chicago, IL 60612 Hours: 24 hours First Financial Bank 1900 W Van Buren St. Chicago, IL 60612 Hours: 24 hours Houston Bank Of America 1816 Shepherd Houston, TX 77007 Hours: 24 hours Exxon/Mobil 5401 Katy Freeway Houston, TX 77007 Hours: 24 hours Money Access Service Inc. 4324 Washington Ave. Houston, TX 77007 Hours: 24 hours Los Angeles Access Cash International 1701 S Western Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90006-5803 Hours: 24 hours Money Access Service Inc. 2171 Venice Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90006 Hours: 24 hours Union Bank Of California 1803 S Western Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90006 Hours: 24 hours Miami Chasewood Bank 2238 SW 57 Ave. Miami, FL 33155 Hours: 24 hours Commercial Bank Of Florida 1550 SW 57 Ave. Miami, FL 33144 Hours: 24 hours Sedano's 4803 SW 8th St. Miami, FL 33134-2522 Hours: 24 hours New York City Cardtronicslpc 666 Lexington Ave. New York, NY 10022 Hours: 24 hours Money Access Service Inc. 666 Lexington New York, NY 10022 Hours: 24 hours Sterling National Bank 425 Park Ave. New York, NY 10017 Hours: 24 hours San Francisco Market Street 2275 Market ST. San Francisco, CA 94114 Hours: 24 hours Sterling Bank And Trust, FSB 2122 Market St. San Francisco, CA 94114 Hours: 24 hours TRM Atm Corp. 200 Fillmore St. San Francisco, CA 94117 Hours: 24 hours Seattle BANK OF AMERICA 1401 1st Ave. Seattle, WA 98101 Hours: 24 hours Homestreet Bank Two Union Square Lobby Seattle, WA 98101 Hours: 24 hours Verity Credit Union 1519 Alaskan Way Seattle, WA 77546 Hours: 24 hours Washington D.C. CVS 1900 7th St. NW Washington, DC 20001 Hours: 24 hours EDS Credit Union 1622 7th St. Washington, DC 20001 Hours: 24 hours Industrial Bank, N.A. 2000 11th St. NW Washington, DC Hours: 24 hours For other Visa ATM locations, visit their website at: http://visa.via.infonow.net/locator/global/. LOST OR STOLEN CARDS AND CHECKS American Express Lost and Stolen Cards Toll-free: [1] 800-221-7282 Visa Card Toll-free: [1] 800-847-2911 Diners Club In the country: [1] 800-234-6377 Out of the country: [1] 303-799-1504 MasterCard Toll-free: [1] 636-722-7111 Visa Traveler’s Checks Toll-free: [1] 800-227-6811