Keeping your valuables safe

So this is not specific to vegas, but I'd be itnerested in Vegas specific experiences.

I've explained I keep valuables in either the in-room safe or a safe deposit box provided by the hotel. I've never had anything lost or stolen, so I'm guessing so far I'm doing things right (once I forgot a small bag with souvenirs and a folding umbrella in Orlando, but that ws mere carelessness).

Back in the late 70s in New York City, my dad left his briefcase in the room. When he got back, some cash he'd left in it and one credit card were missing. He had some nasty arguments with the hotel's security (A Hilton if memory serves) but dind't report it to the cops. He said security told him the maid probably hadn't stolen his card and cash, but that someone prowling the corridors got in when the maid left the room door open. It sounds plausible.

Now, assuming most hotel robberies go down that way, or gets done by opportunistic housekeeping staff, it follows that they'll look for valuables left in the open rather than those secured in the safe. Trying to open the safe is hard and might alert hotel security (I've sometimes thought of trying to open the safe five times with the wrong number to see what happens, but I'm sure it will be either nothing or a major inconvenience).

Anyway, every story I've heard of money or other valaubles gone missing in a hotel, involved stuff left lying in plain sight, or placed in suitcases or in drawers. I've never heard of anyone having stuff stolen that was in the safe. In general theft is an opportunistic crime. Thieves dont' necessarily go for what they want, but for what they can get. With exceptions, of course. Overall security thinking is to amke your stuff harder to get at, thus making more thieves go look elsewhere for easier pickings.

Any thoughts?

"Opportunity" is key.

Although I've never been a victim, I can easily see how it can happen.

One more than one occasion, I've gone to my room while the maid was there. I said I'll just be a minute. The maid courteously gives me my privacy.

Except the maid has done nothing to ensure it actually is my room.

Quote: DJTeddyBear

Except the maid has done nothing to ensure it actually is my room.

Yes, things like that.

I've also often seen a maid open two or three rooms, leave the doors open, then go from room to room. Maybe she vaccums each one in turn, then she does the beds, with occasional stops at the supply cart. Anyone can walk into an open room then.

Hotel doors are self-closing, but if you open it as far as it will go it stays open.

Anyway, I've learned through experience anything can be stolen. We had our family business robbed once many years ago, despite having some sensible safety precautions like locks and double doors. So surely a hotel safe is vulnerable too, if a thief wants it bad enough. It just doesn't seem that hotel crime runs along that line. It's like minding your purse or your wallet while out on the street. A pickpocket won't go for a person if they look like they'll notice being picked.

Quote: DJTeddyBear

"Opportunity" is key.

Although I've never been a victim, I can easily see how it can happen.

One more than one occasion, I've gone to my room while the maid was there. I said I'll just be a minute. The maid courteously gives me my privacy.

Except the maid has done nothing to ensure it actually is my room.

I've had a maid ask me to put my key in the door to show it opens. I tipped her on the spot.

I lock everything in the safe, laptop, ipods, cell phones, jewelry, etc. In fact after an incident years ago where housekeeping took some loose change I had in a cup, I now lock up any loose change I have.

One thing that strikes me as odd, last month I was staying at the MGM and each day I would leave a cash tip for housekeeping on the corner of my bed, the same amount each day on the same corner. One of the days I didnt have any small bills so I left casino chips on the bed - the same spot as in days before and the same dollar amount as in days before. When I got back to my room later that afternoon, housekeeping had cleaned my room, but my casino chips were in the same spot I left them.

There is no way she could have made my bed without seeing the chips. Is housekeeping not allowed to accept casino chips as a tip?

Quote: mgreiche

I would leave a cash tip for housekeeping on the corner of my bed, the same amount each day on the same corner. One of the days I didnt have any small bills so I left casino chips on the bed -

There is no way she could have made my bed without seeing the chips. Is housekeeping not allowed to accept casino chips as a tip?

