Anti-Theft Travel Tips

Today I will share Anti-theft travel tips so you will not get pickpocketed. I will teach you tips and tricks to protect your valuables while traveling. I will show you some anti-theft crossbody bags with RFID blocking features. I will teach you some travel hacks to hide your valuables. #antitheft #traveltips #pickpocket #pickpocketers

Other travel tip videos:

My anti-theft bags:
Tank top: sold out

Chapters:
00:00 Anti-theft pickpocket tips and tricks
00:28 RFID crossbody bags
2:34 Locking zippers
5:45 Hidden pockets
6:44 Pack money different places
9:05 Passport waist belt
11:13 Avoid pickpockets
11:20 Emergency numbers abroad
11:40 Copy of passport

POP over and say hi:
Instagram: @TravelTipsByLaurie (My former channel name was LauriePOP Ideas That POP, but now I produce travel tip videos only)

Occasionally I use affiliate links, and all opinions that POP into my head are my honest ones.

[TravelTipsbyLaurie]

Tap here for details.


Other travel tip videos:

My anti-theft bags:
Tank top: sold out

[cindylewis]

A man in Rome approached my hubby and ask for the time. I think he was wanting to see what kind of watch or phone my hubby was carrying. He was smart and told him he didn’t know the time. May seem rude but he was casing us. Thanks for the tips. I use many of those.

[debraoates]

We were a group of 5 women travelling a couple of years ago when we still could. It's so easy to be distracted when you arrive trying to juggle luggage and every thing you have with you when you first depart the train or airport, probably your most vulnerable time. We decided on a signal for danger or pick pockets to alert the group, so if one of us saw someone about to pick pocket one of the others, or was up to something no good we would call out "ka kar, ka kar". The group varied between well travelled and never been out of the country. I know it sounds a bit silly, but our group went straight to high alert and secured personal items and reformed our group. It saved us many times, particularly when a group of men managed to surround my 18 year old niece. We also took the stance that anyone asking for directions/light/change were always after your money or valuables. Not a great way to view people but we were polite and just said no to their various requests. There are so many schemes they try it's hard to be alert to them all. Love your videos!

[bettyrarick]

Hi Laurie, thanks for another informative video. I picked up my clear "stadium " bag in Walmart in the health & beauty department. It's with the makeup bags. I use it when I go to soccer games. Also, when copying your passport, copy the bar code on the last page. It's helps to get a replacement faster.

[ritamanis]

My husband and I travel internationally with travel groups. The group will usually be out touring and sightseeing all day and it's more convenient for me to carry a Travelon anti theft backpack for our water bottles, snacks and souvenirs. A tip I have on how to keep your backpack safe when you're in a restaurant eating is to not set it in an empty chair at your table or hanging it on the back of your chair. I will run my foot through the shoulder straps and set it in the floor between my knees. A thief would literally have to crawl underneath the table to grab it and then the straps are also wrapped around my leg.

[susansmith]

I used to live in Rome, home of some of the most efficient pickpockets on the planet. Being environment-aware is critical. So many tourists seemed to spend their time taking pics on their phones rather than using their eyes and thereby failed to be aware of their surroundings (easy target) and missed seeing so much of the sites.

[spencerrs-eg]

READ THIS IF YOU WANT TO STAY SAFE IN SOUTH AMERICA:

This is a post I put on another travel channel, but think it will be helpful to your viewers if heading to South America. (Other tips here for anywhere they can use too). Oh, and great video on this topic!

1. Traveling in Europe and North America is completely different than traveling in South America - where I have spent lot of time while working as an airline pilot also. Using PacSafe type gear is great to protect against pick-pocket and passive robberies that you see more in NA and Europe, but in SA your robbery is likely going to be "Pro-active", ie, they are going to take it from you one way or another, and that "Another way" is likely going to be violent or life threatening. So let's start in your hotel room before you even leave. Only take what you really need. For me, that is a "Cash Credit/debit card", that you put money onto and acts like cash, but works with credit/debit machines. They steal the card and they only get what's on it. (I keep less than $200 on it). Next a "Photo copy of my passport" for ID. You are not in the USA or Canada, the authorities have the right to stop you and request your ID. Leave your drivers licence behind in the room, they'd be lucky to know where Canada is never mind your province or state. Health card and SIN or other country ID's can be left back at home - they mean little outside of your home country. (Driver's licence too if you won't be renting a car). Take a copy of your Travel insurance with you, and never travel without it, especially to the USA. (You can also write down the info on the back of your passport photo copy). A night in the hospital can cost 25K as it did a friend.
WRITE DOWN the hotel address and phone number if it is not on the key card holder. Don’t just take a photo of it - your phone may get stolen, the whole point of this conversation! (Don't write the room number on the key card holder, Keep that in your phone if you want). Hotel address is usually on the telephone in your room.
CASH - Take enough to keep a robber happy, but not so much to lose a lot. Spreading it around is good when traveling from place to place, but for day trips, I wouldn't hide it in South America, let them have it, or you will probably be into that "Another way" they are going to get it. Put your card and folded passport photo copy, Travel Insurance in an RFID sleeve. Keep the cash separate in a pocket or wherever, and be sure to have some. If you think you're being smart by not having any cash for them to steal, you may be sorry about that decision later.

