Consumer Watch: Tips for keeping valuables safe while traveling

Ellen Phillips

Regardless of travel as far away as Australia or as close as Pigeon Forge, it only takes a single thief to wipe you out and ruin an otherwise wonderful vacation. So how do you keep your valuables safe during a summertime trip?

-Divvy up cash, credit cards and travelers' checks into multiple safe spots.

-Don't stash larger bills/extra cash. In fact, make smaller denominations easily accessible each morning of the journey. As you prepare your daily bag, have a variety of smaller bills and coins for purchases such as souvenirs, soft drinks, and attraction entrance fees. Store larger bills in more optimal (and secret) places; under-clothing pouches, hidden belt compartments or, at the very least, tuck valuables into a secure part of your bag.

-Use a travel purse, which these days are much tougher than in the past. Made specifically for travel with features such as cut-proof, steel-cable-reinforced shoulder straps, slash-proof fabric, and locking zippers. Not only do these elements slow down a thief's attempts, but also help deter pickpocket's wandering fingers. Check anti-theft bags online at Magellan, Amazon and Pacsafe, among others.

-Before leaving home, clean out your wallet to a fare-thee-well. Take out your library card, for example; how many local library branches will you visit overseas or even when in New Hampshire visiting Great Aunt Mathilda? Remove everything except the absolute necessities that travel experts deem necessary, including a universal credit card and one backup, a copy of your passport (and driver's license, if you're operating a vehicle), and insurance cards/travel emergency IDs. I carry one credit card and my husband takes the back-up and, except for the driver's license, we place only copies of everything else. The originals are back in the hotel or cruise ship locked safe, and other copies remain with a designated person at home whom we can contact if we run into a problem.

-A dummy wallet can help protect your loot from bad folks. Get a cheap or old wallet, pad it with some small bills and slip in an expired credit card or even a replica that comes in the mail for pre-approved offers. Throw your bogus billfold at the mugger and dash away, escaping with your real wallet, its contents, and your safety.

Contact Ellen Phillips at consumerwatch@timesfreepress.com.