Take Care While You’re Traveling

It was 4:00 am when my phone rang waking me out of a sound sleep and shooting my heart into the stratosphere.  I immediately knew that something must have happened to my elderly parents who were traveling with my brother and sister-in-law on a dream vacation through Greece, Egypt, Israel and Italy.

Sure enough, it was an international call from my mother – upset, flustered and not a little angry.

She had given her wallet to my father to hold while on a crowded subway in Rome.  Despite her warnings, Dad had ignored her, and choosing to believe that nothing could ever happen, he’d placed her wallet, containing driver’s license, 7 credit cards, 5 traveler’s checks and about $100 in his cargo pant’s pocket. 

One bump, one quick swish and sure enough, she lost everything. 

“But mom” I questioned as my brain begged for coffee in order to comprehend what she was saying…”didn’t Dad have a money belt?”  I know you got one.

“Well yes…but you know your father, he didn’t like wearing it and didn’t think anything would happen.”

“OK – so what do you need me to do?  Do you need money?”

“Well, I need you to call the credit card companies and cancel our cards…and the bank about the traveler’s check…oh, and can you call the DMV also…?”  Suddenly my already packed day just became a little more hectic as visions of spending hours on the phone, pushing the silly buttons to get through the automated voices started through my head.

“Sure mom, of course I will…” (Gritting my teeth). 

Fortunately, she had the numbers all in one place because we’d planned ahead in case something like this happened and making the most out of the situation was a relatively simple thing.

Unfortunately, this could also have been prevented if some very simple steps had been followed.

1. It CAN happen to you.  Don’t ever believe that just because you believe you’re a savvy traveler or it doesn’t happen at home that you won’t be targeted.  My father is in his late 70’s and was the perfect target for a pickpocket.  There was clearly a bulge in the shape of a wallet in his cargo pants and it was only a matter of a moment before my mom’s wallet disappeared.
2. Travel lightly. Never carry more than you need to.  7 credit cards, 5 traveler’s checks and a driver’s license, etc.?  My parents were out for a day’s tour in Rome.  There was never a reason to carry that many credit cards.  The hotel where they were staying provided a safe for tourists and they easily could have taken 1 or 2 cards and left the rest in the hotel. 
3. Wear your money belt.  A money belt is a small, lightweight nylon bag that goes under your shirt and around your waist.  Certainly it’s less comfortable than not wearing it however it’s much less trouble than a phone call back to the States at 4:00 am. 
4. Be aware of your surroundings. This goes without saying.  You must always be aware of who is sitting next to you.
5. Prior to leaving, make a list of the numbers and types of credit cards, — providing a photocopy to someone you trust.  Because I insisted that my mother give me information, it was a simple task to retrieve the information from my safe and call the credit card companies who immediately cancelled the cards and replaced them – even offering to overnight them the hotel in Rome.

By simply following a few simple rules, nearly all petty crimes can be avoided – or at least minimized.  You’re on vacation – you’re there to have fun however you need to travel smart.  Travel should be fun if you a careful.