Security Tricks for Your Money
 

SOme of us will be traveling to Europe for the first time. Can you seasoned veterns share your best ideas for keeping your money out of sight and secure when traveling? I guess my biggest concern is when we're on trains, walking in crowds, etc. And can you tell us what kind of accessories we can buy?
I think this will benefit many of us here...Thanks a bunch!

I always use a fannypack. Husband uses a money belt, plus we don't carry that much cash on us....we use ATM machines.

This may be a surprise, but what do you do when you are out and about? whatever you do, that's what you should do when traveling.
Have a great trip!

In many foreign cities, pickpockets prey on tourists in crowded places and in unfamiliar surroundings, who may not have their bearings or are focusing on the sights or simply trying to find their way around. At home, you are more apt to know where you are and aware of your surroundings. Also, it's much worse to lose your wallet while travelling abroad than near home.

Donnabee, I suggest you change you reliance on the fanny pack. It's the easiest thing for a thief to steal! An experienced pro can get it off you in a split second.

In response to the original inquiry, keep as much as you can in your hotel safe. Try carrying just one of your credit cards and cash for the day. I keep the credit card and most of that cash in the zippered front pocket of my swimming trunks worn in lieu of boxers. I can reach in and unzip when necessary, but I doubt that a pickpocket would get that intimate.

It should not be a problem. Just do what you would at home when walking in town or at the mall. Don't carry much cash with you - that is what ATMs are for. Just get what you need as you go along. (And definitely leave the fanny pack at home.)

I no longer take money with me when I travel beyond what I'd carry around normally, because of ATMs, which = the best way to change money I think. I now find traveller's cheques irritating -- hate to pay for them, hate to pay for cashing them, hate the nuisance of getting someone to accept them etc.

But I also have a way of carrying money when I have to, for example just recently when a friend in a European country repaid me a good-sized loan in cash:

I have a nice-looking money belt -- it looks like a cummerbund made of pleated Japanese fabric, and it has a hidden zipper. So I wear it as a belt. It really doesn't look like what it is.

This recent time, when I was transporting quite a wad of bills, I wore it under a loose-fitting shirt and sweater -- event though the toll on my vanity was high (looked tubby-ish). I like this way of doing it because of the safety -- it's pretty invisibile -- AND the extreme unlikelihood that I can lose it myself.

Elizabeth.......great "elizabeths" think alike as I am an Elizabeth too! Since the early 60`s I have had a belt just like you described. Fits under all my clothes and never surfaces. The original lasted quite a few years and I have since had a seamstress duplicate it in silk, wool and cotton and so I have a choice. I never carry a purse either.

The seamstress idea is great -- I bought mine in the 60s or 70s too, at a store called Back From Guatemala in NY, haven't seen them - these belts -- in years. I'd like to give one to someone for a present. (My original is still ok. It is made of ikat cloth, a word I couldn't think of when I posted.)

For years now I have used a money belt for the majority of my money, credit cards, airline tickets. Any travel section of a dept. store will have them (approx. $10). I place a small amount of money and one credit card in a purse I wear across my chest. Upon getting on metros/tubes/crowds you can place your arm tightly on the strap keeping the purse in front of you.

The only time I saw pickpockets was in the Paris metro (cops chasing them 2x) and one trying to get into my sister's backpack (I foiled them!). No need to carry anywhere on your person a great amount of cash as the ATMs are so easy and everywhere and give the best rate of exchange as do credit cards.

A money belt works great. I found mine at www.magellans.com. When traveling I keep a back up credit card and the majority of my valuables in the money belt. In a zippered pocket I keep a credit card and just enough cash that I don't have to go into the belt each time I make a purchase.

Seems a hidden belt of some type is the safest idea I've seen. I hope I can find them in some of the better travel accessories catalogs or on-line. I've read quite a few horror stories lately and I don't want to constantly be worrying about my money. I appreciate all the good tips. Definitely WILL NOT consider a flimsy fanny pack-they can be cut away so quickly.

I think www.eaglecreek.com has the largest variety of hidden pockets.

After you chose one, they give you a link to online stores that sell that particular one.

Absolutely agree you should ditch the fanny pack. A guaranteed open invitation to trouble. And, I always use a money belt. One I like best is one I got from the ricksteves site for about $8 or $10. Lightweight, the right size, comfortable. I kept passport, tickets, cash & credit cards I wouldn't be using during the day, and trav. checks in it. And, yes, I still travel with some travellers checks as a peace of mind back up. Magnetic strips can go haywire. S*$# happens. Trav. checks have never failed me, although they are not the only option I use. (I use trav. checks to get cash for a period of time, NOT to make individual purchases in retail shops & restaurants.)
Keep the cash you'll need for the day and, if you think you'll need it, one credit card, in a secure pocket or purse. The rest should be in that money belt! Split the important cards & $/ticket items with your husband so that if one of you is ripped off, you aren't up the proverbial creek. It is no fun to spend your vacation time in offices trying to deal with these hassles. Have a list with the relevant numbers (including phone) just in case, though.
PS-Remember to call your credit card(s) company before you go to let them know you'll be in Europe for a certain period & using your card. Otherwise, they may put a hold on your card until they can contact you to confirm that first foreign use is legit.... But, of course, you won't be at home to receive the inquiry....etc.!

