What to do if you are mugged while travelling
Being mugged while travelling can be a very traumatic experience at the time as well as after the event. Everyone is vulnerable to a mugger, from a first time traveller or a seasoned traveller.
Make sure you have Travel Insurance and have the important things covered (eg: your camera or laptop, if these are important to you).
Its recommended to take a photocopy of your passport and put it in a safe place as well as having small passport photos incase your passport is stolen.
I have always thought, if we were ever to be mugged, it would be because we have walked down dark alleys or at night.
Norbert from Globo Treks, who was robbed at knife point in Fes in broad daylight, it really opened my eyes to how vulnerable we are when travelling , he gave us some good insight into the experience what what he did.
If you are mugged, try to remain calm and take notice of tattoos or distinctive features. Do not (I repeat, DO NOT) fight back especially if they have a knife or gun, they are likely to use it if you provoke them (your life is worth so much more than a camera or phone, these are replaceable).
Hand over the goods they ask for and hope they quickly leave you alone without harm, chances are they aren’t interested in holding you as a hostage they just want your goodies.
Once they have left, find a place to sit down and take a few big breathes; you are likely to be in shock. If you have a pen and paper briefly write down about what happened and what the muggers looked like and where you are.
If you don’t have a pen and paper try remember where exactly you were at the time of the mugging. It helps it write it down as over time, your brain can change what happened, trying to block out this horrible incident.
If you are injured in the mugging, depending on the injury, you can either head to the police station and then a doctor or hospital.
Where the injury is more serious you should contact your travel insurer’s emergency helpline to make sure you are getting the best treatment available or head straight to the nearest hospital, worse comes to worse if the injury is life and death you can be transferred to another hospital.
It isn’t ideal but if seriously injured it is best to get treatment asap. Most importantly, don’t panic, I know this is easy said than done but the more you panic the harder it is to think and act, big deep breathes in and out.
Once you are able to breathe and thinking again, go to the nearest police station and make am official report about the robbery, to be honest in some countries the police are not likely to care, don’t take it personally as they may deal with this level of crime or violence on a regular basis.
You will also be required to make a police report and get a copy of it for your insurance company, if you plan to make a claim for the stolen goods.
Remember that if your wallet is stolen, make sure to report that to your bank so they can cancel your cards as you don’t want the thieves spending your hard earned $$.
If possible keep a spare card in the hotel safe or very well hidden on your person or in your bag, otherwise you may need to contact friends or family back home to send you some funds until you can get a new card, this can take up to 2 weeks and if you order an emergency card from Visa you could be paying a fee of up to $300 per card.
Once you have reported the crime, contact your embassy as they can assist in getting a new passport (if stolen – also if lost) or any support you might need.
How do you reduce the likelihood of being robbed.
There is no magic way to ensue you wont be robbed or mugged while travelling (or even at home)especially if you are in the wrong place at the wrong time.
- Don’t wear flashy jewellery around
- Don’t flash a wad of cash try to keep different denominations in different pockets (something we have found helpful).
- Travel in a group as muggers tend to target individuals.
- If you think you are being followed head to an area that is more populated.
- If you’re a woman, you can put most of your money & ID in your bra, as a man you can put the most of your money & ID in your sock.
- Always pay attention to your surroundings even in broad daylight, most criminals don’t fear the sunlight (like a vampire!)
I read a really sad story about a backpacker Steve Flesch who was mugged in Costa Rica in May. He fought back while a gang attempted to rob him, they dragged him into an alley and shot him in the head.
He was rushed to hospital and lay in a coma for just over a month with his parents at this side, they were unable to air lift him back to the US until his medical bills had been paid and then had to pay for the cost of the flight.
Sadly Steve died after battling for his life. While I mean no disrespect to Steve’s family, this is a good reminder to always have travel insurance, its sucks to pay it but in cases like this it could have helped.
I was mugged in Ecuador by a teenager with a screwdriver. More intimidating then you would think! He was trying to sell us a watch, and continued to follow my friend and I as we were walking away from the main area. We just thought he was annoying at first, but As it would turn out he was quite cunning! As soon as we were on a street without other people he cornered me and stole a ring I was wearing. Nothing too valuable, but still sentimental. I certainly learned to pay more attention to my surroundings that day!
Hi Casey!
Thats not a very nice experience!
It is so very true, you can never really let your guard down in another country unless you know the “ins and out”, you always need to stay alert
I read your post with great interest since I am traveling by myself. I tend to be careful and pay attention to my surroundings, but sometimes it’s just not possible. As a tourist I get overwhelmed by my surroundings and just forget about everything and everyone else around me.
The tip with leaving my card in my room is a good one. I usually take my whole wallet with me, which is not really a good thing.
Thanks for the idea.
Hey Jo!
Im glad we could help!
Its hard to be aware of your surroundings at all times but just be smart, dont go down dark alleys at night (or during the day) and trust you gut, if something doesnt feel right them move to a more public area.
Have fun!!!
I travel a lot and have never been mugged. I don’t care much cash on me, but I’ve always thought they could still my phone.
Hey Lana, Most people can travel around without the fear of being mugged but sadly it does happen and if it does – just give up the goodies – they are replace about
Oh my gosh that’s an awful story about that backpacker. I think the biggest issue is not to fight back. Because that’s when things get nasty. Valuables can be replaced but you only get one life.
Another tip is not to go running with your iPod. You’ll just have to forfeit your music when you’re on the road!
Hey Carmen,
thanks for the tip, i have never thought about that!
But very true valuables are replaceable (you arent!)
I almost always travel alone, and have been mugged once – by a taxi driver in Hanoi. Nasty, but one of those things.
I only carry what I need that day – keep the rest locked in my room (I have a locking rucksack). And I keep a spare dollar or two (or whatever currency is relevant) separate from my purse.
What I found, after the incident in Hanoi, was the need to give myself a talking to – this was not many fault, it was not Hanoi’s fault. It was one of those hazards we take on when we travel. But it still took a few days before I could feel comfortable on the streets on my own, and much longer before I stopped being wary of taxis.
Hi Jo,
yeah look it doesnt happen often but its good to be prepared.
glad you are able to over come it
I couldnt agree more Charlie!
there is always dangers when travelling but it doesntmean it cant be fun – you jsut need to be aware of the dangers and make sure you plan ahead eg: putting their bag on their shoulder rather than across their body, if they were going to get mugged, may as well not get dragged along or simply dont take a bag.
I’m a flight attendant and my airline sends out an email any time a crew member is mugged on a layover. It doesn’t happen frequently, but we get a few emails every year and they are a good reminder to the rest of us to be careful. I worry about how I would react. I have this mindset that if there is an attacker on the plane, I will fight back (until death) to keep that person from taking over the flight. On the street, I need to do the opposite. Give the mugger what he / she wants and then report it to the authorities. I think mental preparation is key. Think about the worst case scenarios and decide how you should react before something actually happens.
Good stuff to think about, it applies whether you’re travelling or not! Sometimes you’re most relaxed in an area you’re familiar with.
Faye 🙂
Very true