Lost or stolen belongings outside Canada

Theft, pickpocketing and the loss of important items can happen anywhere, especially in busy public places. Passports and money are common targets. Replacing these while outside Canada can be stressful and costly.

With some preparation before you travel and a few simple precautions while you are away, you can reduce your risk and make it easier to recover your items if something goes wrong.

On this page

• Before you go
• While you’re away
• If something goes wrong
• If you need help

Before you go

Learn about the risks

Theft, including passport theft, and pickpocketing are common in many large cities, especially in tourist areas, transportation hubs and other public places.

Learn about local crime risks before you leave:

• Consult the safety and security section of the Travel Advice and Advisories for your destination
• Carry the contact information for the nearest Canadian office outside Canada
• Review your travel insurance to understand coverage for lost or stolen items:
  • Learn more about trip interruption and travel health insurance

Prepare your travel documents

Your passport is one of your most valuable possessions while abroad:

• Make copies or take photos of the identification page of your passport and other travel documents:
  • Copies can help if your documents are lost or stolen, but they can’t be used as identification, and you still need to apply for a new passport if you lose yours.
• Store copies securely and leave these with someone you trust in Canada.
• Record your passport number so that you have this information separate from your passport.
• If a country requires you to carry your passport at all times, plan how to carry it securely.

Prepare your money and bank cards

Plan how you will carry and protect your funds:

• Record your credit and debit card numbers and your bank’s emergency contact numbers and keep this information separate from your wallet or phone.
• Consider a back-up source of funds, such as a second card kept in a different location.
• Consider carrying some of your money and cards separately, such as in a second wallet or money belt.

Recognize common theft tactics

Thieves often work in teams and use distractions to take belongings.

Before you leave, learn to recognize situations such as:

• someone bumping into you or spilling something on you to distract your attention
• someone dropping an item near you so that you stop to help
• someone friendly pretending to offer or ask for help, such as with directions or taking a photo
• people working in pairs or groups—one person distracts you while another steals your belongings

Choose what to bring

• Use secure bags that fully close, such as zippered crossbody bags or money belts.
• Do not pack irreplaceable items.
• Do not wear expensive jewelry or accessories, such as watches.

While you’re away

Protect your travel documents

• Keep your passport, phone and wallet in zipped-up or inside pockets close to your body.
• Carry only what you need for the day and store the rest in a secure location, such as a hotel safe.
• Never leave your passport or travel documents in unattended bags or vehicles.

Manage your money and bank cards safely

• Carry only the cash you need for the day and store the rest securely.
• Do not openly display cash, jewelry or expensive electronics.
• Use bags that close securely, such as zippered crossbody bags. Avoid backpacks, unless they are worn on the front of your body.
• Shield your personal identification number (PIN) when using automatic teller machines (ATMs) or payment terminals.
• Use ATMs located in banks or well-lit public areas.
• Never leave your wallet, bank cards or cash unattended.

Avoid becoming a target

Thieves often look for distracted travellers and easy opportunities:

• Stay aware when taking photos, checking maps or admiring your surroundings as these moments can make you more vulnerable.
• Be cautious in crowded areas, on public transportation or in places where tourists gather.

Common situations

Pickpocketing and theft can happen quickly and often involve distractions.

Watch out for situations such as:

• crowded tourist areas where people may bump into you:
  • stay alert and keep valuables in zipped-up or inside pockets
• busy transportation hubs where thieves may target distracted travellers:
  • watch your bags at all times, especially when boarding or waiting
• bags left in luggage racks or overhead bins without supervision:
  • keep your bags where you can see them and keep your passport and wallet on you
• belongings left on chairs, tables or the floor in cafés and restaurants:
  • keep them in your lap or strap them to your arm or leg
• valuables left in personal or rented vehicles:
  • do not leave items in vehicles, even locked trunks
  • if you must, store them in the trunk before leaving your original location, and take important items with you
• personal items left unattended on beaches or in public spaces:
  • take turns watching belongings, or use a secure locker if one is available

Protect your valuables

• Keep your passport, phone and wallet in zipped-up or inside pockets close to your body:
  • If travelling as a family, avoid carrying all your passports together.
  • Split them up so they are not all in the same bag.
• Do not display cash, jewelry or expensive electronics.
• In cafés or restaurants, keep your bag on your lap or strapped across your body; not on a chair or on the floor.

