Traveling Tip & Security Tricks

DIGITISE IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS AND CARRY THEM ON A SECURE USB
Another plus to living in the technology age is being able to carry around tones of information in a small space. While he still recommends making copies, Hanson also urges his clients to load up a secure flash drive to hold digital copies of all your important documents. What should you put on this Mission Impossible-style flash drive? Place copies of your driver’s license, passport’s picture page, travel insurance information, hotel reservations and other travel confirmations, flight details, your ICE (in case of emergency) contact numbers, those nifty embassy and consulate numbers and addresses, and anything you think you might need in a jam. Carry this flash drive with you at all times.

DON’T DISCUSS YOUR PRIVATE LIFE WITH A STRANGER THAT YOU MEET ON THE PLANE
It is normal to engage in discussion with the person sitting next to you on the plane especially if it is a long journey. However, if you must engage in discussions with a stranger on the plane, ensure that you don’t discuss your private life with them; you could be sitting next to a terrorist or a member of a criminal gang. Limit your discussion to current affairs, sports or any topic as long as it is not your private life.

DON’T DISCLOSE YOUR TRAVELING ITINERARY TO A STRANGER
It is often said that ‘loose lips sink ships’ if you disclose your traveling itinerary to stranger, you might endanger your life. Please don’t disclose your traveling itinerary to strangers.

ONLY LODGE IN A SECURE HOTEL
If you are traveling to a city for the first time, it is important to lodge in a secure hotel if you don’t want to endanger your life.

ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE SOMEONE TO PICK YOU FROM THE AIRPORT ON ARRIVAL
This is especially important if you are travelling for the first time. Make arrangements for someone to pick you from the airport on arrival if you are traveling for the first time; it is a good security measure.

KEEP YOUR CAMERA AND MOBILE DEVICE SAFE
It is important to safeguard your camera and mobile device while traveling abroad. If they are stolen, information about you can be accessed.

DON’T WALK ALONE IN A STRANGE LAND
Always walk with a partner or in groups if you aren’t sure of the security of your life and belongings in a strange land.

ENSURE THAT YOU DO NOT ENTER ANY COUNTRY WITH CONTRABAND GOODS OR EQUIPMENT’S
Get an update of goods that are not allowed in the country you intend traveling to and ensure you do no travel with such goods.

MOVE AROUND TOWN WITH VALID ID PREFERABLY YOUR INTERNATIONAL PASSPORT
If you don’t want to be embarrassed by security operatives in a foreign land, ensure that you move around with valid ID or your international passport with valid visa.

PATRONIZE ONLY AUTHORIZED BUREAU DE CHANGE
If you must change money, ensure that you only patronize authorized bureau de change. It is safer to do so.

DON’T MAKE IT OBVIOUS THAT YOU ARE A VISITOR
Please try as much as you can not to show the average man on the street that you are a visitor to their country; people might take advantage of you.

BE CAREFUL OF THE INFO YOU POST ON SOCIAL MEDIA
In this era of social media boom, loads of people update their status on the go not minding the security implication. Please be careful of the info you post on social media while traveling.

RESPECT THE CULTURE AND THE LAWS OF THE COUNTRY YOU ARE VISITING
It is important to respect the culture of the country you are visiting and also abide by their laws during your stay.

GRAB A HIGHER FLOOR AND AN EXTRA KEY AT YOUR HOTEL
Travelling solo? No you’re not — at least that’s what you want anyone else to think. An easy way to trick unsavory characters into thinking you aren’t an easy, solo target is to request an extra key at the front desk. Also, since most crimes happen on the lower floors, Hanson suggests snagging a room on the third floor or higher.

SKIP THE HANGING ‘HIDDEN’ WALLET
We’ve all seen those tourists with not-so-hidden wallets strapped around their necks. In fact, we tend to see people wearing these on the outside of their shirts, completely missing the point of having a hidden wallet in the first place. Either way you wear it, Hanson says to skip it. These hanging neck wallets are so recognizable these days that, like purse straps, robbers can pick them out of a crowd, and with a swift snip — wimp! — Your secure neck wallet slips. Instead, Hanson suggests a hidden wallet that can attach to your belt and tuck into the inside of your pant leg; he also recommends finding a wallet that has RFID protection that prevents your credit cards’ information from being stolen magnetically (yeah, that’s a thing).While we aren’t sure how comfortable (or sweaty) having your passport, money, and credit cards dangling inside your pants can be — or if this is even possible for those of us who like to rock skinny jeans — if you’re a cargo kind of person, we say go for it.

ACT AS MUCH LIKE A LOCAL AS YOU CAN
What places the biggest target on your back while travelling and he said sticking out like a sore thumb, I believes it is important to try and look and act like as much of a local as possible.
What does this mean? Respect the customs and culture wherever you are; don’t expect people to speak English, don’t become rowdy, dress appropriately, be polite and walk with confidence. He also suggests studying your routes and transportation options before you leave the hotel; but if you do need to peep at the map, no worries. Just try and find a spot where you can do it inconspicuously.

GRAB TAXIS FROM REPUTABLE SOURCES
With the rise of peer-to-peer services like AirBnb, Uber and Lyft sweeping through the travel landscape, the once easily recognizable lines of safety have become a bit blurred. Case-in-point, both Uber and Lyft have had their own share of safety alerts over the last year.So, use your judgment and if you want to be extra sure, Hanson recommends only using taxis and car services provided by the hotels.