Concerned about theft
 

I am going to Spain in a few weeks and am a little concerned about all the talk about theft. We will be in Madrid for three days and then renting a car and taking a trip to Toledo, Segovia, Avila and Salamanca. My Wife and I live in Puerto Vallarta , Mexico and Speak Spanish(She is Mexican) . I cannot imagine carrying an actual money belt(that seem really uncomfortable) but was thinking of just carring a Fanny Pack. Will carring a fanny pack( other than making me look like a a dork )make me a target. Has anybody had one stolen. We are also thinking of bringing mostly cash as we heard that Travelers checks are getting harder to cash in Europe. We will be 10 days in Spain and another 2 weeks traveling throughout Europe. Any advise would be greatly appreciated. My wife has never been to Europe and I have not been since I was 15(28 years ago). Any other suggestions would be great as well.
CraigPV

Assuming that this is not a troll, (1) Do not wear a fanny pack. It is easier for thieves to get stuff out of your fanny pack than out of your pocket, even if worn in front. (2) Don't bring cash, bring a credit card or two and an ATM card or two. ATM's are everywhere for cash, and most places where you will be traveling accept credit cards.

I wish the word 'troll' would be banned from Fodorites and the sinister connotation it often implies. I see absolutely nothing in the OP to even cause me to think it's a troll - and if it were it still raises concerns endemic to any Spanish or European traveler.

What is a troll?

It's a disgusting to me Fodorites word for folks who are posting just to cause trouble and aren't at all sincere and just want to troll up arguments or have a hidden agenda. Insincere - which is why i was appalled that it would even be theorectically applied to your post.

We don´t use ATM´s here in Vallarta because of the problems with Credit Card fraud and cloning of cards.
We will need to bring cash or Travelers check. Which do you recommend? We will have our credit cards to some extent but we really don´t like to use them much either. Cloning has been a really big problem here in Mexico.

Why would someone want to do that? I mean what kind of hidden agenda would I possibly have. Some deep hidden hatred toward thiefs? or maybe against people who offer advice to strangers. I don´t get it

Well that's what i thought and i've seen this too much with folks posing thoroughly seemingly sincere questions and it's happened just the other day with me which is why i may be ultra sensitive to this charge.

Sometimes first-time posters have been met with that charge and probably never come back. Oh well enough venting about it.

Hi Craig,

I wouldn't use a fanny pack--too easy to access--and I definitely wouldn't bring a lot of cash. ATMs are everywhere, and you should bring a credit card or two, as well. I haven't used travelers' checks in Europe in a long time. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to bring a few for backup, but really, ATM and credit cards are the way to go. Divide them up between you and your wife.

I've been to Europe five times in the last nine years, and the only time I was robbed was in Barcelona. I was stupidly carrying my purse in my hand, and a moped rider whisked it away. I don't like moneybelts, but I'd consider wearing one if I returned to Spain. They just have a huge problem with thievery in the cities there.

Make sure your wife wears a purse with a long strap slung across her body. My husband kept his wallet in his front pocket at all times. Be alert, and never put your purse or bag on the floor in a restaurant or cafe. You'll be fine if you take the right precautions.

Thanks
I wlll need to rethink the fanny pack. It was perfect because it had a pouch that both our passports fit into, another that our camera fit into and then a bigger one for money,cards and a few items that my wife will need(lipstick,brush etc).We thought that if I had that and my wallet( always kept in the front pocket) that my wife would actually not need to carry a purse at all. We don´t have to worry about her putting her purse on the floor. In Mexico it is considered bad luck to place your purse on the floor. It means money will be leaving you.
Thanks again

Hi, another vote against the fanny pack and especially carrying all your valuables in one bag. I like those 'money belt' neck bags. Big enough for a couple of passports and credit/atm cards.

I keep walking around money in my camera case (for a small digital) which I wear over my head across my shoulder. No purse, no weight and no taking it off when I sit down or shop as my hands are free.

Travellers cheques are not the way to go. It's worth opening an account just for an atm card just for the trip - less fees than a credit card and mostly accepted everywhere.

Let the bank know of your travel plans so they don't halt it due to unusual use, only a chequing account works abroad for withdrawels and make sure you have a maximum daily limit you are comfortable with.

I always bring credit cards and a debit card, mostly because they are convenient and economical. My understanding is that you receive a better conversion rate with either one than with using travelers' checks. I ALWAYS use a money belt. I don't consider mine at all uncomfortable, and it is absolutely the safest place to keep my cash and my cards.

I especially promote the money belt because, shortly after my sister had given me her passport and debit card to put in my money belt, her purse was stolen by a clever thief in an outdoor restaurant who was pretending to be a waiter.

She lost the expensive camera which was in the purse, but nothing more.

The fanny pack will make you a target.

