How to Protect Yourself and Prevent Theft while Traveling

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As anxious vacationers, journey security was as soon as our largest concern – particularly earlier than we left on our year-long honeymoon. What if we acquired robbed? What if we acquired misplaced? What if we acquired kidnapped by guerillas in a jungle or one thing and no person even observed we have been gone till our faces confirmed up within the information like one thing straight out of a Wes Anderson film?!

… We could have significantly lively imaginations, however leaving the comforts of dwelling and exploring a international nation is undeniably a bit scary. Should you really feel susceptible and like a goal for skilled scammers and thieves who prey on harmless vacationers, you’re not alone. We’re proper there with you!

Among the worst recommendation we’ve gotten from seasoned vacationers is to “not fear about it.” As if “simply sit back and luxuriate in your trip” is definitely helpful recommendation. Y’all: IT IS NOT. That recommendation by no means helped us and admittedly, we’re not going to let you know to only loosen up and never fear, both. Fear results in preparation, and preparation is what’s gonna enable you to really feel rather a lot much less susceptible and much more savvy. When you’re armed with our journey security suggestions, you’ll really feel like an knowledgeable, ready traveler – and never like a strolling goal.

Psst: Planning a visit? We’ve acquired a number of extra posts which may enable you to! Have a look:

Why Journey Security Is Essential

For a sensible traveler like me, there are a great deal of emergency worst-case eventualities to anxiously envision earlier than touring overseas. From damage to kidnapping to theft, numerous disorienting issues can occur out of the country. And the farther from dwelling you’re, the extra complicated and scary that may be!

That sort of anxiousness could make you so nervous that touring sounds extra like a nightmare than a dream come true. And letting your anxiousness hold you from touring could be an actual disgrace.

However there’s additionally a pleasant center floor between “don’t fear about it, you’ll be advantageous” and worrying a lot you by no means depart the home, and that center floor is the place you are taking cheap precautions and put together your self to face any of these scary circumstances that may pop up on a visit.

The first step, I feel, is to take a deep breath and acknowledge that one thing dangerous may occur – and that it’s all a part of the journey. And most issues both aren’t as dangerous as your creativeness makes them out to be, or aren’t as probably because the information – and your overly involved mother and father – would have you ever imagine.

For instance, though everybody’s heard horror tales of being mugged and left stranded whereas touring overseas, in my private expertise, most theft whereas touring overseas is a chance crime: make one rookie mistake and also you change into a simple goal.

And it’s not simply touring overseas, both. I used to be robbed a minimum of 3 occasions after I moved from the secure, pleasant Midwest, to the massive metropolis of San Francisco. In my first 3 months, I had my telephone and ID stolen twice, and my purse was stolen out of a locked locker at a gymnasium (silly low-cost lock). I even had a person try to mug me in broad daylight on a crowded road at 5 pm in entrance of my workplace!

Am I similar to,  a strolling dangerous omen? (Sure). However apart from attracting disaster like a magnet, I can level to a couple issues I may have achieved higher in every occasion:

• The primary time I had my telephone and ID stolen, they have been sitting in my purse in plain sight on the ground of a restaurant, with easy accessibility to the door. These days at a restaurant, I hold my purse beneath me or the desk the place they will’t be accessed simply.
• The second time I had my telephone and ID stolen, they have been in my jacket pocket … however I took my jacket off at a dance membership, caught it within the nook, and hit the dance flooring. I wasn’t watching them, so I by no means noticed them get taken. I don’t try this anymore.
• The locked locker was sort of a fluke – though I not use low-cost locks – and I’ve discovered to maintain issues within the trunk of my automotive as an alternative.
• My tried mugging? My mistake was that I used to be watching my telephone whereas strolling down the road as an alternative of being attentive to my environment. (My second mistake was that I fought off the man who tried to mug me – that’s a extremely dumb transfer. Don’t try this. Telephones are replaceable.)

Now that I’ve I wised up and constructed my city-slicker road smarts up, I’ve not been robbed a single time since at dwelling or overseas.

