by Joseph Malek

Created on: June 02, 2009   Last Updated: July 21, 2009

Frequent travelers are well aware of what criminals most desire. Those items being, credit cards, currency, passports and/or travel visas, jewelry, camera equipment, golf clubs, portable communication devices and watches. One or more of those criminals might also want you, in hope of collecting money for your safe return.

In other words, those items that can easily be converted to cash or the money itself are the items that most criminals seek to take away from you. Laptop computers, cameras, purses and wallets appear to be the most vulnerable items at risk of being taken by a criminal or a group of criminals who are working together to distract your attention away from one or more of those particular items.

In any event, if you are robbed at gun point or the criminal has some other kind of deadly weapon that he or she uses to force you to give up your valuables you could lose all that you have, including your life.

As the old say goes: "It is better to safe than sorry." The best way to hide your most, if not all, of your important and valuable items is to keep those items within a money belt that is not seen by the average street criminal who seeks to take such items as fast as possible and subsequently vanishes before law enforcement or bystanders can come to your aid.

It should go without saying that expensive jewelry and watches should not be taken on such vacations or business trips. If you appear to be wealthy and you are alone within a foreign Country you made yourself a target for some kind of a criminal attack. So too, wallets or purses should contain only those items that you can easily do without.

That includes a small amount of cash, personal grooming items, maps or the area you visit and nothing more. Such criminals. like pick pockets or the average street criminal, want to make a quick escape after taking something you have. If you have a purse or a wallet in addition to that money belt that is hidden from view it is quite likely that a criminal will not seek more than your wallet or your purse.

The use of a fanny pack that is worn around the waist can further conceal the fact that you also are wearing a money belt. Back packs, although visible, can serve as a storage places for your camera, laptop and/or other bulky items that will not be easily seen by criminals. Where there is a will there is a way. Then again, there are things that you can easily do that will trick a criminal and truly prevent the loss of your most valuable items. Be aware of all of those people who are within easy reach of your person.

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