My wallet is gone!

I mainly write about air travel but today’s blog is about what to do when your wallet, passport or phone is stolen. Imagine having no means to travel back to your hotel, no phone to make a call, or no way to prove your identity.
These are just some suggestions that may be helpful

Prepare for worst case scenarios

Make paper or electronic copies of important documentation

This should include:

• Passport and any relevant visas
• Itinerary and flight/train tickets
• Medicine prescriptions
• Travel and medical insurance

Leave paper or electronic copies with a trusted acquaintance whom you can contact in an emergency.

Keep paper copies on your person and leave your original passport in a safe and trusted place e.g.in a locker at the hotel reception, in your room safe, etc.

 

Keep forms of identification separated

Keep your passport and drivers license in different places.

 

Take along only what you need

Take only one or two bank cards, plus just enough cash with you when you go out. Leave the rest in the room safe or other secure place.

Know what is inside your wallet.

Keep your cards in a separate card holder.

Never keep your pin code in your wallet or together with your cards.

 

Speak to your bank

Ask what they can provide to safeguard your money while abroad, e.g. pre-paid foreign currency debit cards or travelers cheques.

 

Keep emergency cash with you

Keep some emergency cash in a safe place, e.g. in another pocket, money belt, something around your neck etc. It should be enough to pay for a meal and a taxi or bus ticket.

Never leave your wallet inside clothing you may remove, such as a jacket.

 

Know who to call

Know your bank’s emergency telephone numbers. Save them on your phone and write them on a separate piece of paper (in case your phone is stolen too).

Leave these numbers with an acquaintance whom you can contact in an emergency.

 

Take out travel insurance

Take out travel insurance before you travel that cover you for medical emergencies, stolen property and travel tickets that needs to be changed due to unforeseen circumstances.

 

Remember the following

Consider handing in your room keys at reception before you leave the hotel.

Keep your house keys in a safe place or leave them with an acquaintance.

Download your photos regularly from your digital camera.

 

Take action

Contact your bank

When you are certain that your wallet was in fact stolen and is not just misplaced, contact your banks immediately and report the credit and cash cards as stolen.
The bank will ask you what your last transaction were, keep in mind that there might be legitimate pending transactions that you need to inform your bank about.
Monitor your accounts and report any fraudulent/suspicious transactions to your bank.

Report the crime

Report the theft at the nearest police station and obtain a reference number, which you will need when applying for a new passport or making insurance claims.

Return to your hotel / accommodation

Contact your hotel / host if you do not have any means to return. They may be able to assist you with a shuttle service.
It is important that you know the street address as there might be two hotels in the same town under the same name.

Apply for an emergency passport

Contact the local embassy or consulate if your passport was stolen to apply for an emergency passport.
The copies of your passport or any other form of identification will help in this process.

Change travel arrangements if necessary

Make the necessary itinerary changes or contact your travel agent (if you used one) and ask them to assist you.
Contact the travel insurance company to assist with any claims. Be informed on what you can claim.