For all you world travelers some questions

[Blonde Granny]

We are taking a land & cruise tour this fall to the NE USA and Maritime provinces. Last year was an Alaska cruise. We took no extra precautions for security on the ship other than to keep our passports locked in the safe.

I'm wondering how many or if any of you have bought RFID & passports wallets etc. to protect yourself for skimmers. Also, what about the threat of pick pockets? Do you worry about it, take extra precaution, or just forget it and have a good time?

[Deleted]

I don't worry about it in the Maritime Province's any more than I do at home. I make copies of my passport and keep a copy on my Hotmail account in case it gets lost I can print it out anywhere. I have a small cross body purse I use when doing the tourist thing. Just normal precautions when I have money or important stuff on me.

[chiver78]

I remember most of the itinerary from when you mentioned this trip before, and in all honesty I don't think you have anything to worry about as far as skimmers go. I just got back from a long weekend in the Maritimes, and we were leaving purses in the (locked) car in plain sight when we would run in to use the restrooms, for example. I don't think anything past a regular level of awareness is going to be necessary.

have fun!

[Rocky Mtn Saver]

If I'm wandering in crowds, I keep an extra credit card and my ID either in my shoe or at least in my front pants pocket.  I tend to avoid carrying a big juicy purse, and will often use a small cross-body strap bag for my other belongings.  Dress like the locals to avoid drawing unwanted attention.  Use maps and guidebooks to figure out your next destination while still inside a building before exiting so that you can appear to have a purpose when on the street.  Avoid the camera-around-the-neck look, as well as carrying a lot of store bags while shopping. 

But, honestly, I've had very little or no trouble while on vacations both in the US and outside.  Be aware and blend in, have a backup card and ID (you can leave one in your hotel room safe if you have two forms of ID), and you'll probably be just fine. 

[happyhoix]

The amount of precautions I would take would depend on where I was going. WHen we were traveling in the Paris metro, I kept a small amount of money in a small wallet in my front pants pocket, and didn't carry a purse. The rest of the money/passports were locked in the hotel safe. 

I think the biggest thing to avoid is the big purse. I saw a car of thieves grab a woman's purse while she was standing on the curb in Rome once - pulled it right off her. I always put the camera/ some money in pockets and avoid carrying a bag at all.  

[Rocky Mtn Saver]

Jul 14, 2014 10:30:19 GMT -5 happyhoix said:

The amount of precautions I would take would depend on where I was going. WHen we were traveling in the Paris metro, I kept a small amount of money in a small wallet in my front pants pocket, and didn't carry a purse. The rest of the money/passports were locked in the hotel safe. 

I think the biggest thing to avoid is the big purse. I saw a car of thieves grab a woman's purse while she was standing on the curb in Rome once - pulled it right off her. I always put the camera/ some money in pockets and avoid carrying a bag at all.  

I remember being advised by travel sites about Rome, to develop the habit of carrying your purse (or other bags) on the arm that is opposite the street side.  It was an interesting piece of advice and we tried to practice it, and now I see that it's warranted! 

[cktc]

Don’t carry a lot of cash. A hundred euros will usually suffice. You can always stop at an ATM if necessary. Bring one debit card, and one credit card, make copies of those, along with your passports, and tell the banks where you will be travelling.

Mind your personal space and keep your valuables closer to your person. Don’t just wear your purse, hold onto it. Be on higher alert when on the metro, crowded trains, public squares and busy streets.

[whoami]

We have one "cut proof" lockable backpack we take with us whenever we are in an area where pickpockets are popular.  We also have those waist wallets you can wear under your clothes for cash...credit and passports.  I have a travel vest that is really lightweight and allows me to keep my stuff zipped up inside of it where no one is going to get to it if I need to have it with me.  Most of the time, I take minimal stuff and keep in it my front pocket.

Other than that, we don't go overboard with the skimming stuff etc.  

[chiver78]

Jul 14, 2014 11:01:04 GMT -5 cktc said:

Don’t carry a lot of cash. A hundred euros will usually suffice.

Canada is on the Canadian dollar, not euro.

Blonde Granny - if you use Bank of America, they are a sister bank to Scotiabank - no international fees to use their ATMs. if you're in the city, you should be able to find a branch pretty easily.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Jul 14, 2014 11:01:04 GMT -5 cktc said:

Don’t carry a lot of cash. A hundred euros will usually suffice. You can always stop at an ATM if necessary. Bring one debit card, and one credit card, make copies of those, along with your passports, and tell the banks where you will be travelling.

Mind your personal space and keep your valuables closer to your person. Don’t just wear your purse, hold onto it. Be on higher alert when on the metro, crowded trains, public squares and busy streets.

I carry more than one credit card, always.  I've had a card be denied when there is no reason for it being so and it's really a pain to be checking out of a hotel when this happens.  I called the CC when I got back to the US and was told that there was no reason why it should have been denied in Paris.....but that didn't do me any good now.

When we went to Turkey, I carried 3 along with my ATM card.  I game one to TD, he gave one of his cards to me so that if either of us lost our wallets, we were covered.

