| would you do if your valuable personal items or | | | | a swim on one of your island's beautiful beaches or |
| identification were lost during your vacation? Just in | | | | are visiting public places including restaurants or |
| case you lose any of your important travel | | | | casinos, don't leave items such as wallets, purses, or |
| documents, or if your valuables are stolen during your | | | | other valuable personal belongings unattended |
| vacation, it is important to have a plan of action. | | | | because they can easily be picked up without anyone |
| Although the Caribbean is the perfect place for some | | | | even noticing. Always be aware of your surroundings, |
| fun in the sun, thinking through a game-plan in case | | | | and know where your personal items, including |
| your valuables are lost or stolen will ensure you'll have | | | | passports, identification, money and jewelry, are at all |
| pleasant memories to take home. | | | | times. Thieves are less likely to prey on vacationers |
| During your Caribbean vacation, you'll most likely be | | | | who look like they are aware of what is going on |
| carrying articles of some importance and value that | | | | around them. |
| are necessary for your trip, such as passports, | | | | Quick Thinking |
| identification, cash or other forms of payment, and | | | | Travelers not only have to worry about the loss or |
| other items that if misplaced or stolen, could pose | | | | theft of items that are monetarily valuable, but they |
| some inconvenience during your trip. There are | | | | also should consider what to do in case such |
| measures you can take to prevent the theft of your | | | | important documents as passports, visas, and |
| valuables. And if your important items do go missing, | | | | identification or driver's licenses are lost. These items |
| you can do something about that, too. | | | | are necessary to carry with you while traveling, but if |
| Safeguarding Your Stuff | | | | they are lost or stolen while on vacation, you could |
| One of the biggest petty crimes in the Caribbean is | | | | face unexpected frustration on your trip. Even if you |
| pick-pocketing and petty theft, and most victims are | | | | take preventive measures to keep your documents |
| unsuspecting tourists. But by following some simple | | | | from being stolen, there is still the possibility you |
| words of advice, you can avoid becoming a statistic | | | | could misplace them. |
| by making it more difficult for thieves to abscond | | | | If your passport or driver's license is lost or stolen |
| with your valuables. Consider the following travel tips | | | | while visiting the Caribbean, immediately get into |
| to keep your possessions safe while visiting the | | | | contact with the local police as soon as possible. Also, |
| Caribbean. | | | | find the closest embassy or consulate to your home |
| Try not to bring unnecessary attention to your | | | | country and notify them of your lost information. |
| belongings by flashing a lot of cash around or | | | | Once you realize that your passport, visa or I.D. is |
| showing off elaborate jewelry while on your | | | | missing, it is important to notify the proper authority |
| Caribbean vacation. If you can help it, try to travel | | | | as quickly as possible to protect yourself from |
| with as little cash as possible to prevent your money | | | | becoming a possible victim of identity fraud. Notifying |
| from being stolen or becoming lost without a trace. | | | | the authorities is the first step to follow when your |
| Credit cards and travelers' checks are often better | | | | passport or other important documentation is lost. |
| options while vacationing overseas because these | | | | Then, you must apply for a replacement. You may |
| forms of payment can be tracked and easily | | | | not be able to receive a new passport immediately |
| canceled if necessary. If your credit cards or | | | | while in the Caribbean, so you may want to carry |
| travelers' checks are lost or stolen during your | | | | several other forms of identification with you just in |
| vacation, contact your financial institution immediately. | | | | case. |
| You should be able to cancel your missing or stolen | | | | Although it is unlikely that you'll be robbed while |
| credit card and track any purchases made after it | | | | vacationing in the Caribbean, it is always good to be |
| was lost. | | | | prepared for the unexpected rather than being |
| Important possessions shouldn't be left unattended | | | | caught off guard. To learn more about traveling |
| during your vacation. If your hotel room has a safe, | | | | safely in the Caribbean, visit Caribbean-Guide Crime |
| use it to stow valuables. Also, if you decide to go for | | | | for detailed information and useful safety tips. |