However that’s not all: mixed with the opposite precautions I take, I do know that even when I’m robbed, I’ve a strategy to entry cash, insurance coverage to interchange my belongings or cowl me in case of damage, a community of people that know the place I’m always, and copies of the mandatory authorized paperwork to return dwelling. That brings me unimaginable peace of thoughts in order that I can truly get pleasure from my journey!

Be taught from my errors and use these primary security suggestions for vacationers to guard your self and stop theft.

Journey Security Suggestions: Earlier than You Begin Your Journey

1. Analysis, analysis, and extra analysis

Journey security begins earlier than you even get on the airplane.

Make sure you’ve achieved enough analysis in your vacation spot: what are widespread security dangers and what scams are prevalent in that nation? What neighborhoods are recognized to be unsafe? Learn evaluations on the locations you’ll be visiting and the hostels you’re staying at.

Google “[Your Destination] Widespread Scams” or “Is [Your Destination] Secure?” to seek out solutions and experiences that may enable you to to arrange. (However attempt to not let it make you too anxious! You wish to be ready, not terrified.)

Doing analysis will enable you to to really feel extra snug and assured when touring to a brand new nation… and to not purchase that practice ticket from that pushy French man on the airport metro station in Paris who simply occurred to be sitting round ready for a crowd of vacationers to assist him offload his definitely-not-fake $20 practice ticket. I almost fell for this on my first journey to Paris, by the way in which!

2. Scan your passport, drivers license, and different necessary authorized paperwork

In case of theft whereas touring or just dangerous luck, you might end up in want of a alternative passport, which is way simpler whenever you’ve acquired some identification to supply.

Print out a tough copy of your passport and driver’s license and hold them separate out of your precise passport. Add a digital copy to a safe on-line location, like Dropbox or Google Drive, and share it with a trusted pal or relative.

You may also wish to add copies of different necessary paperwork into this Dropbox, corresponding to a Energy of Lawyer, Healthcare Energy of Lawyer, or a Dwelling Will (each of that are enjoyable authorized paperwork that it’s best to positively think about filling out earlier than a serious journey, like our year-long honeymoon). 

Ideally, you’d have already had bodily copies of those paperwork notarized and on file with a criminal lawyer or your most accountable member of the family.

We went full “simply in case” and in addition uploaded issues like a duplicate of our marriage certificates, simply to be secure. Simply be sure you’re importing them to someplace secure and absolutely encrypted (once more, like Dropbox)!

3. Ship out the dates, places, and get in touch with info to your travels to family and friends

This may be as primary as an itinerary that features flight numbers and lodge names, or as detailed as a 200 web page PDF detailing each place you’re going, each reserving you’ve made, and your journey insurance coverage info.

Embrace notations whenever you anticipate to be in or out of vary of WiFi or telephone utilization. In case your family and friends don’t hear from you after they anticipate to, they’ll have the ability to name or e mail as wanted to be sure you’re secure – and when you’re lacking, it might probably assist pace up the method of discovering you.

Should you’re veering away out of your plans otherwise you don’t make plans prematurely, present info as it’s out there. Going MIA whereas touring is dangerous.

As a serious bonus, in our expertise sending this info out prematurely will even considerably ease the minds of your poor, involved mother and father!

4. Purchase journey insurance coverage!

Journey Insurance coverage is a must have for journey security! It protects you in case of a medical emergency or theft. It even covers the price of your journey if it’s important to cancel it or finish it early for a coated purpose, like a dying in your fast household or sudden sickness.

Nonetheless unsure if journey insurance coverage is value it? We’ve acquired an in depth guide to travel insurance that may enable you to resolve.

Devoted journey insurance coverage corporations provide variants of the identical plans, so select fastidiously. Take into consideration the actions you’ll be doing in your journey and browse all the main points to be sure you perceive what you’re paying for.

Additionally, observe that no journey insurance coverage will enable you to out within the occasion of a sudden struggle or terrorist act in the identical metropolis that you just’re touring in, and there are particular restrictions on what may be reimbursed in case of theft. You’ll want separate insurance coverage to your costly digicam gear, for instance.

