Other Safety Tips
Posted: 28 Sep 2008, 15:491) Low Profile: Wear minimum jewellery, casual clothes, and keep cameras inside a discrete bag. Try to relax and look like you belong there.
2) Danger Zones: Be particularly aware of your safety in crowded areas such as local festivals, markets, crowded tourist sites, railway and bus stations, and of course, on trains and buses. Sometimes it pays to go first class or hire a guide.
3) Stash your Cash: Avoid wallets or purses. Keep enough money for your immediate needs in your (button down/zippered?) pocket, and the rest hidden on your body or, better, inside a *locked bag in a safety deposit box. Have different forms of funds in different places. Remember your air ticket and films are valuable too.
*a little lockable bag, deposited at reception instead of the ubiquitous brown envelope provided in many lower class establishments, will discourage the hotel receptionist from checking on your stash later, or using your credit cards to buy himself a new hi-fi system, or from removing the bottom traveller's checks.
4) Wild Cards:
ATMs:
- Ensure no one can see your credit card code number when you key it into an ATM [bank cash machine], or you may find a bogeyman has memorised it and will later steal your card and buy himself some new toys with it.
- If your card doesn't reappear from the ATM, check that there isn't a tiny foil loop blocking its exit - a device known as the Lebanese loop that allows the thief to retrieve your card later.
The latest scam involves thieves putting a thin, clear, rigid plastic sleeve into the ATM card slot. When you insert your card, the machine can't read the strip, so it keeps asking you to re-enter your PIN number.
Meanwhile, someone behind you watches as you tap in your number. Eventually you give up, thinking the machine has swallowed your card and you walk away. The thieves then remove the plastic sleeve complete with card, and empty your account.
The way to avoid this is to run your finger along the card slot before you put your card in. The sleeve has a couple of tiny prongs that the thieves need to get the sleeve out of the slot, and you'll be able to feel them.
General:
- Keep the card in sight at all times, even in shops/restaurants if possible. e.g. Follow the waiter the the till to watch the transaction being processed. On-the-spot card cloning is rampant. Destroy any carbon copies.
- Sign your card immediately you receive it.
- Destroy/shred statements/documents that contain your personal details/account details - don't put them in the dustbin.
- take only the cards you intend to use so you can see more easily if a card goes missing.
- inform your bank of travel plans so a] they don't stop your card in the wrong place b] they can monitor suspicious activity.
- Keep receipts and check against statements regularly.
5) It's your Bag: Never let go of your shoulder bag. When walking, it goes across your body, resting in front of you, or under your armpit, but not over your shoulder. When sitting, take it off by all means, but put your arm or leg through the strap. The same goes for your camera. When sleeping in a bus, train or vulnerable room, lock your bags up, and then lock them to something immovable. Bag snatchers are not uncommon in Italy, Spain, Portugal, France and Greece, in addition to more obvious places like Turkey, Peru, Brazil, Jamaica.
*a light bike chain & lock can be handy if doing a lot of train time. On trains make sure you can see your bag the whole time, especially when approaching a station, or have it locked down.
* some backpackers put light chicken wire inside their packs to protect against slash & grab razor merchants found in South America
6) Speak the Language: Apart from making life easier, a small grasp of the language will also help you to develop protective relationships, to earn a degree of respect from lightweight thieves, and to slip into the background more easily. It's smart to read up on local culture and traditions too.
7) Safety in Numbers: Travel in pairs if possible. If not, be wary but not paranoid, of friendly local people. Most of the time they will be genuine.
'Text © bugbog.com'
2) Danger Zones: Be particularly aware of your safety in crowded areas such as local festivals, markets, crowded tourist sites, railway and bus stations, and of course, on trains and buses. Sometimes it pays to go first class or hire a guide.
3) Stash your Cash: Avoid wallets or purses. Keep enough money for your immediate needs in your (button down/zippered?) pocket, and the rest hidden on your body or, better, inside a *locked bag in a safety deposit box. Have different forms of funds in different places. Remember your air ticket and films are valuable too.
*a little lockable bag, deposited at reception instead of the ubiquitous brown envelope provided in many lower class establishments, will discourage the hotel receptionist from checking on your stash later, or using your credit cards to buy himself a new hi-fi system, or from removing the bottom traveller's checks.
4) Wild Cards:
ATMs:
- Ensure no one can see your credit card code number when you key it into an ATM [bank cash machine], or you may find a bogeyman has memorised it and will later steal your card and buy himself some new toys with it.
- If your card doesn't reappear from the ATM, check that there isn't a tiny foil loop blocking its exit - a device known as the Lebanese loop that allows the thief to retrieve your card later.
The latest scam involves thieves putting a thin, clear, rigid plastic sleeve into the ATM card slot. When you insert your card, the machine can't read the strip, so it keeps asking you to re-enter your PIN number.
Meanwhile, someone behind you watches as you tap in your number. Eventually you give up, thinking the machine has swallowed your card and you walk away. The thieves then remove the plastic sleeve complete with card, and empty your account.
The way to avoid this is to run your finger along the card slot before you put your card in. The sleeve has a couple of tiny prongs that the thieves need to get the sleeve out of the slot, and you'll be able to feel them.
General:
- Keep the card in sight at all times, even in shops/restaurants if possible. e.g. Follow the waiter the the till to watch the transaction being processed. On-the-spot card cloning is rampant. Destroy any carbon copies.
- Sign your card immediately you receive it.
- Destroy/shred statements/documents that contain your personal details/account details - don't put them in the dustbin.
- take only the cards you intend to use so you can see more easily if a card goes missing.
- inform your bank of travel plans so a] they don't stop your card in the wrong place b] they can monitor suspicious activity.
- Keep receipts and check against statements regularly.
5) It's your Bag: Never let go of your shoulder bag. When walking, it goes across your body, resting in front of you, or under your armpit, but not over your shoulder. When sitting, take it off by all means, but put your arm or leg through the strap. The same goes for your camera. When sleeping in a bus, train or vulnerable room, lock your bags up, and then lock them to something immovable. Bag snatchers are not uncommon in Italy, Spain, Portugal, France and Greece, in addition to more obvious places like Turkey, Peru, Brazil, Jamaica.
*a light bike chain & lock can be handy if doing a lot of train time. On trains make sure you can see your bag the whole time, especially when approaching a station, or have it locked down.
* some backpackers put light chicken wire inside their packs to protect against slash & grab razor merchants found in South America
6) Speak the Language: Apart from making life easier, a small grasp of the language will also help you to develop protective relationships, to earn a degree of respect from lightweight thieves, and to slip into the background more easily. It's smart to read up on local culture and traditions too.
7) Safety in Numbers: Travel in pairs if possible. If not, be wary but not paranoid, of friendly local people. Most of the time they will be genuine.
'Text © bugbog.com'