Back when luggage didn't have wheels -- Looks to me like these two are eloping.
Having been a road warrior in the past, and even now traveling outside the country a few times a year, I tend to pay some attention to personal security. Here’s a couple of idea to keep you and your property safer while on the move.
Tag, You’re It
Generally a bad idea to keep your identity in plain view when traveling. A few years ago, I was standing in line waiting to board the plane, behind a professional-looking businessman. He was dragging behind him one of those gigantic rolling briefcases. Even though I’d never met him before, I casually said “Hey, how you doing, Keith?” He half-turned and looked at me with a surprised, do-I-know you look. Before he could go any further into an awkward moment, I pointed to the very prominent laminated ID card hanging off his bag’s handle, and suggested me might want to ditch it, or at least switch to one with a cover flap.
I explained that burglary gangs have been known to hang out at airports and target traveling families, sneakily reading the address off their luggage while standing in the checkout line, and then go burglarize their home while they’re off sunning their buns in Cancun. Just another variant on identify theft. While not necessarily a target while traveling as a single guy, it was a good habit to get into.
As with most unsolicited advice, this too was not graciously received. Keith maybe might have thought I was a little odd or even hitting on him, because before I could get to the other dire things that could happen through this little lapse in security, he mumbled something I didn’t catch, turned back around and scurried aboard the plane to his economy seat. I felt uncharacteristically smug that I was flying business class that day. He turned left, I went right, and no need to thank me for saving your home from evil burglars, Keith from Dallas.
I didn’t even get a chance to tell him that the other things that thieves do in airports is to get accomplices in the airport staff to page them on the PA system by name, and in the confusion, pinch a carry-on bag or two while they’re distracted.
While keeping your outside luggage tags covered up, it’s also not a bad idea to have a business card taped to the inside of the luggage, or in an outside pocket. If the outside tag is torn off and your luggage lost, the airline might still find your contact information, and have the bag delivered to your company address.
Good-bye, Laptop
Here’s another one: according to a number of studies, thousands of laptops are lost or stolen while traveling. Sure enough, one of my colleagues lost his Dell laptop while traveling overseas on business a few weeks ago.
He didn’t actually lose it, but it got picked up by someone else ahead of him in the security line, someone who had an identical Dell Latitude. My friend happened to realize this only because he was alert enough to notice a scratch along the top of the laptop, open it and start it up right there after going through security.
As soon as he realized his dilemma, he alerted the TSA of the switch, there was not much that they could do to help. He had to travel with someone else’s useless laptop, much like this other traveler no doubt did. To this day, although he’s called the TSA office in Chicago several times, no one has reported the switch.
So, next time he’s traveling, he’s vowed to prominently tape a business card on top on Dell logo as a notice to all that This.Is.Not.Your.Laptop. I think I’ll do the same.
Dear Readers, any other tips on keeping safe, sound and secure while on the road? Feel free to share in the comments. Also, I don’t mind at all if you’d subscribe to this blog via the RSS feed. It’s completely free and security tested.
Photo Credit: Flikr Creative Commons
I like the business card idea. A company logo would also accomplish the same thing if it were a work laptop. Those Dell and Lenovo laptops are so common and look so similar that I’d make the same mistake.
Hi NDM – my colleague had a heck of a time on his trip. He had all his work data on the hard drive, and no flash backup. A company sticker is also a good idea, anything to differentiate.
these are great tips. i am a big fan of locks on suitcases and the in-room hotel safes. i know they’re not foolproof but they give me a sense of security.
jana recently posted..A despicable act
Hi Jana – Locks are at least an initial deterrent for the casual thief in baggage handling.
I use one of those tags that has a flap. You have to open the flap to read the address so a casual onlooker wouldn’t know what my address is, at the same time the bright red tag helps me identify my luggage!
Great tips 101c!
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Hi MC – you gave me an idea – next time I’m at a checkout counter, I’m going to grab a couple of those bright red tags too. Thanks.
I always worry about my valuable items (and this includes my purse as well as my laptop) as I go through security at an airport. I know most people are in a rush, but I refuse to walk through until I can see that my items have entered the scanner. Hopefully I will be done with my own security scan by the time they get out of the scanner and I can grab them.