We’ve acquired much more issues to think about, plus suggestions for our two favourite journey insurance coverage corporations, in our travel insurance guide:

Up to now, we’ve used World Nomads journey insurance coverage, and we’ve needed to fill a BUNCH of claims with them (as a result of we’re strolling catastrophe magnets). They’ve coated every thing from an ear an infection in Costa Rica that led to a hospital keep, 2 missed flights and a pair of further nights within the nation; a complete month of booked, non-refundable journey for a canceled journey after my 90-year previous Grandfather landed within the hospital (and subsequently faked his own death); and even that point we ran our rental BMW into a medieval castle in France.

Actually, at this level, our claims have equaled out the quantity we paid for insurance policies. Lately, we straight-up refuse to go on a visit with out shopping for World Nomads travel insurance first.

Curious how a lot a World Nomads journey insurance coverage coverage would value to cowl your subsequent journey? Get a quote!

5. Preserve your insurance coverage info useful and ship it to a trusted pal or cherished one

Within the occasion of an emergency, you might not have the ability to talk the particular particulars of your journey insurance coverage – your insurer could require you to name earlier than you’ll be able to go to a hospital, for instance, or give you the option that can assist you discover the closest physician, like World Nomads does.

Have that info simply accessible, and supply it to somebody who isn’t touring with you in order that they will help prepare care as wanted.

We suggest printing one thing out and preserving it along with your passport, in addition to importing a digital copy of your insurance coverage coverage to that safe Dropbox or on-line storage.

Journey Security Suggestions: En Path to your Vacation spot

When it’s time to truly pack up and head out, you’ll be counting on the superior preparation you probably did earlier than your journey, however there are additionally a number of extra habits to develop to be sure you’re staying as secure as may be.

One of many occasions you’re at your most susceptible throughout a visit is in transit: there are lots of people – crowds are one of the best locations for would-be thieves to cover – and plenty of of them are international, which makes them simple to rip-off. On prime of that, you’re virtually at all times misplaced/confused/overwhelmed – making you a simple goal.

One of many few occasions we acquired robbed throughout our year-long honeymoon was at a bus station in Peru: we regarded away from our pile of luggage for .002 seconds and virtually misplaced the theif carrying our bag within the crowd as he hurried away! Fortunately, Jeremy is a hero and managed to retrieve it, however it was a complete factor –  the whole story is in this post.

The underside line is: do some advance preparation earlier than you permit the airport and also you’ll have an enormous benefit!

6. Preserve your cash in a number of places, and at all times have an emergency bank card.

That is so necessary: By no means, EVER journey with all of your cash in a single location!

We stash emergency cash (in USD, as a result of it’s universally accepted) and debit & bank cards all through our baggage and on our our bodies in separate pockets.

We use a Chase Sapphire as our major journey card (as a result of it has one of the best journey advantages and protections), and we stash away the Capital One Enterprise as our backup/emergency journey bank card. (At dwelling, we additionally put all of our spending on these. two playing cards as a result of they offer improbable rewards that may be spent on journey – it’s one in every of our favourite methods to economize on journey – read more in this guide!)

Since we at all times get money out from ATMs, we solely carry one debit card after we exit every day – the opposite one stays safely behind locked in our baggage, together with our backup bank card and our emergency USD – all in separate pockets and locations, simply in case.

To maintain our money and bank cards secure and tough to grab whereas we’re out and about, Jeremy has a money belt that he wears underneath his garments. I’ve a useful bra pocket that clips underneath my shirt (I additionally completely use this at dwelling after I’m going out and don’t wish to carry a handbag, it’s one of the best).

I even have a zippered passport pocket that may maintain my telephone for journey days, as a result of most ladies’s clothes doesn’t have sufficiently big pockets (apart from my favorite ever pair of theft-proof jeans!).

This fashion, even when we’re robbed whereas out and about, one in every of us will nonetheless have a card and a few money tucked away someplace!

7. Don’t use your telephone on a metropolis bus, practice, or whereas strolling down the road.

Defending your self from theft whereas touring means being always conscious of your environment. Should you’re zoning out in your telephone, you’re not conscious of what’s happening round you!

