Whether you’re about to embark on a 3 month European adventure, or you’ve snapped up a cheap long weekend deal to Kuala Lumpur, travelling can be a risky business.

Naturally, the idea of exploring a new place, with countless Instagram photo opportunities, excites you – but don’t be fooled into thinking nothing bad happens in beautiful locations.

Before you leave home, there are a few handy measures you can make to help yourself get out of a sticky situation – or better yet prevent it altogether.

1. Back it up

When you travel, chances are you’ll be carrying important documents with you, which if lost, would be a major problem – your passport, ID and boarding pass for instance.

Take some time before you leave home to make electronic copies of important documents (either by scanning them or taking a photo on your phone). Save these files somewhere you can remotely access them when you have internet, like your email inbox or the Cloud.

Electronic copies will help prove your identity if you get questioned or need to obtain replacements overseas.

2. Lock it, zip it, secure it

How many bags do you normally travel with? A single backpack? Or do you take advantage of the entire luggage allowance your airline offers?

Regardless of whether you travel light or loaded, there is always a chance that your belongings may leave your sight at some point – so make like a boy scout and be prepared.

Padlock any luggage you plan on checking in – this includes any empty pockets or compartments too. Not only are you fending off potential thieves, you’re also protecting yourself from falling victim to people slipping in unwanted items into your luggage.  If padlocks are too bulky for smaller zips, cable ties are a great alternative.

It’s also advisable to carry extra padlocks with you if you have a carry-on bag, in the event you’re separated from it at short notice. It’s not uncommon for airlines to run out of space in the overhead cabin when people are boarding the plane and you may be forced to leave your bag at the gate to be checked in.

3. Travel ‘appy  

If you’re like the millions of people who have a smartphone, take some time to have a think about what you have stored on there.

Banking apps? Private photos? Work emails?

Whatever you have on your phone, think about what someone would have access to if it fell into the wrong hands.

“But I have lock on my phone” I hear you say, and that’s great if your phone is actually locked at the point you lose contact with it. Consider how many times you’re in public, texting your friends or snapping the most Instgramable photo of all time. You’re distracted, you’re holding your phone away from your body and you’re in the perfect position for someone to rip it right out of your hand.

If you must travel with your beloved smart phone, instead of buying a cheaper ‘burner phone’ for when you travel, take some extra precautions:

  • Take your snaps when your phone is locked and schedule time admiring your selfies for when you’re in private.
  • Log out of all your social media and email apps as soon as you stop using them. Most of the time, you won’t have internet when you’re sightseeing – so there’s no need to check Facebook when you’re walking the Great Wall of China.
  • For extra protection, download apps like Best Phone Security Pro that request passwords to enter your apps if your phone is unlocked. If the wrong password is entered, not only will your information be secure, a photo will be taken of the suspect.

4. Secure your finances

You may need to make an international transfer at some point in your travels, so make sure you do it securely.

With WorldFirst, you’ll be dealing with international money transfer specialists who can help you with competitive exchange rates and seamless transfers at anytime. For clients making personal currency transfers, we won’t charge you a transaction fee either.

Speak with a WorldFirst currency specialist today on +65 6805 4380 or visit us at https://www.worldfirst.com/en-sg/

 

Disclaimer:

These comments are the views and opinions of the author and should not be construed as advice. You should act using your own information and judgement.

Whilst information has been obtained from and is based upon multiple sources the author believes to be reliable, we do not guarantee its accuracy and it may be incomplete or condensed.

All opinions and estimates constitute the author’s own judgement as of the date of the briefing and are subject to change without notice.

Please consider FX derivatives are high risk, provide volatile returns and do not guarantee profits.

We have no commercial affiliation with any organisation or commercial interest regarding the venues mentioned in this article. The information is only provided as gathered and should be verified before, using your own judgement.

*Although World First has prepared the Information contained in this website with all due care and updates the Information regularly, World First does not warrant or represent that the Information is free from errors or omission.

Whilst the Information is considered to be true and correct at the date of publication, changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of the Information. The Information may change without notice and World First is not in any way liable for the accuracy of any information printed and stored or in any way interpreted and used by a user.