Note if there are house phones available in the event of a confrontation or emergency. Be cautious when entering rest rooms in the hotel. On occasion, unauthorized persons use these facilities to deal drugs or engage in prostitution or theft. Female travelers should be alert to placing purses on hangers on the inside of the lavatory doors, or on the floor in stalls two frequent locations for grab and run thefts. Areas around public telephones are often used by criminals to stage pickpocket activity or theft.
Caution is urged in safeguarding telephone credit card numbers.
Criminals wait for callers to announce credit card numbers on public phones and then sell the numbers for unauthorized use. Purse snatchers and briefcase thieves are known to work hotel bars and restaurants waiting for unknowing guests to drape these items on chairs or under tables only to discover them missing as they are departing. Be alert to scams involving an unknown person spilling a drink or food on your clothing. An accomplice may be preparing to steal your wallet, briefcase or purse. The pool or beach area is a fertile area for thieves to take advantage of guests enjoying recreation.