How to avoid thieves while traveling

With the busy travel season about to kick off, here's a rundown of common rip-off schemes and advice on how to avoid them:

Shuttle bus shuffles. On many hotel and car rental shuttles, passenger luggage is stored behind the driver's seat or in a separate compartment at the rear. As a result, many passengers can't spot a thief who boards at one stop and gets off at the next - with the victim's suitcase in hand. Advice: Keep belongings in sight whenever possible, watch as the driver distributes bags, and mark look-alike luggage with brightly colored yarn or tape.

Curbside commotions. Don't rely on a skycap's assurances that your bags will make it to their intended destination. A well-dressed con artist can nab a bag from a waiting cart while the skycap is helping another customer. Advice: Don't tip the handler until you see your bag make it onto the conveyer belt that goes into the terminal.

Airline club crooks. At some members-only airline clubs, travelers can buzz in and stash their carry-ons in a storage area before showing their membership cards at the front desk. That's good news for would-be bandits; bad news for travelers who let down their guards in what they assume is a protected environment. Advice: Never leave bags unattended, even in an airport club.

Security snafus. Some travelers are ripped off by thieves who work in pairs, diverting passengers' attention from their briefcases or laptops by purposely activating the alarm at security checkpoints. But by forgetting to remove keys and metal jewelry before they pass through the checkpoint, many passengers are their own worst distraction. Advice: Wait for the person in front of you to clear security before placing belongings on the conveyor belt.

Baggage claim bandits. Only a few major airports maintain a security checkpoint where bags are matched to claim tickets, and "there's big money to be made in stolen luggage . . . it's easy, it's quick and there's a very small chance of being caught Advice: Don't dawdle on your way to the baggage claim area. Be alert to crooks who read uncovered luggage tags and call your name as though they know you; the resulting confusion allows an accomplice to steal your bags.

Hotel room hoists. Consequently, thieves who enter a hotel room during turndown service are rarely asked by maids to produce a key or identification. Advice: Store valuables in a hotel safe.