Category: Travel Safety

Holiday travel means crowded terminals, long lines, and tired travelers juggling bags, phones, and boarding passes. That busy, distracted atmosphere is exactly what thieves and scammers look for. Most airport problems are not dramatic. They are small moments, like a bag left alone for a few seconds or a phone charging out of sight, that turn into big headaches.

Here is how to protect yourself, your bags, and your personal information from the moment you leave home until you reach your destination.

Before You Leave Home

Good airport safety starts with packing.

• Pack valuables in your carry-on. Keep jewelry, electronics, medication, cash, and important documents with you. Never put them in a checked bag.
• Use a simple luggage tag. Put your name and a phone number or email on the tag, but leave off your home address. A visible home address tells strangers that your house may be empty.
• Take photos of your luggage and its contents. If a bag is lost or damaged, photos make the claim much easier.
• Add a small tracker. A Bluetooth tracker inside each bag lets you see where your luggage is if it goes missing.
• Make copies of important documents. Save a photo of your ID and travel documents in a secure place, separate from the originals.

Before you go, also make sure your house is ready. Our guide on how to protect your home while you travel for the holidays walks you through it.

At Check-In and the Curb

The curb and check-in area are some of the busiest spots in the airport.

• Keep one hand on your bags. It only takes a moment for someone to walk away with a bag left on a cart or by your feet.
• Watch your boarding pass. Do not throw it away in the airport trash or leave it on your seat. The barcode can contain personal details about you and your booking.
• Use official check-in kiosks and counters only. Ignore anyone who offers to “help” you skip the line for a fee.

Getting Through Security

The security checkpoint is a common place for items to go missing, simply because everyone is rushing.

• Prepare before you reach the belt. Empty your pockets into your carry-on before it is your turn, not into a loose bin.
• Put your bags on the belt last. If possible, wait until you are next in line for the scanner before sending your laptop and bag through.
• Keep your eyes on your belongings. Watch your items come out of the scanner and collect everything right away.
• Do a quick check before you walk away. Phone, wallet, ID, laptop, jacket. Many items are left behind at security every day.

In the Terminal

Once you are through security, it is easy to relax. Stay alert anyway.

• Keep your bag in sight and in touch. Loop a strap around your leg or chair when you sit down to eat or wait.
• Be careful where you charge your phone. Public USB ports can be risky. Use your own wall charger plugged into an outlet, or carry a portable battery. And never leave your phone charging unattended.
• Watch for pickpockets in crowds. Boarding lines, shuttles, and food courts are prime spots. Learn the common tricks in our guide on how to avoid pickpockets when you travel.
• Be cautious on airport Wi-Fi. Avoid logging into your bank or entering card details on public networks. See our tips on staying safe on public Wi-Fi.
• Keep conversations private. Avoid saying your full name, home address, or travel plans loudly on the phone.

Watch Out for Travel Scams

Holiday travelers are a favorite target for scammers. Be careful with:

• Fake airline texts or emails. Messages about a “canceled flight” or “rebooking fee” with a link can be fake. Always check your flight in the official airline app or website.
• Fake customer service numbers. When a flight is canceled, people search online for the airline’s phone number. Scammers create fake numbers that appear in search results. Use the number in the airline’s official app or on your ticket.
• Unofficial rides. Only use licensed taxis, official ride-share pickup areas, or shuttles you booked yourself. Decline offers from people approaching you inside the terminal.

On the Plane

• Keep your personal item under the seat in front of you, not in an overhead bin far from your seat.
• Keep valuables on you while you sleep. Your phone, wallet, and passport should be in a zipped pocket or a bag you can feel.
• Do a seat check before you leave. Look under the seat, in the seat pocket, and in the overhead bin.

At Baggage Claim

Baggage claim is one of the easiest places for a bag to “walk away.”

• Head to the carousel quickly. The longer your bag circles, the more chances someone has to take it.
• Make your bag easy to recognize. A bright strap or ribbon helps you spot it fast and makes it less likely that someone grabs it by mistake.
• Check the tag before you leave. Many black suitcases look alike. Make sure it is really yours.
• Report missing bags before leaving the airport. Go to the airline’s baggage office and get a written report or reference number.

