Safety & Security in PP!!!

[pollensabay]

Sorry to hear that you had your wallet stolen! Hope you managed to cancel cards etc and that it does not spoil your holiday to much.

 

[Fencer]

A friend of mine was pick pocketed in Eroski 10 days ago. When it was Caprabo they used to have a security guard..

 

[Sparky]

Yes Plackeyman thanks for the warning, i am so sorry this happened to you. We all need to be on our guard everywhere we go, you may be on holiday but the criminals are not .
PLEASE don't become a victim!!!!!

 

[majprop]

Sorry to hear that Plackyman, this is about the fifth incident in the past week, a seperate incident occured a 23.00hrs last Wednesday in the main street where an elderly Spanish lady had taken her two small dogs out for their needs and was pushed to the ground, she was not carrying anything but was clearly very upset.

 

[Major Tom]

Pickpocket at Large Eroski

Also like to add my Spanish Bank BBVA is not being very helpful as
the ATM machine gave out two lots of 300 euros. The manager told me
they have machines to crack the pin number and it took me 2 hours
to cancel the card. I am going back tomorrow with Police crime papers
and insist he refunds my account or I will move my account !!

 

[cherylbb]

Unfortunately, this happened to my Mum who lives on the mainland. They managed to get 2 x E300 also from two seperate ATMs & she is still waiting almost 6 weeks later for a refund. They are checking the CCTV apparently!

 

[pips]

So sorry it is awful the last thing you need. Banks are always out for themselves .

 

[AnnaW]

With regards to security - would you recommend using a safe in your holiday accommodation or a pre-loaded travel card? Do most restaurants accept cards? I am unsure what to do.

My Dad had his wallet stolen 2 weeks ago in Porto Cristo - walking down busy street, very tall person (he thinks female) in white suit and panama hat banged in to him, there were 2 males with her also. Dad went in to a shop and found his wallet had been taken from zipped up pocket at front of his shorts by his knee. Didn't feel a thing! Real pro's it seems.

Has made me more wary and safety conscious prior to my holiday.

I would be grateful for any advice.

Thanks

 

[Rangers1]

So sorry it is awful the last thing you need. Banks are always out for themselves .

Do you want the banks to look into a crime first then as i know they will refund the money or just payout no questions asked and what then, you all point at the banks saying they payout without looking into any crime!!!

 

[Major Tom]

Sorry to hear of more pickpocket activity, I think we all assume that
chip & pin stops card theft not being worth while, sadly thieves are obviously
using stolen cards easily.
The banks/credit card companies should start investigating and Spanish
authorities should take action to remove these people from society, or
tourist will go on holidays to other countries if they don't feel safe !

 

[cumberland8]

My Friend works for Interpol says card theft ,stroke manipulation is at the same level now than it was before they brought in chip & pin.Do not let your card out of your sight.
It could be worse they could be demanding Pay Pal which is allegedly the most insecure system in the world.

 

[Greybeard]

With regards to security - would you recommend using a safe in your holiday accommodation or a pre-loaded travel card? Do most restaurants accept cards? I am unsure what to do.

I have a Halifax clarity credit card and just take money out as I need it. When I withdraw money it gives me the going bank exchange rate not the tourist rate. Then at least I never have more money on me than I can afford to lose. I suppose then it depends what else you have with you whether the safe is a worthwhile investment. I must admit I don't always bother but I would if I had anything much of value in the room.

Thanks

I have a Halifax clarity credit card and just take money out as I need it. When I withdraw money it gives me the going bank exchange rate not the tourist rate. Then at least I never have more money on me than I can afford to lose. I suppose then it depends what else you have with you whether the safe is a worthwhile investment. I must admit I don't always bother but I would if I had anything that I kept anything much of value in the room.

It could be worse they could be demanding Pay Pal which is allegedly the most insecure system in the world.

Trouble is with paypal it's only as secure as the personal protection you apply to it. I had a problem earlier in the year which was entirely my own daft fault. I booked a hotel in Salou using a hotel chains own website. When the booking was finished it asked me if I would sign up for their rewards scheme. I signed up with my usual password as I assumed these things were encrypted. They sent me a confirmation email then with my password showing. I should have changed my passwords then but didn't. Within 48 hours Barclaycard's fraud dept. were in touch to say that there were around nine transactions for about £95 pending from my paypal account. I have to say Barclaycard and Paypal were great and the money was never deducted from my account. The moral of the story is obviously don't be as daft as me and have just one password which you give out on the internet willy nilly. I now have several levels of security on my paypal account and have changed all my banking and Amazon passwords.

 

[JMD40]

Can I also suggest that you travel with the appropriate phone numbers to cancel the cards/mobile phone that you may have stolen. Speed is essential to prevent the cards from being used and I have seen too many people not have a clue of the number to cancel the cards. Remember to place this information somewhere other than in your wallet!! I am afraid petty crime is on the increase all over Europe so best to take care and only carry about you what you really need. I am unsure how many times I have sat in the Guardia Civil completing reports and listing 4 store cards, UK petrol cards, HMV drivers licence, employment security permit cards, etc.etc. These should not even be brought to the Island - clear your purses/wallets of all the important documents that you dont need before you travel.

 

[cumberland8]

Excellent advice JMD, Mr Grey you were very lucky getting a response from Pay Pal, my advice to anyone using that particular system is keep the absolute minimum in that account.
Look up PP complaints & all will be revealed.

 

[Greybeard]

Look up PP complaints & all will be revealed.

Will do. I don't keep any money in the paypal account though. I just use it for the occasional purchase through ebay etc. It then takes the money from my credit card. I agree I was lucky though.

 

[AnnaW]

I have a Halifax clarity credit card and just take money out as I need it. When I withdraw money it gives me the going bank exchange rate not the tourist rate. Then at least I never have more money on me than I can afford to lose. I suppose then it depends what else you have with you whether the safe is a worthwhile investment. I must admit I don't always bother but I would if I had anything that I kept anything much of value in the room.


Funnily enough I spoke to the halifax about the clarity card, but as travelling this weekend I have left it too late.

Think I am going to go with a post office travel money card and some euros...unless I read something to put me off tonight!

Just hope most of the restaurants take it - it is a mastercard, so hopefully they will?!

Thanks again

 

[its cd]

On similar lines re security

Keep a photo of your passport , insurance details and important phone nums like card cancellations etc attached to an email to yourself stored somewhere in the cloud ie some sort of web mail account that you can access via the Internet

That way you can have this information available to you from anywhere where you can get an Internet connection

 

[Belladonna]

Really good advice cd. Helps when your head isn't in the holiday "cloud"! Will now ask sons to show me how to do it.

 

[smg]

we always take paper copies with us too...5 mins at home scanning could save a lot of grief should the worst happen whilst away....

 

[Tonsyl]

Agree with others, a good idea cd which I hadn't thought of but will now.