How to Protect Your Money When You Travel
All too often we hear news reports about people who have been targeted by thieves while traveling. Some may have only had a camera or a watch stolen. Other unfortunate souls, however, lost much more.
But are there way to protect your money when you travel so you don’t become the victim of a thief? Here are a few things I’m going to try to do to protect my money when I go on a trip next week.
Leave it at Home
One of the best ways to protect yourself and your valuables while traveling is to leave those items at home. Being away from home already puts you in a vulnerable position. For one thing, you most likely don’t know the area as well as your home town or city which makes it harder to navigate. In addition, you could end up in situations you wouldn’t normally be in, such as walking a dark street at night. Leave expensive jewelry and clothing at home. Don’t take a large amount of cash with you during your travels.
Prepare
Make advance copies of your birth certificate, passport, and other important documents. Put some of your money in your wallet and some down in a boot or with another family member. That way, if a thief targets you, they likely won’t take everything from you. Take alternate routes to and from your destinations. Avoid predictability. All of these measures make you a less desirable mark for a criminal.
Money Belt
You may have heard about money belt. They have been in use by travelers for many years to help prevent theft. They work by keeping your money closer to you, which makes it harder for thieves to steal.
According to Consumer Reports, you can protect yourself while traveling at little to no cost. One way to do this is by calling your bank and credit card companies to let them know you will be traveling. Many of these institutions monitor your card usage to help them identify fraudulent transactions. If you don’t let them know when you are traveling, they may assume your valid purchases are evidence of theft and shut off your credit card.
Social media has given dishonest people one more way to target you and steal your money. Avoid posting status changes that include information pertaining to your travels. In fact, I wouldn’t even mention you were going on vacation. Share it afterward from the safety of your own home if you must share it at all. That way you can avoid having your home robbed while you are away.
Use Passwords
Put password protection on your electronic devices if you bring them with you while traveling. It may not stop all thieves from picking you as their next victim, but it could slow them down.
Store it Safely
If you are going to be traveling with any items of value, consider finding out ahead of time if the hotel you are staying at offers a safe. Lock up your valuables rather than putting them in suitcases or wearing them.
These are just a few of the ways you can protect your money when you travel.
Have you ever been robbed while traveling? How do you protect your money and valuables while traveling?
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I actually bought travel boots on Amazon that have hidden pockets. I hid a copy of my passport and money inside. It’s a smart idea in case the worst were to happen.
That is a good idea!
Thankfully I haven’t been robbed while traveling. Staying in touristy, well-lit areas with a group is a good way to deter thieves. I prefer to use a credit card to pay for things when I travel. I keep a locked box full of cash in my hotel room as well, in the event something happens to my card. My bank (USAA) doesn’t charge fees to use the card abroad or at foreign ATMs, so it’s just as affordable as cash. In fact, my purchases are more secure because of my ironclad credit card agreements, too.
Yes! I definitely plan to leave my debit card at home and use credit. I just feel more secure since it’s not going to take the money out of my bank account right away if it did get stolen and used.
Use a second wallet.
If you are being robbed they get the “cheaper” wallet.
I always store old, holy clothes I want to get rid of at home over the year.
And in the vacations I wear them.
First: I look poor.
Second: I dump the clothes in the trashcan at the end of the vacation, so my luggage is lighter.
The tip about clothes is brilliant! I never thought about that.