15 Common Travel Gadgets That Thieves Love to Target
Packing your bags, packing your gadgets, and getting ready for your next big adventure, that’s exciting. But while you’re dreaming of your destination, thieves are thinking about something else: your travel gear. Today, travelers bring more than clothes. Staying connected and entertained now demands high tech gadgets. Unfortunately, those gadgets can make you an easy target for theft, too.
The important thing to know before you hit the road is which gadgets are the most appealing to thieves. So, we listed some of the most commonly targeted travel gadgets and why they are so inviting.
Drones
Since drones are such a high price and bulky target, it’s become a fun hobby to capture stunning travel footage with them. Drones that many travelers carry in specialized cases can be spotted. If you’re traveling with one, be extra cautious and if you can’t help but advertise it, then don’t carry it in its branded case.
External Hard Drives
Photographers and videographers may have external hard drives to save their work and would likely take them along on a trip. Unfortunately, this could make them a target. If you need to bring your external hard drive with you, keep it in your carry-on bag closer to you!
Laptops
Laptops are expensive items, so they’re prime targets. Although they’re not as portable as smartphones or tablets,their lovely resale value makes them worth a thief’s time and effort. Laptops are stolen at hotels, coffee shops, and airport lounges. Keep them locked or otherwise secured when you’re not using them.
Wireless Earbuds
The tiny, expensive wireless earbuds you love? Thieves love them too. They are small, easy to grab, and expensive. People often forget them on tables or in public spaces making it easy for thieves to pick them up. Being so small and portable makes them even easier to steal, so the next time you have your earbuds on you, keep them safe and out of sight.
Portable Chargers
Portable chargers will be there to help you power up your devices on a long day of sightseeing, but that’s also an easy target for thieves. If you leave your portable charger out on a café table, or at the airport, a thief can easily just grab it. They’re not as valuable as phones, but aren’t so bad if you’ve got something you want to quickly sell.
Smart Luggage
With smart luggage becoming a more and more popular option, so too do the risks. These bags are practical and valuable, with built in charging stations and GPS tracking. However, their excessive price tag makes them a prime target. Wherever you place your smart luggage, always have an eye on it.
GPS Devices
Although most travelers get their directions with phones, standalone GPS devices are still a thing, especially for road trips. These can be an easy steal from a rental car or backpack. When you don’t need them, keep them hidden. You never want to leave them visible in your vehicle.
Smartphones
Smartphones would easily top this list as the most targeted item. They’re everywhere and almost everyone uses them when travelling. Your smartphone is always in hand or on your person. Whether you’re checking in with family, capturing Instagram-worthy shots, or navigating a new city. Thieves know this too. They’re easy steals because it’s easy to grab a phone out of someone’s hand or pocket.
Tablets
Tablets are a prime item for thieves, much like smartphones. They’re smaller than laptops and are usually worth quite a bit of money. They are also easy to resell. If you’re not careful, tablets can disappear quickly — often tucked into carry-on bags or left in plain sight while on flights. Be careful when using them in public and never leave them unattended, even for a few seconds.
Cameras
If you appreciate the climate and want to record every moment, cameras are indispensable. They’re also expensive, bulky, and often left unattended. According to Fstoppers, cameras are an easy target for thieves because they’re easy to grab. Always watch your camera (better yet, store it in a secure bag).
Smartwatches
Another favorite for thieves are smartwatches, which in recent years have become sleeker and can do almost everything a smartphone can. If you’re not careful, a smartwatch can slip off your wrist whether you’re on the run through the park or enjoying a city tour. Make sure it’s snug and secure so you don’t have any surprises.
Travel Adapters
A travel adapter is very essential to your travel packing list but isn’t something you’d necessarily think a thief would want, but they do. They’re small, easy to sell, and always in demand. It’s always nice to have an extra adapter and to always keep them close by.
Bluetooth Speakers
Bluetooth speakers are almost always brought along for travel fun, and perfect for beach days or hanging out in your hotel room. They are another easy thing to get and resell, however. Don’t leave them out in the open, and be careful not to leave them around at places such as parks or hotel pools.
Headphones
Expensive and fashionably over-the-ear headphones aren’t just trendy, they’re big too. That’s a winning combination for thieves. They are an easy item for someone to grab quickly. If you are jamming out on a train or zoning out on a flight, headphones can be a tempting item to take. Keep them in your bag when not in use.
E-Readers
E-readers are excellent travel accessories, as they can hold the entire library and yet are so slim you could lose them. But that same popularity and portability make them an easy target for theft. They are left on tables in cafés, and even by lounge chairs at the beach. When you are reading, keep your e-reader with you or stored nearby, when you are not reading, keep it safely stowed away.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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