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Travel Security Tips

In our travels, we have learned first hand the need for travel security. In our 35 years of travel, there have been many attempts to rob us. All of these attempts failed because we followed several important security rules. Unfortunately, some rules were not followed by some of our traveling companions and they lost everything from passports, to credit cards, to thousands of dollars in cash. Never argue with a gun, give the thugs what ever they want (Traveling Companions: Rio - 1998, Madrid - 1991). I will note other attempts on us in the following tips.

• When traveling by air, use luggage locks that are TSA-approved. This will allow airport security screeners to inspect and relock baggage without damaging the locks. Keyed alike locks are ideal for family or group travel in case one key is lost. After air travel is complete and land travel begins, replace the TSA - type lock with a more secure and heavier duty laminated steel type lock. In hotel rooms, always lock your luggage  when away (New York City - 1978, Las Vegas - 1988). Always carry extra locks because TSA will sometimes damage TSA locks  (Boston - 2012).

• Take two extra sets of passport pictures with you in the event you loose your passport.

• Develop a day to day agenda and leave it with a relative at home.

• Wear a money belt at all times. (Purchase from luggage shop).

• Do not take unnecessary credit cards in your wallet or purse.

• Write number of credit cards, licenses, etc on a piece of paper and keep in a separate location such as luggage.

• Never leave money, passport, or valuables in luggage or hotel room (New York City - 1978, Las Vegas - 1988). 

• If you are traveling with luggage in your car, make sure you car in safe areas. Do not leave any valuable objects in sight.

• Always keep an eye on your handbags, cameras, etc. when touring.

• Never participate in card and dice games on the street.

• Always leave expensive jewelry or valuables at home or keep in hotel safe. When your passport is in the hotel safe,  carry a photocopy of your passport for identification purposes when you are touring. The photocopy should have a hotel stamp on the back.

• When in open spaces or public areas, do not take out large amounts of cash for public viewing.

• Always carry your wallet in your front pocket.

• Keep your purse in front of you at all times.

• Never walk close to curb and watch for "ride by" bike or motor cyclists who will reach out and grab items from you or drag you down the street until you let go (Riems, France - 1996).

• Always check fire escape exits from hotel.

• If possible, request a room on the lower floors.

• Always lock luggage with key.

• Never take elevator in case of hotel fire.

• Be aware of problem areas before you leave (i.e. Madrid, Paris, Barcelona, Rio, Naples, Palermo, etc.).

• Be extremely careful in subways (Paris - 1983). Watch for pick pockets and thieves. Never stand close to the tracks. Stand close to the wall and not in an open area. Remember some pickpockets work in pairs, the one in front of you and the one behind you. Your pockets are picked by the guy behind you, when the guy (girl) at the next stop bumps into you as they are getting on.

• Try to blend in to local dress standards. Try not to stand out (i.e. shorts, tourist caps, etc.) and become a target for thieves.

• When talking with others, stand close to a building and not in the open

• Check with hotel personnel as to which local areas or streets to avoid when in town (Barcelona - 2000).

• If you are offered flowers and the sellers are standing close to you, they are trying to pickpocket your wallet (Barcelona Cathedral - 2000). They work in pairs!

• Beware at Airports, particularly in the "check-in" areas (Madrid Airport, Male-Female Team, 2000). They will either attempt to pickpocket you or steal your luggage. I gave a female pickpocket 500 pesetas and told her to stop picking pockets and grab something to eat.

• Have you hear of the phone card trick? In a busy area (such as the Airport above), if you attempt to make a phone call, you might notice a "phone card" in the slot. Your lucky day, right! Wrong! After you started your call, a man will appear trying to reclaim his card, but can't remove it because the call has started. While he is distracting you, a person comes up from behind you to pick your pocket or to steal your luggage (Madrid - 2000). Again, remember that these chaps usually work in pairs!

• If people come up to you, pointing to a stain on your clothing, they are trying to pick your pocket. Sometimes, the guy in front bumps you with a cigarette. When he begins to brush the ashes off your trousers, the guy in back picks your pocket. (Barcelona - 2000).

• Be careful when driving around in a car and when you stop at a traffic light. If someone tells you that you have a flat tire or that the car is on fire, do not leave the car. Instead, lock the doors and drive a short distance before making sure that is true or not.

• Beware of small gangs of gypsy children that will try to steal your belongings or pick your pockets while their mother waits on the corner. The smallest kid, a two year old, will hang on you leg. When you pull you wallet out to tip the kid, the others will take it. (Paris 1986 - Moscow - 1993).

• Always try to tour tour in groups and keep watch on each other.

• The State Department issues security warnings on a regular basis. Check the following site for the latest warnings:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html

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