Tonic Trek: What if You're Robbed?

Over my travels these past four years, I have been robbed twice. Once was in '06 by military police in St. Petersburg, Russia. The second time happened just last month with a far-less dramatic pickpocket. I did a lot right in preparation for such a possibility, but you also learn what you should have done when that day arrives. Here are some tips to make sure you're prepared.

Know your numbers

Fortunately, I had the foresight to program my international cell phone with the numbers of every credit card and bankcard that I possessed. My pocket was picked in the wee hours at a Roger Sanchez concert in Budapest, and within hours, I had every card canceled. I strongly recommend this. Of course, you also want to have the numbers written down back at your room in case someone steals your phone as well. I also learned what card companies really come through in a pinch.

The two best cards were American Express and Citi Advantage. Like total rock stars, AmEx got me a card in Budapest the next afternoon and connected to my bank account for a one time cash withdraw of $500. Considering I lost all my cash and cards, this was critical. Citi could not get me a card that fast, but they did overnight me a new MasterCard to Vienna a few days later. That was helpful because most European restaurants and stores do not take AmEx. Though they wouldn't send me a card to Europe, Chase did rush me a new card back home in the USA.

I have to offer a word of warning for TD Bank customers, though, because they made it a nightmare to get a new ATM card, which is critical. In theory, you should be able order a new card online and have it at home in a week or less, or if you have access to a fax machine (which I didn't), you can apparently get it sent to you overseas. I went ahead and applied online. To make a long, tragic story short, it took three weeks, hours of expensive phone calls, an expensive credit card cash advance, talking to countless reps and several emails begging for a new card.

The reps I talked to worked hard to help, but the bankcard department literally refused to talk to me. Even if I got one on the phone, they'd demand to call me back but never would despite my pleas. I even asked the reps to make one call me back to no avail. Fortunately, a few reps went to the superiors in the bankcard department and got it done — but it taught me a lesson. Bankcards are so important that it's worth opening a second bank account with a bit of money for emergencies. Keep the card in the hostel or hotel or even with a friend at home who can overnight it if a situation like this occurs. I will do this when I get home in November, most likely signing up with an international bank like HSBC or Citibank.

Change it up

Speaking of leaving cards in the room, I need to point out the golden rule that I broke. You should never carry all your cards on you (unless of course you are in transit, and they still should be divided up in different places). I followed that rule the entire trip and only got lazy in Budapest, and of course that's when I got hit. Likewise, you're better off putting cards in different pockets rather than keeping them in a purse or wallet. I had my wallet in my front pocket, so it's amazing that someone pulled off that kind of a pick (damn those tequila shots!). I've also heard crazy stories of people cutting purse straps and getting away clean.

Finally, the biggest nightmare is losing your passport, which has yet to happen to me, knock on wood. If you have AmEx, they have a service to help get you to an embassy with everything you need, and the embassy is your to-go place regardless. To be fully prepared for such a possibility, you might want to give someone at home a copy of your birth certificate or some other type of identification, but always make sure you do your best to keep the passport safe at all times.

Travel light

Pickpocketing is such a concern, especially on trams, subways and in major tourist spots, that signs are being posted throughout many city centers, especially in Prague and Budapest. Sadly, you also have to be wary of corrupt cops — just today, someone in my hostel in the Ukraine got robbed by the local police — so make sure not to be stacking those pockets like you're Jay-Z.

Ultimately, the main point I want to drive home is to think ahead and be prepared for such possibilities. Make sure you make it as difficult as possible to get robbed and ensure that a theft can only nab a minimal number of items. Likewise, if the dreaded deed does happen, make sure you have the phone numbers to get everything fixed. Do that, and you'll bounce right back from a big ol' bummer.

Photo courtesy of seretuaccidente via Flickr.