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Tips For Carrying Money and Documents While Traveling

A Guide to Security Money Belts and Pouches to Hide Money, Credit Cards, and Passports while Traveling

Whether you're traveling overseas or across the US, having access to your important documents and money is essential. However, many travelers give very little thought to the security of these important documents - until they're stolen by a slick fingered pickpocket or opportunistic thief. Losing your wallet or passport on a trip can be inconvenient and costly when you figure in the time it takes to replace them, especially while abroad. The best solution is to keep money, passports and credit cards close on your person and secured by wallets designed to thwart theft.

Carrying travel documents safely, yet easily accessible is not difficult, there are various styles of money wallets, money belts, and document organizers to meet your travel style and security requirements. Before you start packing decide what style of money belt is best for you so you have great trip and not one side-tracked by visiting a police station making a lost or stolen wallet and passport report.

Last bit of advice, whenever possible, you should never carry all your documents and money in one place. Try to divide them up between you and your travel partner, or if traveling by yourself, have them placed in different places on your person. Another tip is when traveling with a family member is to divide up your credit cards, so you're not both carrying the same ones. If one person's wallet gets stolen you'll still have other one's credit cards with separate account numbers to have immediate access to funds.

Money Belts - How to Hide Money, Credit Cards and Passports When Traveling Travel money belts and travel pouches come in a variety of styles, shapes, as well as capacity for securing valuables, so you are sure to find the right design for you, each one has pros and cons, but they all conceal valuables and offer security from pickpockets and sneak thieves. One strategy is to take a couple of different designs of money belts with you to accommodate various wardrobe needs. For example, a leg wallet is great for concealing under long pants, while a belt with an expanding pouch may be better suited for shorts. Classic Travel Money Belts - Conceal Currency A money belt is designed to protect your currency and other small valuables from pickpockets and street thieves.  It looks just like a regular belt and can be worn with dress or casual pants, as well as shorts. On the reverse side of the belt is a slim zippered money compartment which remains hidden from view. This leather money belt holds upwards of 12 bills of currency in the zippered compartment of the belt. The length of the zipper drives the capacity of bills the belt will hold, when selecting a traditional belt pay attention to this important design feature. Some bargain money belts have very short zippered pockets - sometimes 10 inches or shorter than a better designed one, which greatly reduces the amount of money that can conceal. A longer zippered security pocket should measure 18 or more inches in length to hold up to 10 - 15 folded bills. Limitation of Travel Money Belts The number one limitation of a classic money belt is that you don't have quick and easy access to your money. But then again, that's not what it's designed for. A travel money belt is used to hold excess cash (and/or folded documents), that you want to keep separate from your other cash or documents. Airport Friendly TSA Money Belts Won't Set Off Metal Detectors Money Belts and Airport Security Screening Stations In case you are worried about having to remove your belt at airport security checks, there are money belts that are specifically designed to pass through airport screening without setting off metal detectors - these belts which are known as "Beep Free Money Belts" and they are completely made without any metal that would set off the detectors at security check points and airport screening stations. TSA beep free money belts are completely made of nylon webbing and non-metallic material, including the zipper tracks and zipper pull, so they won't set off the metal detector. The part of this belt which makes it unique is its buckle. It looks just like metal yet it, is made out of a rigid, but security friendly composite material that will not set off the screening station alarms. Hidden in the back of this metal free belt is a hidden money compartment just the leather one above. Conceal Wear Hidden Money Pouch Another style of beep free belt is really a beep free pouch. You attach it to a hidden part of your clothing like a shirt tail or the lining of your pocket. It is sized to hold a passport plus some currency or credit cards. It is perfect for travelers, walkers, or anybody who wants to protect their valuables and keep them completely hidden from view.