Buses and trains which can be incessantly stopping to let folks on and off are hotbeds of telephone theft. It’s simple for an opportunistic thief to grab the telephone out of your hand and bolt for the door, disappearing earlier than you even understand what simply occurred.

Identical with strolling down the road: your telephone is sort of a goal that’s all too simple to seize and run away with. I discovered this lesson at dwelling in San Francisco, the place a very good half of my mates – and myself – have had a number of telephones stolen.

8. All the time keep watch over your belongings

I discovered this lesson the exhausting manner, too: at a bus station in Peru, we set our day bag (containing ALL of our electronics!) down on the seat subsequent to us and turned away from it for roughly 30 seconds. By the point we turned again, the thief was midway out the door with our bag. We acquired fortunate and have been capable of retrieve our bag, however we’ll by no means make the error of wanting away once more – even for a second.

All the time keep eye contact along with your belongings – and whereas touring, it’s good to maintain your most dear objects all collectively in a single bag that claims in your physique always.

When your again is turned, something from sticky fingers pulling out no matter’s unfastened to all the bag being stolen can occur.

This consists of completely every thing: sun shades, telephone, purse, even your drink. If it’s not in your hand or in your physique, hold it in eyesight!

9. Be conscious of pockets and purses when in a crowd

Pickpockets are commonest in a crowd. It’s all too simple to stumble upon somebody and shortly seize one thing with out them noticing when everyone seems to be bumping into everybody else. That is doubly true for a crowded bus or subway whenever you may be standing elbow to elbow with a whole lot of individuals.

When you end up in a crowd, hold your arms on or in any pocket that you just’re preserving one thing in, and over any openings in a handbag. Should you can, tuck your purse underneath your arm in order that its opening is in the direction of your physique and inaccessible. And by no means put on a handbag that can’t be zipped, mounted, or coated!

Don’t hold something in your again pocket – it’s a simple goal. Additionally, put on your backpack within the entrance when strolling via crowded streets.

Pickpockets are searching for your consideration to be diverted so that you just don’t really feel one thing being slipped out of your pocket or purse – don’t give them the possibility!

We suggest ditching the pockets & purse altogether and utilizing a money belt and bra pocket as an alternative – and investing in clothes with hidden, zippered pockets, like our favourite travel pants for women & men.

10. Deter thieves with locks in your baggage

Every time potential, lock your bag. In case your purse isn’t zipped and lockable or doesn’t have a flap that covers its opening, it’s not good for journey. If somebody subsequent to you on a crowded bus can quietly slip their hand in your purse, they completely will.

A decided thief doesn’t care when you’ve put a lock in your bag, however an informal or alternative thief will go for a neater goal.

Backpacks and baggage ought to at all times be locked throughout transit, even when stowed away.

As a bonus, having locks available will double as your locker safety in hostels. We favor non-TSA travel locks as a result of it’s simple for thieves to get a TSA common lock key, however when you’re checking your bag, you’ll want a TSA-approved travel lock.

In case your present bag isn’t lockable, try this large information to anti-theft backpacks. We’ve additionally acquired an inventory of our favourite baggage for touring in our ultimate packing guide!

11. Watch your again when utilizing ATM’s.

ATM’s have lengthy been a simple place for thieves to swipe info from unsuspecting vacationers – however they’re additionally probably the most handy place to get cash in the proper forex overseas, particularly if in case you have a debit card that doesn’t cost international transaction charges or ATM charges (which is why we love Charles Schwab).

So whereas we DO suggest utilizing ATM’s, we additionally encourage you to be cautious! When at an ATM, at all times cowl your card along with your hand when getting into your pin, and wiggle the cardboard reader a bit to make sure there aren’t any indicators of tampering.

Additionally, make sure that the particular person behind you isn’t too shut, and if they’re, politely ask them to maneuver additional again.

12. Preserve valuables on you always whereas in transit

We’ve heard too many tales a few checked bag or a bag hidden away underneath a bus getting rifled via.

So after we journey on a practice, bus, or airplane, we pull out all of our electronics, necessary paperwork, and different valuables, and hold them on us in a locked bag that we by no means let loose of our sight or off our particular person.

Even when our backpacks get rifled via, all they’ll discover is clothes – the necessary stuff is secure with us!