Public places, such as train stations, restaurants, hotel lobbies, beaches and car rental areas, as well as parked cars, are frequent targets. Do not leave belongings unattended, even briefly.

If something goes wrong

If you are a victim of theft or pickpocketing

• Do not confront the thief.
  • Your safety is more important than your belongings.
• Move to a safe place and report the incident to local police.
• Request a police report, if possible.
  • While this is not required for passport replacement, it may help with insurance claims.
• If someone is arrested for stealing your belongings, you may be required to give testimony and attend legal proceedings.
  • Keep in mind that legal proceedings may be prolonged.

If your passport or travel documents are lost or stolen

Having copies of your passport and other travel documents can help confirm your identity and speed up the process of replacing them.

Passports and emergency travel documents:

• Contact the nearest Canadian office abroad as soon as possible:
  • If you urgently need to travel, you can submit an emergency passport application.
• Emergency passport services are not available at every Canadian office abroad.
  • Consular officials will explain where and how to apply for a replacement travel document.
  • Be prepared to modify your travel plans.
• Every country sets its own entry and exit requirements.
  • In most cases, you will need a valid passport or recognized travel document to cross borders:
    • Check the entry and exit requirements in the Travel Advice and Advisories for your destination.
    • Also check with your transportation company, as it may enforce stricter passport validity requirements than the country itself.

Other documents:

• Canadian offices abroad cannot replace lost travel tickets:
  • You must contact the issuing airline, railway company or bus line to see if tickets can be replaced.
  • Notify your insurance agent if the fare is insured.
• Most other documents issued in Canada can only be replaced in Canada, such as:
  • driver’s licences (Transport Canada)
  • birth certificates (Statistics Canada)
  • health cards (Health Canada)
  • social insurance cards (Employment and Social Development Canada)

If your credit or debit cards or money are lost or stolen

• Cancel lost or stolen cards immediately.
• If a joint transaction card is missing, inform the second cardholder as soon as possible.
• If you need funds urgently, arrange a transfer from your bank or other private source using a commercial agency such as Western Union.

Learn more about what to do if you require urgent financial assistance while outside Canada.

Lost and found items

Canadian officials abroad may facilitate the return of items found at Canadian government offices abroad:

• Items are held for up to 30 days.
• Passports are returned directly to the issuing authority and cannot be given back to the client.
• Credit and debit cards are not returned for security reasons and should be cancelled immediately.
• Cash is not sent by mail.
• You are responsible for arranging and paying the costs of the collecting or shipping of any private property.

If you need help

Emergency consular assistance while outside Canada:

Request emergency assistance

The Government of Canada is limited in the help it can provide you when you’re outside Canada.

We can:

• help you replace a lost, stolen, damaged or expired Canadian passport
• provide contact information for local police if you have been the victim of robbery
• give you a list of local lawyers
• provide public sources of information about local laws and regulations
• assist you with private money transfers
• contact relatives or friends to request assistance in sending you money or airline tickets, with your authorization

We can’t:

• guarantee the safety and security of Canadians outside Canada
• replace stolen money or pay your expenses
• give legal advice or get involved in private legal matters or financial disputes
• interfere in an investigation or legal matter
• ask local authorities to give a Canadian special treatment or to exempt a Canadian from the due process of local law

Learn more about services available at our consular offices outside Canada.

Related links

• Canadian passports and other travel documents: Applying in Canada
• Lost, stolen, inaccessible, damaged or found passports and other travel documents (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada)
• Dual citizens