.png)
What To Do If Your Wallet, Passport, or Phone is Lost or Stolen While Traveling
- Anne Marie aka Baldgirlwilltravel
- Jul 2
- 8 min read
I just wrapped a trip to Europe that lasted almost 5 weeks, where I explored 3 countries and 5 cities!
Whether it’s hot, cold, or somewhere in between, travel is one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves. It’s freedom, self-care, and the ultimate expression of living unapologetically.
That said — sometimes travel can throw us unexpected curveballs. One of the worst? Losing your wallet, passport, or phone (or all three!).
As a 50+ Black woman who has traveled more than most folks I know, I want you to be stylish and prepared. Let’s talk about exactly what to do if this happens — and how to stay calm, safe, and in control.
Step 1: Don’t Panic — Get Somewhere Safe
First things first: breathe.
If you suspect your items were stolen, get to a safe, well-lit area immediately. If you think they might be misplaced, try to retrace your steps calmly and thoroughly.
Panic is a natural first reaction, but it will slow you down. Your focus should be on protecting yourself and figuring out your next steps clearly.
Step 2: Secure Your Remaining Belongings
Take a full inventory of what you still have on you.
Check your bag, pockets, and surroundings. Even when you’re stressed, confirm exactly what is missing so you don’t create additional confusion or overlook items.
If you still have your phone, wallet, passport, or backup cards, move them to a secure, hidden place immediately — like an interior zipped pocket in your bag, a money belt, or a hidden pouch.
If you're traveling with others, let them know what happened right away so they can help you stay safe and calm. If you're alone, find a nearby café, hotel lobby, or safe public place to regroup and start taking action.
What To Do If Your Phone Is With You
If your phone is still with you, that’s your lifeline. Use it to:
Contact your travel companions, group leader, or host to let them know what happened.
Access digital copies of your passport, IDs, travel insurance, and other important documents (I always recommend storing these securely in the cloud or emailing them to yourself before your trip).
Notify your hotel or accommodation so they can assist you, watch for suspicious activity, or help with local contacts.
Quickly contact your bank and credit card companies to freeze or cancel cards if your wallet is missing.
Locate the nearest police station or U.S. Embassy if your passport is missing.
Arrange transport back to your lodging safely if needed.
Your phone also helps you research local steps, contact numbers, and emergency resources right away.
What To Do If Your Phone Isn’t With You
If your phone is also missing, act quickly to protect your information and set up alternative communication.
Get Somewhere Safe and Borrow a Device
Head to a safe, populated place. Borrow a phone or computer from a friend, fellow traveler, your hotel front desk, or even a nearby café. Many hotels have business centers or are willing to help guests during emergencies.
Lock or Wipe Your Phone Remotely
iPhone: Use Find My iPhone from another device to lock it, mark it as lost, or erase it.
Android: Use Find My Device to do the same.
If possible, leave a message on the lock screen with alternate contact info in case someone finds it.
Change Important Passwords
As soon as possible, change passwords for:
Email accounts
Banking and payment apps
Social media accounts
Any apps with stored payment info or personal data
This helps prevent unauthorized access and further issues.
Contact Your Phone Carrier
Call your carrier to:
Report the theft and suspend your service
Begin the process of getting a replacement SIM card or phone
Travel Pro Tip: Always keep a printed list of important numbers (like your carrier’s international emergency contact) in your luggage or travel journal, and also save them in a secure cloud service like Dropbox or Google Drive so you can access them from a hotel business center or borrowed device if needed.
Arrange Backup Communication
Check in with family and friends using a borrowed device so they know you’re safe.
Consider buying or borrowing a basic local phone or SIM card for immediate use until your main device situation is resolved.
Monitor Your Accounts
Watch your bank, credit, and online accounts for suspicious activity or security alerts. If your phone was connected to accounts, review your logins and follow up on any suspicious notifications.
Step 3: Cancel and Freeze Your Credit and Debit Cards
Call your bank and credit card companies immediately to report your cards as lost or stolen.
Most major banks have international collect call numbers and mobile apps that allow you to freeze cards instantly.
Travel Pro Tip: Type out all your credit card numbers, customer service numbers (especially the international collect numbers), and travel insurance contact info in a single document and save it in a secure cloud service like Dropbox or Google Drive. This way, even if your phone is gone, you can access those details from any computer at a hotel business center or library.
If possible, bring a tablet or laptop on your trip and keep it locked in your hotel safe or secure luggage. This gives you an extra way to access important information and manage accounts even if your phone, wallet, and passport are all missing.
Step 4: Report the Loss to Local Authorities
If your items were stolen, file a police report as soon as possible.
A report is important for:
Insurance claims
Passport replacement
Bank or credit card fraud investigations
Make sure to get a copy of the report or at least a case number to reference later.