Quick Airport Safety Checklist

• Keep valuables and documents in your carry-on.
• Leave your home address off luggage tags.
• Add a tracker to your bags.
• Keep your boarding pass private.
• Do a full belongings check after security.
• Use your own charger, not public USB ports.
• Verify flight changes only in the official airline app.
• Use official rides only.
• Get to baggage claim quickly and check your tag.

A few simple habits can turn a stressful trip into a smooth one. Stay alert, keep your things close, and double-check anything that asks for money or personal information. Safe travels this holiday season.

Millions of people hit the road during the holidays to visit family and friends. A road trip can be a great way to travel, but it also means long stops at gas stations, rest areas, restaurants, and hotel parking lots. Thieves know that holiday travelers often carry gifts, luggage, laptops, and other valuables in their cars. The good news is that a few simple habits can make your car a much less attractive target and keep your trip on track.

Keep valuables out of sight

Most car break-ins are crimes of opportunity. A thief walks by, sees something worth taking, breaks a window, and is gone in seconds. Don’t give them a reason to stop.

• Never leave bags, purses, wallets, phones, laptops, or shopping bags on the seats.
• Keep gifts covered or, better yet, in the trunk.
• Remove phone mounts, chargers, and cables when you leave the car. They can make a thief think there is a device hidden inside.
• If your vehicle has a cargo cover, use it.

Pack the trunk before you arrive

Many people move items to the trunk after they park. The problem is that someone may be watching, and now they know exactly where your valuables are. Load your trunk before you leave home or before you pull into your next stop, so no one sees what you are hiding.

Lock up, even for a quick stop

It only takes a moment for someone to open an unlocked door. At gas stations and rest stops:

• Lock your doors while you pump gas, even if you are standing right next to the car.
• Take your keys with you every time you get out.
• Never leave the car running unattended, even to “just run inside for a minute.”
• Close all windows and the sunroof completely.

Choose your parking spot carefully

Where you park matters. When you stop for a meal, a break, or the night:

• Park in busy, well-lit areas, as close to the entrance as possible.
• Avoid parking next to large vans or trucks that block the view of your car.
• At hotels, ask if there is a secure or attended parking area.
• Take a photo of your parking spot in large parking lots, so you can find your car quickly without wandering around.

Bring valuables inside overnight

When you stop at a hotel, don’t leave anything important in the car overnight. Take your luggage, laptops, medications, travel documents, and gifts into your room. A car parked all night in an unfamiliar lot is an easy target, and many break-ins happen while travelers are asleep.

Watch out for gas pump skimmers

Criminals sometimes install hidden card readers, called skimmers, on gas pumps to steal card information. To protect yourself:

• Look at the card reader before you use it. If it looks loose, damaged, or different from the other pumps, use another pump.
• Choose pumps closer to the store, where it’s harder for criminals to tamper with them without being seen.
• Use contactless payment or a mobile wallet when possible.
• Consider paying inside with the cashier.
• Check your bank or card statements after your trip for charges you don’t recognize.

Stay alert at rest stops

Rest areas are helpful on long drives, but stay aware of your surroundings. Travel with a companion when you can, especially at night. Keep your phone in your pocket, not on the car roof or the seat. If someone approaches you with a strange story or asks for money, politely say no and get back in your car.

Prepare your car before the trip

A breakdown on the side of the road can leave you in an unsafe spot. Before you leave:

• Check your tires, including the spare, and make sure they are properly inflated.
• Check your oil, brakes, wipers, and lights.
• Pack an emergency kit with a flashlight, jumper cables, a first aid kit, water, snacks, and a warm blanket.
• Keep a phone charger in the car, and keep your phone charged.
• Share your route and expected arrival time with a family member or friend.

What to do if your car is broken into

If you return to find your car broken into:

1. Don’t touch anything more than necessary, and check that no one is still nearby.
2. Call the local police and file a report. You will often need it for insurance.
3. If cards or IDs were stolen, call your bank right away to cancel your cards.
4. Contact your insurance company to report the damage and the stolen items.
5. Take photos of the damage before you clean up or drive away.

