We got too comfortable based on our experience in sometimes iffy locations over the years, I'm afraid.
First morning in the Canary Islands, Old town La Orotava in Tenerife. No crowds, walking back to apartment after breakfast and we heard another couple gaining on us on the sidewalk (unusual in itself). Then a car pulls the wrong way into a one-way street/alley immediately in front of us. Much shouting and gesturing as he nearly backs into the male of the other couple when getting the car out. The couple turns down the alley and we walk the remaining 100 ft to our apartment.
Minutes later, I realize my wallet is missing--either left in the restaurant or perhaps nicked by that couple. Walked by alley, saw nothing, and continued to the restaurant. Some 15 minutes have elapsed, wallet isn't there, pull up phone and see 4 alerts from BoA about attempted cash advances with incorrect PIN.
Got on phone, cancelled the BoA and Chase cards, as well as locking my Fidelity ATM card. Arranged for replacement credit cards to be sent quickly to one of our kids (we are island hopping, so can't count on international delivery...). Then went around looking in trash cans and in alleys for wallet in hopes that I'd find my driver's license. (nope!)
Went to police station and made a formal report, basically just to document it, as we have no real hope of recovery.
Luckily, we had spare credit and debit cards--both hard copy and on the phones. Biggest immediate concern was car rentals--we had 7 more scheduled on this trip. Luckily, at least on the first occasion, the rental company rented us a car after hearing our story, and seeing the police report, international license, and printed out copy of my license.
Learning experience--never again carry license in wallet with cash and cards; indeed, only one card should be in the wallet. 2. DW should carry not only a physical spare credit card, but one with no foreign transaction fees. 3. There is a reason we bought money belts when we retired--we will use them regularly from now on.
Kudos to Chase and BoA--the theft was [-]Saturday[/-] Friday (fixed), our son received our replacement cards on Tuesday, and he immediately sent photos to us so that we could activate them on our phones. So the silver lining is that there were not a lot of foreign transaction fees, and not many credit card points lost!
First morning in the Canary Islands, Old town La Orotava in Tenerife. No crowds, walking back to apartment after breakfast and we heard another couple gaining on us on the sidewalk (unusual in itself). Then a car pulls the wrong way into a one-way street/alley immediately in front of us. Much shouting and gesturing as he nearly backs into the male of the other couple when getting the car out. The couple turns down the alley and we walk the remaining 100 ft to our apartment.
Minutes later, I realize my wallet is missing--either left in the restaurant or perhaps nicked by that couple. Walked by alley, saw nothing, and continued to the restaurant. Some 15 minutes have elapsed, wallet isn't there, pull up phone and see 4 alerts from BoA about attempted cash advances with incorrect PIN.
Got on phone, cancelled the BoA and Chase cards, as well as locking my Fidelity ATM card. Arranged for replacement credit cards to be sent quickly to one of our kids (we are island hopping, so can't count on international delivery...). Then went around looking in trash cans and in alleys for wallet in hopes that I'd find my driver's license. (nope!)
Went to police station and made a formal report, basically just to document it, as we have no real hope of recovery.
Luckily, we had spare credit and debit cards--both hard copy and on the phones. Biggest immediate concern was car rentals--we had 7 more scheduled on this trip. Luckily, at least on the first occasion, the rental company rented us a car after hearing our story, and seeing the police report, international license, and printed out copy of my license.
Learning experience--never again carry license in wallet with cash and cards; indeed, only one card should be in the wallet. 2. DW should carry not only a physical spare credit card, but one with no foreign transaction fees. 3. There is a reason we bought money belts when we retired--we will use them regularly from now on.
Kudos to Chase and BoA--the theft was [-]Saturday[/-] Friday (fixed), our son received our replacement cards on Tuesday, and he immediately sent photos to us so that we could activate them on our phones. So the silver lining is that there were not a lot of foreign transaction fees, and not many credit card points lost!
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