Housekeeping is not allowed to take anything as long as you are still using the room. If you have checked out that day and leave a few bucks on the dresser, then she can assume it's for her. If you are obviously still using the room, she is not supposed to touch any random cash or chips left lying around unless there's a clear note stating "Thank you, this is for you". She sounded like an honest maid who erred on the side of caution.

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There is no way she could have made my bed without seeing the chips. Is housekeeping not allowed to accept casino chips as a tip?

You CAN tip with chips, but it's considered bad form, since it then requires the person to go exchange it. The exception, of course, are employees who work the casino floor.

There is a chance that the maid that did the room that day wasn't the same maid as the other days. Couple that with chips instead of cash, and I can easily see why she wouldn't assume.

Quote: zippyboy

If you are obviously still using the room, she is not supposed to touch any random cash or chips left lying around unless there's a clear note stating "Thank you, this is for you". She sounded like an honest maid who erred on the side of caution.

Seconded.

In fact when I leave the housekeeping tip, I either put it in a hotel envelope, not sealed, with "For housekeeping, thank you," written on it (sometimes they take the money and leave the envelope), or under a small note saying the same thing. I once left money just lying around, and it was still there when I came back.

Quote: Nareed

Quote: zippyboy

If you are obviously still using the room, she is not supposed to touch any random cash or chips left lying around unless there's a clear note stating "Thank you, this is for you". She sounded like an honest maid who erred on the side of caution.

Seconded.

In fact when I leave the housekeeping tip, I either put it in a hotel envelope, not sealed, with "For housekeeping, thank you," written on it (sometimes they take the money and leave the envelope), or under a small note saying the same thing. I once left money just lying around, and it was still there when I came back.

When in Vegas I always tip the maid on a daily basis. After the first night I usually ask for an extra set of towels ( how do wives need so many towels ) and leave a tip folded in a hotel note pad marked " for the maid" and thanking her. I will then leave a daily tip as most times the maid usually leaves a thankyou note with her name.

I have found that a daily tip will always result in a spotless tip, plenty of bathroom necessities, extra towels and if a coffee machine ( slim nowadays ) plenty of extra coffee refills.

My feeling is they work hard and I'm more than happy to tip them for a spotless room.

Just my opinion............

Eagledice

how often do you think large casinos test their maid stay with a "mystery guest". Leaving money and valuables in plain site to see if a maids takes it?

Keep it safe? Keep it on you.

Of course this is easy for me, as my 'valuables' amount to my money (folded in my pocket, no wallet), bank card (kept inside folded money), my... umm....oh, wedding ring, which I wear always and... I dunno, a pack of smokes and Bic lighter. Those are the things I care about losing and they're on me at all times except sleep time when they're put in the safe.

Obviously I'm no good for advise on what to do with your Rolex, diamond earrings,...(I'm so out of touch I can't think of other luxuries ><) but maybe think of what you're bringing with you and why. I mean, I'm not trying to promote my minimalist approach, but ask yourself if the benefit of being able to wear a thousand dollar jewelry item for 2hrs at dinner outweighs the 22hrs of the rest of the day spent worrying about it's safety. All I had in my room was a pair of year old $40 khaki's and matching fleece, which gave me 5 worry free, concern free days. Ahhh, vacations. =)

I'll just put my beer in the mini fridge in the room to keep it cold. I've never though about locking it up. It would get warm in the safe. I do put a "do not disturb" on the door so the maids won't come in and drink my valuables.

Quote: Face

Keep it safe? Keep it on you.

That's very risky. One mugging or a pickpocket and you're out of cash and credit cards.

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Obviously I'm no good for advise on what to do with your Rolex, diamond earrings,...(I'm so out of touch I can't think of other luxuries ><) but maybe think of what you're bringing with you and why. I mean, I'm not trying to promote my minimalist approach, but ask yourself if the benefit of being able to wear a thousand dollar jewelry item for 2hrs at dinner outweighs the 22hrs of the rest of the day spent worrying about it's safety.

All my jewlery is costume, except a few pieces which I don't wear around often. By other valuables I mean things like a passport, US visa (nowadays printed on the passport, I think), checkbook, driver's license, other ID, plane tickets, etc.

