Travel Safety & Scams, Know Before You Travel Pt 2

You’re on vacation, sitting in a beach chair sipping lemonade on a tropical beach. You go back to your hotel room to find that your passport, jewelry, cash and credits cards are gone. You wonder in horror how you could have been robbed. Did you lock the door when you left for the beach? You can’t remember. This type of scenario is all too real, so it’s important to practice safety precautions to prevent your dream vacation from becoming a vacation nightmare.

With that in mind, last month we explored travel scams in the first of a two-part series on travel safety. With vacation season in full swing, we focus on general travel safety tips in the final installment in the series. The first rule of travel safety is above all protect your money, cell phone and your passport or driver’s license.

When planning a trip, budget for safety. The cheapest hotel may not be in a safe neighborhood. It might not be a good idea to walk alone at night in a city, so budget for a rental car or car services.  Also plan on using paid Wi-Fi services. Free Wi-Fi may not be on a real server and instead may be set up with the sole purpose of stealing data. Even with paid Wi-Fi always be on a VPN. 

Other safety tips include:

• Bring a first aid kit.
• Travel in groups.
• Tell your bank where you are going and for how long.
• Stay tethered to your bags with a carabiner clip or a regular strap that is attached to a chair in the airport or train station.
• Hide emergency cash and a backup credit card in at least two separate places. The amount is a personal preference but $200 is often suggested. Conceal the money in a hidden compartment such as a secret pocket sewn in an article of clothing or rolled in an empty lip balm container.
• Don’t use back pockets for anything.
• Turn on cellphone tracking. If you have an iPhone connect with a friend or family member through Find My Phone app.
• Send a friend or family member an itinerary and keep them updated on your travels.
• Don’t post live on social media about where you are located. Wait to post your vacation pictures until you get home.
• Get travel insurance for more than just the flight. There are policies that will cover your laptop and other valuables.
• Be aware of your surroundings, especially when using an ATM. Take note of landmarks to prevent getting lost.
• Do not share where you are from or where you are going to with strangers.
• Keep a written copy of all important information such as phone numbers and emergency contacts in case your cell phone is stolen or lost.
• Also make copies of all important documents such as passports, birth certificates, driver’s licenses and the like and store them on a USB thumb drive.
• Download financial apps to keep track of your spending and to make sure all charges are yours.
• Don’t draw attention to yourself.
• Display the Do Not Disturb sign on your hotel room door, even when out so it looks like you are there.
• Keep hotel windows shut and lock and dead bolt the door. Jammers for under the door to keep it from opening are also available.

Vacations can and should be times for rest, relaxation, rejuvenation and fun. By taking some safety measures, your vacation can provide you with good times and good memories for years to come.