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NEW YORK (AP) - Consumers who operate close to the limit on their debit and credit cards could find themselves in trouble when they travel this summer. That's because banks and other financial institutions that issue the cards may put "blocks" or "holds" on the cards to ensure payment when they're used for hotels and motels, car rentals and gasoline purchases.
Because the blocks are sometimes larger than the actual purchase price, unwary consumers can find themselves over the limit on their credit cards or overdrawing the checking accounts their debit cards are linked to.
"Most consumers only become aware of these things if their card gets rejected for a subsequent purchase," said Paul Richard, executive director of the nonprofit Institute of Consumer Financial Education in San Diego. "It can be a thorny issue for someone who's away from home on vacation."
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