Tag Archives: antitheft

I’m sure you’ve wondered what is the best way to keep valuables safe at the beach or pool. Have you ever gone to the beach and wondered what should I do with my phone, camera, keys or other valuables while I’m in the water? You’re not alone and thefts are common, especially at popular and crowded beaches favored by tourists. beach tourists how to keep valuables safe at the beach

Keeping Valuables Safe While at the Beach

1. The only way not to lose something to theft is not to bring it in the first place. Well, that is not always possible.

2. The next step is to try to thwart the efforts of would-be thieves by keeping your valuables on your person (in a waterproof gear) while you swim or stroll along the shore.

3. The next option is to secure your gear in bags you can lock down to a stationary item like a lounge chair or umbrella. Be sure to see the videos below that capture how thieves operate and get inspired to protect your valuables too before you pack your sunscreen and towel.

(VIDEOS ARE AT THE BOTTOM KEEP SCROLLING DOWN)

Guarding Your Possessions at the Beach or Pool

  • The first thing you can do to protect your valuables is never to leave them unattended.  Especially when you go into the water or doze off to catch a few winks.
  • Store small, necessary items like your car key, spare cash and credit cards and even your phone or tablet inside a waterproof pouch you can carry on your person. Yes, you can go into the water with your phone on your person. Make sure your waterproof pouch is secured to your body as closely as possible so that a wave doesn’t pull it off.

waterproof waistpack guard valuables at the beach and pool

Check Prices keep phone safe at the beach

  • Waterproof waist pouches are better than waterproof neck pouches in the ocean as neck pouches are more apt to float off your body especially if you get hit by a wave.
  • Use a portable locking safe. Certain bags can be secured to a stationary item like a chair or umbrella, or another immovable object. The Pacsafe Travelsafe X15 Anti-Theft Portable Safe secures essentials in many environments including the beach or pool. You just need something to lock it to like a lounge chair or beach umbrella.

Alternatives To Keeping Gear Safe at the Beach or Pool

  • Don’t have the right anti-theft gear with you? Here are a few alternative measures to take.
  • Try to go into the ocean in shifts so someone is always watching the valuables.  If you can’t do this, read on for various suggestions to protect unattended valuables.
  • Set your towel down in front of a lifeguard tower when possible. The hope is that thieves won’t want to operate near someone who might catch them in the act of stealing while you are in the water.
  • Don’t leave your valuables exposed – if you must leave your valuables, at least, tuck them under a beach towel.  If the item is larger, dig down a little in the sand so the towel remains flat when placed over it. If you have electronics place them in a large zip-lock style bag and bury it, then cover with a beach towel.  The bag protects the electronics from the sand. If you do this, make sure the bag is completely sealed. We like weather and water-proof cases specially designed for 100%  protection against water and sand. These bags are stronger than plastic food storage bags.
  • Strike up a conversation with a family near you. Make sure the people remember you and don’t be shy about asking them to keep an eye on your stuff for short periods of time. If you’re generous about sharing things like cold drinks, you can generate enough goodwill to ensure your possessions are watched over even when you’re not there.  If you ask another beachgoer to watch your property, remember, you don’t know who they are, nor that they would watch your property as much as you would so make sure you think this idea through – but it is an option if you had no other choice and at least you are selected the person.  Most people really don’t mind, and they might even ask you to return the favor.
  • Take or rent a beach chair and use it to attach a portable safe to or place your beach bag directly underneath it, making it more difficult for a thief to grab it and run. The added cost of renting a chair or umbrella is better than having to replace valuables.

Great Packable Security Safes

The following two beach or pool safes lock to a stationary item (like a beach chair or umbrella) and they also lock closed to keep valuables safe while at the beach.
The beach towel with built-in sand resistant and water-resistant pocket is a less secure alternative, but ideal if you don’t have a chair or umbrella to lock a portable safe to.

SafeGo Portable Lock Box

beach safe Secures to umbrella or chair,keep valuables safe while at the beach

•  Durable plus water and sand resistant
•  Lock box has 3 digit combo + key access
•  Heavy-duty 17″ steel cable wraps around a fixed object
•  Rust-resistant, nickel-plated lock
•  Lightweight ABS plastic, easy to pack
Check price , keep valuables safe while at the beach

 

 

Flexsafe Portable Safe

Flexasafe pool safe on chair protects valuables, keep valuables safe while at the beach

•  Ultra slash-resistant portable travel safe
•  Water-resistant design
•  RFID  blocking
•  Re-programmable 3 digit combination lock
•  Light-Weight & easily packable
Check price for travel safe,keep valuables safe while at the beach

Travel Towel with Hidden Water/Sand Resistant Pocket

Beach towel with pocket to protect your possessions while at the beach

•  Towel with built-in water-resistant pocket
•  Conceals valuables while you’re sleeping  or swimming
•  XL size, 60″x 30″ weighs 8oz.
•  Made of quick-drying and ultra-soft microfiber
•  Light-Weight & easily packable
Check price for travel safe, keep valuables safe while at the beach

These Videos Show How Thieves Work at the Beach

.

