Preventing Theft

Losing your wallet, especially when traveling, can be quite a harrowing experience. Here are some tips to protect your wallet while traveling and cutting your losses in the event that your wallet does get stolen.

• Never carry too much cash in your wallet. If your wallet gets lost, cash will be the toughest thing to replace. Carry your ATM card instead so that you have access to cash if you need it. If you need to carry large amounts of cash, carry it inconspicuously on your person. If you are traveling for an extended period or are traveling internationally, you may also consider carrying traveler’s checks with you instead of cash.

• Do not carry all your credit cards. In the event your wallet does get lost, you want to limit the number of credit card companies you will need to call for card cancellation. At most carry one or two credit cards.

• Make a copy of all the cards you carry in your wallet and keep these copies separate from your wallet. In case of loss, you will have all the details you require to cancel your cards handy.

• Never carry any password, account details or PIN (Personal Identification Number) in your wallet. Ideally memorize them or keep them safely at home. Never ever write down the PIN number of your ATM card on the back of your card. This makes it very easy for the thief to wipe out your account even before you can cancel your card.

• Never keep any keys in your wallet. If your wallet gets stolen, your address will be also easily available. If you are traveling, you may not be able to change your locks in time to prevent burglary.

• Never carry your passport or social security number in your wallet. Identity theft is very common today and the consequences of it can be anything between minor inconveniences to life-changing disasters.

• Never carry your travel tickets in your wallet. You will be required to present them at various checkpoints and managing your wallet along with your luggage can be difficult. You may not notice it if something fell out of your wallet and you will also be an easy target for pickpockets.