When you’re dashing through an airport, the last thing most travellers consider is how their luggage label is positioned. However, according to one travel expert, neglecting to turn that small card around could expose you to numerous risks.
Holidaymakers jetting off with carriers such as Jet2, Ryanair, easyJet and TUI are being advised to examine their suitcase tags more carefully before dispatching their bags onto the conveyor belt. While it may appear to be a minor detail, showing your personal information too prominently could render you susceptible to unwelcome attention.
Silvena Nonev, a travel expert with Scandinavia Private Tours, revealed that this straightforward action was among the most neglected safety precautions when travelling.
She explained: “Always, always, always flip your information card backwards. I see countless travellers every single day with their names, phone numbers and even home addresses on full display. To me, that’s like inviting strangers into your private life.”
The majority of luggage tags prompt passengers to record personal details should bags go astray. Yet what few understand is that leaving them on display makes it effortless for opportunists to acquire more than simply your suitcase.
“Think about it,” Silvena continued. “If someone knows your name, number, and address, they already have enough to attempt identity fraud or, at the very least, harass you.
“And if you’re abroad, you’ve just advertised that your home might be empty. That’s why I don’t even like strangers knowing my name, never mind my phone number.”
By simply turning the tag around so the information is hidden, you can keep your details private while still ensuring that airport staff can access them if needed.
“The tag doesn’t stop working if it’s turned backwards,” Silvena pointed out. “Security and airline staff can still open or flip it when required. You’re just making sure that the average passer-by or fellow passenger doesn’t get a free peek into your life.”
The guidance proves particularly valuable for families and infrequent travellers, who may remain unaware of the dangers, Silvena explained.
“Parents travelling with children often put everything on display without realising the implications,” she added. “You want to make your journey easier, but in reality you’re handing over sensitive information to thousands of strangers in an airport.”
Why it matters so much
While flipping your luggage tag might not appear revolutionary, travel safety specialists concur that it forms part of a broader approach to safeguarding your identity. Criminals require very little information to create havoc.
Simply a phone number can result in pest calls and fraudulent schemes. Your address could signal your property stands vacant whilst you’re travelling.
Even your complete name can be utilised to track down additional details online. Silvena emphasises that these minor changes can prevent major problems.
“You wouldn’t walk down the street wearing a sign with your personal details, so why would you let your suitcase do it for you?” she said.
But this isn’t her only piece of advice worth heeding. “When travelling, I always advise people to minimise what they share,” Silvena concluded.
“Whether it’s on social media or on a luggage tag, the less strangers know about you, the safer you’ll be. Flip the tag backwards, and you’ve instantly cut out a big source of risk.”