Despite posted warnings about pickpockets and being careful, someone stole my husband’s train pass right out of his pocket. We were enjoying a boat tour in Paris, minding our own business looking at the sights. Being a little groggy from a long flight, we let down our guard. This happened in a split second, and we didn’t even notice until it was time to get on the train. These petty thieves make their living stealing from tourists and they are very skilled at what they do.
As frequent travelers, we’ve made it a habit to travel with our travel purse and travel wallet. We’ve also gotten used to carefully selecting what we bring and what we should not bring. Obviously expensive jewelry when going to impoverished countries is a big no-no but here’s a glimpse of what we bring and some suggestions:
My husband’s travel wallet has a chain that attaches to a pant belt loop, it also zippers shut.
My travel purse closes completely and can be worn cross body if necessary. It also has many compartments to organize my things so that prying eyes don’t see everything in there when I need to access a card or get some cash.
Some Do’s and Don’ts
Do:
- Bring two credit cards in case something happens with your primary. Ideally use a travel card with no foreign transaction fees and no liability. We always bring a second low limit card in case the first one gets cutoff for suspicious activity.
- Make photocopies of your credit cards and keep them in your hotel safe along with numbers to call (on the back of the cards) in case they are stolen.
- Bring just enough cash for the day and keep only what you need handy with a bit extra in another compartment in your wallet.
- Separate your money into multiple places. Keep the rest in the hotel safe or in a money belt or secured in a zipped-up pocket or bag.
- Bring a debit card, these are typically the best way to get a good foreign exchange rate as opposed to the many tourist exchange places you find that hike up rates and charge high administration or transaction fees.
- Keep at least one ID but also keep copies back in the hotel safe.
- Keep insurance information such as traveler’s health insurance cards.
Don’t:
- Don’t mark your hotel room number and keep it with your key. Anyone finding your key will now have your room number too and may make it to steal your stuff before you even realize you’re missing your wallet.
- Don’t keep your list of passwords or online access codes in there for obvious reasons. Even in code, don’t give them any hints!
- Don’t keep any blank checks that could be forged and cashed.
- Arguably don’t leave numbers and pictures or family members names. There are many scams where crooks call back home claiming you’ve been injured trying to get relatives to wire money.
- Don’t hide your money so well that you can’t find it! We once came home to find a nice wad of foreign currency forgotten in a closed zipper in our carry-on!
Travel Vests and Jackets
We are also considering buying some of the travel vests or jackets or others that have a large number of item specific pockets letting you carry and secure papers and devices on your person. If you have one of these please share your review or feedback about them with us, we’d love to hear it.
You are traveling to have fun and want to enjoy the destination. Having your wallet lost or stolen can turn a dream vacation into a nightmare. A little foresight and preparation is well worth the peace of mind!
See our Packing Tips
Happy and safe travels!
Content updated January 17, 2020
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