Full Notification

There is nothing worse that discovering your passport has been stolen or your laptop is missing while you are traveling for work or pleasure. While getting ready for your summer getaway, keep these safety tips in mind.

Before You Leave
• Pay close attention to the hotel location, not just rates and amenities.
• Make sure you have a cell phone that will work throughout your trip, when traveling abroad.
• Make two copies of your itinerary, passport and credit/ATM cards. Leave one set at home with a trusted family member or friend and bring the other copy with you on your trip. Keep this information separate from the originals.

Upon arrival and during check-in
• Stay with your luggage at all times.
• Ask for a room that is not on the ground floor (it’s too easy to break in).
• If you are staying in a motel where doors open directly to the outside (rather than a hallway), ask for a room overlooking an interior courtyard instead of a parking lot.
• If the desk attendant announces your room number out loud when giving you your key, ask for a different room.
• If a valet has accompanies you to your room, block the door open while you check the room. Look in the closet, in the shower and behind the curtains before you shut the door or release the valet.
• Check the locks on the door and windows of your room to be sure they are functioning properly. Notify the front desk if anything isn’t functioning properly.
• Check your room for the nearest stairwell and/or emergency exit in case you need to leave in an emergency.
In your room
• Keep the door locked whenever you are in the room, including deadbolts, security chains or swinging metal security locks.
• Never prop your door open, no matter how briefly.
• If someone comes to your door unexpectedly and claims to be hotel staff, call the front desk to make sure the visit was actually authorized. Never open your door to someone until you're sure of his or her identity; use the peephole instead.
• Protect your valuables (e.g. laptop, cash, credit cards, jewelry) by using the hotel or room safe.
• Instead of filling out a room service card by leaving a note outside your door, call room service directly.
• When you're out, consider leaving the TV or radio on, or putting your "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door; both of these tricks will give potential thieves the impression that you're still there.
• If you lose your key or room entry card, report it to the hotel immediately and ask to be moved to another room. You can’t assume you ‘lost’ it – it may have been stolen from you by someone with malicious intent.
Hotel Parking Lot Safety
• If you valet park your car at the hotel, and valet driver puts a card on your dash, make sure it does not have your room number.
• Do not leave valuables in your vehicle. Rental cars are often targets for thieves.
• Park close to an exit, in a well-lit area.
• Have your keys out and carry them in your hand.
• Keep your purse close to your body, not loose and dandling off a shoulder.
• Ask hotel staff for an escort to your car.

If you are a victim of a crime while on vacation, be sure to file a police report with local authorities and make the hotel aware of the situation.