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Keep Yourself – and Your Currency – Safe While Traveling
Keeping your money safe while traveling is mostly common sense, however, it’s still wise to read over a few tips to make sure you don’t become a victim of theft or harm. It’s easy to forget to stay safe when you’re visiting a dream destination, but it’s essential to the success of your trip, and for your overall enjoyment. While it’s not pleasant to think about theft, it’s necessary no matter where you go. Consider a few basic points when traveling with cash:
Try to avoid carrying large amounts. Find out if your hotel has a safe, or hide your cash in your hotel room in places such as pieces of locking luggage. You’ll want cash on hand, but you’ll want a back-up just in case.
Purchase traveler’s insurance before you leave home. Consider this part of the planning process, and do it around the time you contact XchangeforAmerica to discuss your foreign currency needs. Read the policy thoroughly, finding out exactly how much it will cover in case you are robbed abroad. Find out what documents you need to file a claim, such as police documents, bank statements, or more.
Hide it. Don’t pull out stacks of money, as this only tempts thieves. Keep different amounts of cash in different areas, such as a few small bills in your backpack, larger bills in your front pockets, etc. Muggers know about things such as stashed money belts, so if you keep some small bills in here, you can hand it over, and hope the mugger is satisfied with not looking in your pockets, as well. A fun fact about traveling with money comes from Ecuador: many people keep their money in their armpits to avoid theft.
Keep a list of card numbers and account details, but not your PIN, in a place where you can access it easily. Leave the list with a trusted person back home, or hide it in that locking luggage mentioned previously. You’ll be able to cancel your cards quickly if they are stolen.
Make sure you’ve let the bank know your itinerary. Your bank will look out for you, and if they don’t know you’re traveling, they will cancel your cards due to “suspicious activity”. It’s not every day that we go to foreign countries, so the bank considers this activity valid reason to block all cards until they hear from you.
Watch for fake currency, especially paper. Research fake currency in your destination and how to identify it, or ask XchangeforAmerica for help. When you’re using foreign currency, you don’t want to get in trouble for attempting to pass fake money unintentionally.
These tips will take you from point A to B seamlessly. Don’t forget to always be diligent about your money, as thieves target travelers who are too caught up in the sights to realize they are being robbed. Use these ideas to avoid becoming a victim, or becoming harmed during your time away. You’ll always want to prepare as much as possible before your next adventure overseas, and always be safe as you enjoy traveling at your next destination.