Make a photocopy of every item in your wallet or purse, including the fronts and backs of every credit and ID card.
If you don’t need something in your wallet, don’t carry it. Remove anything you haven’t used in the last tree months. Social Security cards/numbers and extra checks should never leave home.
If you and your wallet become separated, notify the Social Security Fraud Line. Notify your credit card companies and cancel all your cards immediately.
Social Security Administration Fraud Line: (800) 269-0271
Equifax: (800) 525-6285
Experian (Formerly TRW): (888) 397-3742
Trans Union: (800) 680-7289
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Additional Safety & Financial Precautions
Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put "PHOTO ID REQUIRED."
Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine. Do both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel. Keep the photocopy in a safe place. Always carry a photocopy of your passport when traveling.
When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number on the "For" line. Instead, just put the last four numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the number.
Put your work phone # on your checks instead of your home phone. If you have a P.O. Box use that instead of your home address. If you do not have a P.O. Box, use your work address.
Should you lose your credit cards, cancel them immediately. However, the key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those where you can find them.
File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where your credit cards, etc., were stolen. This proves to credit providers you were diligent, and this is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one).
Most importantly, call the 3 national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number. The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen, and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit.
Here are the numbers you always need to contact about your wallet, etc., has been stolen:
1.) Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
2.) Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
3.) Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289
4.) Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271
Don’t Be a Flashy Tourist
Leave your fancy clothes and expensive watches and jewelry on board or better still, at home. Carry your money and one credit care in a fanny pack or in a hidden money pouch rather than a purse. Keep a wallet in a shirt pocket or inside jacket pocket, not your hip pocket. The safest pouch is the holster kind that fits inside under your arm. Or wear a money belt. Don’t flash your cash. Never leave your belongings out of your sight.
Be Alert for tricks, such as a group of children suddenly surrounding you, some one dropping coins, ‘pigeon droppings’ suddenly appearing on your clothes, somebody bumping into you or giving you a welcome hug- they can all be distractions setting you up for a money-snatch.
Sunburn
Sensitive to the sun? Some people are helped by taking a capsule of PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid) before exposure. Beta-carotene and yellow and green vegetables high in beta-carotene can be helpful. On the other hand, lime juice, parsley, celery, oral diabetes drugs and some tranquilizers and antibiotics, artificial sweeteners can increase sensitivity to the sun. If you forgot to apply sunblock and become sunburned and don’t have an after-sunburn spray with you, apply cold wet towels, cucumber slices, vinegar, cold tea, vitamin E, or jelly from an aloe plant. To lessen pain, sprinkle baby powder on sheets to reduce friction. Drink plenty of fluids to counteract dehydration.
Eating Ashore
Drink only bottled water and avoid salads, uncooked foods and foods that have likely been prepared or have been uncovered a long time. East only fruit you can peel. Wash your hands frequently or use disposable towelettes. Be careful about swimming in streams, rivers or lakes. Some nasty diseases or parasites may be in even the cleanest looking fresh water.
Seasickness
If the sea gets rough and you start feeling seasick, go to the deck for fresh air and keep your eyes on the horizon. Don’t read or write postcards or do anything that focuses your attention downward. Eat ginger, (in any form), and crackers. Taking vitamin B6 is effective. Acupressure wrist bands that press against the nei kuan pressure point at the wrist as well as aromatherapy oil applied to the temples can be helpful. You may want to get a prescription from your doctor for a Transderm patch to wear behind your ear, but if you don’t get queasy reading in a moving car, you probably won’t get motion sickness at sea.
Jet Lag
Jet lag occurs when you travel quickly across several time zones. Young people have a harder time flying from west to east and older people have a harder time going from east to west. Before you leave home, pretend the time is that of the time zone of your destination. On the plane drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration, don’t smoke or drink alcohol or much caffeine, of which make it harder to adjust. When you arrive at your destination, if it sis daylight, go outside even if your are tired, take a walk for exercise and get some sunshine. This helps to set your body clock to the new schedule. Vitamin B12 taken daily for two weeks before the trip may enhance the response to light and ease the change. Melatonin has also been found helpful.
Cancellation Insurance
Usually there is a fee if you cancel, even if you have a medical reason. Cancellation insurance is not inexpensive, but can give peace of mind. It’s expensive for what it covers, but it will give you your money back if you break a leg or come down with the measles the day before the cruise. Be sure you are protected against both cruise line failure (a.k.a. Supplier Collapse Clause), and your own need to cancel.
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