You really need to plan ahead and think about how to keep valuables safe while at the beach or pool before you leave on your trip. That way you can invest in a waterproof body pouch or a larger portable lockdown safe. While more expensive than a body pouch the flexibility of a safe is that you’ll be able to use it in a hotel room, car, vacation rental property, camping, etc. for years to come.

More Articles You May Like

How Safe Are Hotel Room Safes_, keep valuables safe while at the beach

Portable safes Guard Your Gear

 

 

Every “how to” article about keeping your valuables secure in a hotel recommends placing them in the in-room safe. So how safe are hotel room safes? Your hotel safe is a very good place to keep valuables out of view and it is a much better solution than trying to hide them in your room. So how safe are hotel room safes?  The answer is no hotel room safe is 100% secure, here’s why.

Hotel Room Safes Have a “Backdoor” to Gain Entry

All hotel room safes have a backdoor or “special way” to access room safes so the staff can get into the safe in case a guest forgets the code, or loses the key to the safe, or electronics fail. Some safes may use a master key or card while others may have a special override code to open the door. Either way, when a safe has a way for someone other than you to get in it, your valuables are never 100% safe.

If a dishonest hotel employee does take something from your hotel safe, it is always going to be hard to prove who exactly stole from the safe during your stay, and hotel management may not always be willing to cooperate, especially in foreign countries.  Worst of all, without any evidence, your travel insurance usually won’t cover your loss.

Here is a video of a dishonest hotel employee who gains access to a hotel room safe and removes only a portion of the money inside so as not to raise suspicion.  It takes place at a hotel in Spain/Canary Islands.

What You Can Do To Help Stop Theft From Your Hotel Safe

Employees know that many people set very simple access code—like 1234 or 0000.  A dishonest hotel employee may be likely to try out these codes, making a passkey or override code unnecessary to facilitate the break-in, so the first piece of advice is to make your code a random series of numbers like a birthday or house number that only you would know. The next thing you can do is use a theft deterrent device designed just for hotel safes.

Hotel Safe Theft Deterrent Device

One unique way to secure your valuables inside your hotel room safe is with a device called the Milockie Hotel Safe Lock. The Milockie is a special lock and strap device. It allows you to secure the safe with your own padlock, preventing anyone else from gaining access to your safe. The Milockie Lock fits most hotel safes. It is a deterrent and a layer of additional security that only you have the key or combination to remove the device. Tip: The lock included with the Milockie is not robust. We highly recommend that you use a stronger padlock.

The Milockie Hotel Safe Lock helps protect your valuables and provides peace of mind as it is a visual deterrent to hotel personnel or anyone else who enters your room. The bottom line is not to become completely paranoid about your hotel room, but to use your common sense. Don’t leave large amounts of cash or irreplaceable jewelry in your room. Always lock valuables away out of sight in the hotel room safe and use a secondary lock like the Milockie on the hotel safe to stop the safe door from opening.

A Portable Travel Safe is something you take with you to lock up your valuables. Designed to fit flat into your travel bag it is made with a cut-proof material and locks closed with a steel cable. The cable has an important second function as you can wrap the cable around a stationary item like a bed frame, exposed plumbing, or a clothing rod so no one can just carry off the safe with your valuables inside. This is a useful item for the office, a vehicle, or a dorm too.

Should You Be a Victim of Theft From Your Hotel Room Safe

Hotel liability is a confusing issue made even more so by the fact that it varies from country to country, from state to state, and from hotel to hotel. Unless you can prove that a property was negligent, you virtually have no recourse, even if the hotel cooperates and entertains the claim, following up on it—especially if the hotel is in another country—can entail an insufferable wait. That said if you feel that you have a legitimate claim and that the property was negligent, be persistent. And always file a police report as evidence of the crime.

Since hotels routinely refuse claims, explore an alternative source of relief: homeowner’s insurance. It usually covers thefts that occur while policyholders are on vacation, although you may have to pay a deductible leaving you out of pocket in the end. The solution is to do whatever you can to mitigate loss by using a secondary hotel safe lock, or by packing a portable safe.

Additional Articles You May Like

e best bet here is to never assume that your hotel door lock is secure. All sorts of people have access to your room, starting with cleaning staff. There are also lots of other ways to defeat hotel door locks including traditional lock-picking and key card magstripe locks. This is why they give you a hotel safe in your closet. Oh wait, people can trick hotel staff into opening the safes or just use a paper clip. The bottom line is not to become completely paranoid about your hotel room, but to use your common sense. Don’t leave large amounts of cash or irreplaceable jewelry in your room and make sure that you carry copies of your passports with you.

