Credit Cards: How to Protect Them When You Travel

You’ll hear this from me over and over again; but I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to wear a money belt (whether it’s around your midriff, on your leg . . . there are many variations available) under your clothes. This holds true whether traveling here or abroad, or even if you live in a big city.

Inside the money belt, keep your passport, all tickets, most of your traveler’s checks, your credit cards (you don’t need to take ALL your credit cards on the trip), your driver’s license, your itinerary with confirmation numbers and phone numbers, and the key to your house. It’s not uncomfortable, and it won’t make you look heavier!

Yes; it’s a little inconvenient to have to step into a restroom for privacy when you know you’re going to need more cash or your passport or whatever. But think about how inconvenient LOSING any of those items would be. And don’t think it won’t ever happen to YOU.

If you have retrieved your passport or credit card for some reason, return it to your money belt as soon as possible. Don’t procrastinate. It’s not worth it. A mugger can grab your purse or briefcase and disappear in MOMENTS.

One more important tip: Before leaving on your trip, provide a trusted friend with a list of all your credit card numbers and the emergency number to call and/or online info (for each card) in case the cards are lost or stolen. Then, one call to your friend should get your cards immediately cancelled and reissued quickly. Give the same friend a list of all your traveler’s checks numbers and increments, plus a photocopy of your passport, detailed itinerary, and driver’s license, just in case the worst should happen.

REMEMBER: It’s always good to have a backup plan!!






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