Win a DataSafe Leather Wallet: The Kena Kai Travelocity Wallet

I don't let cards or passports out of my sight. They stay on me at all times. Wallets are deep in inside zipped parts of shoulder bag. Whenever possible I take out only the needed card or currency rather than the entire wallet. I keep cards or wallet in my hand and never put them down on counters etc. I keep all receipts and carbons, and any I don't need for my records get shredded at home. I don't provide any more information to anyone than is absolutely necessary. I am always aware of what is going on around me. I never sling my shoulderbag to my back or over the back of a chair. I don't put it on the floor unless it's between my feet with its strap wrapped around my leg. Every login/password combo I use online is different and complex and all of any import are changed on occasion. In 45 years of extensive travel in N. America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East I've never had anything lost, pickpocketed or stolen while at home or away, and I've never been hacked or had my identity stolen.

Oooh, those are nice! When it comes to identity documents, I keep a photocopy of mine in my suitcase and emailed myself a scanned version in a web accessible email account. This is especially important when traveling internationally. I guess those are less identity protection and more identity tips.

I go through my wallet before I leave and cull all extraneous cards. I keep credit card company numbers in my phone so I can cancel them. When I travel with my passport, I take a photocopy of my passport information and I lock my passport in my room safe unless I absolutely need to have it with me. I try to always book a hotel with a room safe, it just makes life easier and I worry less about having information stolen. It is also a good idea to notify your bank and credit card companies if you will be in a foreign and the dates, that way you don't have a card transaction denied when you desperately need cash. I'm also very vigilant in crowds.

I keep my documents on me at all times when possible during a trip. I keep things seperate on my person depending on their level of importance. Local currency can go in a money clip while credit cards would be in a seperate pocket as well as passport. This way I am not fishing around for what I need at any given time. I also wear zippable cargo shorts/ pants. Every pocket has a zipper on it to deter pickpockets. I do not carry anthing in a pouch/sachel/purse. These can always be taken from you by a run by mugging.

My passport is always in my front pocket, typically covered by my hand. As long as you're observant about what's going on around you, you're typically okay, but I think it's important to be vigilant.

I carry the very bare minimum when I travel - My passport, cash and a single card, usually. The less things that you have to lose or get stolen, the better. I also take multiple photo copies of important documents and leave them with responsible contacts at home, as well as bringing copies with me. This is especially important with travellers checks - If you have the numbers it is much easier and quicker to replace them if stolen or lost.

Well Mr. Gnome, I personally place my wallet and passport in a zippered jacket pocket or inside pocket. I also do NOT carry $ in my wallet. With that in mind, I don't have to take my ID or passport out of my pocket to buy a drink or magazine when traveling. When I worked for the GOV'T, I carried that ID in my shoe. This way nobody would know I was a government worker (which is ashame) when I had to show my ID.

Hope you enjoyed London, and please keep me in mind for the next vacation! I would like to say Bora Bora would be a GREAT spot!!!

In addition to all the excellent suggestions other people have posted, it is important for women to keep your purse secure when sitting in restaurants and on buses, trains, etc. Don't put your purse on the floor! Take care when getting money out of an ATM...Hide the screen with your body when putting in your PIN and be circumspect as you put your money away after it comes out of the machine. Pay attention to your credit cards when charging things, in the excitement of the fun in restaurants or making that special purchase, don't neglect to get your card back and put it away carefully.

I have a list of numbers for all credit cards to call if a problem; both hard copies and a digital online copy of my passport; when I go out I only take a hard copy and not my actual passport; front pocket and zipper or snap flap to secure it; and of course I have instituted the 'man purse' on longer trips internationally. Yes, the Seinfeld 'man purse'...you get some grief, but my valuables are safe.

I think the #1 rule for me is to always keep the most important things on your person (esp credit cards and your passport). It's that simple! I also have digital versions of ID that I can access through my email account (but of course I would need to have access to the internet ;)

I take two wallets, one for my passport, money, and credit/ATM cards. I keep this in my money pouch that is fastened to my belt and stuffed inside my pants. I keep a smaller, slim money clip that I used for my daily needs in my front pocket. This way I don't have to pull out my money pouch whenever I make a purchase. I keep extra copies of my passport, phone numbers, hotels, etc. and leave a copy at the hotel and at home. I always call my credit card companies before I leave to avoid any problems on the road.

Personally have never lost my passport.. but when traveling I do keep all credit cards, passport, and personal id in site at all times.. this items would be great for my traveling daughter.

I think people pretty much have it covered...when in transit, keep everything on you at all times, don't flash your passport except when necessary, lock it in a hotel safe when you get where you're going, make copies and leave one with someone at home, purge all extraneous credit cards from your wallet and only bring what is really necessary (for me its my business credit card and one personal as a backup in case of emergency), and be extremely careful with how you carry your purse/satchel/wallet. Basically, use some common sense, and be prepared for action if the worst case happens and all of your documents get stolen.

The biggest thing is to not give out any personal information unless absolutely possible. One of the things that I do personally is not using any of my personal credit cards that are tied into my bank account. I use a pre-paid card from Wal-Mart (you can get these at Kroger company stores or from AAA as well.) This way, I don't have to worry about having my personal card information floating around. The other thing that I do is don't carry ID unless absolutely neccessary - and only the ID that is neccessary. Within the US, I only carry my drivers' license and keep everything else locked up in a safe where I am staying.