Portable safes Guard Your Gear how safe are hotel safes

What people steal from hotels

Prevent Garage Door Burglaries

For first-time flyers trip planning can be exciting. However, the journey through the airport can be a challenge and stressful. Here’s what to do before your next flight and time at the airport as organized and stress-free as possible.  Follow these rules for packing and getting through airport security with ease to cut down on travel delays and make your trip through the airport a breeze.

Best Tips for First-Time Flyers

If you’re boarding a plane for the first time or if you haven’t flown on a plane lately; here’s what you need to know now regarding packing, checking your luggage, and navigating airport security as a first-time flyer.

Before You Leave Home

  1. Place “Stop” Orders when applicable. Once your travel is booked, you should look into placing “stop or hold” orders on any regularly occurring deliveries or services. These may include postal mail, newspapers, house cleaners, and the like. If you want particular services to continue (such as landscaping), consider paying in advance if this is not your usual arrangement. Many service providers allow you to place stop orders online; this is particularly the case for mail delivery and most newspapers. As most stop orders require one or two business days advance notice, make sure you take care of this, at least, three days before you travel.  Read more ideas to ready your home for travel to lessen your chances of burglary. 

2. Call your bank. Let the bank know where and when you will be traveling so they do not think your credit card has been compromised. Use only an RFID blocking wallet or bag with an RFID blocking compartment to protect your identity. Credit card companies look at irregularity in your credit card usage, so if you have not used your credit card outside of your area in some time, and suddenly charges start showing up abroad, or out of your area, the card issuer may shut down your card until the out of normal usage is explained.

Just Before You Fly

  1. Reconfirm your flight or check-in directly with the airline 24 to 48 hours before departure. Usually, you can do this online. Print a copy of your boarding pass and keep a screenshot on your phone, even if you have your boarding pass in the airline’s app on your phone, if you end up with internet problems, you will still be able to access your screenshot.

Smart Packing Tips

  1. Pack Smart. To minimize items you pack, pack outfits and limit your colors to three to mix and match items. Use packing cubes to organize clothes and maximize space.
  1. Place medicine and expensive items only in your carry-on luggage, never in your checked bags which could get delayed or lost.
  2.  Keep a pencil or pen handy in your carry-on to note gate, departure time, and connecting flight information. This can also help with customs forms for international travelers.
  3. Know the TSA rules about carry-on items and packing your luggage. Go to the TSA website.
  4. Identify your baggage bag tags or colorful tape on the exterior to make it easy to spot on the luggage carousel.
  5. Use a baggage tag with your name, and cell number on the outside of your bag. Make sure you only use a covered bag tag to shield your privacy. Inside your baggage, put your name, home information plus your destination address and telephone number.
  1. Use a Bluetooth tracker like an apple air tag or a tile for your android phone.
  1. Bring only two items on board to speed boarding. Typically airlines only allow one carry-on bag plus a personal item such as a purse or backpack, check your airline’s guidelines for the carry-on bags and their sizes before you pack.
  2. Know your baggage restrictions. Check the airline’s website for bag weight and size restrictions. This is very important to avoid overweight fees or oversized luggage fees for checked bags.
  3. Only use TSA-accepted luggage locks. You need to lock your checked bags to keep others out and your gear secure. Only use luggage locks that allow the TSA to open them with a special override key in case they want to inspect your luggage. If you don’t, they can cut off your lock to gain access to your bag.

Arriving at the Airport

  1. Leave early for the airport! Arrive at the airport up to two hours before departure for domestic flights and up to three hours before departure for international flights. Anticipate slow-downs during the holidays and the peak summer months. Traffic may be heavier, airport parking lots may be fuller, and lines may be longer.

Check In Early

  1. Check-in at the airline ticket counter if you don’t have a seat assignment. Go directly to the gate for check-in if you have a boarding pass and aren’t checking luggage. At a minimum, check in one hour before departure on domestic flights and two hours before international departures. Extra time waiting is better than rushing and running through the terminal.
  2. Check baggage routing for your checked baggage. Ensure that the agent or skycap attaches the correct tags for your destination city. If you don’t recognize the city code – for example, ORD is Chicago O’Hare airport — ask, particularly if you have connecting flights. Ask if your luggage is checked through to your destination or if you will have to claim it and re-check it during a connection.
  3. Know your departure gate. Ask the agent or skycap to write your departure gate number on your ticket envelope or boarding card. Know your boarding time and boarding group. Boarding typically starts 30 minutes prior to departure.

