The changing world of travel brings with it new security challenges, such as the risk of personal information theft by unseen RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) readers.
Below you’ll find additional information about RFID, how to protect your vital personal information from cyber-thieves, as well as tips for navigating the world of security.
Protecting Your Identity & Personal Information
Many passports and credit cards now contain invisible embedded chips that include your personal and financial information. This technology is called Radio Frequency Identification (RFID).
Passport agents use RFID-scanning devices to read passports and clear passengers through immigration. In addition, cashiers at many stores use RFID readers to process credit-card payments. Unfortunately cyber-thieves have acquired the same portable readers to steal your personal information—without your knowledge—from your credit cards and passports, while casually standing near you.
RFID-safe products use a special blocking material to prevent transmissions and stop readers from accessing your personal information. Shop our collection of RFID-blocking products to find gear that will help protect you from this new form of cyber-theft.
Tips for Thwarting Crime & Staying Safe while Traveling
Awareness and pre-planning are key to an enjoyable vacation. Here, we’ve compiled a plethora of travel tips that can help make your entire trip stress-free and safe from start to finish.
Before You Go
• Only use covered luggage tags and never list your home address—use the address of your destination or your company’s address, or just list your phone number.
• Make 2 copies of your passport ID page, airline tickets, driver’s license and credit cards (front and back). Leave one copy with family or friends at home; pack the other in a place separate from where you carry the originals, but not in checked luggage. You can also scan these documents and cards, and email them to yourself at a secure/encrypted web-based email account.
• Bring only 1 or 2 credit cards on your trip.
• Leave a copy of your itinerary with family or friends.
• Pack valuables in your carry-on.
• Do not pack anything you can’t afford to lose.
• Pack a travel flashlight in your handbag for nighttime arrivals and navigating unfamiliar surroundings.
En Route
• Keep luggage with you and under your control until checked
• Avoid wearing or carrying anything that projects wealth
Airport Security Tips
5 tips for speeding through airport security checks:
• Keep all of your documents together, secure and at the ready
• Follow the 3-1-1 rule for liquids (3 oz.-sized containers in 1 quart sized-bags per 1 traveler)
• Use appropriately packed, checkpoint-friendly laptop bags and remove your laptop when requested
• Place purses and wallets in the last bin you use and don’t let it out of your sight until it disappears onto the security conveyor belt
• Wear comfortable easy on/easy off shoes
Hotel Security
5 tips for staying safe in the place you stay:
• Keep your door locked at all times—use the deadbolt
• Stash valuables in the hotel safe or portable safe
• If you go out late at night, let someone know when you plan to return
• Read and learn the fire safety instructions in your room
• Don’t get in the elevator with a suspicious-looking person
Out & About Security
5 tips on how to avoid being a walking target:
• Go undercover: One of the safest places to carry valuables is in an under-clothing money belt
• Keep credit cards, passport and currency hidden; only your walking-around money should be easily accessible
• Don’t flash large amounts of cash
• Be especially alert in crowded areas; carry a cross-body bag and make sure all pockets are secured
• When dining in a restaurant, keep your handbag in your line of sight at all times; never hang it on the back of your chair
On the Road Security
• Take cabs only from official taxi stands and avoid unmarked cars
• Settle cab fare while still in the vehicle
• Use only reputable car rental companies
• Park only in well-lit and well-traveled areas
• Don’t leave anything in your car—valuable or not
• Store maps and tour books in the trunk
Looking for more? Check out more travel tips, packing tips, and our exclusive packing checklist before your next trip.
