keeping copies of credit cards in your email or online?

For our trip last month, I kept paper copies of that stuff with me, AND I put a file copy on a web server where I have administrator access, just in case I needed to access it in an emergency. But I personally think that email is somewhat too risky -- it's my recollection that email messages sometimes pass through several anonymous servers on their way to the recipient. Box.net or a similar backup service would be secure enough, in my humble opinion. Just give it an inconspicuous filename, and make sure to delete it when you get back home.

For computer security it is NOT an issue with the server. The problem comes when you access that server from a public computer. There are a host of spyware, snooper software, etc. that can obtain your logons, passwords, access codes, etc. when access the secure site. And wireless is even less secure. We have a separate email address where we put all of that information but the numbers are encoded so it is useless if anyone else gains access to the email. That is the easiest way to do. There are other things you can do for increased security but it gets more complicated.

AS long as you don't give your email account password to anybody, it shouldn't be a problem at all.
Box.net should be fine too. I prefer to have a copy of them with me an don in an email, since I can access my email account from my cell phone anywhere in the world.

I would never send anything confidential through email. We carried copies in our neck pouches. My daughter had a copy of mine and I had a copy of hers.

Those neck pouches were not off except in our hotel rooms.

Another suggestion.......leave a copy at home with a trusted friend or family member as well as keeping it in a money belt on your person.....

it could be faxed if necessary to the place you are standing to receive a fax or at the embassy..........etc

AND be sure and let your credit card company know you are taking a trip ....how long you are going to be gone and WHERE you will be........... this will stop some problems before you go!!

You don't need to be concerned about transmitting confidential information via internet. Far more secure than either phone or fax because internet messages do not follow a linear path. And the end server where the message is reassembled is generally secure. It is just when you open that email from a public access computer, all security is out the window.

Wow.

I wrote down the last 4 digits of each card's number, the expiration date, and phone number in my journal.

I e-mailed the same to myself, just in case I lost my journal.

That small amount of info is enough for your credit card company to confirm that you need to cancel or replace a card, but not enough for someone to steal and/or use your card.

Why do you want copies? I have made 20 trips to Europe, S America, Canada, Russia, Mexico, Asia and the Caribbean without a copy of any credit card.

Seems useless to me. Keep your cards in your neck pouch and forget about them.

Carl, I am an old engineer who likes backups and redundancy. I make copies, email self, have three credit and two debit cards. During 300+ of travel have never needed any of it but I still do it. Might need it someday.