As many of you are preparing to travel, some of you for the first time in more than a year, you need to be aware that banks and credit card companies might decline your transactions when you’re out of town.

Why? Because they monitor your charges and travel patterns, and if you are now suddenly traveling that could raise a red flag.

So before you travel anywhere — whether it’s Croatia or Cleveland — call your credit card issuing bank and let it know your schedule and detail where you’ll be going in order to properly update your account.

This may also protect you from someone trying to make a fraudulent charge in your hometown when you’re away.

Just be sure to let the bank know when you’ve returned.