Identification

  1. Carry at least one form of photo ID at all times. A second photo ID might be required at some airports. If you’re using your driver’s license make sure it is a Real ID.
  2. Digital copies. Keep photos of your driver’s license and passport on your phone too in case of loss.
  3. Wearable security document organizer. Wear the organizer while in the airport to be hands-free and later under your shirt while sightseeing to foil pickpockets.

Security Check Points

  1.  TSA screening. Once at the airport, be prepared to have your belongings searched by security personnel at the TSA checkpoints. You must pass through TSA to get into the terminals where the gates are. Only ticketed passengers can go to the terminals. You will need to show your ID and your boarding pass.
  2.  Dress checkpoint friendly. Don’t wear large metal buckles, belts, or jewelry that will activate the metal detector’s alarm.
  3. Laptop computers and other electric devices might need to be removed and put in a separate bin for passing through the x-ray machine.
  4. Wear shoes that are easy to remove and put back on. Most of the time your shoes will need to be removed and go through x-ray.
  5. Know the 3-1-1 rule for toiletries or liquids you pack in your carry-on.

Gate Area

  1. Never leave luggage unattended or under the watch of a stranger. If traveling alone take it with you into the bathroom and use the larger handicap stall
  2. Do not accept any item from strangers or carry any package with unknown contents.

Boarding

  1. Stay close to the departure gate to hear the latest announcements.
  2. There you will receive boarding instructions and any last-minute information you need for the flight.
  3. Board when asked.
  4. Be sure to board when your row number or boarding group is called. Empty seats will be counted and given to standby passengers.

When the Plane Lands

Upon arrival at your destination, go immediately to the baggage claim area to pick up your luggage. Have the claim stubs available and if you’re using a tracking device like an air tag or tile turn on your phone to help find your bag.

When in Doubt

Ask questions. Airline employees are generally friendly and helpful. No question is too simple particularly if you’re a first-time flyer.

More Articles You May Like

How to Sleep on a Plane

Can You fly if your id is lost or stolen to help first time flyers

 

Travel Medications to Pack for first time flyers

How to Pickpocket Proof Your Purse or Shoulder Bag

Try to pickpocket proof your purse or shoulder bag if you don’t want to purchase a pickpocket-proof purse or shoulder bag. You may want to modify your own purse or handbag to make it pickpocket-proof if you absolutely love the style and/or don’t want to spend money on a new travel bag. While it may not look as sleek as those anti-theft purses and shoulder bags that were designed specifically to stop pickpockets, this simple modification should do the trick.

The two items shown here may be found at your local hardware store. It’s a DIY hack that may take some thinking on how to best lock your entire bag zipper or just a pocket inside your bag as not all bags have the same design or features to work with.

Locking Your Zipper Pull to Your Bag Helps Keep Thieves Out

Ideally, your purse should always be in your hand, over your arm, over your shoulder, or across your body at all times. Across your body with your bag resting in front of you and not on your rear hip is the safest way to carry it. But even carried in this manner your bag could be targeted by a pickpocket who can slip a hand into your purse and remove your wallet without you noticing it. Try this hack using a swivel clip and split ring you can buy at a home improvement store to keep their hands out. This hack works for purses with zipper pulls and in particular, zipper pulls that have a hole in them.

Follow these steps.

Pickpocket proof your bag with this DIY lock Pickpocket Proof Your Purse or Shoulder Bag

  1.  Buy Split Ring and Swivel Clip –  You may need one or two split rings depending on the design of your bag and zipper pull. Split rings are like those in key rings, and one swivel snap bolt or swivel clip is all you need.
  2.  Feed swivel end of a snap bolt into a split ring.  Inside your purse, choose a compartment that closes with a zipper where you will keep your wallet and other valuables.  Feed the slip ring through the hole in the zipper tab. Note the zipper pull must have a hole in it for this hack to work.
  3.  Strap Attachment Ring When the zipper is closed, snap the bolt onto the ring that attaches the strap to your purse.  If too short to reach, feed the second split ring onto the ring that attaches the strap, and snap the bolt onto that. If the strap does not attach with a ring but is sewn to the purse, buy a large size split ring and feed the entire strap into the ring. Either snap the bolt onto this large ring or feed another small split ring onto the larger ring and snap the bolt onto that.

Travel Bags with Built-in Anti Theft Features

We think the best anti-theft travel bags are shoulder bags you wear crossbody style in front of you. Features to look for in this type of bag are an adjustable strap for comfort and a way to lock the main compartment to keep out thieving hands.

Secondary features are RFID blocking pockets, slash-proof material, and a strap that you can detach from the bag one end so that you can loop the strap to a stationary item like a chair back and then back onto the bag so it becomes snatch proof.

Related Articles

8 Things Not to Keep in you wallet, Ever! (1)

Anti theft purses

Are Your Valuables Safe In Your Carry-On Bag?

