9 Travel Safety Tips from a Former CIA Agent

Written by Katherine LaGrave

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Keep a "Do Not Disturb" sign on your door, even when you're not there.

A veteran intelligence operative on how to curb risks during a hotel stay. (Stay away from the top floor, you fools!)

Drew Dwyer, a Marine Corps veteran and former decade-long CIA operative, has traveled far and wide both domestically and internationally, and has participated in covert operations across five continents. (We would tell you more, but...you know.) Having stayed in hundreds of hotels, Dwyer shared his hotel safety check-in tips on SOFREP.com, which we've distilled below. Needless to say, bed bugs were the least of his concerns.
1. Acquire or make a copy of the fire escape plan on the back of your door. Most of these just slide out.
2. Do not stay on the ground or the top floor. The ground floor is readily accessible to intruders and the top floor does not allow any room to maneuver.
3. Keep the “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door, even when you are not there.
4. Always assume the room is bugged. Keep the radio or TV turned on with the volume on low at all times—even when you are not in the room.
5. Keep the drapes/blinds pulled at all times, even when unoccupied.
6. Keep a light on in the room when unoccupied.
7. Keep a small “bug-out bag” packed with must-have items (money, ID, passport, etc.) in the event of an emergency departure.
8. Carry a motion alarm that can be placed over the doorknob. They are about $20 and can be found in most electronics stores.
9. Keep a flashlight next to the bed and within arm’s reach.
Irrespective of this list, it pays to note that hotels are becoming safer by the minute. And while we won't be adhering to all of these tips anytime soon, there is something to be said for minimizing your risk as a traveler—and these suggestions can certainly help do that. Sometimes, after all, it pays to be James Bond.

Travelore Tips: Simple Self-Defense Skills Women (And Men) Should Know When Traveling

Personal safety experts share tips that can help protect stressed out travelers

Traveling can frazzle your brain. Between trying to remember if you locked up the house or put your ID back into your wallet, thinking about personal safety in airport parking lots is the last thing on most women’s minds. However, poorly lit parking garages, arms full of luggage, confusing parking signs, forgetting where you parked and keys buried in the bottom of an overflowing purse can make women easy targets for predators. To help women stay safe while traveling, Krav Maga Worldwide, the industry leader in self-defense and fitness, has put together a list of personal safety tips to keep in mind when at the airport, train station or in an unfamiliar city.

1.                  Stay aware of your surroundings by scanning your environment. No matter how busy you are, do not allow your mind to wander. It might seem important in the moment to be making a to-do list in your head, but if you are worrying about what you need to do when you get home you might not notice someone following you to your vehicle, reading your email over your shoulder or sliding a hand into your purse.

2.                  Park in well lit areas. If you are renting a car while traveling, when you park avoid spots next to vans, trucks with camper shells, or cars with tinted windows. You want to keep your car and yourself as visible to as many people as possible and as such you should also avoid parking next to tall shrubs or plants that could block views of your vehicle.

3.                  Don't wear your purse so that the strap crosses your body. Wearing a purse strap across your body makes you more connected to your bag. If someone tries to steal your purse, you will be pulled with the strap. You can become unbalanced and put into a vulnerable position or you could end up in a physical altercation with the assailant. If your purse is draped on one shoulder you can easily let go of it.

4.                  Dress casually and comfortably. During transit is not the time to make a fashion statement. It is better to leave the high heels and flashy statement making pieces at home or in your luggage until you arrive at your destination. Jeans and sneakers will help you blend in and if needed enable you to make a quick getaway. Also, avoid wearing large and expensive looking jewelry that can draw additional attention to you.

5.                  Always keep one arm and hand free of luggage and other gear. Many people travel with multiple bags, purses, lap top cases and other paraphernalia. But, if your arms and hands are tied up with bags you have no means of defending yourself from an attacker. Luggage that can stack together securely and be pulled by one handle is a safer choice than wearing and carrying numerous bags on your person.

About Krav Maga Worldwide

Founded in 1997 to promote Krav Maga throughout the United States and around the world, Krav Maga Worldwide trains and certifies instructors and licenses over 150 authorized Krav Maga Worldwide training centers in the United States, Canada, Japan, Mexico, South America, and Europe, as well as over 800 law enforcement agencies and  military units. Krav Maga offers the highest caliber of instruction to thousands of people, supporting the company’s core commitment to improving and saving lives. Krav Maga Worldwide continues to develop, promote and implement self-defense and fitness programs. For additional information, visit: www.kravmaga.com.

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Travelore Tips: 7 Tips To Prevent Identity Theft While Traveling

You make a purchase at the local boutique and your card is declined. You are the next victim of travel identity fraud. 27 thousand Americans have their identities stolen each day and being in that category can turn a relaxing vacation into your next nightmare. 

So how can you protect your identity while on the road? While there is no sure fire way to guarantee your chances of becoming a victim, there are precautionary measures you can take. When you travel, your risk of identity theft increases. Ensuring that you take some precautions prior to traveling is a great way to protect yourself, said Erik Knight creator of DirtSearch.org. 

Here are ways to protect your identity while traveling: 

1. Check travel companies with the Better Business Bureau (BBB): Before you sign up for that next travel deal, make sure that the company is legit. Entering credit card information on sites that aren't, can only result in trouble. You may also want to ensure that you take precautions at home to lock up precious items and make your house look 'lived' in. 

2. Don't carry large sums of cash: If you have multiple credit cards while traveling, always store them in different places. If your wallet gets stolen, you will have your backup plan. 

3. Make copies of important documents such as passports, driver's license and all credit cards: If you are overseas and someone steals your passport or license, it is important to have a backup copy so that you don't need to take a trip to the American Embassy. 

4. Make sure your credit card is hidden at all times: You are at the airline counter and the reservationist is taking your credit card for luggage charges, you should not leave your credit card open on the table for all to see. Someone can easily come behind you, snap a picture of that information and steal your identity. 

5. Use a debit card as a credit card: Sometimes it may make sense to get a $500 prepaid card. If you are using a debit card make sure you run the card as credit, not debit, because you don't want to give away your PIN number. 

6. Call your credit card company in advance: Call your credit card company to let them know you are traveling and where you will be. This can prevent your card company from viewing these charges as suspicious and declining them because they're made in another country. 

7. Make sure you keep receipts: When traveling overseas especially conversion rates can be tough. Keep receipts to ensure no overcharges because you can always dispute any charges later. Without good record keeping you are at anyone's mercy. 

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