Australians travelling overseas have been warned of a “crime wave” sweeping popular tourist destinations. More than two million Australians have been the victims of robberies while on holiday, and many of them are facing a financial “nightmare”.
Pickpocketing and baggage theft were the most common targets of Australian travellers, according to new, exclusive Yahoo Finance. This is what Elena Louise Wee experienced on her trip through Italy.
Two men tried to snatch her suitcase from her hands at a train station in Naples. After a struggle, she managed to escape, but the 36-year-old personal trainer told Yahoo Finance the experience was “traumatic” and urged Australians to “keep a clear head” while on holiday.
“When I was in London, I saw so many people having their phones ripped right out of their hands,” said the Sydney resident.
“I would definitely recommend one of these [anti-theft bum bags]… I think that would have been quite good actually. But also because I didn't have that much baggage, I thought it looked like I was an easy target.”
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What to do if you are robbed abroad?
Angus Kidman, travel expert at Finder, said Yahoo Finance You must act immediately if you notice that you have been robbed.
“If your wallet or phone is stolen, immediately cancel your credit cards,” he said.
“Nobody wants their vacation to be ruined by a robbery. To minimize the risk, do your research in advance and avoid known problem areas.
“Protecting your valuables is crucial. Divide your money and cards into different bags and travel with a spare credit card.”
Travel insurance can save lives – but read the fine print
Kidman said travel insurance is essential when traveling abroad because it can provide reimbursement for stolen items.
However, it is important to read the fine print of your policy, as some policies “exclude lost or stolen cards and related fraud.”
Finder's travel expert said it's helpful to be proactive rather than waiting until you're back in Australia.
“Contact your insurer immediately to report the theft and find out what additional information is needed,” he told Yahoo Finance.
“To make a claim through your travel insurance, you will usually need to complete a claim form and provide supporting evidence such as a police report, receipts and proof of ownership of the stolen items.”
Older Australians are more likely to be targeted
Research by Finder has shown that the baby boomer generation is the generation most likely to be the victim of robbery abroad.
Twelve percent of baby boomer respondents said they had been the victim of a robbery while on vacation, compared to 11 percent of millennials, 9 percent of Generation X and 8 percent of Generation Z.
What crimes do Australians say they have most often fallen victim to?
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Pickpocketing (34 percent)
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Luggage stolen (24 percent)
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Credit or debit card skimming (15 percent)
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Cheated (15 percent)
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Others (13 percent)
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