With all the other worries associated with air travel, the last thing you want to think about is theft on board airplanes. The people who steal from travelers’ carry-on bags are both airline employees (usually flight attendants) and fellow travelers.

Most thefts on board aircraft occur on international flights, as they are longer flights on which many passengers sleep and can not keep an eye on their carry-on luggage.  Here are just a few to read about.

Unfortunately, theft on board airplanes from sleeping and unknowing passengers has been going on for years – while not extremely common, it only gets brought to the public’s attention when an arrest is made, so who really knows how often these events occur?

  • CNN reported one of the largest in-flight thefts ever reported.  A Turkish businessman reported he had $260,000 (cash and jewelry) stolen from his bag, which was above him in the luggage compartment.
  • South China Morning Post reported several incidents of in-flight thefts.
  • BBC News reported that members of a crime ring were targeting South African Airways (SAA) business passengers.
  • NBC TV Los Angeles also reported the increase of in-flights and interviewed a woman who had her purse stolen from a flight attendant on her flight from LAX to Paris. 
  • Many of these thefts have been occurring for years. Back in July 2010, an Air France flight attendant was arrested for stealing cash and other valuables from sleeping business-class passengers on long-haul flights between France and Asia.  The police were alerted to the possibility of an airline flight attendant stealing from business and first-class passengers in January after five passengers on a flight to Tokyo lost the equivalent of $US 5,150 in foreign currency. Upon her arrest, police say she confessed to 26 separate thefts but believe she committed dozens more. They also found she had a bank safe deposit box full of stolen jewelry, credit cards, cash, blank checks, and travelers’ checks at her home. The theft of property from travelers while inside the cabin is not a huge problem, however, it does happen.

Minimize your chance of having items stolen in-flight; follow these tips:

Theft on board airplanes is rare, but follow these tips for peace of mind and hopefully a peaceful snooze on your next long haul flight.

1. Hang it up carefully If you are in the habit of hanging your jacket or coat in the closet, take all your valuables — especially your wallet — out of the pockets. That’s the first place a thief will look. Both flight attendants and passengers can access the closet.

2. Mark your bags  Carry-on bags often look similar. To help distinguish your luggage from other bags mark your bag with a sticker or ribbon – anything that makes a mix-up less likely. This will prevent the intentional — and unintentional — handling and the opening of your property.

3. Place carry-on bags upside down  When you place your carry-on bag in the overhead compartment, turn it upside down so the bag rests on the outer pocket (which often contains valuables). This makes it nearly impossible to unzip that pocket. If you use a hard-sided bag, this is not a concern.

4. Lock your carry-on bag. While it’s an inconvenience, lock your carry-on bag so it cannot be accessed while you are sleeping or going back to the airplane lavatory.  Most carry-on bags can be locked. A hard-sided carry-on is more secure than a soft-sided bag with pockets and zippers that can be opened allowing a hand to slide onto the bag. This hard-sided bag is a best seller and is available in many colors.Stop on board theft luggage

5. Walk it through If there is a long security line, your anti-theft carry-on bags may clear the X-ray scanner before you make it through the metal detector. Wait until you are ready to walk through the machine before releasing your purse, wallet, or laptop to the conveyor belt. Fact: More items go missing in the security line than from any other place at the airport.

6. Stow it nearby Once you’re on the airplane, keep your carry-on bag nearby. Some back-of-the-plane passengers think it’s smart to stow their bag in an overhead bin up front for an easy grab during de-planing. Additionally, when you get to your seat, place your carry-on in the overhead compartment across from your seat – not over your seat. That way, you can see anyone who might try to get your valuables.

7. Bury your wallet and cash in your carry-on If you put your billfold or any other valuables in your bag, don’t put them in the outermost compartments. That’s pretty much telling a thief, “Help yourself.” Once you board the plane, unless you plan on buying food, drinks, or other in-flight items, you will have no need for your wallet and cash, a few airlines still accept cash payment for food or drink. most airlines are moving a system where you load your credit card to the airline’s app. Other than one credit card to buy items on the plane, bury your wallet and cash deeply in your carry-on bag. You can even put your valuables in a smaller bag inside your carry-on that you can remove and keep with you if needed. If you wanted an even higher level of security for your valuables inside your carry-on luggage, you could place them in a portable travel safe that features a built-in anti-slashing material and locking steel cable. Some travelers have used items like these and then used the built-in anti-theft cable – by routing it through the frame of the bag, which can usually be accessed by unzipping the carry-on bags inside the liner.

A portable travel safe is a great travel accessory. You can use it to secure valuables at your destination and even at home or your office.  The Travelsafe  5L Portable Safe is a favorite packable travel safe (lays flat in a bag) of savvy travelers who use it in their hotel rooms when no room safe is available, or it is too small to secure a laptop. Additionally, you can use a travel safe in a rental car by securing it to part of the vehicle frame to secure valuables. This following is also packable and lightweight.

