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How can I avoid being
the victim of a crime at the airport?
How can I avoid being the victim of a pickpocket?
What are some of the pickpocket’s tricks?
What do I need to know before I use the
airport's public phones or ATMs?
How can I find out if the airport terminal
has an ATM?
What are some of the airport scams I need
to know about?
What do I do if I am a victim of a crime
at the airport?
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How can I avoid being the victim
of a crime at the airport?
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Don't let your guard down just because you
are away on vacation. Stay aware of those in your party, your
luggage and your surroundings.
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Approach any "special deals" with
caution, especially if you have to go off the beaten path to
get them.
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Leave your valuables, flashy jewelry and
designer luggage at home. These items will make you more attractive
to criminals.
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Don't walk around with your Airline tickets
hanging out of your pocket.
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Only use taxis and other transportation
services with official markings. Only select transportation
services from the official pick-up points at the Airport.
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Never accept gifts or packages from unknown
parties.
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Never leave your luggage unattended and
always keep an eye on them, just lying by your feet will not
be enough to keep them safe.
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Don't go near abandoned bags, and immediately
report them to security.
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If your luggage has locks, be sure to use
them.
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Mark you luggage so it can easily be identified
as yours. Use something that makes your bags unique, but avoid
items that could be caught on a conveyor belt. Colorful tape
works nicely.
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Don't delay picking up your luggage when
you arrive or you may find it has already disappeared when you
get there.
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How can I avoid being the victim
of a pickpocket?
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Don't travel in narrow alleys or poorly
lit streets.
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When possible, avoid having crowds of people
surrounding you.
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Carry a dummy wallet and put your money
in your front pocket.
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Place a rubber band around your wallet,
it will make it much more difficult to remove from your pocket
without your knowledge.
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Carry your purse under your arm.
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Carry your money under your clothes.
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Know the pickpocket's tricks
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What are some of the pickpocket's
tricks?
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There are lots of situations that pickpockets
use to create opportunities to relieve you of all that heavy
cash. Be especially aware of your money when you find yourself
in the following situations.
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Getting bumped by someone else.
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Having something spilled on you or someone
pointing out a spot on your clothing.
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Someone approaching you and asking for help
or directions.
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Someone causing a disturbance that draws
everyone's attention.
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Being surrounded by a crowd, especially
if you are surrounded by groups of children.
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What do I need to know before
I use the airport's public phones or ATMs?
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Take care when using public phones and ATMs.
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Make sure to completely cover the numbers
you enter on both these items since criminals can use the numbers
to defraud you. They might not be over your shoulder, but across
the street in the parking garage with binoculars. Public phones
are targeted at airports because so many valuable calling card
numbers are used.
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The airport's ATM will probably be more
secure than the local gas station or outside a closed bank branch
because of all the airport security around, but if an ATM is
isolated or not well lit, you might want to find another one.
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Be wary of anyone hanging around the ATM.
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Don't take the time to count your cash there,
the exposure might encourage someone to follow you outside or
into the restroom.
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Take your receipt, it also has numbers that
can help a criminal, especially if they just watched you enter
your pin number.
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How can I find out if the airport
terminal has an ATM?
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Use these ATM locators.
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www.visa.com/pd/atm/main.html
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Visa's ATM locator web page. This site provides
a searchable database that locates ATM's belonging to the Visa,
Visa Electron and Plus ATM network worldwide.
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www.mastercard.com/atm/
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What are some of the airport
scams I need to know about?
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You want to make it through the security
checkpoint quickly and avoid delays. One scam involves delaying
you at the start of security while your valuables move on down
the conveyer belt. The person in front of you might set off
the alarm and delay you while they take time getting cleared.
This delay gives their partner in crime enough time to steal
your items, so keep an eye on your property as it moves through
security. Wait until the line is clear in front of you before
you release your bags onto the conveyor belt and watch that
it does go though and stays there if you are delayed at the
checkpoint.
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That person that so desperately seems to
need your help for directions may just be trying to distract
you while someone else helps themselves to your valuables. You
still may want to be helpful, but remember to stay aware of
your surroundings.
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If someone bumps into you, check to make
sure they didn't remove anything. They might have cut your purse
strings, taken your wallet or Airline tickets.
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Watch your bags closely in the restroom.
They may not even be safe in the stalls. If you place them on
the floor next to the door or on the coat hook, a thief might
reach under or over the door, grab them and run. You will not
be in the best position to give them an immediate chase and
probably won't even see their face. If your bags aren't
uniquely
marked, they will be able to blend into the crowd and be gone
by the time you make it out. Some airports provide a shelf in
the stall, if it is there be sure to use it. If you have a choice,
pick the stall next to the wall and place luggage between you
and the wall.
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As always, if someone approaches you with
a deal that sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Approach
any such deals with a great deal of caution.
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What do I do if I am a victim
of a crime at the airport?
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If you are a victim of a crime in an airport,
note the time and the location and notify security immediately.
Noting the time and location may help investigate the crime since
many airports have extensive security camera coverage.
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Section: BUMPING INFORMATION
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