Thread: Security and taking care of your passport and things

Hey guys I read that people have had problems with theft and its mostly the cleaning crew so I was wondering where do you guys keep your passports and other very important items to make sure they are safe. Is there a lockbox in the room that for sure the cleaning crew can't access or do you guys put them in safety boxes at the bank?

now how do we know you're not part of the cleaning crew.... trying to figure out where we keep our passports !

For the most part, they just take your iphone/cash. Not sure identity theft is a huge crime down there.

Originally Posted by Salama

For the most part, they just take your iphone/cash. Not sure identity theft is a huge crime down there.

They will steal your phone no matter how nice or crappy it is

put the passport in a zip-lock bag so it won't coil from humidity and put it anywhere you want. as mentioned they don't go for passports but other things..... even water filters and cooking oil..... (i was a victim)

as for money the best bet is to put it in a local bank or carry only a small sum via withdrawals with your debit card. i've heard many stories how people put money is a sock only to have it missing leaving them to suspect both the cleaning crew and roommates

if people are stealing water filters & cooking oil, what about laptops/electronics? has anyone had their laptop snagged or know someone who did? How can I prevent my laptop/stuff from being stolen? Can my roomate & I simply decline room cleaning service?

Originally Posted by Earthling

if people are stealing water filters & cooking oil, what about laptops/electronics? has anyone had their laptop snagged or know someone who did? How can I prevent my laptop/stuff from being stolen? Can my roomate & I simply decline room cleaning service?

First term, my roommate and I refused to have the cleaning lady clean our room for like 2 weeks straight. She would come super early on the two days a week that we could sleep in and she would purposefully be noisy. Anyway, after two weeks, the cleaning lady came with her supervisor and some other school admin came that same day to tell us that we weren't allowed to refuse the cleaning services, that it was a matter of sanitation or some other nonsense. So no, you can't refuse cleaning services.

Also, I never had any problems with stuff getting taken from my room. I kept my valuables in a small lock box tucked in a pile of clothes. My laptop stayed out and unlocked and it was never taken either. I think if you take reasonable measures (get a laptop lock, etc) you shouldn't have any trouble.

Originally Posted by Earthling

if people are stealing water filters & cooking oil, what about laptops/electronics? has anyone had their laptop snagged or know someone who did? How can I prevent my laptop/stuff from being stolen? Can my roomate & I simply decline room cleaning service?

during my 2.5 years on the rock and 1 year living in the dorms i don't personally know anyone who had electronics/laptops taken. i've only heard stories. the consensus was their roomates left the door open and someone came in.

you can put your trashcan in front of your door to avoid room service. i did this during term 4 every now and then. never had an issue with the maid wanting to clean my room. all my maids have been straight up decent. never had an incident with them.

luckily i had 2 roomates who were sonicers. one time a cleaning lady (not ours) opened the door with a key. my roomate walked out thinking it was me. she solicited him for money. some sort of church fundraiser. we thought this was strange. why not knock?

if you stay over break be extra careful. most of the security is gone and locals are known to roam the hallways. one of my buddies went back to his dorm only to find an entire family rummaging through his stuff.

So do you recommend taking all your stuff with you or just cross your fingers over break that the local haven't been sacking your room?

Originally Posted by EricLandau

So do you recommend taking all your stuff with you or just cross your fingers over break that the local haven't been sacking your room?

It really depends on where you store your stuff. Don't leave anything of importance, but it would be ridiculous to think you can transport everything back and forth every term.