Travel can be one of life’s greatest pleasures, but managing your money safely while exploring new destinations requires careful planning. Experts consistently warn that certain storage methods and locations put travelers at risk of theft, loss, or financial fraud. Understanding these dangerous spots can save you from devastating financial setbacks that could ruin your entire trip.
Hotel Room Safes
Hotel room safes might seem like the obvious choice for securing valuables, but travel security experts warn that they’re far from foolproof. Your hotel safe is a very good place to keep valuables out of view and it is a much better solution than trying to hide them in your room, but the answer is no hotel room safe is 100% secure. Research reveals alarming vulnerabilities that most travelers never consider.
A team tested room safes in multiple hotels across four states and discovered that staff can get inside within seconds, and not one hotel staff member asked for identification before opening the safes. Even more concerning, studies suggest that housekeeping staff theft can be a concern for hotel guests. Electronic safes in hotels have a master code that gives hospitality staff the ability to open each one, and some models also have a keyed master lock that allows any keyholder to open it.
Back Pockets
Your back pocket might be convenient, but it’s essentially advertising your valuables to pickpockets around the world. It used to be that placing your wallet in your front pocket was considered safer, but that’s not the case anymore. Professional pickpockets have evolved their techniques to target both front and back pockets with alarming efficiency.
To avoid possible pick-pockets or your wallet accidentally falling out of your back pocket unnoticed, keep your wallet in your front pocket, as if it’s in a front pocket you’ll be more aware if it’s suddenly missing. Travel security experts recommend the multi-stash method instead, where you distribute cash and cards across multiple secure locations on your body.
Pickpockets often target tourists, and if you’re careless with your wallet or purse, someone could swipe your money from under your nose. The accessibility of back pockets makes them prime targets in crowded tourist areas, public transportation, and busy markets.
Unprotected ATM Locations
ATM security varies dramatically depending on location, and choosing the wrong machine can expose you to theft or card skimming. Secluded ATMs can welcome trouble, as any machine that isn’t visible from the street or nearby locations can give a would-be thief the right set of circumstances to steal your money, so use money machines located inside your hotel or near busy areas.
Frequent visits to ATMs increase exposure to potential risks such as card skimming or theft, so plan and withdraw larger amounts of cash when necessary to limit the need for multiple withdrawals. Security experts particularly warn against drive-up ATMs at night or machines in dimly lit areas where criminals can operate undetected.
If you must use an ATM that is unprotected, be sure no one is close enough to see your PIN as you enter it, and don’t linger or count money at the machine. The combination of isolation and predictable cash withdrawal makes these locations particularly dangerous for travelers.
Public Wi-Fi Networks for Financial Transactions
Public Wi-Fi networks present invisible but serious threats to your financial security while traveling. Shared networks are usually not secure, and to be shareable with a nearby public, they often have minimal security protocols. Cybercriminals frequently target these networks to intercept sensitive financial information.
Entering bank usernames and passwords on your laptop or smartphone while on a public Wi-Fi network can leave you susceptible to fraud and theft, so only use private, secure Wi-Fi networks to check banking or credit card information while abroad. Travel security studies indicate that cybercrime incidents affect travelers with increasing frequency.
Experts recommend using your carrier’s internet connection or creating a personal hotspot rather than risking public networks. If you must use a public network, avoid paying bills and entering any username or password information.
Loose Cash in Hotel Rooms
Leaving cash scattered around your hotel room creates multiple opportunities for theft by housekeeping staff and unauthorized visitors. Do not leave cash or credit cards lying around your hotel room, as theft doesn’t only occur outside the hotel – hotel workers have access to your room, and if your room door is accidentally left unlocked, other hotel guests can enter and steal your belongings.
Unfortunately, that hotel safe is not necessarily “safe” as many hotels don’t accept liability for any loss, so you should keep your vital documents and cash on you while out and about. Even seemingly secure hotel rooms can become compromised through master keys, electronic card failures, or simple human error.
Security professionals recommend the multi-location strategy for any cash you must keep in your room. If you need to rely on cash, never carry all of it in your wallet, but instead break it up and hide various amounts of it in different spots to reduce the impact of theft.
Easily Accessible Bags and Purses
Bags and purses that offer easy access to your valuables become prime targets in crowded tourist destinations worldwide. Crowded places are a thief’s playground, so be wary of where you keep your wallet, and watch out for people who bump into you, as they may be trying to swipe it. Professional thieves often work in teams to create distractions while accessing your belongings.
Ensure enhanced security by carrying bags in front of you while traveling, as this practice helps deter potential theft attempts and allows for better vigilance over belongings. By maintaining visual contact with bags, travelers can reduce the risk of pickpocketing or unauthorized access. Standard shoulder bags and backpacks worn in traditional positions provide easy access for skilled pickpockets.
Travel security experts now recommend specialized anti-theft bags with features like cut-proof, steel-cable-reinforced shoulder straps, slash-proof fabric, and locking zippers, as elements like these slow down thieves and can do a decent job deterring opportunistic pickpockets. The investment in proper security gear often prevents much larger financial losses.
The Bottom Line
Protecting your money while traveling requires constant vigilance and strategic thinking about where and how you store your valuables. The six locations covered here represent the most common mistakes that lead to financial losses during travel. Remember that internal theft by staff represents a significant portion of hotel theft incidents rather than external perpetrators, making traditional “safe” storage options less reliable than many travelers assume.
What’s your biggest concern when it comes to keeping money safe while traveling? Share your experiences in the comments below.