Give Muggers a Decoy Wallet

Posted by Richard on

Back in the early 1990’s, I had my wallet stolen in New York City while traveling on business to fix a file-tracking system for CNA Insurance in the South Tower of the World Trade Center.

Ever since that fateful trip, I have carried a second wallet — a decoy. In this worn, cast-off wallet, I stashed expired credit cards, an old driver license, maybe an old hotel access card, some coupons, thickened it with those fake free cards you always get in the mail, and (of course) a few honest greenbacks for a finishing touch of authenticity. For those same many years, friends and family have berated and teased me for what seemed to them such a silly, paranoid idea.

My “paranoia” was recently validated when I heard Dan Mulvenna, an international security consultant, during an interview by Bob Edwards on NPR‘s Morning Edition last Friday. He, too, recommended to listeners that they carry a “mugger’s wallet” when they travel — a decoy, filled with expired credit cards, various sundries, and a bit of cash to appease the mugger.

Listen to the interview on Morning Edition (2003-05-02)

The word is slowly spreading — even a website intended for tourists from Ireland visiting the United States now claims that “many people in New York carry a mugger’s wallet, i.e. an extra wallet with small change and one dollar bills.”

Vindication, at long last.

Make Your Own

  1. Get an old wallet. Whenever I get a new wallet (such as for Christmas), I save the previous one or two older wallets in a folder in my filing cabinet. Buy one at a garage sale. Make one out of duct tape.
  2. Put cash in it. Not so much that your vacation will be ruined, but just enough cash that if a mugger thumbs through his newly acquired wallet, he won’t be too upset.
  3. Add photo identification. Something with your picture on it, but something expired or easily replaceable. A library card, an expired driver license with an old address, last year’s Six Flags season pass card.
  4. Include a credit card. Make sure it is expired, or from an account that is already closed. I always add two or three cards. A more risky alternative is to use fake cards included in mailed credit card offers.
  5. Add some filler. Look in your regular wallet and you will undoubtedly find receipts, old Starbucks or Jamba Juice gifts cards, frequent diner club cards, bus/subway transfers, and coupons — and add some of those to your decoy.
  6. Use the decoy. What’s the point of having a decoy wallet if you always pull out your regular wallet to pay for things?