The bottom line

A holiday road trip should be about time with family and friends, not dealing with stolen bags or broken windows. Keep valuables out of sight, lock up at every stop, park in well-lit areas, and bring important items inside at night. With these simple habits, you can enjoy the drive and arrive safely with everything you packed.

Airports, hotels, coffee shops, and train stations almost always offer free Wi-Fi. It is convenient, especially when you are far from home during the holidays. But public Wi-Fi is shared with strangers, and some of them may be trying to see what you do online. You don’t need to stop using it. You just need a few smart habits to keep your phone, your accounts, and your money safe.

Why public Wi-Fi can be risky

Most public networks are open to anyone nearby. That creates a few problems:

• Fake networks: A criminal can create a hotspot with a name like “Airport Free WiFi” or “Hotel Guest” that looks real. If you connect to it, they may be able to watch your traffic or send you to fake login pages.
• Shared networks: On an open network, other users are on the same connection as you. Older or unprotected devices are easier targets.
• Shoulder surfing: In crowded places, someone can simply look over your shoulder while you type a password or PIN.

Check the network name before you connect

Before you join a network, ask a staff member for the exact name of the official Wi-Fi. Look for small differences, like extra letters, numbers, or words. If you see two networks with almost the same name, be extra careful. When in doubt, don’t connect.

Avoid sensitive tasks on public Wi-Fi

Public Wi-Fi is fine for checking the weather, reading the news, or looking at a map. It is not the best place for:

• Online banking
• Shopping with your credit card
• Changing passwords
• Logging in to important accounts, like email

If you need to do any of these things, wait until you are on a trusted network or use your phone’s mobile data instead.

Use your phone as a hotspot

Your mobile data connection is usually safer than an open public network. If you need to use a laptop or tablet, you can turn on your phone’s personal hotspot and connect to it. Protect your hotspot with a strong password so strangers can’t join.

Look for the lock and “https”

Before you enter a password or personal information on a website, look at the address bar. The address should start with “https” and many browsers show a small lock icon. This means the connection to that website is encrypted. It doesn’t make a website trustworthy, but it does make it much harder for others to read what you send.

Consider using a VPN

A VPN (virtual private network) creates a protected tunnel for your internet traffic. It can make public Wi-Fi much safer to use. If you travel often, a reputable paid VPN is worth considering. Be careful with unknown “free VPN” apps, since some of them collect and sell your data.

Turn off automatic connections

Many phones and laptops connect automatically to networks they have used before. A criminal can create a fake network with the same name as one you trust. To stay safe:

• Turn off “auto-join” or “connect automatically” for public networks.
• After your trip, go to your Wi-Fi settings and “forget” the hotel and airport networks you used.
• Turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth when you are not using them.

Be careful with public charging stations

Public USB charging ports in airports and hotels are convenient, but security experts recommend caution. A tampered port or cable could be used to install harmful software or access your data. The safer choice is to bring your own charger and plug it into a regular wall outlet, or carry a portable battery pack.

Prepare your phone before you leave

A few minutes of preparation at home can save you a lot of trouble on the road:

• Update your phone and apps. Updates often fix security problems.
• Turn on two-step verification for your email, bank, and social media accounts.
• Set a screen lock with a PIN, fingerprint, or face recognition.
• Turn on “Find My” or a similar feature so you can locate or erase your phone if it is lost or stolen.
• Back up your photos and contacts.

What to do if you think something went wrong

If you suspect you connected to a fake network or typed a password on a suspicious page:

1. Disconnect from the network right away.
2. Change the password of the affected account using a trusted connection, such as your mobile data.
3. Check your bank and credit card activity for charges you don’t recognize, and call your bank if you see anything strange.
4. Make sure two-step verification is turned on for your important accounts.

The bottom line

Public Wi-Fi is a useful tool when you travel, but it is not a private one. Confirm the network name, save banking and shopping for a trusted connection, use your phone’s hotspot or a VPN when you can, and keep your devices updated. These simple habits let you stay connected this holiday season without giving strangers a window into your personal life.

Airports, train stations, holiday markets, and busy tourist spots all have one thing in common: crowds. And where there are crowds, there are pickpockets. They don’t need to be strong or scary. They only need you to be distracted for a few seconds. The good news is that a few easy habits make you a much harder target.

