Crime happens all over the world, no matter where you want to travel. Yet, this doesn’t mean you will immediately be in the hands of a criminal once you arrive at the destination — especially when you take proper precautions. Sometimes, the simplest tips can improve your safety, even for those who are unfamiliar with the environment.
Learn how to make your traveling experience more secure and enjoyable by following the tips below.
There is no need to reach the high levels of language proficiency before every trip, but knowing the basics can definitely help in the long run. Phrases like “no, thank you”, “don’t touch me”, and “please, help me” will come in handy in an altercation or an emergency.
If you plan to stay longer at a certain destination where English is not as prominent, consider learning the language more before you even start packing. This will enhance your experience and safety. Talking to the police and doctors is a lot easier when you know how to convey your thoughts.
As a tourist, you are most likely to visit bigger cities. In that case, travelers should always know where they can and can’t go: some areas are dangerous to stay in, especially if you are easily recognizable as a foreigner. Before you book your accommodation, ensure it’s not just affordable or comfortable, but also safe to stay in.
Booking a hotel or a hostel? Reach out to the receptionist for more information about the city. The locals know more than you could ever find online, and they can easily give you safety recommendations.
Whether you are traveling for a couple of days or more, always get insurance. Make sure it covers lost baggage, canceled bookings, and health emergencies. Look for services like evacuation and 24/7 support — your insurance agency should be able to accommodate you, no matter what happens. Always let them know if you will be doing risk-prone activities like hiking, biking, surfing, etc.
Similar to skimming, different tourist scams are common around the world. They will vary depending on your destination, so it’s recommended to check the popular ones at your exact location. For instance, a mustard scam takes place in a lot of countries. In this scenario, mustard or a different condiment is suddenly spilled on the tourist’s shirt. Then, someone appears to “help” them clean up, and that’s when they pickpocket the innocent individual.
Scams are not limited to pickpocketing and skimming. In many cases, tourists are targeted when they try to connect to a free Wi-Fi network in the airport, coffee shop, or hotel lobby. Hackers utilize the man-in-the-middle attack by either infiltrating an already existing network or creating a fake evil twin. In both cases, the tourist can end up sharing their sensitive data with a criminal without noticing.
Avoid using public Wi-Fi for online banking or logging into personal accounts. If you really need to connect, invest in a travel eSIM — then you will be able to use a safe mobile internet network without paying high roaming fees.
Tourists might put their cards in the local ATMs without hesitation, and that is how they get their credit card information stolen. Unfortunately, skimming is common around the world, especially in busy areas like city centers and shopping malls. Once the data is copied, bad actors can go straight to stealing money from your account.
If you do need cash while traveling, consider withdrawing money only from banks. Scammers are less likely to skim ATMs there, especially during opening hours, when all employees are inside the building, as well.
Locals are the best people to consult with, regardless of what your question might be. They know their city best, so reach out to them when you need advice on sightseeing, safety, or making new connections. Employees working at the hotel or hostel might even be open to giving you a small tour and sharing drinks after work.
Traveling somewhere new is exciting, but criminals and hackers can instantly ruin the experience.
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