No matter where your travels take you, it’s important to be safe and stay aware of your surroundings. Any trip can expose you to less-than-savory characters looking to take advantage of an unsuspecting tourist, and dealing with the aftermath of a tourist crime is one of the quickest ways to bring vacation fun to an end.
It’s easy to understand why criminals would target tourists. After all, tourists generally carry quite a few valuables on them (from cash and credit cards to passports or gadgets) and their guards might be down as they’re soaking up travel experience. They’re usually in unfamiliar territory, and may not know how to get immediate help if a crime does occur.
But there are ways to make yourself a less likely target. Here are a few tips:
- Don’t carry too many valuables on you. This includes everything from cold hard cash to expensive purses or the latest gadgets.
- If you do have to carry valuables on you, be careful not to flash them in public. Revealing expensive items or a large amount of cash could make you a desirable target.
- Keep your valuables close to you. While the thought of an under-the-shirt money pouch may not sound appealing, it will make it difficult for thieves to rip you off. Try not to hang purses or cameras off your shoulder, as the straps could be easily cut for snatching.
- Try not to look like a tourist. Those t-shirts flashing the city’s name or a baseball cap with a local landmark are a dead giveaway that you’re not from the area, and that makes you an easy target. Try to blend in with the locals.
- Be aware of your surroundings and keep an eye out for suspicious behavior. Crowded areas can be especially easy places for pickpockets to swipe a wallet or purse.
- Avoid drinking too much. Without your wits about you, you’ll become a much easier target.
- If your hotel room has a safe, use it. Don’t leave your laptop or passport in plain sight. If your room doesn’t have a safe, lock your valuables in your suitcase and keep them out of sight.
- Read up on local scams. Some areas might have very particular scams that target tourists, like bait-and-switch airport taxi fares or free WiFi hotspots that really steal your personal data. Educate yourself before you arrive so you won’t fall prey to these scams.
Follow-up reading: Our top 1o travel scams to watch out for.
(Main image: travelourplanet.com)
