Stay alert when on the road

By John Frenaye

Travel columnist

updated 2:03 p.m. ET Jan. 5, 2007

John Frenaye Travel columnist • Profile • E-mail

Several months ago, I was in a casino in a city with which I am very familiar. I was so comfortable, I almost felt like I owned the place. Yes, my guard was down, and if it weren’t for the hangover I was nursing, I would have been out $500.

I decided to play a little blackjack and went to the bank ATM to withdraw some money. After keying in my PIN number and the amount of my withdrawal, a little old lady (everyone’s grandmother) asked me to read a number on a receipt that the casino's Frequent Gambler Club ATM had spit out. As I looked over to help her, I saw a hand reach for my cash. I grabbed the wrist, but the young man wrestled away and disappeared in the crowd. Me — the frequent flier, the world traveler, the über-paranoid — I’d been conned. I looked back at the little old lady, and she, too, was gone — no doubt to join her partner in crime.

The story has a happy ending. When I looked back at the ATM, there was a message on the screen indicating that I had keyed in the wrong PIN number. Hmmmmm. I tried again, and got the same message. So I began to think that maybe scammers didn’t get the cash, after all. I tried it one more time, and the machine ate my card. I called the bank and we determined that indeed my money was safe — thanks to one-too-many Tanqueray-and-tonics.

The lesson: You are never as safe as you think you are. There are thousands of ways that travelers get ripped off every year. Prevention is mostly common sense, so heed these 7 tips and hedge your own bets.

Yourself
Make sure your purse or wallet is secure in your front pocket or around your shoulder. Go heavy on credit cards and light on cash. Use the ATM to replenish your cash on a daily basis; your safety is worth more than the ATM charge. Keep your original ID in the hotel safe; bring copies with you when you are out and about. Think about what jewelry and other valuables you really need on this trip. When walking, keep to the curb, stay in well-lit areas, and never be afraid to run to a police station or into an open store if you feel threatened. Finally, mind your look. If you are going to a football game in the United Kingdom, dress the part — heels and furs are not appropriate. Right now, the U.S. image is not as popular in the world as it once was, so dress to blend in. Dressing like an ad for Old Navy might just spell trouble.

Hotels
Safety starts when you book your room. Check out the neighborhood and request an upper-floor room in the middle of the hallway. Lower floors make for an easy escape for a criminal, and stairwells make fantastic hiding places. The front desk clerk should never broadcast your room number; if he does, request another room. If the hotel has a bellman, allow him to enter your room first and turn on all the lights while you check out the room. If there is no bellman to accompany you, prop your door open while you check the room out. And to prevent identity theft, ask the front desk not to slide your bill (with all that personal information about you) under your door on the last morning — pick it up on your way out. Finally, stash your passports and valuables in the hotel safe. (Room safes? Everyone has the code.)

Planes
OK, the million-milers will hate this advice, but always stow your carry-on in front of you where you can keep an eye on it, especially on long-haul flights. It is really easy to pilfer stuff from a bag if the owner cannot see it. Also, pack your valuable stuff on the bottom of the bag — it makes it more difficult for a crook to get to it. If you feel the need to lock your checked baggage (I don’t), invest in some TSA approved locks. Before you zip up, put a paper with your home address, dates, destination address and cell phone number on top. That way if your bag is “misdirected” (airline-speak for lost) and your tags have gone AWOL, too, the airline will know where to send your bag. Finally, trust your gut. If you feel uncomfortable about a passenger, don’t feel bad about reporting your concern to the nearest flight attendant. If you still feel uncomfortable, get off the plane and take the next flight.

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