Concealed Travel Neck Pouch - Neck Wallet - Neck Stash Neck pouches and neck wallets have been around for many years, perhaps because they safeguard valuables by keeping them close and out of reach from thieves. A slight inconvenience of neck pouches is that depending on your shirt they can be awkward to access. Neck pouches are really designed to hold items that you won't need access to frequently but need to keep secure. For men concealing a, neck wallet is easy especially when wearing a buttoned shirt with a collar, many women adjust the straps so that the pouch hangs low where it is more flattering and easier to access. Must-Have Features to Look for in a Neck Wallet RFID Blocking The greatest advantage of a hidden neck pouch is that it can't be physically accessed by thieves and now many pouches have built -in RFID blocking technology that stops e-thieves from obtaining your personal information stored in your passport or credit cards. Tech-savvy thieves with small hand held scanners can read signals emitted by RFID chipped cards from several feet away. RFID blocking material stops that. Cut-proof strap Another feature to seek out is a strap with a hidden security wire running through it. A flexible steel security wire is designed to prevent a snatch and run thief from grabbing the neck strap from behind and yanking it from your neck. A reinforced strap is important as it may peek out with certain shirts such as a collarless T-shirt You won't be able to wear the pouch with a metal wire when going through airport screening, as it will set off the metal detector. You will need to put it in your carry-on bag or purse so it can pass through screening, them you can put it back on. Moisture Wicking Fabric If you're traveling where the weather will be warm or hot you may want to opt for a style of neck pouch or neck wallet which has a soft and moisture wicking fabric on the side worn against the skin for maximum comfort. Adjustable strap You will most likely want to adjust the strap length depending on the style of shirt you're wearing, so strap adjustability is a key comfort feature. An extended strap also lets you wear it on your side, like a holster, slung over one shoulder and hanging on the opposite hip. This is a discrete way to wear a neck pouch because the neck strap is hidden from view and it is accessible too.     PacSafe Coversafe X75 This was the first security neck pouch, and is one of the most popular when it comes to the travel neck pouches with an anti-slicing wire embedded into the neck strap (see photo) and RFID blocking material. The PacSafe Coversafe X75 designed to fit flat against your body in order to help keep it concealed. Made of rip-stop nylon, the pouch has a moisture-proof liner and is hand washable. Many other neck pouch styles offer theft protection of valuables too. Be sure you select one for your next trip for peace of mind and hands-free security of your passport, money, and credit cards.       Security Waist Wallets are Hidden Undercover Flat Body Wallets Security waist wallets are another option for travelers to help protect their money and valuables. The pockets of security waist wallets come in a variety of sizes and is designed to be worn against the stomach with your shirt or blouse covering it. Other versions can be connected to your belt and dropped loosely into the pants. Some travelers like the added security of a hidden waist wallet because if they were robbed by street thieves, they are typically known to check the travelers pockets for cash or a wallet, but are generally not known to ask victims to drop their pants in order to check for a waist wallet. If you always remember to carry "robbers money" (just a few dollars in your pocket) you will always have something to give an aggressive street robber if needed.  CoverSafe X100 RFID Blocking Waist Wallet The CoverSafe X100 RFIF Blocking Hidden Waist Wallet looks like any other waist wallet, except with the addition of one major security feature - a steel cable is woven into the back strap of the hidden waist wallet. This slash proof, wire-reinforced back strap security waist wallet is designed to be tucked under your clothes for no one to see. This feature protects the hidden waist wallet from being cut or tugged off from behind. This waist wallet also features two locking zippers to keep your valuables safe and secure without compromising comfort. Compare these features against other security waist wallets and you will see why these stand out from other less expensive versions on the market.  