Keep Yourself Safe on Your Next Business Trip with a Decoy Wallet
Not everywhere you travel is as safe and comfortable as your own home town. Indeed, I've been to a few places over the years that made me somewhat uncomfortable -- including a South American country in which many of the stores posted guards armed with shotguns at the front door. When you travel, your cash, credit cards, and even your identity are at risk.
You can reduce the threat to those items by carrying a decoy wallet -- that's WiseBread's recommendation.
When you travel, WiseBread suggests carrying a decoy -- a wallet with a small amount of cash you won't mind losing if you're pickpocketed or robbed at knifepoint. But also include some other elements to enhance the illusion, like empty gift cards or even an inactivated credit card. Don't include any personal information like a real driver's license. To a thief performing a quick inspection, it looks real. But you're not giving away anything you can afford to lose.
As for the rest of your cash, carry that in a hidden place in your clothing or leave it in the safe in your hotel.
What do you think? Is this excessively protective behavior, or a reasonable safeguard? Sound off with your thoughts -- or firsthand experiences -- in the comments.
Photo courtesy Flickr user Sir Stig
