Love to Travel

by Carolyn Haven

Traveling is fun and exciting, but has the potential to become downright scary. The goal of this talk is to help you learn to prevent the scary from happening and learn to love traveling.

General Safety

• Listen to the voices in your head.
  • If your fight or flight response is kicking you in the gut, recognize it is not indigestion from eating a burger at the Heart Attack Grill. It is your body trying to warn you it senses something is off.
  • Look up, check your surroundings, find the safest, most well-lit and populated route, and head that way.
• When going to a new destination, review the directions to that location, and walk with purpose, like you know where you’re going. Yes, you can still ask directions. Just remain focused and alert.
• We’re here to make connections; make them, and travel together. There is safety in numbers.
  • When traveling in a group, it’s wise to designate a lookout, someone to keep an eye on your surroundings, and to be fair to everyone, trade lookout duty at every shop or stop so everyone has an enjoyable time.
• Do not advertise what is in your wallet, pocket, or purse.
  • Keep purchases, valuables, and money close to your person.
  • Keep that day’s cash and a credit card easily accessible in your purse or wallet. A concealed money belt or pouch can offer you additional funds, but be sure to only access the pouch funds in a safe area such as a bathroom stall or a changing room.
  • If you flash the cash, it’s not secure.
• Bring your health insurance card, ID, and list of medical history, including medications.
• Make it difficult for others to take your belongings.
  • Your purse or travel bag should have a zippered entry, preferable one that has a flap that covers the zipper to make it more difficult for pickpockets to get inside your bag.
  • Carry the purse or bag in front of you, so you can keep an eye on it.
  • A backpack or messenger bag should have anti-theft zippers, tie all the loose cords to secure the closures, and move the bag to your front if you are in a crowd such as on a bus or subway. Moving the bag to your front will help you keep an eye on it, frees your hands, and is considerate of other riders as the bags often swing into people and take up more room.
  • Do not put your bag on the ground or hang it behind you on your chair. Place your bag on your lap or on the table if it is small enough.

Card and ID Safety

• Buzz Phrase: RFID – Radio Frequency Identification, sometimes called Riffed (static data)
• NFC – Near Field Communication (randomizes the transaction number, single use only to track each transaction), a smart RFID
• RFID and NFC is the technology that allows you to wave or tap your credit card, ID, passport, or any other device near a scanner, which activates the RFID chip or tag to access the information.
• Keep antivirus software up to date on all devices.
• Notify your bank and credit card companies of your travel plans, so they can note particular parameters and red flag any transactions outside of the expected areas.
• Make sure all contact information is current with your bank and card companies.
• Program your bank and credit card information into contacts on your phone.
• Password or PIN all electronic devices capable to protect against electronic intrusions. This includes tap and wave cards and devices, tablets, e-Readers, laptops, computers, and your mobile phones.
• You will need the phone numbers from the back or the cards you are carrying (one primary and one secondary in case one is lost, stolen, or cut off by bank) programed into your phone.
• Do not respond to any phone, text, or e-mail requests for information.
  • If they claim to need information, especially your Social Security number, account information, PIN numbers, or other personal identifiers.
  • If these questions are asked, hang up, exit the e-mail, do not respond to the text.
  • Contact the company directly. If they are attempting to contact you, they will have made a note on your account and should be able to answer any questions you may have.
  • They may also request you forward any written information to a fraud department within the company.
• Leave your Social Security card and all unnecessary cards at home. Carry with you only the cards or money you will need each day. One primary card to carry and one securely locked secondary card is recommended in case one is lost, stolen, or cut off by your bank. Lock additional funds and valuables in a safe.
• Do not book your room with a debit card or your funds for room and incidentals will be locked in limbo for a minimum of 10 days.
  • Unless you have a really plush checking account, I really would advise against using your debit card.
  • If you used your debit or bank card for the hotel, return to the front desk and ask to place the charges on a credit card.
  • This way, hopefully not all of your funds will be locked up, and you’ll be able to afford to eat and get home.

RFID Card Swiping

• Problem is, there are multitudes of scanners and readers available to the general public and anyone with minimal tech skills can make their own clandestine versions.
• These small, handheld devices can steal the information linked to your card or account by coming near the RFID—front pocket, back pocket, purse.
• PayWave, PayPass, Zip, ExpressPay, wave pay, tap pay, and other contact pay methods put you at risk for fraud and identity theft. But that does not mean you have to be an easy target.

Prevention

• Block electronic pickpockets with card protector sleeves, lined wallets, lined passport covers, travel gear, and account monitoring.
  • These blocking items contain a metal fibrous mesh, which the radio waves cannot penetrate.
• Many companies offer a feature of added security that requires a PIN be entered to use the cards with RFID chips and near field communication, NFC.
  • This is an easy way to add a level of security to your cards and ID.
  • This one extra step can make the difference between being able to buy that perfect souvenir and having your card rejected at the register, in front of everyone.
  • A PIN helps prevent criminals from holding a Point of Sale device near your card and charging you a quick fifty bucks without your knowledge.
• Money belts in waist, cross body, around the neck, in bra, calf, leg, and more styles are ideal for keeping money, ID, passports, valuables, and credit cards safe when traveling.
• The latest versions have anti-theft technology, RFID shielding, and some are even waterproof.

What To Do If Your Information Is Compromised

• Call customer service as soon as you suspect a problem.
• File a police report if indicated.
• Review account activity and notify the company if there are discrepancies within 30 days of discovery.
• Go to www.ftc.gov for helpful information if you find yourself a victim of identity theft.

Use your instincts, a little common sense, and a fair bit of knowledge to avoid becoming a target, so you can love to travel.

And Have A Safe Trip!