How pickpockets work

Most pickpockets don’t just reach into a pocket at random. They create a moment when your attention is somewhere else. Common tricks include:

• Bumping into you or “accidentally” spilling something on you
• Asking you for directions, the time, or to sign a petition
• Crowding around you on a busy train, bus, or escalator
• Working in pairs, where one person distracts you and the other takes your things
• Grabbing a phone left on a café table or sticking out of a back pocket

If something strange suddenly happens near you, the first thing to do is check your belongings.

Carry less

The less you carry, the less you can lose. Before you leave your hotel:

• Take only the cards and cash you need for the day
• Leave your passport in the hotel safe if you don’t need it, and carry a copy or a photo of it
• Keep a backup card in a different place from your main wallet

That way, one stolen wallet doesn’t ruin your whole trip.

Keep your things where you can feel them

Pickpockets look for easy access. Make it hard for them:

• Never keep your wallet or phone in a back pocket
• Use a front pocket, or a bag that zips closed
• Wear a crossbody bag in front of your body, not behind you
• Keep backpacks on your front in packed trains and crowds
• Hold your phone with a firm grip when you use it in public, and put it away when you are done

Be extra careful in these places

Pickpockets tend to work where people are distracted or packed together:

• Security lines and baggage claim at airports
• Crowded trains, buses, and subway platforms, especially at the doors
• Holiday markets, parades, and festivals
• Busy tourist attractions and photo spots
• Outdoor café tables, where phones and bags are left within reach

In these places, keep your bag closed and in front of you, and don’t hang it on the back of a chair.

Stay alert without being paranoid

You don’t need to suspect everyone. Just stay aware. Keep your headphones volume low enough to hear what’s around you, avoid looking at your phone while walking through crowds, and step away from anyone who gets too close for no reason.

What to do if you get pickpocketed

If something is stolen, act fast:

• Call your bank and card companies right away to freeze or cancel your cards
• If your phone was taken, use your phone’s “Find My” feature from another device to lock it or erase it
• Change the passwords for important accounts, starting with your email
• File a report with the local police, which you may need for insurance or a replacement passport
• If your passport was stolen abroad, contact your country’s nearest embassy or consulate

Quick checklist for crowded places

• Wallet and phone in a front pocket or zipped bag
• Bag in front of you, not on your back or a chair
• Only the cards and cash you need today
• Backup card kept separately
• Extra attention when someone bumps into you or asks for help

A few small habits can keep your money, phone, and documents where they belong, so you can enjoy your trip instead of dealing with a theft.

A hotel room feels private, but it is not your home. Many people have keys to it, the door opens onto a public hallway, and strangers come and go all day. Most hotel stays are perfectly safe, and a few simple habits make yours even safer. Here is what to do from the moment you check in until the moment you leave.

At check-in

Your room number is private information. If the front desk clerk says it out loud, quietly ask for a different room and have them write the number down instead. Anyone standing nearby could hear it.

When you can, ask for a room between the third and sixth floors. Rooms on the ground floor are easier to reach from outside, and very high floors can be harder for fire ladders to reach.

Take one of the hotel’s business cards with the address on it. If you get lost or need to give the address to a taxi driver, you will have it with you.

Check the room before you unpack

Before you settle in, take one minute to look around:

• Make sure the door closes and locks properly, including the deadbolt and the security latch.
• Check that windows and any balcony or connecting doors are locked.
• Look in the closet, the bathroom and behind the curtains.
• Find the nearest fire exit, and count the doors between your room and the exit. In smoke, you may not be able to see the signs.

If anything does not lock or feels wrong, call the front desk and ask for another room. That is a normal request.

Use every lock on the door

The main lock is not enough on its own. When you are inside, always use the deadbolt and the swing bar or chain as well. These stop someone with a key card from opening the door while you are in the room.

Some travelers also bring a portable door lock or a rubber door wedge. They are small, cheap and easy to pack, and they add another layer of protection. Just remember to remove them before you leave, and check the hotel’s rules first.

Keep strangers out

Hotel staff will rarely come to your door without being asked. If someone knocks and says they are from maintenance or housekeeping, and you did not call for them, do not open the door. Call the front desk using the room phone and ask if they really sent someone.

