Travel Security: What to Do If You Fall Victim to Attack

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Travel Security: What to Do If You Fall Victim to Attack

 Guest Post by Jess Signet: I would like to thank Ross for publishing this article. His site is a great place to help plan your travels, learn from his mistakes and enjoy his traveling anecdotes. After reading this, I highly recommend you check out his post about being robbed in Uganda for a real life account of falling victim to attack!

Travel Security - What to do when attackedThere are so many incredible places to visit all over the world, but many people fail to ever fulfil their traveling dreams due to the risks involved with the pursuit. It’s true that being on the road puts you in greater danger than if you were at home, but falling victim to an attack doesn’t have to be the end of the world. It may be scary, but there are simple steps you can take in order to right the wrongs done to you and continue on your traveling adventure.

 

Travel Security – Know Your Embassy Details

Travel Security - Where to go when attackedA lot of minimizing the effects of an attack while traveling actually requires prior preparation. Everyone has the worst-case travel scenario in their minds: ending up stranded in a foreign country without any money or people to contact. If you fall victim to theft or mugging, this, unfortunately, could end up becoming a reality.

However, if you’ve thought ahead and jotted down the details to your country’s embassy, then you can resolve the problem with relative ease. Embassies are responsible for their citizens when they are abroad, so by giving them a phone call, they can help you find a way to get home. They’re also your first port of contact if you have lost your passport, so having an address and telephone number is always useful.

 

Travel Security – Keep Copies of Important Documents

 Travel Security - Keep copies of documentsLosing important documents in an attack can be a disaster for travellers, so it’s usually best to keep them locked up. Unfortunately, many countries require you to carry your passport for identification. Similarly, having travel insurance policies or other emergency documents on you can be extremely beneficial in case a problem arises. Therefore, if you fall victim to a mugging and lose all of your possessions, then having photocopies of these documents stored in a safe locker at your hotel or the airport could be a lifesaver in order to get the help you need quickly and efficiently.

 Protect Yourself Online

Travel Security - Protect yourself onlineIt’s not just physical theft that travellers have to worry about; cybercriminals are started to target tourists more regularly than before. This is because travellers are forced to rely on unsecured public WiFi networks to access the internet, making data extremely easy to intercept. These attacks could result in your bank account being drained and costly charges being racked up on your card, or they could even use your identity to commit fraud. Having to deal with any of these situations in a foreign country is an endless nightmare, so it’s important to protect yourself beforehand. Using a Virtual Private Network encrypts your information and allows you to browse securely, meaning you won’t risk falling victim to an attack.

 Travel Security – Always Go to the Police

Travel Security - Always go to the policeVery often, when travellers run into trouble in a foreign country, particularly one where the authorities are known for corruption, they don’t bother reporting the crime and aim to resolve the problem by themselves. However, while there is validity behind this tactic, usually if you haven’t made an official police report, it’s very difficult to get your travel insurance to pay out and cover your stolen items. Even if it’s only as a formality, make sure the police are informed as soon as possible after you fall victim to an attack.

 

Travel Security – Cancel Cards and Wipe Devices

Travel Security - Alway cancel cardsWhile the initial attack is devastating enough, many criminals and thieves go on to rack up hefty charges on credit cards and electronic devices if they have the opportunity to. Because of this, it’s extremely important to ensure that you cancel and block all stolen items as soon as possible. Some phones, such as iPhones, offer a remote wipe option that means, if set up beforehand, you can block the device easily from another computer. However, if you don’t have this automatically ready to use, then you’ll have to ring your provider. Similarly, you should notify your bank and get them to cancel your card before purchases can be made.

 

 

Travel disasters should never stop you from getting out and seeing the world. By simply taking the right precautions, and knowing what to do if disaster does strike, you can travel confidently and not have to worry about potential threats. If you have any more tips for travel security or have experience with any of the points already mentioned, be sure to leave comment below and share your ideas with fellow travellers.

 

About the Author: Jess Signet is an avid traveller and enjoys writing about her adventures. Knowing there’s more to the world than the bubble she lives in makes her want to travel even further. www.tripelio.com

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Ross Travellingforfun

About Ross Travellingforfun

I have ducked, dived, bungeed, burned, skydived, surfed, volunteered, volcanoed, crossed continents, conquered mountains, got robbed, got sick and got drunk and I hope this website will inspire you to do the same.