Safety, Russia, Safety Tips

(by Athol Yates, "Russia by Rail")
Being a Westerner yon instantly attract attention and envy. For a very small group of Russians, this can mean an opportunity for their quick gain and your quick loss. Common sense is the best safeguard and here are a few rules:
• Minimize the things you carry around.
• Carry money and documents next to your body in a money belt, never in a hag,
• Dress down and blend in with locals.
• Be discreet and don't draw attention to yourself by talking loudly in English or carrying a camera around your neck.
• If you are a woman always say you are married, travel with a male companion or wear a wedding ring.
• Watch where you walk as holes and metal rods coming out of the pavement are common. Don't step on manhole covers as they may give way. In winter be extra careful as heavy falls are common on the slippery ice.
• Be very alert when crossing roads. Traffic has right of way over pedestrians. The centre island between traffic lanes is not safe for pedestrians as vehicles use this as an overtaking lane. It is best to cross at lights or use the underpass.
• Watch out for swarms of gypsy children and vagrants. Never give them anything as they will try to grab your wallet and run. If they start hassling you, scream and Russians will only be too happy to scare them off.
• Always carry the address of your hotel in Russian and its telephone number and that of your embassy.
• If you are going to be in Russia for a while, or are traveling by yourself, contact your embassy when you arrive and tell them your route plan. Get a list of Western medical centers.
• Always self-validate your tram, bus and trolleybus tickets immediately you get on to a vehicle. If it is too crowded, then tap your neighbor’s shoulder and gesture to him to pass it on. Ticket checkers prey on foreigners, especially in St Petersburg, and try to intimidate them with on-the-spot 'fines'.
• Airports are the most dangerous places for the unwary. Organize your airport transfer rather than accept a ride from an unmarked taxi. At Moscow's Sheremetovo international airport, there are several companies, such as Intourtrans, that can organize transfers for about $50 when you arrive. One common scam by airport "taxis'1 is for the drivers to fake an engine failure halfway to the city. The driver will get out and "fix" the problem but ask you to push the car to get it going. When you do, the car starts and drives away.
Money and safety
• Never change money on the street. There are legal change kiosks in most hotels and banks so it is not worth the risk for a 1-2% difference.
• Avoid changing large sums at one time as you many need less than you think.
• While many stores accept credit cards, it is best not to use the service. As credit card fraud in the countries of the former Soviet Union is rampant, always keep your receipts and check your statement immediately you return home.
• Keep your money in a money belt on your body at all times.
• You should also carry a wallet containing a small amount of rubles and hard currency as your normal source of money. As well as enabling you to get to your money quickly, it won't matter too much if the wallet is lost.
• Never display large sums of money. Be especially careful when purchasing souvenirs from street vendors as criminals may be observing how much money you have and w lie re you keep it.
• Keep your bag and camera securely tucked under your arm while shopping.
CRIME AND YOUP SAFETY
• Do not use services offered by individuals you do not know.
• Be very selective and careful in establishing new acquaintances.
• Upon discovering any traces of a crime, immediately call the police.
• Most often foreigners become victims of criminal elements because of their credulity. They gratefully accept such offers from passersby as "let me help you carry your luggage", "oh, don't worry, I'll let you rent a very good and inexpensive apartment, a real bargain", "let me drive you to your hotel" etc. Very often these good Samaritans are swindlers and thieves. So to play it safe: try to use only professionals -porters, car rental officials etc.
TIPS FOR HAIL A TAXI
Whenever you need a car, step down from the sidewalk and raise your hand. This does not mean a taxi will immediately stop. Taxis (yellow-checkered) are only returning to Moscow streets after they almost completely disappeared in the initial chaos of privatization. More likely it will be a private or office car. Gas has become rather expensive, life is hard, and many Russian car owners and car drivers are eager to make some extra money. (Besides, their prices are usually lower than the taxis rates, and taxi-drivers are indignant at the competition).
• Cars waiting in front of hotels, train stations, and airports charge extremely inflated prices and usually have dubious affiliations. If you find yourself at one of these places and want to pay a lot less, walk around the corner, out of sight, and hail a car there.
• If you are not in a big hurry and don't like the price you are quoted, just close the car door and hail another. Agree on a price before getting into the car, and don't be afraid to haggle or just let them go.

Safety, Russia, Safety Tips