Step 5: Contact Your Embassy or Consulate
If your passport is missing, this is crucial.
Go to the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Bring:
A copy of the police report (if applicable)
A passport photo (embassies often provide info on where to get one locally)
Proof of identity (digital or printed copies help tremendously)
Completed replacement forms (you can often fill these out online ahead of time)
They can issue you an emergency passport to get you home or, in some cases, a full replacement passport.
Find your nearest U.S. Embassy here: U.S. Embassies and Consulates.
Travel Pro Tip: Before your trip, register with the U.S. Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). It’s free and helps the embassy reach you in an emergency.
Also, save the address and contact info of the nearest embassy or consulate in your Dropbox or Google Drive folder so you can easily access it from any device, even if your phone is lost.
Important Passport Note: You should never carry your passport on your person unless you specifically need it for an excursion, border crossing, or official purpose. Instead, keep it locked in your hotel safe or secure luggage. Carry only a copy of your passport ID page when you’re out exploring day to day.
Step 6: Use Backup Funds
This is when your emergency cash stash becomes essential.
I always recommend:
Keeping some cash hidden in a separate location from your main wallet
Using travel apps like Apple Pay or Google Pay (if your phone is with you)
Carrying a prepaid travel money card as a backup
Prevention Tips for Your Phone
Use a strong passcode or biometric lock (Face ID or fingerprint)
Enable tracking features (Find My iPhone or Find My Device)
Avoid carrying your phone in easily accessible pockets or open bags
Use an anti-theft crossbody bag with interior zipped compartments and keep your phone in an inside pocket.
Consider traveling with a backup phone
I always travel with a backup phone — mine is an older iPhone X that still works perfectly
If my main phone is lost or stolen, I still have a fully functional phone ready to go. It gives me so much peace of mind, and I highly recommend it, especially for solo travelers or anyone going on extended trips.
How To Prepare Before Your Trip
Take photos or make a scan of your passport and your travel insurance certificate and store them securely in the cloud or email them to yourself
Type up all important emergency contact information — including your bank’s phone numbers (especially the international collect number on the back of your card), your credit card numbers (just the number, not copies), travel insurance contact information, and your personal emergency contacts — and save this as a single file in a secure cloud service like Dropbox or Google Drive
Keep a printed copy of this file in your luggage or travel wallet, separate from your main items
Carry a printed copy of your passport (not your actual passport) in a separate location from the original
Let someone at home know your itinerary and major travel stops
Use a secure cloud service (like Dropbox or Google Drive) to store all this critical information together
I highly recommend organizing all your most important details into one single, clearly labeled file. Perhaps organized by trip date.
If your phone, wallet, or passport is lost or stolen, you can still access this file from a hotel business center, a local library computer, or a borrowed device.
Travel Pro Tip: Share this folder with a trusted friend, partner, or spouse before you leave. That way, they can help you remotely if you need assistance contacting your bank, the embassy, or other resources.
My Go-To Travel Safety Items
Before we wrap up, here are a few items I personally recommend to help keep your credit cards, phone, and cash safe while traveling:
An RFID-blocking passport & credit card holder to protect your cards from electronic pickpocketing.
A small anti-theft crossbody bag with interior zipped compartments and slash-resistant straps.
A money belt or hidden waist pouch for cash and backup cards — worn under clothing and not easily accessible to thieves.
A silicone or crossbody phone lanyard to keep your phone securely attached to your body, especially when taking photos or navigating crowded markets.
A portable travel safe or lockable pouch that can be secured to a fixed object in your hotel room for added peace of mind.
These items help you stay stylish, organized, and — most importantly — safe while you enjoy your adventures.
Final Thoughts
Losing your wallet, passport, or phone (or all three!) is stressful, but it doesn’t have to ruin your adventure.
Preparation and a clear plan are your best travel accessories. As a 50+ Black woman who has traveled the globe, I promise you: You can handle this and still enjoy your journey.
Travel is the ultimate act of self-care and freedom — don’t let fear stop you from living your boldest, most fabulous life.
Thinking about travel but not ready to go completely alone?
Hang out with me and some Fly 40+ Sistas in some cool places.
Visit my dedicated Meet Up Page to learn about my upcoming girls' trip for Fly 40+ women!
Interested? Link HERE for more details!
Grab a spot today! We are going to have a Time!!!
Are you a Woman over 50 who Loves Style & Fashion?
And don’t forget—subscribe to my YouTube channel to check out my style content specifically curated for us Sistas over 40 because style has no expiration date, and neither does your confidence.
Thank You For Reading!
Check out these solo travel blog posts:
This post may contain affiliate links to things like tours, hotels, Amazon associates, and products. These help me earn a small commission at no additional charge to you.
Comments