The Worst Thing That Can Happen?

PRESS PLAY >> NOW FOR A BRIEF WELCOME MESSAGE FROM KEN

A couple weeks ago, I attended the CRM Conference at the Sheraton Chicago hotel. Since I was staying a couple blocks away at the Hilton, I packed up my laptop and files when I left that morning for a full day of sessions. I got there in time to catch breakfast in one of the ballrooms just before the morning sessions started. I quickly put my brief case on a chair at a table near the buffet and occupied by a couple friends who were finishing up. Got my eggs and quickly sat down and put my bag on the floor next to my chair and quickly finished as everyone left when the session was announced. I had a quick call on my cell and then got up to leave as well. Then it happened. I reached down and my bag was gone! I searched under the table at least 10 times, asked the wait staff, caught up with the people who were sitting with me (assuming one had picked it up by mistake). No luck. It was gone.

I quickly notified the meeting planners, one of whom remembered seeing a suspicious male in the breakfast room and was going to call the meeting director when the person disappeared. She later identified a photo that the hotel security had as that of the person she saw. The confirmed it was a professional job and that my case was probably already gone to the organized ring that steals these for the hardware and for the info stored inside. From there, it was a day from hell—contacting security, the Chicago PD, the credit bureaus, my credit card companies (Amex was great) and several other contacts. My friends and acquaintance all extended their sympathies when they learned my fate and to the person said that this had to be “the worst thing that can happen”.

Hopefully, it won’t happen to you. Here are some tips to help avoid the same fate.

CONFERENCES
I have learned that this is becoming a more common occurrence at conferences and meetings. Professionals are on the lookout for nice (my Tumi leather fit the bill), bulging (laptops and cameras and files that we all take on business trips), and separated (even if only at your feet) briefcases that can supply expensive items and even more valuable identification files.

• DON’T LEAVE YOUR BAG UNATTENDED. I have done it. I have seen many others do it. We are at the conferences and there’s a break or lunch or restroom need and we leave our bag sitting on the table or chair while we leave even for just a minute. I was right next to my bag and the pro just walked by as I chatted on my cell and walked away with it. Don’t leave it in the reception or expo hall as you walk around either. These pro’s know the routine and are watching.
• DON’T PUT EVERYTHING IN THE BAG. Easy to say, but we all need the laptop and files when we travel. I recommend that you keep them separate. And keep the contact lists with your credit card info (like online accounts and passwords) separate. I had my cell on me and so they didn’t get that and it had much of the info (like account #’s) that I needed to stop the fraud.
• WATCH THE BAG. Don’t let it out of your sight. They are as slick as a pickpocket. This includes in the restroom stalls as they can come by and reach in and be off while you zip up your pants or skirt. Don’t assume there is security in the room. There isn’t and they don’t really watch for strangers. Especially those conferences where ID badges aren’t checked as you enter.
• BE OBSESSED. Trust me, it’s better to be overly concerned, than to have to spend the next couple weeks changing every account and password, changing your passport, changing your frequent flyer accounts (they all have your passwords too), and worrying that someone is going to compromise your identity (that won’t end for quite a while since they know to wait)
• NOTIFY THE CREDIT BUREAU’S IMMEDIATELY—Experian, Equifax and TransUnion will notify each other. Sign up for a credit or ID theft alert program. I signed on to TripleAlert.com, which notifies you if there is suspect activity on your accounts.
• DON’T PUT YOUR ACCOUNT NUMBERS AND PASSWORDS IN YOUR CONTACT LIST. Unfortunately, I had put several and even though I used coded names for the passwords on my bank and credit cards, I suspect the pros would figure it out really fast if they are ID thieves.
• KEEP A SEPARATE THUMB DRIVE WITH ALL THIS INFO AND KEEP IT SEPARATE FROM YOUR BAG. Don’t put your keys or your cell phone in the bag either.
• KEEP A COPY OF YOUR PASSPORT AND DRIVERS LICENSE. Makes it easier to file for stolen or lost with the government.
• DON’T PUT YOUR OUTLOOK CONTACT LIST AND CALENDAR ON YOUR IPOD.
• BACK UP YOUR CONTACT LIST AND CALENDARS REGULARLY. Fortunately, I had backed up about 10 days before the Chicago trip, so my file loss was minimal.
• GET A COPY OF THE POLICE REPORT IF YOU ARE ROBBED. You will need it for your insurance claim and it’s hard to locate after you leave (as I found out).
• FILE AWAY YOUR FREQUENT FLYER AND SELDOM USED CREDIT CARDS. You can do it all without them anyway and if you have a secure place for the numbers that will keep them from getting in the wrong hands.
• KEEP YOUR RECIEPTS OR MANUALS FOR THESE IMPORTANT ITEMS. Fortunately, I had most of them and it facilitated the claim, which I had filled within two weeks.
• FINALLY, LOOK FOR THE SILVER LINING. I am writing this on my new Mac Book, which I love. I use my new I Phone, which replaced my separate I Pod. And my new Nikon has a lot more megapixels than my old Casio.
Still, I would give it all back to not have to go through this again. We all go to meetings and conferences and airports and hotels and leave our stuff out there. Remember, there are pro’s watching for you to look the other way.

Good luck.
Ken