To view more information about this type of security waist wallet, click here. For many, this is an alternative to visible waist packs. Another bonus feature of this wallet is that is is also RFID blocking. Hidden Pocket Wallet - Belt Loop Wallet About half the size of the waist type, it hangs inside your pants from your belt or belt loop. These are made out of nylon, cotton, and sometimes leather, and typically have one or two zippered compartments. What most travelers like about belt loop wallets is that they are very easy to whip out when needed and do not draw a lot of attention. Most of these hidden belt loop wallets are small and just large enough to hold your passport, money, and credit cards. One of the things you should consider when considering a belt loop wallet is that you purchase one that has dual color belt loops. This allows you to wear the belt loop wallet with black belt or brown belt so the wallets belt loop won't stick out for a potential thief to see. Other considerations would be to look for a belt loop wallet that has separate security pockets inside the wallet. You can use one pocket for credit cards and the other for cash - a nice way to keep your valuables organized.  Here's more information about the hidden pocket wallet (loop wallet). If you are looking for a larger version of this type of wallet, which has pockets for credit cards, and related items, the Secret Hidden Sliding Belt Loop Wallet is the nice choice. This type of wallet has many features to help keep a larger amount of items organized by keeping the wallet safe from slick fingered pickpockets Leg Pouch Money Belt The leg safe or leg wallet, is another version of a hidden money pouch - except these are made to strap around your calf, just above the ankle. These are used by some travelers who may venture in more risky areas (this doesn't apply to 99.99% of us) since it remains hidden if a bandit forces you to drop your pants to display your waist money belt. The following are a few of the different versions of these types of wallets. Leg Safe Hidden Travel Wallet - Slides on Like a Sock This wallet slides on like a sock so it won't slide off. Made of lycra/polyester fabric, they are lightweight and durable. You should look for a leg wallet that has at least two pockets to help organize your valuables.   Leg Wallets with Adjustable Calf Straps The top of the Leg Wallet features a 1 inch wide adjustable Velcro strap that helps keep the leg wallet secure for those who have smaller calf muscles, and likewise, allows additional expansion for those with larger calves. Deluxe Leg Safe Holds Several Larger Size Items The Deluxe Leg Safe features two separate zippered security compartments, each sized 6 ½ inches tall by 4 ½ inches wide. These large compartments allow a traveler to hold a variety of items such as credit cards, passports, tickets, money and more. Use the Deluxe Leg Safe pockets to hold your keys when jogging or walking the dog, or your ID and hotel key when strolling the beach. Hiding discreetly under clothes, the Deluxe Leg Safe is the perfect wallet for traveling running or sports. After times, some of these have become loose and items may fall out. Travelers should consider leg safes that feature actual zippers to secure possessions.  To obtain more information on leg safes click here. They even make an RFID blocking leg wallet too. Security Fanny Packs Many travelers like to use fanny or waist packs as they can be used to hold a large amount of items that you would like to have quick access. Typically waist packs are used to hold cell phones, wallets, small cameras, sun glasses, or other smaller items and valuables. The main problem with regular waist packs is that thieve's love them as they can be easily accessed without your knowledge or unbuckled from behind allowing the thief to quickly run away with your valuables. The solution is to use a security waist pack that has built-in theft protection.  Here's a few of the anti-theft features you should look for in a security fanny pack. Slash Proof Rear Security Strap Embedded with Steel Cables The rear of a waist pack is very vulnerable. Street thieves in Europe, Asia, and South America have become very aware that when Westerners carry waist packs, they have a good chance of carrying something of value. These thieves have also learned that the rear strap of a waist pack is usually made of material that's easy to cut with a pair is scissors or knife. It only takes a street thief a second or two to cut the back strap of a non-theft protected waist pack, causing it to fall into their nimble hands. To combat this type of theft, most security waist packs embed a security cable into the rear straps. The slice-resistant cable is flexible and sewn into the entire length of the rear straps. The steel cable then connects the rear straps to the rear panels of the security waist packs in an effort to provide additional strength from being yanked out of the waist pack body. Another feature to look for would matter to those needing a pack extra length in the straps. Some of the security packs allow you to purchase adjustable strap extensions which expand the length of the strap an additional 20 inches if needed. Zipper Security Lock Protects the Contents of the Main Compartment The below security waist packs feature two various types of zipper locks that allow the zippers to be locked in place to prevent your valuables from being easily removed by slick pickpockets. When used, this anti-theft feature requires two hands to open the pack. Easy for the wearer to do, but extremely difficult, if not impossible, for even the most experienced pickpocket to open without getting caught.  