Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?
This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.
Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.
Jump in the discussion.
No email address required.
Notes -
I've been doing some traveling lately, I started wondering. What happens if I lose my wallet (my ID, all credit cards, etc.) and my phone, or get mugged or such? How can I establish my identity? Say, my hotel key was in the wallet - would I be locked out of the hotel? How would they know I am me if I show up and ask for a replacement key? I mean, they can send a security guy with me to the room - and then what? All the stuff in my suitcase are very generic guy's clothes that could be anybody's. I probably don't even remember which exactly t-shirts and jeans I packed. They don't have labels or anything that points to me. How would they know? How would I get home, for that matter - I can't fly without an ID, and I can't get a new ID until I am in the same state at least - if I am not living in this state, they can't issue me a new ID.
I could go to the police maybe - though I wouldn't even know where "the police" is in a random city. But even assuming I just get lucky and encounter a traffic cop or something, and they explain me where the closest police station is - do I walk there then? And when there - how would they know I am me? Do they have access to other state's databases? Since I am a naturalized citizen, DHS for sure has a lot of my photos and fingerprints, but can any police precinct access it just on a word of a random dude? And after that - even if they do believe me, they can't issue me a new ID, right? So how do I still get home (or even to the airport, for that matter)?
Also, is there a good strategy to prepare for such eventuality? I can't just ask DMV for a secondary ID that I would keep in my suitcase in the hotel, for example, can I? I could probably take my passport, but the chance I lose it actually makes it more dangerous, and recovering the passport is probably even more annoying. Does a form of secondary ID that is not as costly to lose exist?
You photocopy these documents. You can leave a copy in the hotel safe (if you're not leaving your original passport in there). You should also keep phone numbers handy: your credit card company, for one, though you can probably google that. I have Amex and the concierge had my phone I'd left in a rental car FedExed to me. That's the card provider I prefer for service like that. They will also wire you money and find you a lawyer or directions to a consulate. https://www.americanexpress.com/content/dam/amex/us/credit-cards/features-benefits/PGA_Benefit_Guide_Rev_09-17-final.pdf
You can black out anything sensitive like your SSN, etc. if you put copies of things like this in your luggage.
Also, get luggage tags. A big, colorful tag is extremely handy at airports anyway if you have nondescript black bags that look like everyone else's at the carousel. Mine is a large lime green circle tag.
More options
Context Copy link
More options
Context Copy link