Outsmart Scammers: It’s Your Vacation, Why Not Send The Criminals Packing?

Vacation should be all about rest and relaxation, but be aware that unprepared tourists make prime targets for criminals. According to Justice Department statistics, over 120 crimes are committed against every 1000 travelers. Whether it’s a weekend road trip or a jaunt overseas, the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) suggests you take these safety tips with you on your next getaway.

Before You Leave Home

• Make sure that all doors and windows are securely locked.
• Stop mail and newspaper deliveries or ask a neighbor to pick them up daily.
• Create the illusion that you are home: use timers to routinely turn on lights, the television, or a radio.

Packing and Planning

• A tourist in unfamiliar surroundings can attract the wrong kind of attention. Looking and feeling confident in your travels helps make you look less like a tourist and an easy target.
• Record the information on your credit cards and serial numbers on any valuable equipment that you plan to bring. Copy your passport and other important documents and secure the information in a safe place.
• Plan your trip. Know where to go and how to get around.
• Make sure that everyone in your party carries the name, address, and phone number of your hotel on them at all times.
• Set up rules for each day’s activities on where and how you’ll regroup if you become separated. Agree on a meeting place, just in case.

On the Road

• Always lock the car when you park. Avoid grab-and-go at gas stations. Lock your doors and roll up your windows.
• Stick to well-lit and well-traveled streets.
• Select ATM machines in visible and well-lit locations.
• Check in and around your car for anything suspicious before you get in. Keep valuables out of sight or in the trunk.

In the Hotel

• Avoid leaving valuables in your hotel room. If necessary use the hotel safe.
• Keep your room door locked, even when you are inside. Check all window locks, especially if you are on a lower floor.
• Verify any unexpected visitor or delivery person by calling the front desk and asking to see identification.

If traveling abroad, make sure to review the US State Department’s safety guidelines. They publish a frequently updated list of travel warnings, public announcements, and information on US consulates worldwide.