8. Watch your seat Be careful when storing your bag under the seat in front of you; don’t face any pockets forward, or the passenger in front of you may walk off with your goods. Also, never leave anything of value on your seat when you leave it to go to the lavatory or to take a stroll.

9. Exercise common sense Carry your purse or bag in front of you and zipped closed. If you keep your wallet in a pocket, place it in your front pocket and never in your back pocket. I know this sounds obvious, but when people are in an airport, they think they are in a safe and enclosed environment. Often, common sense gets checked with baggage, especially if embarking on a long-awaited vacation. Fellow travelers can be opportunistic thieves; don’t tempt them.

10. Speak up Don’t overreact if you catch someone handling your bag (innocent mistakes do happen), but be firm nonetheless. Similarly, if you witness a theft, tell someone immediately — a flight attendant, gate agent, security guard — anyone. I‘m sure you would want their help if you were the victim. If you board late, chances are your surrounding overhead compartments will be full. The flight attendant will hopefully find space somewhere else, or worse case, they take it from you and place it in the belly of the aircraft at the last minute. This is known as a gate check. Make sure you take what you need, think essentials like passport, travel documents, and cell phone out of your bag before you let them take your bag.

Four Things to Keep on Your Person on the Plane

When traveling by plane, there are four essential items you should always keep on your person: your ID (or passport for international travel), a credit card, a cell phone, and essential prescription medications. If someone steals every single thing you brought with you, these are really the only things you cannot replace quickly and easily, and that you will absolutely need to get you out of pretty much any jam upon landing.

ID/Passport: This is your primary identification and is required for security checks, boarding, and navigating through airports. Without it, you can’t travel, check into accommodations, or verify your identity in various situations.

Tip: Keep a photocopy of your ID in a separate location as a backup.

Credit Card: A credit card is necessary for making purchases, booking accommodations, renting vehicles, and handling any financial emergencies. It provides a safety net for unexpected expenses.

Tip: Notify your bank of your travel plans to avoid your card being flagged for suspicious activity.

Cell Phone: Your cell phone is your lifeline for communication, navigation, and accessing important travel information. It allows you to stay in touch with family and friends, access digital boarding passes, and get help in emergencies.

Tip: Keep your phone fully charged, and consider carrying a portable charger.

Essential Prescription Medications: If you rely on any medications, having them on your person is vital. In case of delays or lost luggage, you don’t want to be without your necessary medications.

Tip: Carry a copy of your prescription and a letter from your doctor, if necessary, especially when traveling internationally as not all medications are allowed in all countries. Do your research ahead of time so confirm your medications are allowed to be brought into the countries you’re visiting.

Anything You Really Care About, Wear It! 

We advocate that you don’t travel with sentimental or valuable jewelry. If you must travel with valuables, don’t pack them, wear them!

Theft on board airplanes does happen, but not frequently. Follow these tips, be wise, and take precautions for a worry-free flight.

Related Articles

How to Sleep on a Plane avoid on board theft

Germs on Airplanes on board theft

Anti theft wiast packs, frequent flyers pack

Prevent Lost Luggage, Tips from Frequent Flyers how to avoid theft on board an airplane

Venice is a great “don’t miss” city in Italy, but it’s also where pickpockets prey on tourists. Like tourists, pickpockets love Venice, too. The allure of Venice with its great history, art, beautiful sights, and of course, gondolas attract tourists and tourists attract pickpockets, scam artists, and street thieves; the more tourists there are, the more pickpockets there are.  After the summer months, Carnival is the next popular time of year when pickpocketing increases with the increase of tipsy, foreign visitors. Here’s a quick read to help you avoid pickpocket scams and tourist scams in Venice, Italy.

Pickpocket Scams Are A Part of Venice Italy

The most popular areas for tourists to visit are where you could most likely fall victim to a pickpocket, as they love crowds to get lost in once they’ve committed their crime. The following are the most common locations where you need to keep your guard up and above all guard your valuables by using anti-theft travel gear like a hidden money belt or a backpack with lock-down zippers to keep thieving hands. Armed with some street smarts and the right travel gear you’ll be relaxed and able to enjoy your time in Venice, Italy.

The Most Common Locations for Pickpockets to Prey on Tourists

The most popular locations for pickpockets have a few things in common. The locations all have crowds and many distracted tourists enjoying the sites.

