Giving lots of detail in your description can make it easier for staff to locate your bag (Image: Getty Images)
As millions of Brits prepare to jet off for some well-earned Easter breaks, experts are issuing warnings about a simple error when packing your luggage that could prove costly.
In crowded airports, one innocent item can be exploited by criminals to gain access to your information and personal possessions. According to Mike Harvey, managing director of 1st Move International, printing your family’s full names and home addresses on luggage tags can pose serious risks.
« When filling out luggage tags, it’s vital to strike a balance between making your bag easy to identify and keeping your personal details safe, » he explained. « Sharing too much information could expose you to identity theft, financial fraud, burglary, and other risks. »
He says home addresses, if fallen into the wrong hands, can alert thieves that your property is empty. Another detail to avoid disclosing is passport numbers or insurance details, as those could easily help a scammer put together a believable fraud attempt.
Make sure you don’t get caught out (Image: Lullia Bondar/Getty Images)
Details about valuables can draw unwanted attention to your baggage.
A recent report published by Fox News revealed that discarded tags – such as those attached to bags by the airlines themselves – were being utilised as part of a scam involving fraudulent reimbursement claims when in possession of owners’ complete names and flight details. To avoid disruptions, Harvey recommends keeping luggage tags simple and limited to essential contact details such as names, phone numbers and email addresses.
He explained: « You should include your full name as it appears on your passport, to help airline staff reunite you with lost luggage. Secondly, your phone number with the country code, so you can be contacted quickly, and your email address – ideally, a separate travel email, which keeps communication away from your main inbox. »
As for disposable tags, it is advised to keep them attached to your items until you can safely discard them at home.
People have taken to Reddit to debate the measures, with one user saying, « Write down your contact email or even just a phone number and put that inside your suitcase. If your luggage tag comes off, the airline will open your suitcase to see if there’s anything in there that will help them figure out whose suitcase it is. »
Others also suggested that, if you still want to include a physical way for others to reach you, it may be safer to use a work address or a family member’s residence.
When it comes to packing, another issue is lack of space. Amanda Williams, a travel expert and founder of Dangerous Business, has visited over 60 countries, and the biggest mistake to make whilst travelling is packing too many pairs of jeans.
She said: « You may have learned this the hard way already, but actual denim is HEAVY, bulky, and slow to dry if you have to wash it on the road. If you’re going to pack jeans on a trip, I recommend only taking one or two pairs max, along with some non-denim pants or bottoms. »
Jeans are a dependable everyday staple at home, which often makes them seem like a sensible choice for a holiday. However, denim is a thick fabric that does not fold easily, so even a few pairs of jeans can take up a lot of space and add considerable weight to a suitcase.
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