Did you set up any measures in case all your stuff was lost / stolen / destroyed and did you ever have to use them?
I have 2 phones and credit cards in different bags, and felt safe with that. But recently, while leaving Managua airport in a bit of a sketchy Taxi, I became aware of just how screwed I’d be if I got robbed with all my luggage on me.
Losing my stuff would suck, but I’d also have no way to get new money, freeze my bank account or even just contact my accommodation…
Does travel insurance help here?
Good thread OP.
The most riskiest part of my journey, when arriving in a new country, is always the transportation between the airport and the accommodation. Esp as many cities have taxi-mafia.
Some of the precautions I take:
- multiple credit cards, located in different places on my person, in the bag etc.
- secret hidden pocket
- emergency cash hidden on my person
- emergency contacts (for credit cards, banks, etc) sent to myself in an email.
- all important Word/Excel files stored on the cloud and never on the laptop
- having two phones
Good luck.
Esp as many cities have taxi-mafia.
The goal of “airport taxi mafia” is normally just to overcharge you, not to rob you. In a shady location an airport taxi would likely be safer than a street taxi.
In a shady location an airport taxi would likely be safer than a street taxi
Sure, but thats a different argument - when a foreigner arrives at an airport, they don’t have the option to decide between an airport taxi and a street taxi.
There have been cases in Manila and Bogota where the foreigner has been robbed whilst in the taxi going to their hotel. No one can be sure if the taxi driver was in cahoots or not. A personal friend of mine arrive in Rome airport and took an airport taxi at an agreed price. The taxi guy then drove him to an ATM and demanded 150 euros. My friend was frightened, had no choice and so did as he was told.
Back up your data and have savings for a new device
When arriving in a new city, do your prior research and know how to get where you’re going in the safest possible way and ffs research the area you’re staying in, especially for longer stays (1mth +)
Just like Kevin Gates, I got two phones.
I now use Authy for my 2fa as it can supposedly be recovered from the cloud.
Backup all essential data on the cloud.
Some body commented don’t be poor. I usually dislike this sentiment on this sub, but they are totally right in this context. You really need to have some sort of emergency fund. You also need to be realistic about the prices you’ll pay when you don’t have the luxury of shopping things out/access to the first world. Your devices are going to break. Sometimes you get some warning, often you don’t.
I always leave at least one debit card in my apartment (as in not on my person). I specify debit card as somebody/I could send me a large amount of money that I could access where credit cards are more limited. As many have mentioned, travel days leave you exposed. Try to be vigilant and mitigate when you can.
Being organized on travel days is also helpful. My passport only leaves my front pocket for security, airline staff, and immigration. All of my cards and cash are never in the same place. Give yourself extra time for traveling. This will almost definitely mean getting less sleep at some point, even if you can afford optimal flights. Something something mistakes happen when you rush.
Back up everything on a regular basis. 3:2-1. 3 copies of essential data, 2 local and 1 off-site (in the cloud, etc).
I didn’t do any of this when I lost my backpack with passport/computer/wallet while in Spain. Luckily I had my main computer still and my smart watch, which had a digital credit card I could use. Without the watch I would’ve been trying to contact family or asking people for money to pay back. I was at the beach and someone swiped my backpack when I wasn’t looking like an idiot. I didn’t even have my shoes on…
Next time I travel I will still have 2 laptops, one in backpack, another in carry on luggage. Will bring a spare phone with a extra SIM and separate out my credit cards to have a spare credit/debit card a backup wallet.
Photos of your passport/ID are mostly useless if you need them for any official documentation. It was useful when I was at the US Consulate in Valencia to get my emergency passport. If you don’t have any official ID, you cannot receive money also, so you need to make friends with someone and have the money send to them if your wallet/bank cards.
If you get a police report proving you items were stolen (which I suppose anyone could do), you will have an easier time with some people if you don’t have documents but depends on the person. Just buying a SIM card alone was a pain in the ass with the watch because most places required cash and/or an ID.
- Back Up Your Data:
Regularly back up important data on your devices. Use cloud storage services or external hard drives to ensure you have a copy of crucial files, documents, and photos.
- Enable Tracking Features:
Activate tracking features on your phone and laptop. Both Android and iOS devices have built-in tracking options. For laptops, you can use services like “Find My Device” for Windows or “Find My Mac” for Apple laptops.
- Install Security Apps:
Install security and anti-theft apps on your phone and laptop. These apps can help you track, lock, or erase your device remotely in case it’s lost or stolen.
- Use Passwords and Biometrics:
Secure your devices with strong passwords and, if available, biometric features like fingerprint or facial recognition. This adds an extra layer of protection in case your device falls into the wrong hands.
All data in the cloud. Always. That data includes pics of all my documentation. Main password in my head, mom’s tlf number as well lol. Spare card in the backpack, the rest in my wallet. Usually just go out with smartphone in places were contactless payment is available.
That’s it. If everything gets stolen by some might thief, I’m pretty confident I’ll still manage.
I don’t. Emergency prep costs money I don’t have. Credit cards are how I’d manage.