Safety Questions
 

I'm going to Rome and Naples next week.I have a few questions regarding safety. I have purchased a neck wallet for debit cards etc and a pac safe handbag. I'm not sure where to put my passport, a copy of my credit cards etc. I've read on some threads here about hotel managers having keys to the room safe. And I also read about hotel staff going through luggage.Is there any place that is "safe"?

You're not going to a den of thieves. Yes, thre are pickpockets in train stations and at major tourist attrctions - just like in the US - but don;t get overwrought about it. I just keep everything in my safe (shoulder bag with heavy woven strap) in an inside zipper compartment. Keep passport with me at all times - since if something happens to itI want to know right away - not find out 3 days later a "safe" is empty. Have had no problems in 90+ trips to europe.

My method is divide and conquer - don't keep everything in one place.

I have 2 credit cards and 2 ATM cards (different accounts). I carry one credit card and one ATM card in my handbag and leave the others in the room safe. I also carry only the cash I will need for the day and leave the rest in the safe. That way if my pocket is picked or my bag stolen, I have my back up cards and cash.

Passport - I carry a copy and leave the passport itself in the room safe.

I am in and out of my safe daily, so if something were to go missing, I'd know right away.

When moving from one place to another, I also do the divide and conquer approach - valuables divided between my handbag and my suitcase. And I watch everything pretty carefully, of course.

There is no right or wrong answer and everybody does things differently. Just consider the options and do what makes sense to you.

I have known quite a few people who have been pickpocketed or had their handbags stolen, but I don't know anyone who has had things stollen out of a safe. I am sure it does happen, but I don't think it is at all common. So I think the safe is a better risk than a handbag.

Then there are the moneybelts - I can't stand them and never use them. Others wouldn't travel without them.

I always carry a cross-body bag. I don't keep all of my cards/money in one place.

Leave a copy of your passport and credit cards with a relative at home just in case. Get a list of contact numbers for credit cards. The numbers on the back of your card are for use in the US.

I did purchase a pac safe cross-body bag, and will follow the great advice offered.

<i>Leave a copy of your passport and credit cards with a relative at home just in case.</i>

Or copy the passport and credit cards and send them as an attachment to yourself. That way you will be able to retrieve the information from any internet connection.

You always bring with you several copies of your passport and all of the information about your credit and ATM cards (do it in such a way that anyone getting hold of it won;t know what cards they belong to). I also bring along some extra passport photos just in case. And a copy of my driver license as well. I also email copies of these things to myself - so if there is some type of disaster (a flood takes out the hotel or ???) I can go to any internet cafe and download all of it.

From the posts I've read over the years you have to *quickly* cancel your cards.

I've always did what kybourbon suggested
"Leave a copy of your passport and credit cards with a relative at home just in case. Get a list of contact numbers for credit cards. The numbers on the back of your card are for use in the US".

I'd give a copy to 2 friends (husband and wife) and told them to keep it in their wallet and purse.
One copy listed my Debit & CC 1-5 and the other copy 5-1, so now the are both canceling at the same time.
If they weren't together it would only take another call.

So basically 1 phone call and they would hit the lists: Visa 1-800-555-5555, My CC# and they already knew my name and mother's maiden name.

And now with cellphones, the pickpocket could still be walking away within 100m of you and you have already called and started the cancellation process.

I also left a copy with my elderly parents then parent but I knew I would already be home by the time they figured-out the CC voicemail system:-).
Regards, Walter

A tip from an airline crewmember who uses safes alot-always put a shoe that you are going to wear back to the airport or next destination in the safe with your stuff so you remember to open it before you leave!