I am hearing more and more about not using a fanny pack. I have always used one and never had a problem. If I don't use a fanny pack - there is not much more I can use. If I have a purse around my body, that can easily be cut off also. If a thief wants to get you, he will, not matter what kind of purse you have, if you are not on guard at all times. Maybe I will change the strap on my fanny pack to a chain : )

Donnabee, Travelsmith carries fanny packs with steel cables in the straps. They and Magellan's carry smaller and larger purses with steel cables in the straps. Magellan's also has neck pouches and leg stashes.

Tim - LOL - I was kidding about the chains! Never thought they would really make fanny packs with chains - that's great! I will check it out - thanks.

First, ditch the fannypack for all the reasons stated before. If you are a member of AAA, they have travel accessories including money belts, and I've found the AAA money belt is the most comfortable. Have a great trip!

I bought ex-officio travel pants...they have a secret zipper that no one can get to, I kept money, credit cards.

My husband bought a money belt at a travel store that held more cash and our passports. Since the money belt is in your pants, no one can get to it.

Such great ideas..and I forgot all about notifying the credit card companies! eliztrav-I'm so glad you mentioned that. You sure don't want any delays traveling-time is far too precious!

Check with your bank to make sure your ATM card will work in Europe and has a four-digit PIN. If necessary, increase the daily limit on an ATM withdrawal.

Forget the fannypack. Its a dead giveaway for I am an American tourist with lots of cash....please rob me.

Sew pockets to the inside of your pants or, I'm serious, underwear, for your passport, larger amounts of cash and travelers checks. Nobody will know it is there.

Always carry extra cash in a pocket besides your wallet. Punch a hole in your credit card (avoiding the magnetic strip of course) and secure it to the inside of your jeans pocket with a safty pin. Buy a light jacket with an inside pocket that zips up.

grogger69, that's an excellent idea about punching a hole. I have never heard of it, and I think I might try it.

I always wear money belt. But keep it up around chest so I can get to it more easily.

Also keep billfold in front pocket.

The fanny pack is a moving advertisement saying "take me."

As a solo traveler my backup backup is a $100 wrapped in Saran under the innersole of my shoe.

Fannypacks?? You Americans have big enough behinds without adding those ridiculous contraptions to your physiques. May I suggest carrying your purse or bag bandolier-style across your chest? This way no one can snatch it away from you. You could also carry a small knapsack and secure it with a lock (like the ones on Louis Vuitton luggage). Keep the key in one of your pockets and keep a spare somewhere else. Most good hotels have a room safe. Use it. Only carry what you need and leave everything else in the safe. I have been everywhere from Sri Lanka to Rio to Kathmandu and I have never been robbed.

Keep photocopies of all your credit cards (both sides, important phone #'s), passports, driver license etc.

I live in the UK and have been travelling around mainland Europe and Asia for over 30 years. I've never used anything other than my normal handbag and have never been robbed.

The only time I carry things like passports and tickets with me is when I'm in transit between stops and then I just stay alert and keep a tight grip on what I'm carrying.

Unless you happen to live in a tiny village with zero crime rate, just use the same precautions you would when you're walking around busy towns at home.

There seems to be two kinds of bandits. One, the opportunist and the other the stalker. The opportunist grabs what is available. Maybe a purse set down for a second, maybe the fanny pack. The stalker waits until he sees someone pay a bill from a wad of cash. The train trio preselects their victim based on traveler characteristics. Train people told us that there was more crime on intercity deluxe carriers than on second class ones. I have yet to here of a back pack being snatched; bury valuables in it. European law seems to regard pickpocketing as a minor crime. Pickpockets in Warszawa, Polska, work on major trams. They surround the victim, in and out of pockets, strip the cash and discard the wallet or purse. Friend told me that on a tour to Turkey, only two of the group were robbed. RE: Travelers Checks..If they are stolen they can be replaced. Credit cards..check expiration date.

Hi mom,
We purchased two travel wallets which have a long string that you can put on your neck or loop through your belt.

My wife wears hers under her top. I put mine down my pant leg.

This is where we keep our passport, credit cards and extra cash.

Walking around money goes in my front pants pocket, with a safety pin to close the pocket and her small purse that she wears across her body.

I'll bet I have the wierdest solution. I don't like anything around my waist and find that a moneybelt shows as a bulge. So I bought one of those beige lightweight cloth holster sling type moneypouches and added a ribbon to make the strap longer, with a snap to take it on and off. It goes around my waist with the pouch hanging just at my crotch (yes, I'm female so there is nothing else there). I wear full skirts or dresses traveling and it is invisable and comfortable, and I only have to go to the ladies room or store dressing room to have access. I don't use it for every purchase (I carry a small purse across my chest) but its great for passport, extra credit card and large bills.