year, following a flurry of petty crime abroad.
Research from my Travel Cash Prepaid MasterCard reveals that two fifths of
British travellers have had something stolen while on holiday, but most
don't report the crime because they think it's partly their fault.
Cameras, sunglasses and money are the most likely things to be stolen,
however it is not unusual for traveller’s iPads, Kindles and even passports
to go amiss.
my Travel Cash’s study also showed that one in four Brits (23 per cent)
have been stranded abroad without access to cash, with 30 per cent of those
reporting that this was as a result of being a victim of crime.
my Travel Cash identifies Spain as a holiday hotspot for Britons with 87
per cent of people picking a Spanish resort as their favourite
destination. Spain has the second largest number of reported thefts in
Europe, closely behind Belgium. Pickpocketing is particularly high in the
main cities, especially in places where tourists crowd into small areas.
*Don’t carry cash*
To avoid repeatedly paying for ATM charges, travellers often opt to
withdraw lump sums of cash when abroad, which could make them vulnerable to
loss or theft. Using a prepaid currency card means that ATM charges can be
minimised, removing the need for holidaymakers to carry lots of cash with
them and giving them peace of mind.
*Choose your bag carefully*
Select a zip-fastening bag that goes across the body and can be positioned
in front of the body. Always remember to close zips. If your bag is
snatched, don’t chase the perpetrator, and report the crime to a Police
Officer.
*Beware of dynamic currency conversion (DCC)*
When using a credit or debit card for shopping abroad, tourists are often
given the option to pay for the transaction in their own currency rather
than the local one – which is portrayed as being more convenient – this is
called Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC). Rather than DCC simply showing
the customer what the amount translates to in their domestic currency, it
usually uses a less favourable exchange rate meaning the traveller pays
extra. Tourists can choose to pay in local currency with a prepaid currency
card to avoid paying these additional charges, as this kind of expense can
add up during a family holiday.
*Opt for an additional card*
Prepaid currency cards, such as those offered by my Travel Cash, also come
with the added benefit that if the card were to be stolen or lost, the
customer’s personal bank account is not linked to it in any way. We advise
customers to take out two cards on their account, so a stolen card can be
blocked as soon as the theft is reported and any unused balance can then be
transferred to the spare.
*Distribute your valuables*
A good tip for keeping valuables safe is to make sure they are not all in
the same place. When out and about it’s advisable to carry only what you
need. Keep valuables you don’t require, in a secure place such as a hotel
safe. When you are out keeping some spare cash in various different places
other than in your wallet could help if you were to run into trouble. It is
never a good idea to keep valuables in your back pocket.
*Be discrete*
It is easy to see how tourists on holiday can draw attention to themselves
rifling through the unfamiliar bank notes of another currency when making a
payment. It’s best not to make a scene when doing this and carrying a
prepaid currency card means it can be avoided altogether.
Tourists should be aware of their surroundings when on holiday, making sure
they take the necessary precautions to ensure that their trip goes off
without a hitch and ensure they can concentrate on spending quality time
with the family.
For more information and to download the free holiday crime safety guide,
visit www.mytravelcash.com
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