Help! My Credit Card's Gone...
Evelyn Hannon
It's
every solo traveller's worst nightmare. What happens if my bank cards
or credit cards are stolen? What do I do, who can help and how can I
possibly avoid ending up with no money at all? Unfortunately, I've learned
that you can't protect yourself completely. You've got to plan for the
worst and then try to be as savvy a traveller as possible. Here are
a few helpful tips and suggestions from our Journeywoman files. I've
started with the one that I love best and that I've used since I began
travelling. If you have a favorite "protect-your-money tip, please add
it here. We'll share all
of them in an upcoming issue.
My favorite
money cover-up...
In
 my
backpack, I carry a plain school notebook that I've clearly
labelled, "My Travel Notes." This is actually the book where
I write my findings for future Journeywoman articles, in it
I tape business cards that I collect along the way and I also
include some personal photos that I share with hosts and sister-travellers.
This notebook gets quite dog-earred as I travel and that is
a deliberate tactic on my part. I don't want anybody to think
it has any value.
Now,
this is the best part...
So
that I will never be without money, I tape five $10.00 bills
and an extra credit card to the inside cover of this notebook.
Over it, I staple a copy of my itinerary which protects and
hides this stash completely. Nobody ever suspects that there
is money there and I sleep easier knowing that I always have
a cash backup in case of foul play.
(Source: Evelyn Hannon, Journeywoman Editor)
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Help!
my cards are gone!
Ms.Sam
Bachand is the Royal Bank's Manager of Retail Foreign Exchange
Services. Journeywoman asked what she would do if her credit
card and bank card were stolen in a small town in Italy at 11
o'clock in the evening.
Sam
writes...if I've prepared properly, this theft would only be
a terrible inconvenience, not a huge calamity. Here's a few
of my know-before-you-go hints....
1) Diversify
your money--
take two $100 travellers cheques (for emergencies only), credit
cards, bank cards as well as cash (U.S. cash is best because
it's recognized in most places).
2) Be
prepared! Before you leave home, record
(in triplicate) the numbers on your travellers cheques , credit
cards and bank cards. The same applies to all the 800 numbers
you might need to report a theft. Leave one list with someone
at home, one goes into your money belt and one stays in your
suitcase.
3) Be creative!
Hide your emergency money in strange places-- a vitamin pill
bottle with a few pills in it is great. The bottle isn't see-thru
and thieves are generally not interested in your Vitamin C.
4) Be
very sure to check the restrictions
on your credit cards. Did you know that some cards are not
replaceable internationally if they're stolen?
5) Ask
your bank for an extra client card.
If the first is taken, you still have the second one to withdraw
cash with.
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 A
journeywoman bonus tip...
When
other travellers ask you what you do for a living and you're
not sure if they can be trusted, tell them you're a policewoman
on holiday. I do it all the time just to be on the safe side.
(Source: Evelyn Hannon, Editor Journeywoman)
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Automated
bank machines...
do's & taboos of withdrawing cash
- Check
your surroundings -- if the ATM is
in a poorly lit or hidden area, use another one.
- Have
your card ready -- don't wait until
the last minute to go through your purse to find it.
- Use
your body to hide the transaction so
that anyone behind can't see you entering your PIN number.
- Never
leave your receipt behind -- always
take it with you for your records.
- Suspicious
about anything? Cancel your transaction
and leave immediately!
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Beware
tourist con games...
In
Brazil, bag slicers are common. Your pocket, knapsack or soft-sided
suitcase is slit open with a concealed razor, often you don't
even feel it, nor suspect the innocent looking child or smiling
lady standing quietly beside you. Beware tourist con games!
(Resource: Sandy Huff, Travel Writer, Safety Harbor, Florida)
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Losing
cards on the plane...
 This
may sound silly to you but I'm extra careful about my valuables
even on the airplane. My credit cards, passport and extra cash
are in my moneybelt which is worn next to my body at all times.
Think about it -- If you are travelling solo, chances are that
this is the first time you've laid eyes on your seatmate. 99%
of the time that person has absolutely no evil intention and
is worried about losing his/her valuables as well. It is the
1% that I'm worried about ever since a friend of mine lost her
wallet on an overnight flight to Italy.
(Source: Evelyn Hannon, Editor, Journeywoman)
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My
bra is my money belt...
 Whether
at home or when I'm travelling, I find that padded push-up bras
are great for a night out. When I dress up for the evening,
I take the pads out of my push-up bra, wrap the money I need
for the evening in tissues and put the packets back where the
pads originally were. Great solution. Works every time!
(Source: travel tip from Mary in Dublin, Ireland)
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