The African safari of a lifetime turns into a hellish holiday for the Australian family

It was supposed to be the family vacation of a lifetime.

An African safari loaded with lions, cheetahs, giraffes and hippos was the trip that the Browne family had saved for years.

But in just 48 hours after landing in Cape Town, South Africa, the vacation of their dreams had become a hellish vacation.

When Kate Browne finally had enough services to check her Internet banking, it soon became apparent that something had gone astray – up to $ 12,000.

An African safari filled with lions, cheetahs and giraffes was supposed to be the lifelong trip for the Browne family – but on day two, hackers stole their debit card details and $ 12,000

Just 12 days later, Kate Browne (pictured) finally had enough Internet services to check her bank balance. She noticed that she had lost $ 1,000 a day.

"I was conscious of not using my Visa debit card too much, but we started in Cape Town, a big international city," Ms. Browne told News.com.au.

"I have used my card at the airport, at the hostel and in a large shopping center in the large tourist area.

On the second day of their trip, at one of the previously mentioned locations across Cape Town, details of Ms. Browne's debit card had been cleared.

Over the next 12 days, criminals were able to steal a daily maximum of $ 1,000 until Ms. Browne's card was finally empty.

The mother of two discovered the theft only when her card was finally refused nearly two weeks after the initial flight, at what point they went to Namibia.

"When I went online to check every penny was gone from my account. It was a huge blow, she said.

If emptying his bank account of vital funds was not enough, it was enough for him to leave the "panic".

After contacting her bank 's emergency number overseas, Ms. Browne was informed that her institution could not do anything until she returned home.

Ms. Browne said that she and her partner (photo) were saving for the trip and were devastated when they noticed that they had lost everything

While the family was leaving South Africa for Namibia, and then for Botswana, Ms. Browne said that she had been fighting with her bank to recover the money, the finances did not. returning to her only when she had asked for help from a friend.

Ms. Browne stated that she advised travelers to conceal their PIN when they were at an ATM, whether they had money or some other type of finances, and that complain to the banks on social media for a quicker response.

This board then changed to tell her that she could fill out an online form, but that it would take 30 days.

As the family moved to Botswana now, Ms. Browne – the editor of the financial comparison site Finder.com.au – turned to some special friends.

Knowing that not everyone is able to give a favor when needed, Ms. Browne said it was frustrating that banks were not taking credit card fraud more seriously.

"When the bank 's money is in the bank, it is in its best interest to get it back as soon as possible and when it' s about a debit card, the feeling of being in. the bank's urgency is much lower, "she said.