Too Important to Wait for Publication

[PAULBACH]

The following Touring Tip is one of the best. I have decided to post it now although it will be published in Owners News in a couple of months. If you travel even out of state the suggestion by Cap Horning, 119561, may pay some big dividends and save you time and money.

Get those scanners warmed up. If you don't own a scanner a friend must have one and if that fails head to the local library with your file of documents in hand.

Great Touring Tip Cap!


http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/PaulBach/Misc%20Stuff/scanner.jpg
My wife and I, having traveled fairly extensively throughout North America, Canada, Mexico and southern Africa. Loss of documentation, identification and credit cards has always been a great concern to us. So, before a trip, we scan the first page of our passports, the visa pages, driver's license, credit cards, vehicle, roadside, medical and MedJet insurance cards and vehicle proof of ownership. All scans are saved into a PDF format. We then email these documents to ourselves. Copies are now available to you anywhere in the world as along as you have access to a computer. We also carry hard copies with us but, if these are lost...you've always got the emailed documents.
Cap Horning #119561
Wimberley, TX


You could also save the scans as JPEGS and save them to SmugMug or your favorite photo storage area.

Most important - be sure that wherever you save the documents it is super secure. and password protected. You might even leave the files with a couple of friends who could email them to you in time of emergency.

[26667]

what a great idea! Even an analog guy like me can appreciate the good sense and usefullness of that one. Thanx for the early post.

[MTSweger]

Excellent idea! :thumb

Here's an addendum:

If you don't have access to a scanner, most hi-res digital cameras work quite well to copy printed matter, particularly in "macro" (close-up) mode. Also, thumb drives are very inexpensive and can be used to store additional backup copies of important documents, medical info, etc.

Thanks for posting the touring tip, Paul, and a big "thank you" (a tip of the hat?) to Cap for sharing this great idea! :D

-MTS

[kpinvt]

Great idea! Thanks.

[PAULBACH]

Excellent idea! :thumb

Here's an addendum:

If you don't have access to a scanner, most hi-res digital cameras work quite well to copy printed matter, particularly in "macro" (close-up) mode. Also, thumb drives are very inexpensive and can be used to store additional backup copies of important documents, medical info, etc.

Thanks for posting the touring tip, Paul, and a big "thank you" (a tip of the hat?) to Cap for sharing this great idea! :D

-MTS

I forgot about digital cameras for copying documents. Another good suggestion.

As long as a few folks are reading this thread what are the free email provides where storage of the images could be accomplished? I use Yahoo for some storage and the price is my favorite - FREE.

What else is out there?

Lets get some good suggestions and I can use them later for an expanded suggestion in Owners News.

Thanks all.

[Mark II]

Some of the USB flash drives even have password protection built in. I have one in my little swiss army knife that has it. Works great, and is so small (when removed from the knife) that it comfortably fits in my wallet.

[Rpbump]

Great idea.

Ride Safe :usa

[MTSweger]

As long as a few folks are reading this thread what are the free email provides where storage of the images could be accomplished? I use Yahoo for some storage and the price is my favorite - FREE.

What else is out there?

Hmm, let's see... Off the top of my head:


Fastmail.com (offers multiple domain names; merged with hailmail.net, IIRC)
GMail.com (lack of "folders" is odd, IMHO, but plenty of storage and fast search)
Hotmail.com (a.k.a., Windows Live)
Hushmail.com (offers encrypted file storage)
Inbox.com
Mail.com


Free online storage (many offer at least 1GB at no cost; more with paid service):


Box.net
briefcase.yahoo.com
divShare.com
docs.google.com
Driveway.com
DropBoks.com
eSnips.com
fileQube.com
iDrive.com
MediaFire.com
megaupload.com
mozy.com
openomy.com
savefile.com
SnapDrive.net

CAUTION: Some of these are more secure than others--read the fine print! :deal :gerg

HTH,

-MTS

[PAULBACH]

I'm impressed with all the input. There is a lot here to write at least a one pager.

