Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
•
Pickpocket proof bags.
If you want to be extra safe, you can get yourself a specially de-
signed “pickpocket proof” backpack, bag, or purse. A company called Pacsafe makes
the most popular antitheft bags. Their bags have tamperproof zippers, cut-proof straps,
anchored straps, and a slash-proof metal mesh sewn into the bag. However, their bags
are fairly expensive and all that extra protection could be a little overkill—but the added
peace of mind is worth the extra price for some people.
ATM/Credit Card/Debit Card Fraud
Credit card fraud is a multi-billion dollar industry and scammers frequently target tourists.
In Europe, thieves are getting clever when it comes to this type of fraud. Here are some ways
to help protect yourself.
Credit/debit card skimming.
It is EXTREMELY easy to “clone” (aka skim) a credit card. In
fact, skimming is one of the biggest problems in bank fraud today because anyone can buy a
skimmer online for a few hundred dollars. The thief simply needs to swipe your card though a
tiny card reader that records all the info from the card's magnetic strip. Most often it is waiters
and shopkeepers that commit this crime since they're the people who are handling your bank-
cards. Sometimes they'll make charges right away, but they'll often wait months before they
make a charge.
Always use your credit card (or cash) when making purchases
at a place of business. It
is much easier to contest fraudulent charges with a credit card. It can be a huge nightmare if
your debit card gets cloned because it takes much longer to get your money back.
I've had my cards cloned—twice. They didn't make any purchases until about three months
after my trip. One day I randomly had a charge from Spain for $1,800 and I hadn't even visited
Spain during my trip. Luckily, my credit card company declined it before it went through.
Never use your credit card on a payphone.
Many payphones will give you the option to
use your credit card to make a call and then you'll get charged an insane amount. I know
someone who paid well over $50 for a two-minute call. This isn't technically illegal but it is
still a scam.
Cash machines.
The ATM is another place you need to be wary about getting scammed.
Always hide your PIN from prying eyes. Thieves have been known to rig up small cameras
pointed to the number pad so always use your other hand to hide your code.
Another common scam is to put clear tape in the card slot, which results in your card get-
ting stuck when it is inserted. After you leave, someone comes by with tweezers and retrieves
your card. Go inside the bank if your card gets stuck and cancel it if they can't retrieve it.