13. Don’t carry something with you that’s irreplaceable or that it could break your coronary heart to have misplaced or stolen

It’s really easy to have issues disappear whereas touring, whether or not it’s the headscarf you left behind at a restaurant or the prescription sun shades that fell out of your bag in a cab (sure, these are each real-life examples from our travels. RIP, scarf and sun shades).

Don’t take something with you that may break your coronary heart to have misplaced or stolen (though some issues can’t be left behind, like a very good digicam! Not a Nomad Weblog has a improbable article about learn how to journey safely along with your digicam, learn it here.)

Every time you’ll be able to, carry a less expensive model of your prized possessions: an older smartphone, travel-friendly marriage ceremony rings, clothes that’s low-cost sufficient to unintentionally lose, simply in case. We additionally carry a small backup camera simply in case, since taking photographs is a big a part of our jobs!

We depart every thing costly or treasured at dwelling, secure. Er, properly, apart from all of our camera gear.  Examine what we packed for South America here, and what we want we didn’t pack here!

14. Know when to splurge and spend cash in your security.

Sooner or later in your travels, you’ll be warned about potential crimson flags or high-risk areas, be it utilizing public transport at evening or staying in a selected village alone.

Once you’re touring on a funds, it’s simple to go for the cheaper choice to save lots of a couple of bucks. However generally, it isn’t the most secure.

Your life is value defending and in case you are feeling anxious or nervous, reasonably spend a bit extra money by taking a personal car, reserving right into a lodge or paying for an organized tour via a good firm.

15. Know the place you’re going and use GPS.

When touring in an space that you just’re not accustomed to, have the vacation spot set in your GPS to make sure you’re on the proper route dwelling and monitor the journey.

In case your driver veers off route for no purpose, you must assume shortly and get out of the car.

“However how will I take advantage of my telephone’s GPS after I’m out of the country?” Good query! We at all times suggest downloading the map of your vacation spot in your telephone to make use of offline whenever you’re touring and don’t have knowledge. You are able to do this utilizing an app like Maps.Me and even Google Maps. You may also think about investing in a worldwide wi-fi service like TEP wireless, which is able to will let you have WiFi wherever you go!

Journey Security Suggestions: At Your Vacation spot

16. Follow a wholesome quantity of skepticism.

Be cautious of the folks you meet in your travels, together with different vacationers. Many thieves are skilled rip-off artists. They’re good at what they do! Don’t let overly-friendly folks distract you and let your guard down. Not that we’re saying to not meet new folks and make mates, simply… you already know, be a bit bit on guard.

It takes time to earn somebody’s belief. So earlier than you go leaving your valuables with you “new greatest pal,” or going to take a bathe in your hostel whereas leaving your locker large open, make sure that your new journey companions are reliable (or simply err on the facet of warning and name it a behavior). Additionally, assume earlier than you share an excessive amount of of your journey info with somebody you’ve simply met.

Having mentioned that, don’t be afraid to satisfy locals and make mates with different vacationers. Journey security is about being road good, and cautious of different folks’s intentions.

17. Watch your drinks!

Always, it doesn’t matter what the circumstances, watch your drinks.

It’s simple for somebody to slide a capsule inside whenever you aren’t wanting. Or perhaps you’ve been provided a drink from somebody you’ve simply met on the bar. Be sure you can see it being poured and watch the barman to make sure that it hasn’t been spiked.

Once more, I’ve discovered this lesson the exhausting manner at dwelling: it’s all too widespread for mates – each male AND feminine – to get “too drunk” after solely having one or two regular power drinks on the bar. THAT IS A WARNING SIGN! That isn’t an indication that they will’t maintain their alcohol, it’s an indication that their drink has been spiked.

Males, you too – this isn’t a female-specific tip! Use the buddy system and be careful to your mates, too – if a complete stranger is attempting to hustle somebody you already know who’s all of the sudden extremely drunk right into a taxi to “take them dwelling safely,” your crimson flags ought to go manner, manner up.

