Moneybelt safety question

1) In Italy, by law, you must carry identification with you at all times. For a tourist, that is a passport.

2) A properly worn moneybelt is never accessed in public. You keep your day's cash and perhaps one credit card, in a wallet or purse.....not so much that if it's taken you lose a lot. The moneybelt should only be accessed in private.

If you are truly worried about pickpockets then you might consider a purse/bag made by Pacsafe. This is in addition to your moneybelt.

Joanne,

I prefer to keep my Passport with me at all times for two main reasons.

1.) I've heard of a few cases of Hotel Safes being broken into. I've also seen a few cases where the Safes didn't seem to work properly, and I don't want to take the chance that it might malfunction at the time I'll be leaving. Having to wait for someone to "break" into the Safe to retrieve my Passport could affect my travel schedule and cause me to miss a flight or whatever. Malfunctions don't happen often, but having worked as a Locksmith, I know these things DO happen at times.

2.) As Frank II mentioned, there could be occasions when I'll be asked to produce identification (especially in Italy). That hasn't happened to me so far, but I like to be prepared.

I don't usually keep my Passport in the Money Belt (but have kept it there on occasion) but I don't feel that the "passport is very UNSAFE in the moneybelt in that circumstance. You are far more likely to lose it" as mentioned in a previous reply. Most Money Belts have two zippered pockets (often opening in opposing directions). I keep the Passport in a different pocket than money, so it's not likely that compartment will ever be opened. Also, if you're accessing the belt in a washroom or whatever (which is highly recommended), you're more likely to have easy access to the Money Belt and a good view of the compartments, and therefore won't be "fumbling".

If you do decide to keep your Passport in the Money Belt, be sure to place it inside a small Zip-Lok bag, otherwise it will get very damp from persipiration.

Happy travels!

There is no definite answer. Two schools of thought -- keep it on you or keep in the hotel safe. Posters will argue strongly for either position. We always carry ours on us for the above reason.

As to stealing a money belt, in my opinion, it would be impossible to steal a properly worn money belt. However, some people like to wear a belt just behind the belt buckle area so that it is easy to access during the day. If it is easy for you to access, it might be easy for someone else. A while back someone posted about being stopped by a couple of guys and one stuck his hand down the front of his pants looking for a money belt. Fortunately he was wearing his belt in the proper location.

Use a money belt as intended and you will not have any problems.

Always keep your passport in your moneybelt and any credit card/atm card that will not not be using that day. Your moneybelt should be under your clothes so no one would know you have one on, you would get into it in public. If you wear your moneybelt the correct way then it would be impossible to steal.

Like Frank said, people will argue both sides of the issue. I keep mine in the hotel safe. Are you going to use a moneybelt for pocket cash and for credit cards, which means you will be going in and out of it all day? I think your passport is very UNSAFE in the moneybelt in that circumstance. You are far more likely to lose it--it drops out when you're fumbling around down there, you pull it out to access your money and leave it somewhere--if you are constantly messing with the moneybelt, than if it was secure in a safe.

I break the law every year and leave PP in safe.I do carry a my DL. When I am arrested I will let you know. When I do wear my moneybelt( which I do when travelling , or when I go to ATM to get the big cash) I feel pretty secure that it cannot be stolen. There is the moment you pull it out ,, that might be the one fumbling moment that if someone was watching you ,, it could conceivably be snatched, but I have never had it happen to me,, or anyone I know. I did read about a lady who said she was mauled by some very young teenage girls when she was at her ATM,, they got nothing, but still it is when you are most vuneralbe.

Of course,, one should never normally access moneybelt in public if possible.

Our passports are always in our moneybelts hidden on our bodies. Personally, I would not be separated from it.

This information about money belts is very helpful, as I have been wondering exactly how to use one. I did buy a waist money belt but have been wondering how it will fit under my pants? I am thin and wear snug clothing. Would a MB that hangs around my neck be better? I originally thought that would show more under my shirts. Any insight?