2. The stuff in your room: The most important thing to do is to try and open your door after closing it when leaving your room! Hotel doors are notorious for not closing all the way and "Clicking" closed - so check it! I had 3 crew members on one layover all have their bags stolen because they didn't check their doors, and yes, the robbers will walk straight out through the lobby with your bags in tow, so I would not pack my extra money, laptop etc., in my bag. If you are in a brand name hotel things should be safe in your room. The locks record every use of a key, (Staff or you), and every exit. What you can do if you concerned about your belongings in the room is get a pouch and an "S" hook. Hang the pouch on the curtain rod behind the drapes, or behind the shower curtain, but don't leave it behind! (Put a reminder alarm in your phone for your departure date and time).

3. RE-PROGRAM YOUR BRAIN BEFORE LEAVING YOUR ROOM - THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ADVICE I HAVE FOR SOUTH AMERICA:
Every time you leave the hotel room you have to decide "What are you willing to lose". If you don't want to lose that watch, don't take it. Your nice new iPhone? Up to you, but I usually take an old cell instead. I actually don't wear my watch until I get to where I am going. ALL jewelry should be out of site on the streets. (As the flight attendant on one of my lay-overs learned the hard way. Mid-day on a busy street in a "safe" area, they came up from behind and ripped the studs out of her ears, and tore the necklace from her neck - ouch).
We North American's think we have a right to fight for our stuff when robbed. You have to get that idea out of your head, and re-program that down here, "I have no rights when being robbed". If you can't adapt to this thinking you may end up in a bad way. In March 2022, 3 airline crew in three separate robberies in South America, were ALL shot and seriously injured. Why? Because they all fought back. Your iPhone and credit cards can be replaced, so just program your brain, if you get robbed, hold your arms in the air and let them take what the want, as my buddy who was a cop for many years, did when he got robbed in Rio. (Was happy to finally go and upgrade his phone - LOL).

4. De-identify yourself in SA: Don't put Flags on your backpack advertising where you are from. Great in Europe, but not in SA. You make yourself a target that way. None of your bags, clothing, or hats should should have anything on them to indicate where you are from.
NEXT: Don't wear shorts or flip-flops unless you are in a beach town like Rio or Cartegena. If you are a Gringo like me, you stand out already, and wearing shorts and flip-flops just shines a light on you that you totally don't know where you are. Even in Sao Paulo and Santiago on a 30C day, (Hot in F), you will see 95%+ of the people wearing pants, and usually jeans! In certain areas, yes you can get away with wearing shorts, but you should know first from someone local, that it is ok. For me, hiking pants are very light and nice to wear on hot days.