I use a travel pouch that has a belt loop. I have never had any problems with it. It has a flap that close with a buckle and the wallet is in a zippered pocket. It can also hold two passports (my wife has been pickpocketed) in another zippered pocket, my IDL, a small address book and pen, and a pocket knife for picnics. Its approximate size is 5"X5". Its thickness will vary to what one carries in it, but mine is about 2.5" thick. It may sound bulky, but it is much less than a fanny pack.

First of all, theft is not rife in Europe. Within 30 years of frequent travelling, I have never been victim of any type of crime. According to international statistics, Spain is one of the safest countries in Europe (the most dangerous countries are UK and Ireland).

Second, I always wear a fanny pack, primarily for camera and sunglasses. Never had a problem with it.

When I am in a touristy region and I am recognizable as a tourist, I divide my valuables into 2 or 3 portions. And then I do wear a kind of hidden wallet under my clothing (it is terrible if you need something out of this wallet, because you have kind of undress in frond of other persons, so I have always some change and the most important credit card in the front pocket of my trousers.

I always say to myself: I have travelled a 100 times and if I will become victim of a theft the next time I will divide the loss through 100 and then it will be nothing.

Hi again Craig,

I would definitely advise against one of you carrying all of the valuables. You should divide them between the two of you. Also, make photocopies of your passports and write down all your ATM/credit card information and keep those separate.

Spain isn't a dangerous country--my hometown of Chicago is a heck of a lot worse--but certain areas do have a terrible problem with pickpocketing and petty thievery. It's not violent crime, but it's definitely troublesome, especially for travelers.

Perhaps, CraigPV, is ineligible for CCs or a debit/check card. Thousands of Asians are traveling without either. They use cash! American Dollars are still the most accepted currency. TCs are a safe backup. AX offices are in all major cities. Nix the fanny pack. Front pockets are accessible to a skilled pickpocket: I know this from experience. Special belts can hold reserves (Patagonia). Consider buying small gold coins at home and selling them abroad. .

Hi CPV,

If you keep your wallet in your front pocket, I suggest closing the pocket with a safety pin.

((I))

Another vote against the fanny pack.
Another vote against one person carrying everything. Your wife can carry a purse with things she can easily get over losing (chapstick, etc.)
Moneybelts are not that uncomfortable (there are neck, leg, and waist versions in different fabrics). However, I only use it when in transit upon arrival in a country. If I have a safe place to leave it I don't carry it around on the street.
Carry the money you need for the outing in your pocket, and your backup money and cards in the moneybelt.
If you cannot use atm cards then use travellers cheques.
Carry your camera across the body.
Just be aware when in cities, not need to worry about it.

"Cloning has been a really big problem here in Mexico."

Maybe, but you are going to Spain.

I agree, I don't think theft is a huge issue.
That said WHY would anyone take CASH? What happens when you LOSE the "fanny pack"?

Just to give you an example, two years ago somehow between Gatwick and Victoria Station one of the chaperones on a trip I was leading for teenagers LOST her money belt which included $12,000 in travelers checks. Those were replaced. Had she lost $12,000 cash what would we have done to feed these kids?

Also, I think the OP's panic over debit cards is misplaced. Amazing but ture I used a DEBIT card in Puerto Vallarta with no problem. I bet you can use one in Madrid!

Check here:

http://www.magellans.com

They have wonderful security purses and wallets such as these:

http://tinyurl.com/3yzcvb

My husband carries this one tucked into his pants with our passports and credit cards in it:

http://tinyurl.com/2bmma5

I would get yourself an atm card just for the trip and then cut it up when you get home. It is wonderful to just take out money a little at a time.

Another thing I do is put copies of our passports and an extra credit card or two inside the lining of my luggage. That way we have a back up plan in case we our other things get stolen.

Have a great trip!

I consider wearing a money belt to be just a necessary part of a trip. I don`t thnk they are that uncomfortable, for the peace of mind they bring.

I agree Pat. I can't imagine what kind of moneybelt people have that they say is uncomfortable!! Maybe they think a fannypack is a moneybelt and they keep it under their shirt.

I think you need to disabuse yourself of the idea that Spain is anything like Mexico - except that Spanish is the lanuage of both countries.

Spain is a modern industrialized nation with the same type of banking system/economy as the US and the rest of western europe. It's true that there are pickpockets in major tourist destinations - as is true all over the world.

But you really need to use CC and ATMs. Carrying cash is much less safe - and travelers checks are tantamount to useless (no one wants to change them - and the few banks that do will charge horrendous rates).

And fanny packs are the best way to attract attention and increse you chances of having money/valuables stolen. Just use normal wallet in pants or jacket pocket - or purse - but be aware of your suroundings.

If you really can't/won't use credit cards and an ATM card to get cash, I guess you need to split it between cash and travelers checks, and split that between the two people traveling together.