Be careful with calls to your room too. A common scam is a call late at night from someone pretending to be the front desk, saying there is a problem with your credit card and asking you to read the number over the phone. Real hotel staff will not do this. Hang up and walk down to the front desk in person if you are worried.

The same goes for flyers slipped under the door with food delivery menus. Some are fake and are used to collect card numbers. Order through an app or a restaurant you can confirm on your own.

Protect your valuables

Use the room safe for your passport, extra cash, cards and small electronics. If there is no safe, or it seems loose or broken, ask if the front desk can store your valuables.

Do not leave expensive items in plain view, even for a short time. A laptop on the desk is easy to grab when the room is being cleaned or if the door is not fully closed.

Hang the “Do Not Disturb” sign when you leave for the day, and leave the TV or a light on. It makes the room look occupied.

Be careful with Wi-Fi

Hotel Wi-Fi is shared with many guests, and some networks are not secure. Avoid logging in to your bank or entering card details on hotel Wi-Fi. If you must, use your phone’s mobile data or a trusted VPN. Also check that you are joining the hotel’s real network, not a fake one with a similar name.

When you leave the room

Before you walk out, make sure the door clicks shut behind you. Heavy hotel doors sometimes stop just short of closing.

At night, use the main entrance, which is usually better lit and watched. If you feel someone is following you to your room, walk past your door and go back to the lobby.

Before you check out

Do a last sweep of the room: the safe, the drawers, the bathroom, the charger in the wall. Then destroy or keep your key card. Many cards only hold your room number and dates, but it is still a good habit not to leave them behind.

A simple checklist

• Keep your room number private.
• Check locks, windows and the fire exit when you arrive.
• Use the deadbolt and latch every time you are inside.
• Do not open the door for unexpected visitors.
• Never give card numbers over the room phone.
• Use the safe and keep valuables out of sight.

A safe trip starts at home, too. Before you leave, read our guide on protecting your home while you travel for the holidays.

The holidays are a busy time for travel, and unfortunately they are also a busy time for burglars. The good news is that most home break-ins are crimes of opportunity, which means a few simple habits can make your home a much harder target. Here is a practical checklist to go through before you leave.

Make the house look lived in

An empty house is easy to spot: a dark home at night, a full mailbox, a pile of packages by the door. Put a few lamps on timers so lights turn on and off at normal hours. Ask a trusted neighbor or friend to pick up your mail and packages, or ask the post office to hold your mail while you are away. If it snows, ask someone to shovel the walk so there are footprints on the property.

Be careful what you share online

Avoid posting your travel plans, flight photos or hotel check-ins while you are still away. Wait until you are back home to share your vacation pictures. This applies to group chats and public posts alike, since you cannot control who sees them later.

Check every door and window

Before you leave, walk through the house and confirm that every exterior door and window is closed and locked, including the garage, the basement and the second floor. Make sure the garage door is fully closed, and consider unplugging the opener or using its vacation lock if it has one. Do not leave a spare key hidden outside, under a mat or in a flower pot. Burglars know those spots. Give the spare to someone you trust instead.

Use light, cameras and alarms wisely

Good outdoor lighting, especially motion-activated lights near doors, discourages people who do not want to be seen. If you have a doorbell camera or security cameras, check that they are working and that the batteries are charged. If you have an alarm system, arm it before you go and make sure your contact information is up to date. Visible signs or stickers can add an extra layer of deterrence.

Protect your valuables and documents

Keep important papers, spare cash, jewelry and small valuables in a locked place, such as a safe or a locked drawer, rather than in obvious spots like the nightstand. Take photos of your valuables and keep a list of serial numbers in a safe place, which helps with insurance if anything is ever lost.

Tell someone you trust

Let one reliable neighbor, friend or relative know your travel dates and how to reach you. Ask them to check on the house, notice anything unusual and call you or the police if something looks wrong. Give them only the access they need, and ask them not to mention your absence to others.

A quick checklist before you leave

Lights on timers, mail and packages handled, doors and windows locked, garage closed, cameras and alarm ready, valuables secured, and one trusted person informed. Ten minutes of preparation can protect your home for the whole trip, and let you enjoy the holidays with peace of mind.