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Pay the Ransom
Err Travel · October 24, 2000

I tout this column as "Lessons learned from the misadventures of others." There has been no better example of this slogan to come across my electronic desk in a long time than this email from… well, we'll call him Rick. (Rick asked me to withhold his real name because he still does business in South Africa and doesn't want to jeopardize relationships he has there. I can understand that.)

Rick writes, "I experienced loosing my laptop computer while on a trip to South Africa. My equipment was stolen right out of my hotel room while out for dinner. I suspected that, although in public you are at major risk, the hotel room would be secure.

"While reviewing the scenario with the police and hotel security (including surveillance cameras), it was shown that the person who walked off with my computer, discs, and cell phone was watching people come in and out of the hotel with bags. Because I had a laptop bag, I was the target.

"I was followed discreetly [so that he could] find my room. [Then he] waited downstairs in the lobby for me to leave.

"The thief tricked housekeeping by calling to bring up a blanket to the room. Once the housekeeper knocked [and] got no answer, [she] opened the door, walked in, and proceeded to drop off the blanket. At that time the thief walked in the door and straight into the bathroom, said thanks for the blanket, and waited for her to leave. Once she left, he was in the room alone.

My conclusion: Don't advertise your technology. In non-secure environments (hopefully North America doesn't become this way too soon), carry the technology in non-identifiable briefcases - the older and more tattered, the better! Make yourself look like a poor insurance salesman and not a technology wizard."

Rick, thanks for sharing your object lesson. You have discovered what many other business travelers have learned: Crooks may be misguided, but aren't necessarily stupid. This is a canny scheme that your thief worked out, and it reminds us all that a hotel is full of opportunities for clever culprits to separate us from our belongings.

When we stay in a hotel, the safest place for our valuables is in our possession. The next best place is in the safe in the hotel manager's office. Further down - way down - in level of security is the in-room safe. It is better than nothing, but not much.

And at the bottom of the security list are the places in our rooms to hide things. Forget about them. The crooks know all places to look - yes even there.

Dr. Terry Riley is a psychologist and travel security authority. His column appears on Wednesdays. He is author of the popular book Travel Can Be Murder. Visit his site at http://www.appliedpsychology.com or e-mail him at terry@ticked.com.