The last thing you need is to be the victim of a robbery while on vacation or a business trip. This is especially true when all the cash you have disappears along with your credit cards. Fortunately, learning how to keep cash safe is not as hard as some people think. Here are some strategies for you to consider.
Thin Out the Wallet
Before you leave home, go through your wallet and take out anything you don’t need. This includes credit cards that you have no intention of using. Put them in a secure place at home where a loved one can reach them if you do need help. If you are the victim of a robbery, the thief will not get everything and your loved one can express ship a card and some cash to help you get home.
As part of knowing how to keep cash safe, think about scanning the cards you will take and storing the images in a secure file on your home computer. You can also print out the images and lock them in a home safe. If your wallet is stolen and a couple of cards are included, a family member can get to the scanned images and provide the data you need to cancel the cards pronto.
Use a Money Belt
Money belts today are not bulky. They can hold a couple of credit cards and some cash without adding a bulge to your middle. Since the belts are harder to steal, you’ll be less of a target for pickpockets.
If you happen to wear loose fitting clothing, consider investing in a belt designed to be worn on a thigh or maybe just below the knee. Thieves may think of checking around your middle, but not those other places.
Inside ATM Machines Only
Knowing how to keep cash safe means using nothing but real ATM machines. While it may be tempting to stop at one set up outside a store, resist the urge. Find a bank with an inside ATM machine and use that. It is all too easy for scammers to set up fake machines that take your information and provide you with nothing but heartache in return.
Protect your cash properly and the trip will be more fun. You’ll also be prepared to take action if a theft occurs and be able to recover from the incident a lot quicker.