5. Moving around Safely: All countries or cities have apps for taxi’s. Uber or "Tapsi" and "Cabify” are all good ways to get around. They have a "Digital" record of your driver and where you went. (So you are less likely to get robbed by the driver - yes it happens). Also, the cabs from the hotel may cost a little more, but if you leave something in the car you will likely get it back, as I did with a pair of prescription glasses in Lima. Now one of my crew with their spouses, that wanted to save a few thousand pesos by taking a yellow street cab one night, had a different outcome. One of them decided she should keep everyones passports safe in her purse. Well with all the excitement arriving at their destination, she left her purse in the "Street taxi", and it was never seen again. They got stuck for 2 days while the local Embassy had travel Docs made up. A photo copy is all you need outside of your hotel for the day/night. 
So what if you're already out and about, or at an airport where Uber isn't allowed, and you have to take a yellow street taxi? In most SA countries those taxi's have to post their licence number right on the side of the car. So before you get in, make sure the driver sees you taking a photo of his licence, and then once in the taxi make it look like you are texting it to someone. Also lock both rear doors. Always get out of the right side of the car, and check for motorcycles coming up the side first.
NEVER walk the streets at night to save money on a taxi. And don't think you have "The right of way" as a pedestrian, you may get run over. In Chile the drivers are good, but in Colombia and Peru you are just in their way, so be careful and wait for a fresh green light. ALSO, their “Advance Green lights”, usually happen at the end, so when the straight through traffic stops, don’t always think it’s safe to cross.
NEVER take your phone out on the street. Step inside a shop or restaurant first. Check your Google maps there. Same goes for pulling money out on the street. And never wear “Earbuds” on the street either. That only tells them that you have your cell with you and if you’re a Gringo it’s likely an iPhone which is premium to them.

OK, from what I have said you probably never want to go to South America! Well, the ones that don't want to rob you are the nicest people on earth. I love SA and even found my wife there. My suggestions are to help keep you "Safe" and “Street-wise”, and remind you that you are not in NA. There are no "Rules" when being robbed, especially in countries where they have little to lose. Much has changed in the past five years, (now being 2023). I won't get into why, but unfortunately many of these countries are less safe now than they were only a few years ago. Follow my suggestions and you should be fine. I'll keep going as South America has so much to offer, but I program my brain every time I leave my room so I won't be surprised if it happens. I will know what to do - raise my arms and let them take what they want. As a friend that had his iPhone stolen recently said, "It's just spilt milk, I can get another phone”….

[dannygil]

Thanks for getting right into the video!! I loved it!

[lynnmanning]

I think your magic. Thanks for all the tips on traveling and the newest things. As an older traveler i appreciate your help.

[dena-mo]

Good thoughts, Laurie. As travelers, we can be distracted visiting a new location. Being savvy about keeping our items from the hands of thieves is important.

[juliestephens]

Julie here - husband and I are going to Greece for a bit over 2 weeks in October - appreciate your YouTube channel Laurie - especially walking shoes

[Torrie]

Hello from a french viewver! Thanks for all your tips!

[christineryan]

I love your videos! We’re going to Disney World for a few days and then a cruise for seven days. We’re driving rather than flying which makes it easier to pack. I am a minimalist and your packing style is perfect for me too! Thanks for all you do!

[phillipj.moodie]

Nice reminder to be alert. I recently placed a compact carry pack on the footpath at taxi rank while I carefully placed my luggage in the taxi trunk. When I got my head out of the taxi interior, then turn around to pick up the main travel bag it was gone.Phil.

[janettesinclair]

Thank you Laurie. As a solo traveller, I am always very conscious of personal security especially in crowded places. I love several of these items, the travelon anti slash purse, the scarf, and the waist wallet (I already have one of these). Great tips!

[robinps]

Great tips Laurie, as always! I learned the hard way—here at home!—to NEVER hang my bag over the back of a chair, even indoors. Either keep the bag across your body & in your lap or if too big, put your foot through the strap & hang the bag on your knee (just be careful standing up!).
And I would suggest using a map app on your phone to find ATM locations too, if you forget to ask the desk clerk at your hotel for directions. Asking someone on the street is risky!
Thanks for ALL your Travel Tips!

[cherylwilliams]

As a ‘vintage aged’ traveler, I always need person items that younger people usually would not need so the larger one fits my need more. I actually like the double zipper tote you that you shared for my needs.

[terzim]

Amazon has a large selection of clear bags. When I was in Europe on 2019, I never took my bag off my body when I sat down to eat, etc. Keep it on you at all times. Great tips!

[katger]

As always, great information, Laurie! I noticed at the beginning of the video you showed your hand with the engagement ring turned inside and wondered if you overlooked talking about that tip for when you are walking around in cities and crowded environments (especially on Las Ramblas). The other distraction method to share is having something spilled or splashed on you "by accident" that of course the stranger then wants to help clean up the mess and, in the confusion, help themselves to your valuables. They can be so conniving - staying aware goes a long way to protecting yourself.

[MultiShahina]

Thanks Laurie! Gotta confess I’m kind of lazy and use the rfid sleeves for passport and credit cards. Always stay alert and trust your gut especially when outside of the US! You are the bestest thank you for your amazing tips!