Diglossos

Crime is as old as humanity is.  It’s not something that sprouts up from time to time. It’s pretty constant.  You may be one of the lucky ones who never falls victim to a crime at home, but that doesn’t mean that you cannot be considered a target – ever.  At some time in your life, someone has thought about it, but he probably decided against it because of a certain vibe you give off.  (That’s good. Keep it up.)

However, with custom you also get complacency.  People tend to assume that because it doesn’t happen at home, it won’t happen when they travel.  That’s just wrong.  In fact, because you are in a different environment, you need to be more careful.  You are now out of your element.  Also, just because you are traveling within your own country, don’t assume that things are the same everywhere.  People develop customs and habits according to their environment; so, how people behave in Miami will not be the same in New Haven.

Unfortunately, crime does occur, and you need to be aware of this in order to avoid becoming a victim.  There are simple things you can do to lessen your chances, and most are things that you already do.  Keep in mind that safety is mostly a matter of practicality.  If you use common sense, you should have no problems.  So, be sensible:  Don’t leave that common sense at home.

If you don’t need it, don’t take it

I am always amazed at the stories I hear about things that happen to people on trips.  Some are truly funny stories, but others can be scary.  Still others make you shake your head in wonder because the problems could have been avoided. One of these things is identity theft. Do not travel with documents or other items you don’t absolutely need.  Unless your country mandates it, do not bring government cards or documents, such as a US Social Security card.  (Note: Unless you are asked to do so by your employer or by a government agency, you never need to carry that card.) If you a  a country and traveling domestically, you also don’t need your passport unless that is required (and most countries don’t require it for their own citizens).  Of course business travelers or others who travel frequently may need the passport because their travel may include international stops or their travel is too unpredictable.  For the rest of us, leave those documents at home or in a bank box.

Also, don’t travel with bills or documents that have sensitive information.  Unless you are negotiating some business deal, you do not need papers from your attorney.  You certainly do not need your monthly bank statement.  And – for heaven’s sake – leave the American Express bill at home.  If you are afraid that you’ll miss a payment, make a note to yourself that you need to call or go online when you arrive (but find a secure connection and erase all history when done).  DO NOT use someone else’s computer.  That applies to the hotel computer and a computer at a public location like an internet cafe.  Remember that cyber thieves know exactly how to hack into these systems, and many don’t need direct access to the computers themselves to get the information they want.  If possible, go to a branch office and pay your bill there.  Better yet, have someone at home do it for you.  There are ways to get this work done.  Simply take a moment and think about it.

By the way, leave your laptop at home, too.  This is one of those times when that tablet comes in handy.  Download movies or books to that iPad, and forget about the rest.  Why carry an extra 5-10 pounds for no other reason than to check your e-mail?  You can do that via your smartphone, you know?  Chances are you have sensitive or otherwise private information on the machine.  Don’t make it so easy for a criminal that he feels like it’s Christmas.  Unless you plan on doing work (and wasn’t this a vacation anyway?), leave the computer safely tucked away in your house.

Your safety begins when you leave the house

If you’ll be using a taxi or car service from your home, don’t discuss anything personal in the car.  That includes travel itinerary, dates you’ll be gone, who’s minding the home while you’re away, etc.  Unless you have a regular driver whom you’ve known for years, you can’t assume that this person is not listening.  Unfortunately, you also cannot assume that this person has your best interests at heart.  Most people are law-abiding citizens, but you never know if you are traveling with that one who isn’t. Practice some common sense and show caution.

Keep valuable documents on your person or somewhere easily accessible to you only.  In other words, use that inner coat pocket for your ticket(s) and ID or use a shirt pocket (if the shirt is not see-through).  Men, until you board the plane or arrive at the hotel, just separate your cash, ID and credit cards from the wallet and put them in a front pants pocket to stash them, or place them in an inner pocket in a coat.  If the pocket has a button, use it.  Make it as difficult as possible for someone to take your things without you noticing it. Women, use a small purse or bag if you can, and walk with it in front of you. Don’t push it back so it’s on your butt.  Bring it forward and hold it on the actual purse, not the strap.  Bottom line: Have valuables where you can see them and feel them, but not where others can notice and get to them easily.

If you need to grab documents or money, step away from others while you handle them, but stay close to a companion if you have one.  This does not mean that you go to some remote corner.  It does mean that you should not be fumbling for them while you are in line to pay for an item or flash your ID at boarding.  Step over to a wall, and do a quick check. Have money and important docs ready to use when you need them.  Most thieves take advantage of those moments of confusion when someone is fumbling for money or something else to grab items. Avoid that by preparing in advance and do it where no one can walk up behind you as you do so.

Also, make sure that the truly valuable things are with you and not in your suitcase or overhead bag.  If the bag does not fit under the seat in front of you, then the valuable item should not be in that bag.  You can tuck that purse or wallet in your carry-on until you clear security.  Then, you can take it out for placement under the seat or on your person when you get on the plane.  Some criminals wait until people are asleep to rummage through their overhead items. Even if a thief does look through your things, he can’t steal the important items if they are not there.  Keep them on you.

Remember to follow the same cautionary rules when you arrive at the airport.  You can get your money while you’re in the cab, but it’s worth the few minutes to redistribute your cards and cash before your leave the airport.

Please don’t advertise

Follow this simple rule: If you wouldn’t do it at home, don’t do it on a trip either.  You would not visit a high-crime or otherwise dangerous neighborhood at home.  Don’t do it on your trip.  Check on this before your trip, but also ask the hotel front desk staff or concierge.  They know the areas to avoid, and they will help you.

Don’t make yourself a target by carrying items that scream, “Here’s a [clueless] tourist!”  Those ugly and ridiculous fanny packs do nothing for your figure, your reputation for fashion sense, or for your safety.  Again, do as you would at home:  use a purse or wallet, follow basic safety rules like keep the purse in front of you.  Don’t advertise your lack of knowledge by pulling out a map or guide-book.  Do all of that research before you leave the hotel that morning.  If you must look at that map, go into a building lobby and go to a corner where you won’t bother the flow of traffic.  Use your smartphone and look up an address and best directions.  If you look like you’re lost, a criminal will use that to his advantage.  I’ve heard of some who have followed people who look lost in order to rob them en route or at the destination or call friends for an ambush.

Rental cars are for transport only

Keep valuables locked in your room safe or the hotel safe.  Nothing should be in a rental car.  Treat that car like a bicycle: It’s there to transport you only.  Do not use the trunk to store anything unless you are on your way back to your hotel.  It’s ridiculously easy to break into a car, and thieves aren’t worried about neatness.  If they don’t steal the car, they will take anything that looks like it can be traded for cash.  Again, if you can’t keep it on your person, or you think it’s too cumbersome to carry, leave it at the hotel.  One friend who was on a trip to San Francisco discovered that thieves had stolen his laptop from the trunk while he was having brunch.  The car was parked in front of the window of the restaurant!  Don’t let this happen to you.

Don’t make it easy for them, and you’ll be OK

We all want to have a good time and throw our cares away for a little while.  We can still do this.  However, common sense should not go on vacation.  Remember that your safety is just as important as having that great memory. Make it hard for someone to make you a victim, and they’ll move on to someone else. Take a little time to avoid crime, and you’ll come back with everything you wanted, including the valuables things you took with you in the first place.

Safe journeys!