Thanks all. Keep posting any other ideas relating to this topic. Right now am working on the March issue of Owners News which is just about right for this idea. A bit early for the snow locked folk but just in time to put together and store the information on line.

Great use of the forum.

[rinty]

Great tip, Paul. I always worry about losing valuable documents, abroad..

I keep notarized copies of valuable documents on a file at work, where my secretary has access to it. But that's not as convenient as having it available in electronic format.

My wife plans to email our stuff to her Blackberry.

[r11rs94]

How about copying them to a disc where it then can be stored in a secure place, like inside the lining of of suit case or bag? The down side is that it could be stolen.

[MTSweger]

In addition to all those vital documents, don't forget to make a list of important phone numbers (e.g., bank, credit card company, insurance agent) to call in case your wallet and/or cell phone are lost or stolen. Although I'd recommend against copying the actual account numbers, a list of phone numbers needed to report all lost/stolen credit cards would be worth keeping handy (separate from your wallet, obviously) and available online, should the need arise.

(Oh, and it is also wise to keep enough cash for a few tanks of petrol stashed somewhere inconspicuous on your bike--always good to have some $$ set aside to make it home if you lose your wallet.)

-MTS

[Expatriated]

I agree--this is a great idea and one that actually works. I've done it for years and it has really helped. I started with the email approach and then started carrying a USB drive with important documents encrypted in case the USB was lost or stolen.

I use the CORSAIR SURVIVOR USB (http://www.corsair.com/products/survivor/default.aspx), which among other things is water resistant to 200 meters.

The encryption program I use is free--click HERE (http://www.truecrypt.org/)

The upside to the USB is that if you get one with enough memory, you can save maintenance manuals/guides on it and save a lot of weight and space along with the other stuff, of course: music, photos, etc.

[PAULBACH]

In addition to all those vital documents, don't forget to make a list of important phone numbers (e.g., bank, credit card company, insurance agent) to call in case your wallet and/or cell phone are lost or stolen. Although I'd recommend against copying the actual account numbers, a list of phone numbers needed to report all lost/stolen credit cards would be worth keeping handy (separate from your wallet, obviously) and available online, should the need arise.

(Oh, and it is also wise to keep enough cash for a few tanks of petrol stashed somewhere inconspicuous on your bike--always good to have some $$ set aside to make it home if you lose your wallet.)

-MTS

If you use Yahoo phone numbers may be added to each added to each address in a discrete field. It is also possible to export your Outlook to your yahoo account. It would be the rare hospital or library that does not have access to the internet.

[knary]

Paul.
That is a not a very good idea. Never ever send via email, an inherently very insecure form of communication, anything containing your most precious confidential materials.

You don't know what servers it's routing through (all of which now have a copy of it). You probably don't have the ability to scrub the machines you might use to view that information. Imagine the scenario: you're in a very foreign place. You're in a tough spot. So you pay a few pennies to get on-line and download that image. Do you know that machine? Do you know who is going to be on it afterwards? Did you make sure to trash all records of that file from that machine? From the print cache, the browser cache, maybe the desktop if you downloaded it first, and so on. Did your throwing it away actually destroy it? :ear

I'm sure most of the time it won't be a problem, but that's also true if you don't bother to lock your door or take your keys from your bike or car. To send all of it via email, let alone all in one single message, is begging for disaster. :bolt

[PAULBACH]

Paul.
That is a very bad idea. Never ever send via email, an inherently very insecure form of communication, anything containing your most precious confidential materials.

You don't know what servers it's routing through (all of which now have a copy of it). You probably don't have the ability to scrub the machines you might use to view that information. Imagine the scenario: you're in a very foreign place. You're in a tough spot. So you pay a few pennies to get on-line and download that image. Do you know that machine? Do you know who is going to be on it afterwards? Did you make sure to trash all records of that file from that machine? From the print cache, the browser cache, maybe the desktop if you downloaded it first, and so on. Did your throwing it away actually destroy it? :ear

I'm sure most of the time it won't be a problem, but that's also true if you don't bother to lock your door or take your keys from your bike or car. To send all of it via email, let alone all in one single message, is begging for disaster. :bolt

If the item missing is a passport and you are accessing the information from a
State Department or USIS computer would the access still be a very bad idea? Just as in picking their rides folks have to know how to pick their computers. Some folks have suggested carrying information on a thumb drive which could get lost.

