10 Killer Security Hacks for Travellers

​Crime gets worse and worse with each passing year.

For numerous reasons, people are struggling more and more.

Reduced funding has meant police forces have fewer officers on the beat, fewer officers to handle and process thieves and too many cases where thieves are virtually beyond the law.

​It is up to you to protect yourself and your belongings from becoming another victim of opportunistic or premeditated theft.

As I travel the world, you’ll be amazed at what I see. It’s a terrible thing, but sometimes I find myself asking, “What did you expect?”

So here are my 10 killer security travel hacks aimed at everyone, not only budget travellers and backpackers. :

1. Do not put your phone in your back pocket:

You’ll be amazed how many times I see this. In some countries, I admit, this is OK. Think Korea and Japan.

​From Mexico City to London to Barcelona, I see locals do it but not as much as I see tourists doing it.

I’m going to be blunt here. You are asking for trouble!

2. Don’t leave your phone on the table:

When you go to a café or bar, do not just casually put your phone on the table: “The hand is quicker than the eye”. And they do this at street cafes, sitting on the sidewalk, using their 1500 USD laptop in full view of everyone, phone just sitting there, calling out to be snatched. Don’t advertise your wealth!

3. Take the SIM out of your phone:

You need your SIM to receive codes from a variety of websites to double verify it’s you. Losing your phone and losing your SIM is a double pile of shit you will be in.

Chances are you ain’t as popular as you think anyway. FOMO?

Thankfully, eSims are here to stay.

4. Don’t use a wallet:

You can’t have your wallet stolen if you don’t have one.

Going out for the day, just put enough cash and a bank card in your front pocket, and keep your main stash out of sight, either in a security wallet or locked up in the hotel safe or wherever you deem safe.

5. Turn off Contactless:

When travelling, turn off contactless or set it to a low amount, so that you always need to enter your PIN.

6. On using bank cards:

Be careful of the words “Oh, it didn’t work, please swipe again”. This is a very common scam. Turn off that function on your banking app. Always opt for entering your PIN

Watch for extra zeros. Watch for the position of the decimal point. And don’t let the card out of your sight.

7. Use an Anti-Skimming Card Holder:

Good extra protection against your card being skimmed when it’s in your security wallet. You can get these Anti-Skimming Card Holders at some banks.

8. Security wallets:

These need to be worn UNDER your clothes, not worn like some fashion accessory.

9. Handbags and Backpacks:

When touring a city where the cases of bag snatching are high, do not have your handbag or daypack casually hanging off one shoulder. Wear it across your body/use both straps. Better still, hook it in a carabiner and loop it to your belt loop on your jeans.

10. On using your smartphone:

Don’t walk down the street looking like some lost gringo, with your smartphone out in front of you.

Need to get a location fix, step into a shop, away from where a passerby can snatch it from you. Cases are on the rise. And a quick addition to the original post, don’t leave your phone charging whilst you pop to the loo, from hostel common areas to travelling by train.