Ms.Sam Bachand is the Royal Bank's Manager of Retail Foreign Exchange Services. Journeywoman asked what she would do if her credit card and bank card were stolen

1) Diversify your money-- take two $100 travellers cheques (for emergencies only), credit cards, bank cards as well as cash (U.S. cash is best because it's recognized in most places

2) Be prepared! Before you leave home, record (in triplicate) the numbers on your travellers cheques , credit cards and bank cards. The same applies to all the 800 numbers you might need to report a theft. Leave one list with someone at home, one goes into your money belt and one stays in your suitcase

3) Be creative! Hide your emergency money in strange places-- a vitamin pill bottle with a few pills in it is great. The bottle isn't see-thru and thieves are generally not interested in your Vitamin C

4) Be very sure to check the restrictions on your credit cards. Did you know that some cards are not replaceable internationally if they're stolen