have a plan of preparedness and prevention to protect yourself, as well as an emergency “what to do” kit as part of your travel planning? Much like the familiar story of Hansel and Gretel,
we tend to leave a trail of crumbs behind. Te problem, however, this is an information trail that can be used to virtually become us. With that in mind, here are some points to consider. You cannot avoid the fact that your motorhome is now your home, storage locker, safety deposit box and mailbox all rolled into one. You cannot avoid carrying personal and private information with you. What you can avoid is making it obvious.
BEFORE YOU GO • Limit what you will be carrying in your wallet. Only take the cards you need. Leave Social Insurance cards and birth certificates in a safety deposit box. Give a trusted family member or close friend access in the event there is something you need unexpectedly. Tey can “over- night” it to you (if it makes you more comfortable – get a temporary safety box for the time you will be traveling) • Have a fire safe and secure lock-box installed into your motorhome. • Make copies of all your documents, ID’s, insurance papers etc, and leave them with the same person. • Cheque books, cancelled cheques and other personal informational items need to be locked into a safe place. • Pay your bills before you go and pay them at banks along the way while you are gone. Better yet, set up auto payment programs. • Establish 2 or 3 credit cards before you go. Keep your major card with your high limit for emergencies along the way. Use a second card for your everyday expenses... fuel, meals and incidentals and have a third exclusively dedicated to on-line activity, if you tend to do that. Te idea is to reduce the possibility of unauthorized use resulting in frozen plans and interrupted travel. • If you are taking a computer, establish off-site secure servers to contain your information instead of having all the data stored on your laptop. Tat way, if you lose your laptop or if it gets stolen, only the computer is gone – not the content. • Know what to do and who to call if you need to cancel accounts or notify places such as motor vehicles and Provincial Health systems if your cards go missing.
YOUR HOMEBASE • Put your mail on “Vacation Hold” at the Post Office. • Stop delivery of your newspapers (both paid and free) • Share your plans with your immediate neighbours so they can watch your home and perhaps park in your
driveway so there is movement on your property.
WHILE YOU TRAVEL • Do not leave your brain at home. Think! Be on guard at all times. Tis is difficult when we are in “Holiday Mode”, remember the thief is counting on this. Fun does not mean thoughtlessness or carelessness. • Always lock your doors when you are away from your unit – even for a moment. Keep the doors locked while you drive as well, especially if you have multiple or side doors on your coach. • Park in areas that are easily accessed and have good lighting. • Always report suspicious people or activity to your camp hosts at campgrounds. • If you are fueling the vehicle while you are alone, make sure the doors on the opposite side are locked. It is easy for someone to enter and leave without you noticing it. Be aware of what information and documentation you leave exposed at a campground or on the table within your unit. In your wallet you should carry only what is absolutely
necessary – your driver’s licence, health cards and the 2 or 3 credit cards discussed above. Lock up the rest, including all of your debit cards. It is usually recommended that you
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