Q&A: Expert Advice on Travel Safety

Aug. 4, 2004 -- Bob Arno and Bambi Vincent have traveled the world and learned the tricks that travelers can unwittingly fall into on their vacations. In their new book, Travel Advisory: How to Avoid Thefts, Cons, and Street Scams While Traveling, they offer tips to help you hang on to your valuables on your next trip. Below they answer questions from ABCNEWS.com readers.

Question: How much protection do you have with a fanny pack? — Dorothy Greet, Detroit

Answer: Some or none, depending on where and who you are. Where pickpocketing is rife, thieves are expert at opening fanny packs, extracting the goodies, and closing them back up. They always hold something over the fanny pack to hide their moves. A piece of cardboard, a map, something they pretend to offer for sale, even a baby!

Question: How can I make my pockets safer?

Answer: In a crowd, or when someone you don't know gets close to you, you have to put your hand over or in the pocket with the valuables. Believe it or not, pickpockets do not even have to put their hands into your pockets to get your wallet or money out. They have techniques to move the wallet or money up to the top of the pocket. Then they grab the edge, perhaps jostle you, and you walk away from your own money! In some places, thieves cut pockets. To be safe in iffy areas, carry your money, credit cards, and I.D. in a pouch under your clothes.

Question: Why don't designers include an inner pocket in Women's jackets or coats like they do for men?

Answer: Some do. Tilley, Travelsmith, and other purveyors of travel-specific clothing include all sorts of hidden pockets with zippers and Velcro.

Question: Is using phony plastic credit cards you get in the mail inside your purse or wallet while hiding the real ones a good ploy? My mother uses a large safety pin to secure her pockets!

Answer: We don't see much point in carrying the phony ones at all, unless you're planning to be mugged. You can hide your real ones, but remember: you have to live life in this world, and that probably includes the frequent use of credit cards.