The new body scanning procedure helps a bit with the timing. I’ve only flown once since it was started but I insisted on a manual screening instead of the scanner. (I’m not trying to be difficult, but I have a medical condition that can be made worse with exposure to radiation.) Since I had to step aside and wait for that, I could closely monitor my items through their own scan and then they were held by TSA until my scan was complete. (BTW, the woman agent who was touching me so closely was very professional, so I really didn’t mind the “pat down” others have complained about. Get over it, folks. In some countries this is a normal security process.)
Linda recently posted..Delayed reaction
Hi Linda – I deliberately take my time going through the line those security scanners. Imagine those poor schlobs working at the TSA getting repeated daily doses of irradiation.
I respectfully disagree on those pat downs. Other countries may have worse (and many most emphatically do not), but we have a constitutional guarantee to the right against search and seizure – not that the Constitution means much in Wash DC these days
Sounds like Keith was a bit agressive over the matter. But you can be assured that once he got home, I bet he did as you recommended. So while you didn’t get appreciation at the moment, you can be certain that your tip was followed later (even if the guy was a bit of a jerk).
Money Reasons recently posted..Laws That Punish The Innocent, Are Really Just Another Form of Hidden Taxation
He was indeed a bit of a wanker, but I consoled myself with the pre-flight glass of bubbly…
My laptop is old and it’s not the end of the world if I lose it, but you just reminded me that I should install some encryption on it before I take off, just in case!
Invest It Wisely recently posted..What Would You Do with a Million Dollars?
Hi IIW – our flash drives are encrypted, but my laptop is not. Good point, I’ll have to speak to I.T. about it.
How about not “checking in” every few minutes about updates on where he is (in twitter, four square, facebook…). It looks like people post about every single movement while traveling. If I want to be a burglar, this would be a great business model for me
Suba recently posted..Extended warranty – Worth it or not? Why do people buy them?
Good point Suba – I don’t tell anyone online I’m traveling until after I get back. Even though I blog semi-anonymously, you never know.
One bit of travel advice is for people to avoid posting all over the place they’ll be traveling. When folks proudly tell the world about how they’re soon going to be out of the country for a fabulous 2 week vacation, it’s like screaming out to the crooks out there that it’s open season. Loose lips sink ships, as that corny old saying goes:)
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Hi Squirrelers – people will learn the hard way, hopefully without getting hurt.
I usually announce the trip after coming back and while I am away I got my neighbors to watch my back by making sure advertisements don’t pile up. Then there’s the brother in law who has to drop by twice a week to check on things…so I don’t really worry.
BeatingTheIndex recently posted..Why Electric Cars Won’t Kill Oil Anytime Soon
BTI, that’s the prudent way to be gone. Light timers, taking care of newspapers are good precautions. I notice that my neighbors sometimes forget to suspend their deliveries, so I pick up the newspapers and put them on their porch. No need to tempt thieves, they might migrate over to our house.
What a coincidence both of us wrote on the same topic today, data security. Nice to see your point of view.
SB(One Cent At A Time) recently posted..Safeguard Money By Dumping Your Computer Safely
Great minds think alike! Thanks for dropping in, SB.
Hey, these are great tips. I learned something new today so thanks very much.
cashflowmantra recently posted..How to Catch a Falling Knife
Hi CFM – thanks for stopping by!
I noticed that SOOO many backpackers are now traveling with a laptop as well. And we all know that hostel security is seriously lacking.
I personally would not bring my laptop traveling. Too many cherished photos, data etc. on it. I stick to my iPhone/ iPod Touch instead.
youngandthrifty recently posted..Save or Invest for Short Term Goals?
I must confess, I *hate* traveling with a laptop, and make every effort to avoid it. I stick with the Blackberry, pad and pencil, and a notebook.
Hi Y&T – prior to blogging, I wouldn’t have been caught dead with a laptop on vacation. Now, I’m seriously considering an iPad to keep up with the posting schedule.
And why does the guy in the picture look like Gilligan?
Well, I think Keith is a jerk- your advice was very good. I never thought about how easy it would be to find a traveler with a family, get an address, and then go loot the home while they are away. Of course, the burglar would probably be disappointed when he came to loot our home, unless they can discretely steal a massive 55 inch tv.
