Tips for Staying Safe While Traveling

Travelling can open up new opportunities and experiences but it also presents some risks. There are some common scams that travellers should watch out for. It can be a scary prospect, especially if you don’t know much about the destination or area where you are going. Scams are very common in unfamiliar places. The following are the top tips to stay safe while traveling.

Avoid Using Public WiFi When Travelling

Public wifi is great when travelling abroad because you have all the time in the world to surf the internet instead of getting busy at work. However, some scammers want to get your personal information via public wifi. If you do get connected to any of these networks, immediately disconnect yourself from them before they download anything on your device.

Bring Only What you Need

Bringing too many things while travelling can make the process stressful. The airport has security checkpoints that you will go through and sometimes you might even have to check things again once you reach your destination. Having too much stuff around the airport or in transit makes people nervous and anxious. If possible, bring just a laptop bag or carry-on luggage, maybe one suitcase, and wear clothes which won’t attract attention. Also, if you don’t use credit cards overseas, avoid carrying more than $500 cash. It would increase your chances of getting robbed by thieves.

Keep a Record of Important Documents

It is good practice to keep track of important documents such as passports, visas, plane tickets etc. when travelling. You must hand over these documents when needed. Remember, passports expire after a certain time frame. It is best to renew your passport before its expiration. Also, your visa could be revoked if you forget to apply in advance. Keep a note of any important numbers and addresses in writing. In case something happens to you during your travels, having records helps the authorities retrieve and return your lost belongings or documents. Lastly, write down details of the person whom you deal with to settle matters or receive service.

Password-protect Phones and Add Tracking Tools

Having a smartphone with you is convenient since it allows you to access all kinds of services right away whether it is making phone calls or checking emails. But smartphones pose a threat since they allow attackers to easily hack into them and steal sensitive data. Hackers are constantly looking for ways to do so. They can bypass the built-in password protection system. Even if you added a PIN code, hackers can still break into your mobile devices using other methods. An SMS message containing an additional password is enough to unlock your device. Add tracking apps to prevent your smartphone from falling off somewhere.