Spy Games Creator Issues Traveling Tips to Public

From Spy Games:

Many Americans are already planning their summer travel, whether in the U.S. or overseas, and on Wednesday, July 1, the U.S. Department of State issued warnings for large gatherings, particularly in Europe.

Jason Hanson has traveled the world and provides his 2016 summer travel safety tips. Individuals may set up a conversation with Hanson to delve deeper into how Americans can keep themselves and their families safe this summer, especially with all of the upheaval in different parts of the world.

Hanson suggests that, if one is planning a trip overseas, he or she should visit the U.S. State Department website and research the country to be visited. The site alerts individuals (by country) to any security threats and provides phone numbers of the U.S. embassies and consulates.

Prior to traveling, individuals should scan all travel documents onto a secure flash drive (Iron Key Flash Drive) that will self-destruct after 10 incorrect password attempts.

Travelers should scan their driver license, passport (and memorize their passport number), travel insurance information, hotel reservations, airline reservations, family emergency phone numbers and the U.S. Embassy address and phone number. Travelers should also carry a flash drive on them at all times in case the paper documents are ever lost or stolen.

In a secure wallet such as a Shacke Pocket Vault, travelers should carry their money and credit cards, but not in a travel wallet around the neck or in a purse as criminals can easily cut or yank them off. Instead, travelers are encouraged to carry a wallet inside their pants or secured to their leg. Another option is the Escape & Evasion Belt, where one can hide money and gear in case of an emergency.

Travelers shouldn't discuss your travel plans on an airplane, cruise ship or anywhere where people can overhear anything you say.

When checking into a hotel, individuals should ask for two keys, even if traveling alone. Potential criminals watching travelers check in will assume there is more than one person staying in the room, making him or her a less attractive target. Additionally, travelers should request a room above the third floor of the hotel. Criminals will usually break into rooms on the lower floors of a hotel.

Travelers should purchase a door-stopper alarm and place it inside their hotel room door. They are inexpensive, very loud and will scare off any intruder immediately. Individuals should never travel without one.

When overseas, travelers should always respect the customs of the country they are visiting. For example, travelers shouldn't wear a brightly colored t-shirt or cowboy boots that indicate where they are from. One wouldn't not want to stand out as an American.

Traveling Americans should research current scams and crimes indigenous to the country they are visiting. For example, some airports are known for criminals asking travelers to watch their luggage and then come back, claim the traveler stole it from them and attempt to extort money from the traveler. Someone might stop a traveler on a street with the pretense of taking a survey. While the traveler is distracted, the scammer's partner pickpockets the traveler.

Travelers should only accept a taxi that their hotel has arranged for them. Criminals can pose as taxi drivers and then drive the traveler to an isolated location to rob him or her. Many of these individuals also try to take a longer route than necessary so that they can make more money. Travelers should study their route ahead of time and make sure the cab driver follows the traveler's instructions.

Travelers should never discuss their trip on social media until they arrive back home. If someone follows the traveler on social media and the traveler is talking about how excited he or she is to see the Mona Lisa, then a criminal will know the individual is out of the country and may burglarize the individual's home.