Another reason I love my Ipad. Would much rather travel with that than a laptop. However, if you are traveling for business, I am sure taking the laptop is crucial.
Everyday Tips recently posted..Changing Financial Habits Is Hard Work. Don’t Just Talk About It, Open Your Mind and Do It
Hi Kris – a laptop is indeed crucial to some positions, and on some trips for me as well. But as I’ve said, I go to great lengths to avoid the extra weight and hassle of finding adapters and cords and whatnot. I admit with some slight embarrassment that I’ve even
manipulatedinfluenced some travel companions to take *their* laptop so I wouldn’t have to. I need tostopstartkeep thinking about that iPad.I too have done the business card thing and it is helpful. Another thing I have found works really well is emailing yourself a copy of your passport and travel insurance. That way if by chance you loose them, you have a back up. I also store cash in numerous places in my luggage and clothes. That way if someone finds one pack to steal they only steal part of the money I brought. This applies to those that stay in hostels etc where your luggage is near others you don’t know.
Miss T @ Prairie Eco-Thrifter recently posted..3 Important Lessons in Living Frugally, But Not Too Frugally
Miss T., email a copy of the passport and visa and travel insurance, that’s a brilliant idea!
Nice tips. Don’t forget that if you check luggage, it’s awful easy for someone else to just pick it off the carousel – so be there watching for it and put something (like a colored ribbon) on the outside that alerts you that it is yours from a distance.
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Marie, I always wondered how easy it would be for an airport worker with a criminal background to sneak in some accomplices to do just that at baggage carousels. I always try to go keep an eye at the emerging bags, and watch for mine to which I’ve tied red, green and white electrical cable ties.
Great tips. I hate my address being out there for anyone to see. Criminals are so crafty…
Ashley @ Money Talks recently posted..Getting The Kids Ready For School
Yep, the crafty criminals are the ones to watch out for…
Luckily for the law-abiding public, the average thief is a moron, and somehow or another frequently manages to get caught by the authorities.
My old laptop used to have my business card taped on it when I traveled more. Now I don’t need to have it there.
For my luggage tags, I use business cards which has my work address on it…that way thieves or pervs can’t get your address or phone number that easily.
I always make sure to have my keys and cell phone in hand when walking through parking garages at strange hours. You don’t to be fishing for them if someone’s after you.
Always bolt the hotel room door with that latch thingee too. I had a colleague get saved by that multiple times. It was not always malicious. 2 of the times another guest got access to the same room by accident. Another time, this woman had her wedding ring stolen out of her room while she was at the gym. If you have valuables, keep them on your or use the safe.
Don’t stay at hotels where the room opens to the street. Again, another coworker got his room door kicked in and was mugged.
Watch for people following you, and don’t stop for unmarked cars or plainclothes people posing as police. Call the police first to verify that the officer is legit or drive to the nearest police station. People have been raped in killed on more than one occasion. One guy near me would pull women over in an area that had no cell phone coverage and rape them.
Don’t take taxi’s that are unmarked either. If nothing else, they’ll rip you off or worse.
Wow, spoken like a true road warrior. Good tips, Sandy, thanks. When traveling overseas, my passport is *always* with me. That’s my most valuable possession.
Yes, internationally, there’s a whole other set of rules.
Keep photocopies of your passport, driver’s license and birth certificate in your luggage in case your wallet gets stolen overseas.
Also, for domestic travel..don’t carry your passport. I used to because some defense companies need proof of citizenship, but again, another colleague got her laptop bag stolen and it’s just not worth carrying it.
All those things that I mentioned, the unmarked car, etc, doors being kicked in, getting followed, all happened to people I work with. These things are more common than you think. It’s always good to keep your eyes open.
One more tip. Don’t talk on your cell phone in places like garages, parking lots, etc. Wait til you get in your car or are in a safe location. That’s another one that can really make you a target.
Garages and parking lots is where my spidey sense is on high alert. In fact, I have a parking lot story that one day I’ll have to write about.
Good point on not carrying your passport for domestic travel.
These are two tips I hadn’t heard yet. Definitely good ones. And that is a nice thing about the iPad, not having to take it out at security.
In addition to luggage tags that hide your information, brightly colored ones are also handy to distinguish yours from every other black rolling suitcase that comes out of the plane.