BTW no one, at least no one sensible, wears expensive jewlery meant for a dinner date all day long. We go to the room before dinner and change. Or do you also wear your formal clothes all day long?

Quote: Nareed

That's very risky. One mugging or a pickpocket and you're out of cash and credit cards.

All my jewlery is costume, except a few pieces which I don't wear around often. By other valuables I mean things like a passport, US visa (nowadays printed on the passport, I think), checkbook, driver's license, other ID, plane tickets, etc.

BTW no one, at least no one sensible, wears expensive jewlery meant for a dinner date all day long. We go to the room before dinner and change. Or do you also wear your formal clothes all day long?

Oh. Well, I don't have the mugging fear because of my upbringing. Maybe the fear of getting beat up just because someone wanted to fight, but that usually passes once you're out of highschool as long as you stay out of the bars. Muggings are unthought of. But, I do think a mugging confrontation is much less likely than someone simply lifting something out of your unoccupied room.

Like I said, my advice isn't perfect. I don't have the baggage of passports, plane tickets, checkbooks, etc, I just have a drivers license, bank card, pistol permit (all the same size, folded into my money) and a meager bankroll. That fits nicely on my person. I would think, though, that all the items you mentioned would neatly fit into a purse, or even a clutch, which I see ladies often have on themselves at all times. Maybe something along those lines would work, but I dunno. My wife has a zillion things in her purse which makes me think it wouldn't, but she always seems to have room for more so maybe it would.

I didn't figure people wore fancy jewelry all day long, which was kind of my point. Would it be worth putting that much money in items at risk for the very small time it could be enjoyed. I didn't know what you wear or your style, I just recall personal experiences where friends have brought along "nice" watches and iPhones on a camping trip, then worry the whole time about scratching them or getting them wet. Seems kind of dumb in the same sense that bringing along the thousand dollar earrings to wear for an hour then worry about for a week seems dumb. Just trying to help.

(And no, I don't wear formal clothes all day long, or at all. Those $40 khaki's are about as formal as this guy gets ;))

Quote: Face

Oh. Well, I don't have the mugging fear because of my upbringing.

I do. I was robbed at gunpoint a few years ago right outside a bank. Overall I got off easy, but I learned it can happen to anyone at any time. And the men who did it might as well have conked me on the head and grabbed what I was carrying.

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But, I do think a mugging confrontation is much less likely than someone simply lifting something out of your unoccupied room.

Lifting, sure. Or snatching your whole purse. Taking something out of the safe isn't easy, ergo the safe. All that happening, though, I mean all those thigns, is very unlikely.

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I would think, though, that all the items you mentioned would neatly fit into a purse, or even a clutch, which I see ladies often have on themselves at all times.

With room to spare! But one snatch, or you get a bit careless and leave your purse behind, and that's it: no money, no credit cards, no ID, no passport.... not even your room key.

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I didn't figure people wore fancy jewelry all day long, which was kind of my point. Would it be worth putting that much money in items at risk for the very small time it could be enjoyed.

It seems to me you put all your stuff at risk all day.

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I didn't know what you wear or your style, I just recall personal experiences where friends have brought along "nice" watches and iPhones on a camping trip, then worry the whole time about scratching them or getting them wet.

I never carry much of value with me. I haven't got an mp3 player, iPod or other, because it feels ridiculous to carry a gadget worth hundreds around. It can get lost or stolen too easily.

Quote: Face

Maybe the fear of getting beat up just because someone wanted to fight, but that usually passes once you're out of highschool as long as you stay out of the bars.......

.....and stay out of the O'Sheas restrooms. Especially if a black guy in a yellow shirt goes in there.

Quote: Nareed

I do. I was robbed at gunpoint a few years ago right outside a bank. Overall I got off easy, but I learned it can happen to anyone at any time. And the men who did it might as well have conked me on the head and grabbed what I was carrying.