Some security waist pack companies use a physical lock to secure the main compartment which allows the fanny pack's main compartment to be locked.  This locking feature also allows you to lock your fanny pack to a secure object if needed- a unique feature. Rear Buckle Security Wrap Having secure rear straps is another feature to look for. Some security waist packs incorporate a special Velcro® wrapper that covers the strap buckle.  This feature prevents the buckle from being easily opened from behind (a big flaw in the cheaper non-security waist packs. To learn more about security waist packs, visit this page for an extensive review of 6 unique security fanny packs, as well as a variety of videos of each of these fanny packs, click here. Waterproof Fanny Packs When travelers visit the beach or water park, you need to think about the security of your valuables at these locations too, as these locations have also been known to be locations where thieves operate. Many travelers are amazed with the amount of thefts travelers fall victim to at beaches, water parks, and even hotel pools around the world.  Several devices are available that allow you to protect your valuables when in the water. To learn more about water proof pouches and other waterproof products to help keep your valuables safe from water damage, as well as theft, click here for more information. RFID Wallets and why you need to block RFID signals from your Credit Cards RFID chips are becoming a part of our lives. RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification Devices and they are tiny passive radio transmitters that are placed in products to prevent theft and are now in identification cards, credit cards, and passports to speed up transactions. These passive transmitters lie dormant until activated by a nearby RFID reader that sends a strong radio current that powers them on and makes them send out their signal. The double bars that you walk through at the department store are RFID readers and they send out a strong signal that makes the chips "speak." About 100 million credit cards now have this contact less technology embedded into them. However, over the next 2-3 years, it is expected that credit card issuers will replace every single magnetic stripe credit and debit card with a new contact less smart card. In the same way gas stations have installed lower powered versions on gas pumps to read quick pay gas cards. Newly issued credit cards, passports and other Ids have embedded RFID chips. Identity theft via RFID readers is prevalent and growing. Some readers can read your personal information up to 10 ft. away. You can protect your personal data with the use of RFID blocking wallets and RFID blocking passport covers. These items contain a metal fiber mesh that makes a "cage" around the chip that radio waves cannot penetrate. With the advent of this new technology, a new version of wallet theft is facing travelers today - it's called RFID Electronic Pickpocketing. Credit card companies are beginning to install RFID chips in new credit cards which emits your card's account number, expiration date and other information. That's where electronic pickpocketing comes into play. In order to stop thieves from using a simple handheld device and passing it over your purse or wallet in your back pocket and capturing your credit card's information, new wallets and purses feature built-in RFID blocking technology which can stop this new form of ID theft from your wallet or purse. You can find several types of RFID blocking wallets. For men you can find leather and ballistic nylon RFID wallets, as well as front pocket RFID wallets. For women, they also have RFID blocking women's wallets. RFID blocking purses, as well as RFID blocking handbags. Additionally, several RFID blocking passport covers can also be found that provide the same RFID blocking security benefits as the wallets above. The following is a link to several types of RFID blocking wallets, passport covers, and travel bags. Before you Go - Watch Real Pickpocket Videos and Read Up on Pickpocket Scams Before you leave on your trip, spend some time understanding how pickpockets operate so you can "see them coming" before they get your wallet. To help travelers research this topic, one of the best solutions is to watch real videos of "pickpocket in-action." A variety of these videos have been assembled on at www.corporatetravelsafety.com which is a unique website features pickpocket avoidance information.

Money Wallets and Travel Security Products

To view a variety of unique travel safety products, visit www.CorporateTravelSafety.com, which has over 400 unique travel accessories, as well as over 500 travel safety articles.

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