Keeping your money safe while abroad

When you’re on holiday, it’s important that you keep your money as safe as possible, as you may not even be able to go home without it. However, there are several steps you can take to reduce the risk and the potential consequences of loss or theft while abroad:

Leave the cheque book at home: just use your credit and debit cards, they are far more widely accepted and it’s one less thing to lose.

Wear a money belt and wear it under your clothes. It’s not a good look to have your hands down your trousers in any circumstance, but it’s better to have to do that than get stranded abroad without any money!

Pay for your accommodation in advance. That way, if you lose your money, at least you have somewhere to stay. And with internet companies offering huge discounts on cheap hotels and all-inclusive city breaks, you’ll probably save yourself a whole lot of spending money too!

Don't carry loads of cash around with you. Convert your traveller's cheques every day or two, and use your credit cards to buy more expensive items.

Have your money in front of you at all times. Don’t leave your wallet in your back pocket, however cool you think it looks - it’s just a magnet for thieves! Similarly, if you’re wearing a shoulder bag, strap it across your body rather than just on one shoulder.

Use the safe in the hotel for your valuables, and make sure your room is locked, including the windows, whenever you leave.

Purchase traveller's cheques, and be sure to record the serial numbers and keep this record separate from them in case you lose one or other.

Take a note of your credit card numbers, as well as the number you have to phone if they are lost or stolen.

Make copies of these backup documents and leave them with a trusted friend or relative at home to give you a second backup option should you lose both cards and documents.

Avoid dark, empty streets at night, especially when travelling alone. If you’re mugged, don’t resist, it simply isn’t worth it!

If you do become a victim of crime, phone the police first, and then call your credit card and traveller’s cheque companies. You should get replacements within a day or so, unless you are in a particularly remote location.

Lastly, make sure you always take out adequate cover before you go on holiday. Have a look at Go Travel Insurance for a quote on cheap travel insurance.