  • Piazza di San Marco
  • Academia Museum
  • the Rialto Bridge
  • smaller crowded bridges
  • crowded narrow streets
avoid tourist scams in Venice , pickpockets st marks square

St Mark’s Square – The most visited tourist location in Venice

The Most Common Types of Theft Committed Against Tourists Involve

  1. Distractions: An example is someone close to you creates a sudden distraction such as asking the time or for directions. We’ve seen staged shouting matches between a woman and a man designed to distract you while your pocket is picked.  If this happens, this could be a setup for someone getting ready to steal your wallet or valuables as you turn your attention to the distraction.
  2. Back pocket wallet thefts are very common in Venice. Outsmart these thieves with an under clothing money belt for travel that safeguards your money, credit cards, and passport.

Pickpocket Scams on Venice Water Bus or also Known as Vaporetto

Since the canals are the main transportation in Venice, many travelers use water taxis as transportation. These water taxis are known by several names including public boats, water buses, or in Italian – “Il Vaporetto” or “Motoscafi.” While these boats run almost constantly, the Vaporetto is usually overcrowded and people are jammed in like sardines, which is why it is favored by pickpockets.  The pickpockets know tourists love to ride on these boats. So pickpockets too love the boats.

avoid tourist scams in Venice, pickpockets rialto bridge, venice italy

The Rialto Bridge is the oldest of the four bridges spanning the Grand Canal

A Few Tips to Avoid Pickpockets While Riding on Venice Water Taxis

  1. The standard water bus or autobus fare is a rather steep € 6,00 for the popular lines on the Grand Canal.
  2. The Vaporetto (waterbus) that travels between the Academia and Rialto boat debarkation stops is known to be a favorite of tourists and pickpockets alike. When the Vaporetto is full on a rainy day, the commotion of passengers entering and disembarking creates an ideal situation for thieves to add luggage or a few wallets to their collections.
  3. Pickpockets look for those who get caught in the crowd rushing toward the water taxi embarkation ramps.
  4. Venice pickpockets are also known to take advantage of those waiting in line to get onto a water ferry.  Depending on the time of day, the lines can be very long and pickpockets have been known to work their way into the crowd.
  5. Be careful if you are parking at the Tronchetto and want to ride the public Vaporetto boat into Venice. Men have been known to surround travelers and told where to walk.  Many of these people will not direct you to the right place – they will direct you to the private taxi boats and not the public Vaporetto dock. There you will be over-charged.
Venice Water Taxi, avoid pickpocket and tourist scams in Venice

A Vaporetto is a water taxi and Venice’s major form of public transportation

Most tourists fall victim to pickpockets during the height of the travel season – summer – where skilled Venice pickpockets take advantage of overcrowded water taxis. However, rainy days are also common times when pickpockets seem to strike travelers more since the water taxis are packed to the gills with travelers. Avoid pickpockets and tourist scams in Venice by guarding your valuables with anti-theft travel wallets, money belts, and bags.

Protect your credit cards and money with an anti-theft travel wallet. This is a favorite one for men, make sure you use the belt loop attachment feature, while many women prefer this style of travel wallet and purse, it fits a passport and most phones.

Once pickpockets have stolen a wallet, many drop the stolen wallet(s) in mailboxes around the city – keeping only the cash. Identification and credit cards not belonging to them make it easier to catch these thieves; therefore, many of these items are not valuable for particular pickpockets. The postal service then delivers the abandoned wallets to the local police. The police only return a missing wallet if someone comes looking for it.

Always try to avoid pickpocket scams and tourist scams in Venice by staying slightly suspicious of strangers who get too close or are too friendly. One lesson to learn here is to split up where you carry your valuables if you opt not to carry an anti-theft wallet or bag that protects all your valuables. That way if you are victimized you’ll still have some of your important belongings.

More Articles You May Like

Avoid children pickpockets in Venice Italy

Anti theft purses, avoid pickpockets scams in Venice

8 Things Not to Keep in you wallet, Ever! ,

Your car can practically be your home away from home whether you drive for business or leisure. Therefore, you will want to take some precautions to protect it and your possessions inside. Ideally, you wouldn’t leave anything valuable at all in your car, but the reality of life is that your car is going to serve as much like a safe deposit box or a storage closet in addition to transportation. The following are a few tips to help you protect your car and everything in it while taking a car trip or even while just driving around town.

Keep your keys safe – even when you are at home

  • At home keep your keys safe, this goes for your extra or spare keys too. Don’t leave them in the car or on an entrance table or bench in the house. Secure them in an out-of-the-way place such as a drawer or somewhere safe that is out of sight so a burglar can’t easily find them and drive away in your car.
  • Don’t leave your keys in the car while you are putting gas in your car at the gas station, or when you go inside the station to pay. Don’t tempt or make it easy for a thief to jump into your car and drive away.
  • Don’t go back into the house during winter while you let the car warm up. Yes, we understand it is freezing cold but thieves take advantage of this time of the year. And don’t leave the car running but lock it with the spare key – a thief is most certainly going to forgo the cost of replacing the window to smash it when they’ll have possession of your car. Put your coat, gloves, and scarf on and stay with the car!

