TOURISTS are often targeted by thieves but a £4 distraction wallet could prevent your holiday from being ruined. While you may not want to have to think about the dangers associated with exploring unknown areas, there are some simple tricks that can help put your mind at ease so you can enjoy your trip. Travel + Leisure writer Annita Katee went to South America and while in Lima, Peru , a member of her tour group had her phone snatched from her.
The situation gave Katee a "wake-up call" to how you will never eliminate all risks but that "being prepared and proactive can make a world of difference." One of her top safety hacks is to carry a distraction wallet or a decoy. While you may initially believe that this is an extra expense and more to carry, it could prove vital in the event of being pickpocketed or even having a confrontation with a thief.
For example, if you find yourself confronted in a mugging situation and you are asked to hand over your wallet, pass over the decoy rather than your real one. To make it believable, the fake wallet should have expired credit cards, a small amount of cash that you can sacrifice and some non-essential items. You could even put a copy of a photograph in there and some old receipts to make it more realistic.
"The decoy can be enough to satisfy the thief and buy you precious time to retreat to safety," Katee explained. She added: "When travelling through crowded areas where petty crime is more common, keep the decoy at the top of your .