Dummy Wallet?

One of the tips I've heard regularly amongst the self-defence fraternity is to carry a dummy wallet containing a small denomination note or two, some coins, and some fake or expired credit/debit cards. This can then be handed over to a mugger instead of your real wallet.

It's a great tip, but if you're like me, my pockets are always weighted down with too much stuff anyway (and I just couldn't bring myself to carry one of these "man bags" I see the younger generation using). I soon get fed up carrying a dummy wallet, and I'm not sure I'd have the presence of mind under the high-stress circumstances of a violent, armed mugging to remember which one to hand over. I've carried one when abroad, largely because the probability of being scammed or robbed is higher due to a lack of local knowledge.

My preference, therefore, is to carry just one wallet, but not to carry anything in it that I couldn't afford to lose. Never carry large amounts of cash. It's not necessary. If you need lots of cash (which is unusual in our cash-less society), then you can use a card (preferably at a supermarket using cash-back) to get it. Don't carry too many credit cards. Just one debit and one credit card. Consider putting one somewhere else on your body - in a zip pocket perhaps. Make sure you have the cancellation telephone number close to hand. It's a hassle cancelling them, but not the end of the world in terms of disruption. Do NOT, under any circumstances, carry anything in your wallet that links you to your address. This means, if you are in the UK, do NOT carry your Driving Licence (even the hard card) with you. It's not illegal to not have it with you if driving - you can produce it at a later date if requested to do so by the Police. Your driving license has your home address on it. Lose you wallet to a mugger (or just lose your wallet) and not only do they have access to your credit cards, but they also now know where you live. That can bring a whole world of hassle and hurt down on you.

D