You can use a "fanny pack" if you must to carry stuff like you'd put in a backpack, but I would not put anything valuable in it.

You need to get some kind of system especially carrying too much cash, whether a money belt, hidden security pockets in your clothes, leg safe, whatever.

It's kind of funny because I vacation in Puerto Vallarta often, and an ATM is how I always get my cash there. I can see being wary of credit card fraud, but I don't see what that has to do with ATM's using a machine?

The only thing you might do to draw more attention to the location of where your cash is and make it even easier for the crooks is to paint the fanny pack a bright color and put a big sequined dollar sign on so they'd be sure not to miss it.

I fail to understand why anyone would wear one to put their money in and make it so conspicuous.

CraigPV:

I wear TravelSmith slacks that have an extra pocket and zipper within one of the pants pockets. This precaution has worked for me. They are also easy to wash out in the sink and they dry quickly. No one would mistake them for Armani, but if you’re wearing Armani, you’re a more likely target for thieves, I would think.

Wear a fanny pack (what we Europeans call a bum bag). Put nothing of any value in it. Stow your money, cards, passport, and suchlike distributed about your person in inner pockets, and keep a modest amount of cash in an easily-accessible pocket.

The fanny pack can be a decoy for pickpockets.

I'll add to the choir...and see ditch the fanny pack. The way I see it..it says to the nefarious ones...hey guys, this is where I am carrying my valuables, why do that??

I went to Africa 2 years ago, carried all my valuables in zippered pants. In Paris last year, in zippered jacket pockets.

And I will admit confusion on the comment that they accept American dollars. First of all, they have a local currency, and to think you can use US$ everywhere would seem overly optimistic...and IF they did, what kind of exhange rate do you think they would give you? Tosh as someone here would say..

TCs are not recommended anymore, for their extra cost and for their inconvenience (not everyone would accept them, exchange rate issues, having to find a bank to exchange them..) If you must, as backup only. Credit cards, ATM card, some cash before landing...you're on your way.

How about those people that wear their backpacks in the front? I always have an urge to run up to them, say "boo!" and rob them myself!

Thus far, the focus has been on bum bags, but no one has mentioned theft of valuables in a car.

I pretty much insist on having a 'proper' trunk so that there is no hint of any car valuables visible.

One can lose a lot more in a baggage theft than in a purse theft.

Strongly advise against a fanny pack - it will make you a target.

And, leave your wallet at home. Bring only what you need and wear some sort of security pouch under your clothing with your passports (if you insist on carrying them around), cards, cash. T

If you really have to have a "wallet" in your front pocket, get a new one - very slim (better, a business card case) and flat. Better yet are slacks with a hidden zipper pocket behind one of the side pockets.

OP says he will be in Spain for 10 days and the rest of Europe for 2 more weeks: 24 days. At 250 euros per day (hotel, food, transportation, admissions) for a couple, that is $7800 USD. That is a lot of cash, even in 100 euro notes.

After wearing money belts around the waist on our first trip, we switched to slacks with zipper security pockets. They are more comfortable. We also use a safety pin to make sure they are secured. I also gave up caring a purse. Less to worry about. It all depends on what is comfortable for you. But split up your valuables and be alert.

Yikes Ack! Thanks for doing the math. That is way to much money in my opinion to have on you even in travelers checks. I would definitly get an ATM card ASAP! I'm assuming your bank will protect you from fraud if numbers are stolen.

Don't be paranoid. Spain is not Mexico - but having said that, I had no probs in Mexico either.

Your passport is the most valuable thing you have. I would NEVER, EVER carry that in what I would call a bum bag and you call a fanny pack.

NEVER!!

If you are staying in upmarket accommo leave it in the hotel safe - or maybe if it's a really swish place in the safe in your room.

Otherwise carry it in a money belt, and then you can forget about it.

As for carrying cash. WHY? It's Europe - use an ATM.

Once upon a time I used to load myself up with travellers' cheques - have stories to tell about trying to cash them in Harare or Hyderabad.

I still have some - and I take them with me on every journey as a back up, just like one takes a few US dollar bills as well.

But times have changed.

If it's any consolation to you I have used my ATM card in Thailand, China, Mexico, Guatemala, Spain, Finland, etc, etc. and it's been sweet.

Happy travels.

And remember, Europe is not an uncivilised jungle.

PS.

Would you be so wound up about this if you were visiting the US.

If not, why?

Gsteed: "American Dollars are still the most accepted currency.". Not in Europe they're not. Are you seriously suggesting they just bring several thousand dollars with them?

GSTEED

"Consider buying small gold coins at home and selling them abroad." LOL

a. That is smuggling.
b. Who are you going to sell them to?
c. Why not bring chickens? You could barter with them. That said not sure how many cappucini you would get for a chicken.