Eesh, sorry. Yeah, that might make me less likely to carry my worldly possessions on my person. Perhaps I'm blissfully ignorant. Or rather, I'm too poor that I haven't a lot to lose and therefore don't care much ;)

Quote: Nareed

It seems to me you put all your stuff at risk all day.

Maybe. But "all my stuff" typically amounts to $10, some plastic, and a few lifesavers lol. If I got mugged right now, I'd only be upset about losing my pistol permit, and only because I happen to have gotten a rare good picture of me on it =P In Vegas, substitute $100 for $10 and the song remains the same. Maybe I shouldn't give advice anymore....=)

In an attempt to redeem myself, I'll try some practical advice. Only keep on you what you absolutely need. Documents, majority of bankroll, jewelry, all remain in safe, locked, at all times. For things you need on you like money, ID, bankcards and the like, there are a number of concealed holders, it just depends how safe you want to be. Small plastic pockets (similar to the paper ones used to keep a credit card from scratching) that you can use to keep these items concealed on your body either via an elastic strap on your leg, or, more lady-like, above the bicep, or on a lanyard worn around the neck. EvenBob's pill bottle disguise is good as well, although I wouldn't use a pill bottle myself (why steal money for drugs when you can just steal drugs). Something of no value to anyone, like an empty case of those horrible lozenges that come in a small tin, or hell, carry them in an empty feminine napkin wrapper. I don't know anyone who goes around picking up random samples of those! =D. If all else fails, befriend a man at least as imposing as gofaster who owns as many guns as myself and EvenBob combined and invite him out for a night on the town. (I seem to have fallen back to impractical. /sigh)

I was under the impression that tips for the maid should be left on your pillow. I've always done that with no other explanation or note, and 90% of the time the tip has been taken when the room was cleaned.

I've also never had an issue with maids stealing valuables. Of course I always use the room safe if I have one. (If not I have a toiletry bag with a small hidden compartment.)

Quote: Face

In Vegas, substitute $100 for $10 and the song remains the same. Maybe I shouldn't give advice anymore....=)

How do you manage more than an hour in Vegas with only $100 and a credit card?

At home I prefer to carry as little cash as I can, and rely on my debit card for the rest; I use credit cards rarely. In Vegas I use a credit card to pay for the hotel and, if necessary, to pay for a show. I take it along mostly in case of emergency.

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In an attempt to redeem myself, I'll try some practical advice.

Redeem yourself from what?

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For things you need on you like money, ID, bankcards and the like, there are a number of concealed holders, it just depends how safe you want to be.

I'm not that paranoid. A purse with a noisy closure, better yet a clasp, and some common sense vigilance is all I need. But thanks for the suggestions.

Quote: Face

Yeah, that might make me less likely to carry my worldly possessions on my person.

If I got mugged right now, I'd only be upset about losing my pistol permit, ....

Only keep on you what you absolutely need.

No reason for you to bring an out-of-state CPL to Las Vegas (or CCW or whatever your state calls it) since NV has reciprocity agreements with only a handful of states and you probably didn't bring your gun on the plane anyway. If it's a costly hassle to replace when you get home, leave it in the safe. Or maybe if faced with a mugger, you can whip it out and say "Back off! I have a permit!"

Quote: Nareed

How do you manage more than an hour in Vegas with only $100 and a credit card?

Only $100 on me at a time, the rest is locked in safe. Playing $5 or $10 BJ, counting and BS keeps me busy for awhile. When I play, I have my buy-in on my right side. When I win, I make a pile on my left. That left pile doesn't get touched. When the right pile's gone, I leave. I'm already easily entertained, and being somewhere new I could spend hours walking around watching people, traffic, admiring architeture, or just staring off into the desert. Plus I have self control issues, without my piles and walking, I could easily find myself in the land of regret. So since I never marathon gamble, $100 is quite enough.

Quote: zippyboy

No reason for you to bring an out-of-state CPL to Las Vegas (or CCW or whatever your state calls it) since NV has reciprocity agreements with only a handful of states and you probably didn't bring your gun on the plane anyway. If it's a costly hassle to replace when you get home, leave it in the safe. Or maybe if faced with a mugger, you can whip it out and say "Back off! I have a permit!"

