What to do if you are robbed abroad?

You are abroad. You do not know the language. And you were robbed. Passport, money, cards - everything has disappeared! What to do? Certainly one should not panic and cry: you cannot help this. But the next 6 steps will be very effective and useful in such a desperate situation.

In fact, there are seven useful recommendations, since here is a short list of what you should take with you on a trip and keep it in a safe place during your trip.

  • At least two color copies of passport
  • Several passport photos
  • List of emergency contact telephone numbers
  • List of international numbers of your bank
  • List of embassies / consulates of the state (with addresses and phone numbers) of which you are a citizen, in those countries that you are going to visit
  • Inexpensive second wallet or special secret travel wallet. Divide your cards, cash and documents into two wallets: carry one with you and leave the other at the hotel.
  • Extra cash hidden in the hotel safe
  • Copy of travel route

Let's move on to what to do if you are still robbed.

Lock credit cards as fast as possible

Find a way to immediately contact your bank and block the cards before your burglar starts emptying them. This is an obvious step, but due to confusion, you can easily forget about it!

Write a statement at the nearest police station

Before contacting the consulate, it is worth reporting the crime to local authorities: an official report from the police will help confirm your story. You will also need this to apply for a new passport and file a claim for travel insurance.

Contact your local embassy or consulate

Before visiting the embassy (consulate), it is best to make a call to find out exactly which of the employees and when will be able to receive you for discussion and resolution of the situation.

Write a passport loss application

In addition to a copy of the police report at the consulate, you may be asked for an official statement about the loss of your passport, or an oral statement made under oath. Immediately after accepting this application, your passport will be deemed invalid. Thus, no one will be able to use your document.

Submit documents for a new passport.

If you had a color photocopy of your passport, you are very lucky, because to restore it, the consulate will need documents proving your identity. If you didn’t have a copy and all identifying documents were stolen, consulate staff will help you contact friends and relatives who can provide your birth certificate or social security card.

To get a new passport you will need:

  • Passport photo
  • Driving license or photocopy of a lost passport (any document identifying you)
  • Proof of citizenship (birth certificate, social security card, photocopy of a lost passport)
  • Police report
  • Application for the loss or theft of a passport (to be completed locally)

The consulate will also need your travel itinerary in order to issue a passport with full or limited validity. If you were planning to go home in the coming days, you will receive an emergency passport, which is issued within 24 hours. If you intended to continue the journey, you will receive a new full-fledged passport with a validity period of 10 years. It may take several days to complete.

Note: Most consulates are closed on weekends and holidays, so you will not be able to seek help at this time.

Get cash

Call your bank, or contact friends and family for help. The consulate will help you sort out local money transfer services.

You are abroad. You do not know the language. And you were robbed. Passport, money, cards - everything has disappeared! What to do? Certainly one should not panic and cry: you cannot help this. But the next 6 steps will be very effective and useful in such a desperate situation.

In fact, there are seven useful recommendations, since here is a short list of what you should take with you on a trip and keep it in a safe place during your trip.

  • At least two color copies of passport
  • Several passport photos
  • List of emergency contact telephone numbers
  • List of international numbers of your bank
  • List of embassies / consulates of the state (with addresses and phone numbers) of which you are a citizen, in those countries that you are going to visit
  • Inexpensive second wallet or special secret travel wallet. Divide your cards, cash and documents into two wallets: carry one with you and leave the other at the hotel.
  • Extra cash hidden in the hotel safe
  • Copy of travel route

Let's move on to what to do if you are still robbed.

Lock credit cards as fast as possible

Find a way to immediately contact your bank and block the cards before your burglar starts emptying them. This is an obvious step, but due to confusion, you can easily forget about it!

Write a statement at the nearest police station

Before contacting the consulate, it is worth reporting the crime to local authorities: an official report from the police will help confirm your story. You will also need this to apply for a new passport and file a claim for travel insurance.

Contact your local embassy or consulate

Before visiting the embassy (consulate), it is best to make a call to find out exactly which of the employees and when will be able to receive you for discussion and resolution of the situation.

Write a passport loss application

In addition to a copy of the police report at the consulate, you may be asked for an official statement about the loss of your passport, or an oral statement made under oath. Immediately after accepting this application, your passport will be deemed invalid. Thus, no one will be able to use your document.

Submit documents for a new passport.

If you had a color photocopy of your passport, you are very lucky, because to restore it, the consulate will need documents proving your identity. If you didn’t have a copy and all identifying documents were stolen, consulate staff will help you contact friends and relatives who can provide your birth certificate or social security card.

To get a new passport you will need:

  • Passport photo
  • Driving license or photocopy of a lost passport (any document identifying you)
  • Proof of citizenship (birth certificate, social security card, photocopy of a lost passport)
  • Police report
  • Application for the loss or theft of a passport (to be completed locally)

The consulate will also need your travel itinerary in order to issue a passport with full or limited validity. If you were planning to go home in the coming days, you will receive an emergency passport, which is issued within 24 hours. If you intended to continue the journey, you will receive a new full-fledged passport with a validity period of 10 years. It may take several days to complete.

Note: Most consulates are closed on weekends and holidays, so you will not be able to seek help at this time.

Get cash

Call your bank, or contact friends and family for help. The consulate will help you sort out local money transfer services.

Watch the video: How Not to Get Robbed When You Travel (March 2024).

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