How to Call Your Bank From Abroad Without Roaming Charges

Locked card or a fraud alert while you travel? How to call your bank from another country at local rates, with your own number as caller ID.

By Monika, Lead Developer and Technical WriterUpdated

Short answer

First freeze the card in your banking app if you can. Then call the bank’s number for callers abroad, which is usually on the back of your card. To avoid roaming charges, call over Wi-Fi from your browser with Webbphone. You can also verify your own number as the caller ID, so the bank sees the number that it has on file.

A blocked card, a fraud alert or a payment that will not go through: these problems happen more often abroad, because a foreign payment looks unusual to your bank. You then need to talk to the bank quickly, but roaming calls are expensive and toll-free numbers often do not work from another country.

Step 1: Secure your account in the app

Most banking apps let you freeze or unfreeze a card, confirm a payment or report fraud without a call. Do this first. If you still need a person, continue to step 2.

Step 2: Find the right number

  • Back of your card. Many cards list a separate number for calls from abroad.
  • Bank website. Look for “calling from overseas” or “international customers” on the contact page.
  • Your banking app. Many apps have a call or chat button that shows the right number.

Only call numbers from these sources. Never call back a number from an unexpected text message, email or call. Fraudsters often pose as the bank’s fraud team.

Step 3: Call over Wi-Fi from your browser

  1. Sign in to Webbphone with Google or your email.
  2. Add credit from $5. Your first call of up to 1 minute is free on most destinations.
  3. Optional: in the dialer, verify your own phone number as the caller ID. The bank then sees the number that it has on file.
  4. Enter the bank’s number with the country code, for example +1 for the US or +44 for the UK, and press call.
  5. Use the keypad to answer the phone menu and enter your card or account number.

The call goes over your internet connection, so your mobile carrier does not charge roaming. You pay only the per-minute rate for the bank’s country. See the rates for the United States, United Kingdom, India or any other country.

Tips for a smooth call

  • Use a quiet place and a headset. Banks ask security questions, so make sure that nobody overhears your answers.
  • Keep your card, ID and a list of recent payments ready.
  • Use a stable Wi-Fi connection. Hotel Wi-Fi is often fine for voice; public hotspots can be weaker.
  • Write down the date, time and name of the person you speak with, and any reference number.

Call any number from your browser

No app and no SIM card. Your first minute is free, then pay only for the minutes you use.

Open the dialerSee rates

Frequently asked questions

What number should I call to reach my bank from abroad?

Use the number for callers outside the country. Most banks print it on the back of the card or list it on their contact page. Do not call a number from a text message or email that you did not expect, because fraudsters use fake bank numbers.

Can I call my bank’s toll-free number from abroad?

Often not from a foreign phone, because many toll-free numbers accept only domestic calls. Use the bank’s international number, or call the toll-free number from your browser with Webbphone, which places US and Canadian toll-free calls from inside the US.

Will my bank recognise me if I call from a different number?

Banks verify you with security questions, one-time codes or their app, not only with the caller ID. With Webbphone you can verify your own phone number as the caller ID, so the bank sees the number that it has on file.

How much does it cost to call my bank from abroad?

With Webbphone you pay the per-minute rate for the bank’s country, shown in the dialer before you call. Time on hold is billed like talk time. There is no roaming charge, because the call goes over your internet connection.

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