Planning Ahead for Vacation Emergencies II: Lost or Stolen Items
While preparing for your Caribbean vacation, it is a good idea
to come up with a plan that will help you avoid becoming a
victim of petty crime, and a plan of action just in case your
valuables are lost or stolen. Although most Caribbean
vacationers anticipate fun in the sun, thinking through a
game-plan in case your valuables are lost or stolen will ensure
you'll have pleasant memories to take home.
During your trip, most likely you'll be carrying articles of
some importance and value that are necessary for your vacation,
such as passports, identification, cash or other forms of
payment, and other items that if misplaced or stolen, could pose
some inconvenience during your trip. There are measures you can
take to prevent the theft of your valuables. And if your
important items do go missing, you can do something about that,
too.
Theft Prevention
The most common crimes against tourists in the Caribbean is
pick-pocketing and petty thefts. But by following some simple
words of advice, you can avoid becoming a statistic by making it
more difficult for thieves to abscond with your valuables.
Consider the following travel tips to keep your possessions safe
while visiting the Caribbean.
Don't attract unnecessary attention to yourself by showing off
large amounts of cash or fancy jewelry while on your Caribbean
vacation. If you can help it, try to travel with as little cash
as possible to prevent your money from being stolen or becoming
lost without a trace. Credit cards and travelers' checks are
often better options while vacationing overseas because these
forms of payment can be tracked and easily canceled if
necessary. If your credit cards or travelers' checks are lost or
stolen during your vacation, contact your financial institution
immediately. You should be able to cancel your missing or stolen
credit card and track any purchases made after it was lost.
Try not to leave valuable and important possessions unsupervised
during your vacation. If your hotel room has a safe, use it to
stow valuables. Also, if you decide to go for a swim on one of
your island's beautiful beaches or are visiting public places
including restaurants or casinos, don't leave items such as
wallets, purses, or other valuable personal belongings
unattended because they can easily be picked up without anyone
even noticing. Always be aware of your surroundings, and know
where your personal items, including passports, identification,
money and jewelry, are at all times. Thieves are less likely to
prey on vacationers who look like they are aware of what is
going on around them.
Lost/ Stolen Documents
Not only can the loss or theft of items that worth a lot of
money cause great dilemmas during your vacation, but also the
misplacement or theft of your important documents as passports,
visas, and identification or driver's licenses can cause
problems on your Caribbean vacation. These items are necessary
to carry with you while traveling, but if they are lost or
stolen while on vacation, you could face unexpected frustration
on your trip. Even if you take preventive measures to keep your
documents from being stolen, there is still the possibility you
could misplace them.
If your passport or driver's license is lost or stolen while
visiting the Caribbean, immediately contact the island's local
police as soon as you can. Also, get in touch with the closest
embassy or consulate to your home country. Once you realize that
your passport, visa or I.D. is missing, it is important to
notify the proper authority as quickly as possible to protect
yourself from becoming a possible victim of identity fraud.
Notifying the authorities is the first step to follow when your
passport or other important documentation is lost. After you
contact the authorities about your lost visa then you must apply
for another one. You may not be able to receive a new passport
immediately while in the Caribbean, so you may want to carry
several other forms of identification with you just in case.
More than likely, you're not going to be robbed while
vacationing in the Caribbean, but it is always best to be
prepared for the unexpected rather than being caught off guard.
To learn more about traveling safely in the Caribbean, visit http
://Caribbean-Guide.info for detailed information and useful
safety tips.