What is the best way to travel and to keep you money safe? Is it travelers cheques, is it stashing money in multiple locations? Either way, a big concern while traveling is keeping your money safe from pickpockets, fraudsters, and identity thieves.
These ideas to secure your dough will put your mind at ease:
Clear your wallet and travel only with essentials.
- By removing your library card, social security card, and extra credit cards, it makes things easier if your wallet does go missing and you will not have to worry about cancelling those items.
Jot down important information.
- Write down your credit card numbers along with their 800 numbers (or make a front and back photocopy). If something happens to your card, you can call right away and cancel them hassle-free.
Pack a backup credit card.
- If one card gets lost or stolen, you can still enjoy your trip (after cancelling the lost card) by using your backup.
Keep an eye out for bogus ATMs.
- Thieves sometimes stick phony ATMs in high-traffic tourist areas, so stick with ATMs near banks.
Keep your cash in multiple places.
- This way, if you lose some or get pick pocketed you will only be losing a small portion of your cash.
Use your hotel safe.
- Before you leave your room, put your extra cash, credit card, and passport in the safe.
Wear a money belt.
- Stash your cash close to your body and away from pickpockets by wearing a money belt. Newer models cannot even be seen under your shirt and some are even made to be waterproof so you can swim with it and not worry about your money on the beach.
Give your bank a heads up about your travel plans.
- Your bank will notice suspicious behavior if you do not inform them you are leaving the country for vacation.