Money Safety Tips for Travelers
That little girl who came up to you in Rome looked so
innocent -- until you realized that she was just distracting you while her
father picked your pocket! Unfortunately, this type of petty crime is all too
common around the world, especially in popular tourist areas. Whether they're
fumbling through guidebooks or gawking at new sights, tourists are often
unaware of their surroundings, making them easy prey for thieves. Luckily, a
little bit of common
sense and preparation can go a long way toward keeping this
from happening to you.
Where to Keep Your Valuables
The most important rule of the road is to make sure you keep your money, credit and debit cards, and passport in a money pouch all times while you're in transit. We don't recommend carrying anything valuable in a purse, which is too easily snatched, or a backpack, which can be opened without your noticing. Even a wallet kept in your front pocket can be taken by an experienced pickpocket.
Wearing a money pouch that can be concealed under your clothing is a must. Some pouches attach to your belt, while others are worn around the neck, waist or calf. These are particularly important if you're sleeping on a train, standing on a crowded subway or staying in a hotel that is not very secure. Choose one that is comfortable and practical for where you're traveling. You can buy money pouches at travel stores.
Money pouches are certainly not the only way to avoid theft. There are key chains, belts and cases, all of which are available for less than $40.
Try not to carry all of your valuables in the same place. If you're traveling with a companion, make sure each of you has some cash and a credit card on hand in case you're split up or one of you is robbed. If you're alone, keep a backup credit or debit card in a separate pouch from the one you'll be using most often. Some travelers carry a dummy wallet stuffed with a few expired credit cards and a few bills to toss on the ground as a diversion when confronted by thieves.
While most valuables should be safely hidden away, you may want to keep a small amount of local currency in a separate pocket or pouch where it's easily accessible; that way you're not flashing your cash each time you want to make a small purchase.
Another good tip is to make two copies of your passport, driver's license, credit cards, ATM cards and any other important documents you might be carrying. Leave one copy at home with someone you can reach in an emergency. Keep the other set with you in a safe place separate from the originals. Another option is to scan your documents into a computer as a PDF file and e-mail it to yourself, allowing you access to your documents from wherever you have an Internet connection.
Safety at the ATM
Where to Keep Your Valuables
The most important rule of the road is to make sure you keep your money, credit and debit cards, and passport in a money pouch all times while you're in transit. We don't recommend carrying anything valuable in a purse, which is too easily snatched, or a backpack, which can be opened without your noticing. Even a wallet kept in your front pocket can be taken by an experienced pickpocket.
Wearing a money pouch that can be concealed under your clothing is a must. Some pouches attach to your belt, while others are worn around the neck, waist or calf. These are particularly important if you're sleeping on a train, standing on a crowded subway or staying in a hotel that is not very secure. Choose one that is comfortable and practical for where you're traveling. You can buy money pouches at travel stores.
Money pouches are certainly not the only way to avoid theft. There are key chains, belts and cases, all of which are available for less than $40.
Try not to carry all of your valuables in the same place. If you're traveling with a companion, make sure each of you has some cash and a credit card on hand in case you're split up or one of you is robbed. If you're alone, keep a backup credit or debit card in a separate pouch from the one you'll be using most often. Some travelers carry a dummy wallet stuffed with a few expired credit cards and a few bills to toss on the ground as a diversion when confronted by thieves.
While most valuables should be safely hidden away, you may want to keep a small amount of local currency in a separate pocket or pouch where it's easily accessible; that way you're not flashing your cash each time you want to make a small purchase.
Another good tip is to make two copies of your passport, driver's license, credit cards, ATM cards and any other important documents you might be carrying. Leave one copy at home with someone you can reach in an emergency. Keep the other set with you in a safe place separate from the originals. Another option is to scan your documents into a computer as a PDF file and e-mail it to yourself, allowing you access to your documents from wherever you have an Internet connection.
Safety at the ATM
Since your ATM card is a direct link to your financial
savings, guard it at least as carefully as you would cash or other valuables.
Visa offers these tips for ATM safety:
· Make sure that no one waiting behind you can
see you entering your PIN number.
· Be sure to take your ATM receipt with you.
· Be aware of your surroundings. If the machine
is poorly lit, or is in a hidden area, use another location.
· Don't count your cash or rummage through your
personal items while standing at the ATM.
· If you are using an indoor ATM that requires
your card to open the door, avoid letting anyone come in with you that you do
not know.
· When using a drive-through ATM, lock your car
doors. When walking up, never leave your car running or unlocked.
· If you lose your ATM card, immediately
contact the financial institution that issued it.
**Hey There My Fellow Travelers**
If you have enjoyed reading and like what you have been seeing then please send me a email at greenplanettravelers@yahoo.com
This will put you on my free goody travel list, and from this list from time to time I will send out information on travel, and travel deals. If you are thinking of going on a vacation let me know where you are planning to visit and I will send you a free travel guide.
And this will put you in my personal travel email list that will not be reticulated to anyone.
Have A Wonderful Time, Wherever You're Headed!!
James Brannon
P.S.
We would be grateful to hear any comments that you might have. Just enter them into the comment box we have provided
Again thank you
**Hey There My Fellow Travelers**
If you have enjoyed reading and like what you have been seeing then please send me a email at greenplanettravelers@yahoo.com
This will put you on my free goody travel list, and from this list from time to time I will send out information on travel, and travel deals. If you are thinking of going on a vacation let me know where you are planning to visit and I will send you a free travel guide.
And this will put you in my personal travel email list that will not be reticulated to anyone.
Have A Wonderful Time, Wherever You're Headed!!
James Brannon
P.S.
We would be grateful to hear any comments that you might have. Just enter them into the comment box we have provided
Again thank you
Travelers
help Web site: http://greenplanettravelers.globaltravel.com/
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