I mostly bring it as a second form of ID. Sometimes I get in that mood where I dont want to be followed or tracked with those stupid drivers license swipers. My CCW is government issued photo ID with all my vital info, but no swipy stripe.

Quote: Face

Only $100 on me at a time, the rest is locked in safe.

To quote my dear highschool history teacher "Let's start over and both use the same language."

from your first post I thought you said you keep all your valuable son you at all times, to keep them safe, and don't leave anything at all in a room safe or a safe deposit box at the front desk. That struck me as too risky, since one pickpocket would leave you penniless.

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Playing $5 or $10 BJ, counting and BS keeps me busy for awhile. When I play, I have my buy-in on my right side. When I win, I make a pile on my left. That left pile doesn't get touched. When the right pile's gone, I leave.

I begin to stockpile my winnings above my buy-in. But I will gladly gamble the winnings, too, if I want to play longer. Since I typically buy in for $100 or $50, depending on the game, I often leave the table with little or nothing. But if I get a few decent streaks, I can leave when I'm up.

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I'm already easily entertained, and being somewhere new I could spend hours walking around watching people, traffic, admiring architeture, or just staring off into the desert.

After three trips, I still love walking around the Venetian, Caesars Palace and Paris. Also the Forum Shops. Last trip I decided to walk all the open areas of the Bellagio. Did you know there's a gourmet candy store with chocolate fountains? I dind't til then. I took photos, but dind't buy any candy.

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Plus I have self control issues, without my piles and walking, I could easily find myself in the land of regret. So since I never marathon gamble, $100 is quite enough.

That can happen to me on VP. If I'm up a substantial amount over buy-in, say 40 to 50%, I'll cash out and re-buy for $100. That way the winnings stay with me, should I hit a lot of losing hands in a row.

How to crack a hotel room safe:



Easier method:

Quote: Face

Sometimes I get in that mood where I dont want to be followed or tracked with those stupid drivers license swipers. My CCW is government issued photo ID with all my vital info, but no swipy stripe.

What is the purpose of swiping the driver's license? The photo is supposed to be perfectly reliable proof, according to experts like the police, banks and the TSA.

Quote: SanchoPanza

What is the purpose of swiping the driver's license? The photo is supposed to be perfectly reliable proof, according to experts like the police, banks and the TSA.

Swiping takes all of the info that's found on the front. Name, birthday, height, address, license number, everything on the front sans the picture is included on that stripe.

Many people here, whether AP, tin foil, or people who just don't want unwanted mail and tracking, do not like to sign up for things or reveal their info. Swiping gives it to them all and is stored, vs some $9/hr SO who will forget by the next ID check.

I'm not sure why the casino does it. I suppose there is a slight increase in their protection, as while you can somewhat easily get a fake past some kid or an old with 80/20 vision, it's not easy to recreate a strip. But mostly I'd suspect it's just more data mining, same as the supermarket.

Hey! I too have never heard about things going missing or being stolen from the hotel room safes. When you are in a unknown city, safety should be your primary concern. It is obvious that when you are away from room, you're not going to carry all your valuables with you as there is chance of theft and a fear of misplacing it somewhere. Isn't that worse than anything? So inorder to make sure safety for belongings, stash them into hotel room safes. Many of the hotel owners tend to care about your valuables so they are looking forward to install hotel room safes of famous brand and of high security like Global Safe Corporation that will increase the customer satisfaction of the hotel and will help to achieve great star ratings.

Quote: AMarvin

they are looking forward to install hotel room safes of famous brand and of high security

very convincing, Mr. Marvin

seems obvious to me that the hotel has to be able to to get in the safe without knowing the code, otherwise people as a prank would lock the safe without anyone knowing the code when leaving; and others will forget their code and ask for the safe to be opened.

that means somebody unauthorized can get access, and the videos show some of the ways

I generally prefer the trunk of my car - if available. Also not totally secure.