Travel Guides

Best ways of keeping your money safe while on holiday

By Dominic Welling

dominicwelling@consumerchoices.co.uk

Although most of us don’t like to think about it when we go on holiday, there is always the possibility that you might have your valuables and money stolen if you’re not lucky.

Whether you like it or not, theft happens to people when they are travelling and tourists are generally seen as easy pickings.

However, by taking some precautions, the chances of theft can be greatly minimised.

• Hotel safe

Firstly find out if the hotel offers any safe facilities.

If you do have a safe in your hotel room, then make full use of it. Your valuables will be more secure inside it, so you can relax and enjoy yourself when out and about.

Also, your insurance cover for money and valuables may offer higher payouts for items kept in safes.

If your room does not have a safe then ask at reception, most places will be happy to put your money and valuable items in the hotel’s main safe.

• Divide up your money

When you go out, only take the money you'll need for the day with you and place the rest of it in the safe or another secure hiding place in your room.

Empty out your wallet and only take what you'll use that day with you.

For example, credit cards, debit cards, etc, that you are unlikely to use during the trip should also remain in the safe in the room or kept behind the hotel reception.

This will make your wallet appear less bulky, and make it less of an obvious target for crooks.

• Wallet

While you should never put all your money in your wallet, you should always carry some petty cash.

First off, this is the money you'll use to pay for coffees, snacks and entry fees to museums etc, but also it will be the money that you'd hand over to a mugger if needs be.

Just remember to take out your credit cards and similar things you usually walk around with at home in case it's stolen.

• Other places to carry cash

Money belts are a pretty decent option if you're travelling. Unlike bum bags, they are thin and lightweight and can be easily concealed under your clothes.

Bum bags are good for carrying stuff around and offer easy access, but thieves have been known to cut bum bags off people’s waists given half a chance.

Alternatively, a neck wallet is also comfortable, and a leg money belt let's you strap money safely to your thigh. This is probably the most secure option, but probably not the most convenient.

• Consider alternatives to cash

You’ll always need some cash on your travels, but for greater peace of mind you should spread your spending between cash, cards or travellers cheques.

Unlike cash, Travellers Cheques are insured, never expire, and can be cancelled and replaced at short notice if lost or stolen.

Similarly, if your card is stolen you can cancel it and order a replacement 24-hours a day.

• Don’t travel without insurance

Finally, if something does go wrong and you do end up having your money and valuables stolen, then you must have travel insurance to rely on.

There are hundreds of different firms out there offering travel insurance, so there’s simply no excuse for going abroad uninsured.

Final thought

If you are a victim of theft when on your holidays, and you end up needing help and assistance beyond that provided by the local police, then you should contact the British Embassy or Consulate who should be able to help you.

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