I am an occasional traveler, not very experienced yet, but getting better all the time. The best tip I received before traveling to the UK was to get a small passport carrier that had the money pocket and credit card holders and to keep it on me at all times. I got one that had a small pocket to accommodate lip stuff and some tissues, it's perfect-sized, but not very durable. One two week trip and it's coming apart. I think I will shop for a new one on your site!

I contact my banks and credit institutions prior to travel to let them know where I'll be, when, and what activity to expect on my accounts.

I have two (coded) lists in a physical location, an electronic location, and one with a contact at home of embassy numbers, banking phone numbers, and how I can be contacted in case of emergency.

I do not use my common purse/wallet system, instead I have a minimalist wallet which is attached to me via a clip so it can't be lifted (or knowing me, can't fall out/be left out). I'm not a super-organized person in everyday life, but on vacation I'm a model of exact money/passport/info engineering. It never takes away from the experience, if anything it eases every transaction and itinerary stop and makes for a more pleasant experience.

Just ask a few teams on The Amazing Race how a misplaced passport can keep you from winning a million dollars. Organization and protecting yourself (say with this swanky Kena Kai wallet) can really work out in the long run!

When I travel, I try to keep as little as possible on me in terms of ID, credit cards, etc. I was violently mugged in Barcelona and that I didn't have my passport, credit cards, nor plane ticket on me was a blessing.

Whenever I sleep somewhere public (plane, train, communal hostile, etc.) I put my passport, plane ticket, and money in my pillow case, facing the bed. The only way someone is getting to it is by waking me.

I love all these recommendations. I would add that another important step in protecting your identity when you travel is to watch out for theft opportunities at home. Stop your newspaper, so it doesn't pile up in the driveway. Put a hold on your postal mail. Make sure your home is locked up and alert a neighbor to keep an eye out for unwanted intruders.

Like most everyone else, I keep my personal data with me at all times. I heard somewhere that you could wrap your passport in foil to help protect it against electronic tampering, but I haven't confirmed if this is an urban legend or not! Just to be safe, I hope I win!

I take two credit cards I normally don't use (one for emergency only) and contract the banks prior to travel to let them know where I will be and when. Any additional activity is obvious this way. I separate my cash and credit cards and carry them in a small pack that fits close to my body so it can't be ripped off of me.
I use cash whenever possible so I don't have to give out any personal information or access to my credit cards.

I keep my documents on me at all times when possible during a trip. I keep things separate on my person depending on their level of importance. Credit cards are kept in a zipped compartment & I only travel with the necessary cards.

I always put an angry look on my face so nobody dares trying to rob me ;)

I keep my ID with me at all times in my special travel purse that has a steel cable in the strap to help prevent "slasher" quick grabs. I don't let it out of my sight. It sits on the table when I eat. I also keep a photo copy of my passport and driver's license in the bottom of my suitcase and leave a copy at home with a family member who isn't traveling with me. My credit card company's phone numbers (I only carry 2 when traveling)are also in the bottom of the suitcase and a copy of the card numbers and contact phone numbers is at home with the above mentioned family member.

I just had to renew my passport so I am sure it has an RFID chip. I hope I win!

While I carry my ID in a pouch hung around my neck, keep copies in secure places at home and with family, I think that dressing up as the Travelocity Roaming Gnome whenever I travel has been the most successfull measure for getting identity thieves to keep their distance.

I keep our families' passports in an across the shoulder/over the chest purse from that has separate passport compartment

I keep our families' passports in an across the shoulder/over the chest purse from that has separate passport compartment

I keep copies of all bank cards, passports, and travel documents in my carry-on or purse and an additional copy with the person who watches my home while I'm away. I *do not* place a copy in my suitcase since theft has been known to happen during luggage transport, especially through airports. Before leaving home, I also notify my banks and card companies where I will be traveling to in order to avoid security holds on my accounts.

I love all the tips on here. We only bring 2 credit cards we might use. We each have a bank card for each others bank acct.
And all our credit cards, passports are Emailed to our accts. and a family member.
Cross over bags work great but I still like to have a waist pack under my jeans, with one credit card and some cash in.

I'm leaving for SE Asia at the end of the month and a passport wallet like this would be amazing. I honestly don't know how I'll travel with my passport. When I did Europe I did the around the neck thing, but I didn't wear it around my neck at all. Instead it just stayed stashed in my backpack. I'd feel SO much safer with a passport wallet like this!

I always use the hotel safe. I leave all my important documents there and also valuables. This is especially important because nosey house keepers cant steal important goods and ur identity. I also carry a skin coloured pouch that goes under your top for copes of my passport and etc. I think the best rule is to always keep passports (if you are to carry them) on you at all times

Wow! Thanks everyone. These are some awesome tips.

The contest is now over. Congratulations are in order for S Snyder, Leigh Weber, and Nico! They were selected as the best comments and will be receiving DataSafe leather wallets.

Thanks for piping up and check back soon for the next contest.

Alison