One suggestion would be to xerox a copy of your passport AND your credit card numbers (along with the number to call).  Keep this in several places, not in your bag.

First thing I do when I get off the plane is look for an ATM and get local currency.  I also carry a couple hundred $$ US cash as a back up.  I realize that the airport is not the best place, but at least it gives me enough cash to be able to get to the hotel and check out the lay of the land. 

[violagirl]

In the Maritimes the police still have to remind people to lock their car and house doors. Putting your purse in the trunk and locking your car are general precautions which probably should be taken in any city. 

Never heard of a case of pickpocketing here. When we were in Rome were were all paranoid about it, but we just kept a general attitude of alertness and assertiveness. We found if we appeared uncertain - then we would be approached but if we kept a purposeful attitude then scammers stayed away. 

One thing in the Maritimes - don't stand on the sidewalk looking like you might possibly want to cross the street - traffic will stop. They tend to be dangerously polite drivers here. 

[tloonya]

It is only (*#^$^$^@# when it HAPPENS to YOU! All other times it is 'you have nothing to worry about'...
HOWEVER you must be careful. Those things are happening. And small cozy purse 'mailman' style will only ruin your look
if you make pictures with it. Take it off when making pictures. otherwise...who cares what you look like? Tourists are always
a laughing stock anyway. Unless you are looking for a boyfriend...

[cktc]

Jul 14, 2014 11:59:17 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

Jul 14, 2014 11:01:04 GMT -5 cktc said:

Don’t carry a lot of cash. A hundred euros will usually suffice.

Canada is on the Canadian dollar, not euro.

Ooops, skimmed over the location of her trip. I'm so used to people worrying about pick-pockets in Europe, it never occurred to me they could be in Canada too. 

[chiver78]

it's all good.

[Gardening Grandma]

I'm wondering how many or if any of you have bought RFID & passports wallets etc. to protect yourself for skimmers.

I think the threat is overblown to sell products.


Also, what about the threat of pick pockets? Do you worry about it, take extra precaution, or just forget it and have a good time?

Depends on where we are going. In crowded Italian cities, most of our cash, our passports, and credit cards were in money belts under our clothes (or in the room safe) . A pickpocket put her hands into DH's pocket, but came up empty...

For an Alaskan cruise next month, we aren't going to worry about it. We"ll put our ipads in the room safe when out for the day and that's about it.

When we've gone to Canada, we do the same as any American city - just used common sense.

[Blonde Granny]

We didn't worry about anything last year going to Alaska, and have traveled to Canada for years without any problems. But in looking for a couple of other travel items those RFID wallets and passport things showed up. Since we've never used them I thought I ask.

Our good friends are going on a similar trip, but she's so paranoid I believe she carries enough with her to do surgery while on the flight to London. And she'd elbow a ship board Dr. in order to take over because she knows more than he does. So, I can't trust her opinion either.

Thanks for the comments, I think we'll do the same as last year. But I do think DH needs to be just a little more cautious with his wallet than he usually is.

[ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ]

Ooops, skimmed over the location of her trip. I'm so used to people worrying about pick-pockets in Europe, it never occurred to me they could be in Canada too.

It's more the exception than the norm here in Canada - we're just very friendly.

Traveling places like New Orleans, San Antonio, Houston, etc - I usually carried ID/Credit cards, etc in a zippered or button/down front pocket. I had a nylon folding (zippered) wallet that would fit in the front pocket of my jeans/shorts to hold cash/credit card/ID. Cell phone/camera also in front pocket.

Other documents/passport were left in hotel safe.

I would often carry a small (cheap) shoulder bag - just to carry things like a brush/comb a few cosmetics, my cheap reading glasses, etc. DH was less cautious - but he did get eventually in the habit of carrying keys, wallet, etc in his front pocket when touring.

We mostly just tried to blend in with the "locals". Many of our trips were for conventions/conferences too though - so we were usually cruising the touristy attractions during our off time in a "pack" - several of us walking around/doing stuff together.

[sesfw]

We have passport cross body wallets that we wear under our shirts.  Carry passport, credit card, some cash, all CC receipts.  Be aware of your surroundings.

One trip to Vienna DH has both front pockets picked while on a crowded public bus.  Thankfully all he lost was about 50 euros and his change purse.  Everything else was in his passport wallet.

Have two sets of friends that had very bad experiences in Prague.  One almost got rolled by a bunch of women and kids ........ the other had passports lifted and spent and next day at the American Embassy proving who they were and getting replacements. 

[michelyn8]

we just kept a general attitude of alertness and assertiveness. We found if we appeared uncertain - then we would be approached but if we kept a purposeful attitude then scammers stayed away.

I learned to do this as a young adult no matter where I am.  All types of predators look for the uncertain, skittish appearing people but tend to avoid those who project an air of alertness and confidence. 

[Blonde Granny]

DH can always beat them off with his cane!! I especially like the one that has the silver handle, that thing is really heavy and could do some damage.