In fact the Military services have been doing exactly this for years. Those machines are more secure but the concept is the same.

I'm fairly certain our members have sufficient knowledge to use their information in a responsible fashion.

But the sake of further discussion and helping the membership - there you are in a foreign country with all your vital travel documents stolen or destroyed - what is your next step? :ear

[Expatriated]

If the item missing is a passport and you are accessing the information from a
State Department or USIS computer would the access still be a very bad idea? Just as in picking their rides folks have to know how to pick their computers. Some folks have suggested carrying information on a thumb drive which could get lost.

In fact the Military services have been doing exactly this for years. Those machines are more secure but the concept is the same.

I'm fairly certain our members have sufficient knowledge to use their information in a responsible fashion.

But the sake of further discussion and helping the membership - there you are in a foreign country with all your vital travel documents stolen or destroyed - what is your next step? :ear



There are portable browser applications that you can carry on your USB drive. You run the browser directly from the USB drive and never use the host computer. What this eliminates is the cache record, website history, etc. HOWEVER, if there is a keylogger installed on the computer (I've heard various estimates of how many of these are installed on internet cafe computers), they will still have a record of all passwords to your email account or other server storage.

Which is why I stopped using the email method and started carrying a USB drive with documents on it. If it is lost or stolen, my stuff is encrypted as well as buried pretty well on the drive.

Just my take on it, YMMV.

[PAULBACH]

The USB drive should work well.

There is another option that can be used but it is not as fast or convenient. Every document you might need while traveling should be kept at home or in your office in a file ready to be transmitted by FAX.

Fax the needed documents. This procedure is more cumbersome but it will avoid many of the problems Knary has identified.

[knary]

But the sake of further discussion and helping the membership - there you are in a foreign country with all your vital travel documents stolen or destroyed - what is your next step? :ear

I don't know what the next step is, you'd have to ask the world travelers. All I can tell you is that sending around your private information via email is a bad idea.

[Expatriated]

Understand that the degree of difficulty will vary with the country. This problem in Toronto will be fairly straight forward, Lhasa not so much.

Well, if you've lost EVERYTHING, you're in a bad spot. Unfortunately, you will HAVE to eventually get to your Embassy or Consulate to have some sort of travel document temporarily issued. I have no idea what the other countries' attitudes are but if you're American, be prepared for a less than welcoming experience from the local State Department reps. They will see you as an inconvenience and "another inattentive American who can't seem to be responsible enough to keep their documents safe." They WILL eventually help you out but it might not be as pleasant as you would think.

State will also really want you to provide some sort of document supporting who you claim to be. This is where the copies on the email/USB will come in handy. Having someone fax you stuff back home will help just as much, it's just that photos aren't always too clear over a fax.

So, if you've lost absolutely everything (plane tickets, rental agreements, credit cards, passports, DL's, etc) you've got to set your priorities:

1. Get an identity document (typically this is from the local Embassy. Bring copies as illustrated above). If everything was stolen and if the police are cooperative (or even exist, depending on your level of adventure travel), a police report can help.
2. Get some way to pay for things. American Express is pretty good about this and overseas offices will help you out. In some countries I've been in American Express ruled.
3. With these things you should be able to start to piece your life back together and replace visas, airline tickets, etc.

If all that fails, hopefully you've stashed some Krugerrands inside your belt or it's time to swap that Rolex for an off-the-books ride out of the country.

BTW--Make sure you cancel the credit cards that were stolen ASAP or you may get a $10,000 Mastercard bill for tires bought in Medellin, Colombia. (Don't ask me how I know.):doh

[OHScot]

I don't know what the next step is, you'd have to ask the world travelers. All I can tell you is that sending around your private information via email is a bad idea.


Thank you.:bow I wondered who would point out what seemed obvious to me. But then I tend to be a little paranoid....