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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to create a fake wallet in case of a mugging..

32 replies

gardenisblooming · 29/07/2024 10:59

I'm going to be travelling around South America, and will be taking precautions to remain safe. I'm staying in hotels, not hostels, and will have guides with me a lot of the time. (Travelling with DP). However, I've heard there are still a lot of muggings, and some in broad daylight in full view of other people. Would it be a bad idea to take with a couple of expired credit cards / fake ones in a wallet, with a few dollar bills, and receipts that would look like a genuine wallet I could hand over in the event of it happening, and I can keep my passport and genuine cards in a hidden purse under my clothes? How do I even go about getting that sort of thing (eg if I use an expired genuine card, then they have my name). Am I being ridiculous? Amazon sell a decoy wallet for about £70 which seems a lot but indicates it is a thing?! Any suggestions or tips v welcome. Thank you!

OP posts:
GasPanic · 29/07/2024 12:03

These days with cash becoming less common a lot of people walk around with no money.

This is a mistake.

In the States a lot of people used to carry "mugger money". This is money so if you are mugged at least you have something to hand over. The mugger won't be happy, but at least they have got 50-100 dollars for their fix and that will probably make them go away in most circumstances.

If you don't have the mugger money to hand over then they may think you are holding out and the consequences might not be too great for you if they are armed.

AzureAnt · 29/07/2024 12:03

I would be wary of the expired passport your details could be stolen from that

Sugarnspicenallthingsnaice · 29/07/2024 12:04

Catza · 29/07/2024 11:33

The hotel will surely have a safe and I would leave your valuables there. Take an old phone and have a virtual credit card on there and a "spare" one hidden on your body. I don't even have a wallet, all my stuff is stashed in pockets so good luck trying to rob me "quickly".

At some point you have to travel to and between hotels with all your belongings, though.

As well as a stunt wallet, I have cheapie ebay copies of my wedding and engagement rings for travelling.

Original poster
gardenisblooming · 29/07/2024 13:19

Imicola · 29/07/2024 11:57

It was recommended strongly to me when I undertook security training for work recently.

I'd go for - an ordinary looking purse/wallet, in an obvious place (e.g. handbag, pocket). Including a pre-paid card with a set amount on it (e.g. about £200) - as sometimes they will force you to an ATM to take out as much money as you can. Plus about £50 in cash. If it is a mugging, they don't want you, and aren't intending to hurt you - so try to stay calm, and do everything they ask, hand over what it is they want.

Also avoid flashy items - expensive new phone, designer handbag etc. Try not to stand out too much.

EDIT: to add that I think an expired bank card could badly backfire if you are taken to an ATM, so perhaps worth looking into what type of crime is most common where you are travelling and if this might be a possbility.

Edited

Thank you. This is really interesting. Was it suggested to you re travelling, or work, or just in general?

I think it is probably worth not taking an expired bank card then in case of being taken to an ATM.

I'm now thinking I should have this 'fake' wallet with me in general!

OP posts:
Original poster
gardenisblooming · 29/07/2024 13:22

Imicola · 29/07/2024 12:02

Other advice from my training was the hotel safes are not remotely safe - anyone working there can easily access them, or even someone who doesn't work there but who can access your room. You can also travel with a door wedge to stop access to your room while you are sleeping - just make sure it is not visible from outside the door, otherwise they can kick it in and out the way. Key chains etc on the door can easily be circumvented.

Show quote history

We are mostly staying in decent standard hotels, but even so, I do still worry about the safe in the room. sometimes I just hide important things in pockets in a skirt or trousers in the cupboard - any other ideas of where to hide valuables?

OP posts:
Imicola · 29/07/2024 13:45

gardenisblooming · 29/07/2024 13:22

We are mostly staying in decent standard hotels, but even so, I do still worry about the safe in the room. sometimes I just hide important things in pockets in a skirt or trousers in the cupboard - any other ideas of where to hide valuables?

Show quote history

The training was for people that need to travel overseas for work, either for a short duration, or long term (i.e. being based in another country), but it was stressed that the advice is general for work or personal travel to other countries and much of it was also relevant for life at home too.

Unfortunately there was no foolproof advice on where to hide things - most of the class said we generally never used the safe already, but there were different suggestions of where to put passports/documents...a bag of dirty laundry was one suggestion! In the past I've just hidden it amongst clothes in my bag. I guess if someone is determined, they will find it regardless though, so it is good to be aware of the risks.

Original poster
gardenisblooming · 29/07/2024 13:55

So I need a fake wallet for my bag, and for DP, and one for the hotel safe too ;)

OP posts:
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