Kidnapping

While kidnapping is uncommon for most travelers, it remains a concern in certain regions. Learn more about the different types of kidnapping and reasonable safety strategies that can reduce your risk. 

Important guidelines for UTD travel abroad  

• Obtain Travel Authorization: Obtain authorization prior to departure. 
• Register Your Trip: Register your trip prior to departure. 
• Save the On Call contact to your phone. Call 24/7 for travel and emergency assistance. 

Before Your Trip 

• Assess destination risks:  Carefully review official sources to understand risks and recommendations on risk mitigation measures. 
• Create an emergency communications plan to help you manage emergencies while abroad.  
• Know Your Insurance: Review your UTD coverage benefits for university travel abroad.  
• Enroll in the U.S. Department of State’s STEP program to get alerts for your destination.  

During Your Trip 

Although uncommon for most travelers, there are many reasonable actions you can implement to reduce your risk regardless of your destination. Kidnapping can take various forms, from express kidnapping where victims are abducted for a short period and forced to withdraw money from ATMs; to kidnap for ransom or political reasons, where criminal organizations or terrorist groups abduct individuals to get ransom or political concessions. 

Here are some risk mitigation measures you can implement to reduce risk during your trip. 

• Keep a low profile: Avoid displaying wealth, such as jewelry or expensive clothing. Avoid discussing sensitive topics. Avoid clothing and accessories with camo patterns or flags. Remove any potentially controversial or provocative content from your social media accounts.  
• Move safely. Stay in groups. Use reputable transportation services and avoid traveling alone, especially at night. Don’t hail taxis from the street. Change your regular transportation routes and times to avoid predictable patterns. Be aware of your surroundings, avoid isolated areas, and do not walk alone at night. Keep regular contact with a trusted person who knows your itinerary. 
• Guard your privacy. Avoid discussing travel plans or personal details with strangers. Manage your social media accounts by turning on privacy settings and avoiding public posts during your trip. Stay in secure accommodations with good reviews.  
• Know how to get emergency services and travel assistance: Have a list of emergency contacts and local medical facilities for your destination. UT Dallas travelers can get travel and emergency assistance by calling On Call International 24/7 at +1 (978) 651-9722. 

After your trip  

• Schedule a follow-up appointment with your doctors to address any health issues that came up during or after your trip. 
• Report data security incidents: If you believe your UTD device, account, or confidential information may have been compromised, immediately contact the Information Security Office at infosecurity@utdallas.edu. 
• Change passwords for accounts you accessed while abroad: If you logged into a service with your UT Dallas NetID and password, your password can be changed via the self-service portal at netid.utdallas.edu. If you logged into personal services, such as banking or personal email, it is recommended that you consider changing those passwords, as well. 

Resources 

1. CDC Traveller’s Health – CDC.gov – U.S. guidance on health risks, vaccination recommendations, and preventive measures for travelers.
2. Learn About Your Destination – travel.state.gov – U.S. travel advisories. Take the time to learn more about your destination. Country advisories provide safety and security information.
3. International Risk and Safety website. 
4. Traveler Toolkit. 
5. Special Reports. 

Informative pages from other governments. Please note that not all the advice in these pages will apply to U.S. travelers. 

• Smart Travel Decisions – Travel.gc.ca – Learn more about the risk of kidnapping. 
• Reducing the risk of kidnapping – Smartraveler.gov.au – Learn more about the risk of kidnapping.  
• Types of Crime – Safetravel.govt.nz – Learn more the various types of crimes that can occur while traveling overseas.  

---

Tags

---

Related Posts

---