I keep my passport in the money belt, put inside a baggie to keep it dry.

"Would a MB that hangs around my neck be better?"

This is a matter of personal preference and comfort. What works for some people may not work for you.

Some women (and men) prefer the "neck pouch" or money belt that hangs around the neck and is worn under the blouse/shirt/upper garment.

Others don't like the look or feel of doing it that way.

And some women (and men) find it more comfortable to wear the money belt under their slacks/trousers but with the money belt turned around so that the pouch part is in the small of their back.

What is comfortable for one person may not be comfortable for another.

You may have to buy both types and see which works best for you.

I don't know how tight your pants are,, but a passport is pretty thin, so really , if one has the right moneybelt( thin one) they really do not show under your clothes.

I carry mine for the same reason I carry my driver's license at home, it's your valid ID. I rarely need mine but it might be necessary for any number of reasons.

If the moneybelts you ordered aren't plastic lined, you may want to keep your passport (and other paper stuff) in a ziplock baggie inside your moneybelt. It can tend to get sweaty, especially in summer.

The first moneybelt I had wasn't lined and my passport looked pretty raggedy (after one good day of walking around) until it expired. I always thought customs would think I had tampered with it - fortunately I never had any problem.

I redid my money belt to create a sort of shoulder holster. The elastic strap goes over my shoulder & pinned to my bra strap with the bag part under my arm. I find it to be comfortable and much prefer this to one around my waist. I believe such an item may be purchased, also.

p.s. Don't ask what happened to me in the Athens, Greece airport when I was asked to hand over my security pouch!

Your question brought up several mentions about passports. Does a copy of your passport on your person "count"? Who exactly would be asking to see your passport and how would you know this was legit?

Kathy, I am small and wear snug clothes, too. The moneybelts worn around the waist did not work for me, as the waistline of my pants is lower than my natural waistline (the moneybelts ride on your natural waistline). The moneybelts that are held on via a belt did not work, either (they went too far down my leg - very uncomfortable). The one that worked for me was the kind that had loops you're supposed to put your belt through, except I fastened mine to the back of my pants (in the small of my back) with a diaper pin.

Come on Madelia & tell us what happened to you at the Athens Greece airport when you were asked to hand over your money belt.

I'm one of those who prefer the neck pouch. Passports fit in it just fine and I hardly know it's there. While to leave it in the safe or carry it is an oft-debated question, I like knowing that I have it with me if I need it. You will need it in Italy if you intend to use any internet cafes.

Like the others, I've never heard of a properly-worn moneybelt being stolen or pickpocketed. Generally people who lose their moneybelts are treating them like a wallet--leaving it in their bag, wearing it over their clothing, etc.

One last comment--the newest U.S. passports are rather stiff. My dad found it a little uncomfortable to wear in the waistbelt. Like the other posters advise, test out the ones you ordered and if you don't like it, try a different one.

Passport in a baggie in our money belts.

Your question brought up several mentions about passports. Does a copy of your passport on your person "count"?

For official ID purposes a photocopy has exactly as much weight as a photocopy of your driving licence would in the US, i.e. not much. It may be useful for places that ask for 'soft ID', getting the over 60's lunch special and that sort of thing.

The original rational for carrying a copy of your passport is in case you lose the original, apparently taking a copy to the consulate can expedite the process of getting you a temporary replacement.

I think my hubby will have the exact same problem as DW mentions, so I'm glad you did! He definitely has a 'beer belly' and because of it wears his pants below the stomach. I can't imagine wearing the moneybelt that low would be comfortable in front or back... So a neck pouch it is!

As Peter said, no a copy doesn't "count". Imagine using a photo copy of a birth certificate or university diploma as proof of citizenship or a degree.

A copy, taken to a US embassy/consulate is supposed to help replace your passport if it's lost. So far I haven't lost mine so I can't tell you how it works.