Travel Tools

Safety When You're Traveling: Business or Leisure

1. Do not wear conspicuous clothing or jewelry. Such a display could make you a target for criminals who frequent transportation hubs that may not be as securely protected as American airports.  You also risk damaging expensive jewelry when going through security checks and handling baggage.


2. Do not carry excessive amounts of money.  Most populated destinations today accept credit card payments.  Carry only one or two major credit cards.  If you must use cash, experts advise you to wait until you’re at a secure location at or near your final destination to convert traveler’s checks or credit cards to cash.  Convert only small amounts that you need at the time, rather than carrying large sums of money.  Secure unused cash in a money belt on your person or in a safe at your hotel.  Do not reveal how much cash you have in your wallet or purse when buying items or paying bills.


3. Do not leave unattended luggage in public areas and do not accept packages from strangers.  Thieves and terrorists come in all ages, sizes and ethnic backgrounds.  Remember that you may be tired from a long trip and most crimes against international travelers occur within the first few hours of their arrival.  Be mindful of your luggage and lock it even after you’ve arrived in your hotel room.


4. Be careful about the vendors you use.  Leck Travel Service is connected to high level service providers worldwide who must continuously satisfy reviews and quality checks. Even while you’re traveling, you can feel free to call us to arrange for a service provider to help if there are any last minute changes in your plans.


5. If you have an emergency, contact the Bureau of Consular Affairs.  You may want to make a note of the local phone number of the U.S. consulate closest to your international destination before you leave home. Locate the consulate closest to you.  You may also consider receiving direct information feeds through your mobile device while you’re traveling through an RSS subscription or web-based resources.


6. If your family needs to reach you because of an emergency, they can pass a message to you through the Office of Overseas Citizens Services, which can be contacted from within the United States at 1-888-407-4747 (toll free), and from overseas at 202-501-4444.  The Office of Overseas Citizens Services will contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country in which you are traveling in order to pass the message to you. 


7. If you have the time, you may want to read the State Department’s advisory to business travelers covering just about every possibility that may occur when you’re traveling overseas.
   Personal Security Guidelines for the American Business Traveler Overseas (click on title for pdf version attached)


8. Background Notes are available for your review providing historical and political information. Background Notes are factual publications that contain information on countries with which the United States has diplomatic relations.  They include facts on each country’s land, people, history, government, political conditions, economy, and relations with other countries and the United States.