And whereas we’re talking of ingesting, additionally watch what you drink when touring to a brand new nation. Individuals prey on vacationers who’re drunk and go to the dancefloor forgetting their valuables on the desk (me, once more, in San Francisco). Or vacationers strolling down a darkish alley alone within the early hours of the morning.

Drink responsibly and when you’re touring in a bunch, have one another’s backs.

18. Don’t put on flashy jewellery or showcase your wealth.

That is one other large journey security tip! Maybe you’re newlywed with a giant shiny diamond that you just wish to showcase. Otherwise you simply purchased a designer purse. Be cautious of the place you’re touring to, and what it’s best to and shouldn’t put on, and when you’re in any respect involved, depart them at dwelling.

It’s higher to mix in with the gang so that you just don’t stand out and change into a goal.

Should you go to an impoverished space and stroll round with costly jewellery, it’s additionally a possibility for distributors to cost you extra for objects as they will see you could have cash.

We discovered this the exhausting manner after getting caught with a rental Mercedes in Tulum, Mexico. It was a pleasant automotive, however we have been nonetheless backpackers – and couldn’t afford the 3x charges we have been charged by everybody from parking attendants to tour guides simply because we had a pleasant rental car. Our automotive additionally attracted policemen, who pulled us over searching for bribes. Yikes!

Make that one other journey security tip: Don’t settle for a free fancy rental automotive improve in a growing nation.

Different Essential Traveler Security Suggestions

19. Put on a helmet

Should you’re using a scooter, whether or not you’re the motive force or passenger, at all times put on a helmet. In nations corresponding to Indonesia, you’ll see vacationers with large highway rashes or worse from insane scooter accidents – it’s all too widespread. We additionally, er, drove our scooter into a tree in the middle of the night in Bali *ahem.* Helmets are actually necessary!

This additionally goes for moto-taxis in nations like Colombia. All the time ask for a helmet (and a worth) earlier than you hop on!

Do not forget that you or your driver could also be in management, however the particular person driving straight for you might not, and a helmet can save your life!

20. Know what you’ll be able to and can’t eat and drink

The very last thing you need is a sequence case of meals poisoning. In some nations it’s secure to drink the faucet water, in others it’s not (even when the locals do). We at all times suggest bringing alongside a strategy to purify your water, corresponding to a Steri-Pen or  Lifestraw Bottle.

Additionally, be cautious about what you eat. Road meals is scrumptious, however reasonably purchase from a vendor who’s getting ready the meals then and there, as an alternative of buying a rooster kebab that has been sitting within the solar for the previous day.

Additionally, perform a little prep work to ensure road meals is secure. For instance, we might extremely advise AGAINST consuming the road scorching canine in San Francisco, which is able to completely make you sick. However we might extremely suggest consuming the entire road meals in Colombia (and have a whole post about it!) That’s probably not what you’d assume, proper? However road meals is completely secure in a number of locations!

21. Be observant

What all of it comes down it’s being alert and vigilant. All the time look behind you. Be aware of the areas you’re driving in, the folks you’re assembly.

Once you’re observant, potential thieves gained’t goal you as they know that you’re watching them.

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Don’t Let The Concern of Journey Security Cease You From Touring

On daily basis there are tales of harmless vacationers who’ve fallen sufferer to some form of crime whereas on their travels. This can be a big concern and each traveler ought to pay attention to it. Don’t be too optimistic (or naive) and assume it is going to by no means occur to you, as a result of it might probably. And albeit, in some unspecified time in the future, it most likely will.

However, that mentioned: don’t let worry cease you from touring. The world is yours to discover! Moreover, all these disasters make the best possible journey tales as soon as you come again dwelling.  We converse from a LOT of expertise!

Should you observe these journey security suggestions, you’ll be properly ready and in management. You’ll have all of the processes in place to deal with a not-so-great scenario and also you’ll take obligatory motion to keep away from being robbed or injured. You’ll have a greater journey figuring out that you just’re well-prepared and staying in secure areas.

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I hope you discovered this checklist of journey security suggestions helpful! What are your favourite journey security suggestions? What are your largest considerations about touring overseas safely? Depart us a remark under!

Psst: Planning a visit? We’ve acquired a number of extra posts which may enable you to! Have a look: