Nothing ruins a trip faster than theft.  And with global crime escalating and thieves getting savvier, travelers must take extra precautions before, during, and after traveling to ensure their identities and personal effects remain safe.  Below are some quick tips to keep you safe on your next trip.

Before Your Trip:

1.  Password protect your mobile devices.  In 2011, travelers lost 11,000 mobile devices at airports.  If a person with bad intentions gets hold of your phone, they have access to your personal information and that of the contacts in your phone.

2. Make photocopies of your travel documents.  And keep copies in a couple of places – your home, with a family member, in the hotel safe, etc. – in case your travel documents are stolen.

3. Tell your credit card company you’ll be traveling.  Not only will this let them be more vigilant about any unusual activity on your card, but you’ll also avoid having your account frozen if the bank calls to verify a charge, and you’re not home to approve it.

4. Consider getting travel insurance for your trip.  If you do need to bring valuable items with you on your trip, you may want to consider getting travel insurance that offers coverage for theft of personal effects.

5. Secure your mail while you’re gone.  Have a trustworthy neighbor pick up your mail every day or put a hold on your mail with the post office so criminals can’t get to mail containing personal information.

During Your Trip:

1. Get luggage locks.  Use TSA-approved luggage locks that still allow security screeners to open your bag at the airport but keeps thieves out at the baggage carousel and hotel.

2. Be aware of your surroundings.  Keep an eye out for suspicious individuals and remember that most thieves work in pairs.  Keep your bag tightly against you in public places and if you’re jostled, double-check to make sure you still have everything you started with.

3. Know where your travel documents are at all times.  Wear a neck wallet or a cross-body bag that holds your travel documents, including your passport and airplane tickets, so it sits closer to your body.

4. Handle money discreetly.  Do not talk about how much money you’re traveling with or flash your money around.  Consider wearing a money belt that is hidden under your clothes.  Also, don’t bring all your cash with you on your daily excursions.  Take what you’ll need for the day and leave the rest in the hotel safe in case your wallet gets stolen.

5. Avoid ATM machines.  If you need to get cash while traveling, you’re better off visiting a local bank than accessing an ATM machine.  Thieves monitor ATM machines to skim PIN numbers or even take your cash after you’ve made a withdrawal.

6. Protect yourself from identity theft. Turn Bluetooth off if you’re not using it.  Cyber criminals know how to pair their Bluetooth device with yours to steall personal information.  Be wary of public Wi-Fi networks and only connect over secure networks.  Finally, make sure no one can see you type passwords or see any sensitive information on your electronic devices.

After Your Trip

1. Check your credit report. Identity thieves are known to lay in wait before they start using your stolen credit cards. Make sure you check your credit reports for any suspicious activity when you return home.