9781422284117

in your hotel in a safe place. • Do not leave valuables in the trunk of the car or even out of sight at isolated areas of outstanding beauty, like national monuments. • Be aware that thieves may be watching out for tourists with rental cars. • Use a hidden money belt. The visible type, also called a fanny pack, is an easy target for muggers with sharp knives. • If you must use a backpack, do not put your money in it. Carry your money on the front of your body. Thieves can rob you in a flash when your pack is on your back. • Keep expensive cameras concealed, if possible. You could carry it in a plastic shopping bag. • Be wary of people offering to take your camera from you to take your picture with your friend. Many offers are genuine; some are not. • Use travelers’ checks when abroad. Believe it or not, these still exist. Many banks now issue them as prepaid debit cards with PINs. As with travelers’ checks, you can get your money back if the card is lost or stolen. At the Hotel When booking a hotel room, it is worth asking about the location of the room. Ground-floor rooms and those adjacent to the fire escape are most vulnerable Credit Cards If you have a credit card with a personal identification number (PIN), you must protect it so no one else can get access to your account and go on a spending spree. • Do not make your PIN number something obvious, like your birth date or social security number. • Do not write it down anywhere. • Sign your credit card as soon as you receive it. Destroy the old credit card by cutting across the magnetic strip. • Be wary of seemingly official phone calls checking on your card’s details. • Do not let your credit card out of your sight in restaurants or retailers. Its magnetic strip can be copied for cloning in seconds, and since you are away from home, it may be a long time before you are aware of what is happening.

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PROTECTING YOURSELF AGAINST CRIMINALS