Choose your parking space wisely

  • When parking in airport lots, park in view of the exit toll booths or parking office if possible, or just within view of a shuttle pickup location or kiosk. The increased foot traffic will discourage potential thieves. Well-lit areas are next best; most airport lots have surveillance cameras in place, so making it easier for an attendant to see your car on a security camera will help.
  • Be careful when you park your car at a sporting or entertainment event such as a football game or concert.  These cars are a dead giveaway to thieves that you’re going to be away from your car for a set period of time. Never leave ticket or event information in the car that would indicate to a thief how long you’ll be gone. Again choose a well lit or well-trafficked area if possible. Never leave any valuables visible in the car either.
  • Park “trunk out.” If you are storing items in your trunk, you will want to point the trunk out into the lot aisle, where more people can see anyone trying to break in. Don’t give thieves the opportunity to use your car as cover while ripping you off.
  • When parking on the street, try to park within sight of a busy store or hotel entrance, under a street lamp, near a busy corner or out in the open away from things that might provide shelter to a thief (like thick or low-hanging trees). The busier the street, the better.
  • When you park your car in a pay parking lot  – take your parking ticket with you when you leave the car. That way, even if a thief gains entry into your car if they have to pay for a lost ticket and they’ll be getting themselves noticed.
  • Self park when you can so you don’t have to relinquish your keys.

When in doubt, use a parking garage

  • Parking on the street is the most vulnerable place to be, so if you are uncomfortable with your street parking options, by all means, use a parking garage instead. Parking garages often have surveillance cameras. Although you are safer in a parking garage, that does not mean that you are invulnerable.  Remove or lock up any really valuable items – that means accessories for your cell phone, loose E-ZPass apparatus bags, etc. to remove temptation. All of the same precautions above apply; no matter where you park, make it as difficult and uninspiring to potential thieves as possible.

Load and hide your stuff before you reach your destination

  • By the time you pull into a hotel lot, valet queue, parking garage or any parking spot, everything you plan to leave in the car should already be well stowed and hidden. To pull into your spot, and then take your most valuable items and pack them in the trunk, is to broadcast to anyone within view exactly where to focus their attention if they want to rip you off. The best approach is to put your things in the trunk or another safe compartment before you even get in the car at the beginning of your trip.

Don’t leave ANYTHING visible in the car

  • If you leave your radar detector attached to the windshield, your cell phone in the front console, or your handbag on the seat, then do not expect sympathy when it gets stolen.  A car alarm will not, ever, protect from a smash and grab. It takes a thief 5 seconds to smash the glass, grab the item, and be around the corner. Even with your alarm sounding he’s gone.
  • It’s not just electronics that thieves break into vehicles for.  Don’t leave gym bags, shoe boxes, shopping bags or anything in the vehicle.  If a thief sees a bag in a vehicle, they may think the bag contains something of value and smash your window to get it.

Unload your stuff away from your parking spaces as well

  • If you are planning to return to the same parking area, you will want to take your stuff out of the car away from the lot if possible. If you open the trunk and take out all the good stuff each time you return to your car, eventually someone will notice. The best case is to be able to pull over somewhere safe away from either your home base or destination and get your stuff then.

Make your car look protected

  • A huge part of the job an alarm does is to give a visual warning to a thief that the car has security measures. Make sure you put the alarm warning stickers on the window and the LED warning light in the dash is fitted. (And if you don’t want to get an alarm you can buy these little extras separately.)
  • Make it a habit to always lock your car doors, in your driveway, at a gas station, even while driving and certainly when parking even for a minute.

A neat car is less likely to be burglarized

  • A car that is filled with jackets or beach towels that appear to be covering items of value suggests that valuables may be under the pile of jackets or towels. If a potential thief sees nothing but car upholstery, he or she is less likely to be curious about what might be hidden in the car.

These security devices will help you guard valuables in your vehicle. They are portable, so you can take them from your vehicle to your RV to your home or your office.
PORTABLE SECURITY
LOCKBOX +  MOUNTING SLEEVE
Built like Fort Knox, this security lock box is perfect for locking your valuables inside your vehicle. Currently used by several U.S. law enforcement agencies.
 SHOP NOW
TRAVELSAFE X15 ANTI-THEFT PORTABLE SAFE
This water-resistant portable safe is designed to protect your valuables when you need to leave them behind. It easily secures a 15″ MacBook, and DSLR Camera.
SENTRYSAFE PORTABLE SAFE
W/STEEL CABLE
Secure your valuables inside a well-made mobile safe that lockdowns in your vehicle or to a fixed object. A great feature when security is needed in an office, hotel, or car.