When traveling Europe we were told to avoid street sellers who would come up with trays of goods, because the trays often block your view while their friends pick-pocket you.
Lindy Mint recently posted..An Ode to Being Done with Bubble Wrap
Gypsies are infamous for practicing all kinds of pickpocket tricks on unsuspecting tourists. Best to stay away from them.
It’s also important to think about security for your house while you’re gone by trying to make it look lived in, having your mail stopped, etc. We have a house-sitter who lives at our house whenever we’re out of town, so I feel better knowing that our house really is still lived in.
Jackie recently posted..How’s That Working For You?
A house-sitter is a sensible and practical option if you can find one you trust.
Like others said, these are great tips for personal security at the airport.
I’ve never worried about announcing my vacations to friends on Facebook, but now I have a lot of blogger friends who I realy don’t know (not the Yakezie of course) and my son no longer lives here.
I think I’ll wait until I’m back to let everyone know.
Kay Lynn @ Bucksome Boomer recently posted..Ignore the Joneses and Live Well
Good idea, Kay Lynn. You never know who’s reading…
Thanks for the reminder; I continuously take safety and “my stuff” for granted. Virtually everyone we know has either had something stolen or been in some sort of shady situation when traveling. we’ve lucked out to date.
Darwin’s Money recently posted..Portfolio Update – I Tripled the S&P500 – Again!
Darwin, I’m with you on that one, I’ve never been victimized while on the road. Have come close with pickpockets a couple of times, but successfully foiled them. Maybe that’s a story for another blog post or postlet.
Great tips! My wife and I travelled with backpacks to Argentina last fall and took our netbook with us. Sure, a $300 netbook would be a pain to lose, but it beats losing a $1000 laptop.
We also strip all data off it before we go, except for a few songs, videos and movies.
Another simple key: simply be aware. All too often, bad things happen to good people when they are not paying attention to their belongings. This cannot be overstated in a foreign land.
Cheers,
Mark
I remember reading about your trip. Taking a netbook along is a great idea!
Great travel tips. When going to another country, it has been a habit of us to put those big “Tags” taped with our complete name and address on our luggage.
But of course, the carry-ons are a different story as we don’t tag it as much or at least the names are not that visible.
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Hi SUYF, thanks for dropping by. Glad you liked the post.
I tag my luggages with aaddress, and one has a Canadian flag so I font miss it. Bad idea?
Instead of bringing my laptop I broughtt phone with wifi. Horrible foe typing but good for passing time at airport. For writing down stories I will either use her laptop at night or pen and paper.
invest it wisely recently posted..Are You Investing Wisely in Yourself?
Pen and paper and blackberry, I’m with you on that one.
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This hits home as I’m obssessive about security when travelling or even out in crowded public places. I had never even considered the one about thiefs looking at your address on bags….definitely going to keep an eye for that one.
As for laptops…I never let that out of my site or touch at an airport…..I’ve heard of too many walk buy pick-ups to ever take my eye off it.
Here’s another one. Don’t program the GPS in your car with a “home” address. call it something different. I’ve heard of theives breaking into cars, pulling up home and then they have your garage door opener to walk right inside!
Car Negotiation Coach recently posted..How to Find a Lawyer
Hi Coach – that’s a good one. I had to change it as I leave the Garmin in the glove compartment. Saving grace is that my old truck wouldn’t be exactly a target for thieves.
Travelling internationally we put copies of our passports, drivers’ licenses, and credit cards in the hotel safe. Mostly we carried only the amount of cash we needed for the day & left the rest in the safe. Since we were travelling with other couples each couple kept their items in a marked envelope in the safe.
I carried a smallish purse that I could hold in front of me at all times. It was on a long strap that went crosswise over my body. The purse was about twice the size of a woman’s wallet & was just right for keeping under control.
Hello Maggie, thanks for your comment. Sometimes we men don’t appreciate how ladies have to think about keeping their purses secure. When thinking about security, we can just switch our wallets to our front pockets (or hidden pockets), but females may not have the pocket option.
Good tips. We also put a tag inside the bags as well in case the outer tag ripped away. These days we try to only take carry on.
retirebyforty recently posted..A Million Dollars is NOT Enough
Good tips. I always make sure to put valuables and a change of clothes in my carry on in case my luggage goes missing or ends up in another country.
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