SPECIAL CONSULAR SERVICES
Crime and Safety
Each year some 200 Americans report their passports stolen or lost in Dublin. Many are the victims of pickpockets operating in areas frequented by tourists, particularly museums or crowded bus and train stations. In the center of town, the area along the banks of the Liffey river is popular with pickpockets. Well-dressed pickpockets also stalk their prey in hotel restaurants and lobbies and in pubs.
Pickpockets assume that American tourists carry large amounts of cash and are sufficiently preoccupied with their unfamiliar surroundings to be easy targets. They are confident that most American tourists are off their guard while in Ireland, believing that this sort of thing does not happen in Ireland.
How Pickpockets Operate
Professional pickpockets often work in pairs or larger groups. The victim rarely knows what happened until he discovers his wallet missing and recalls being shoved or bumped into earlier. When approached by a group of children for no good reason - watch out! Using special tactics and props such as blankets or scarves, they can perform amazing feats of sleight-of-hand.
A lady's handbag with a zipper or clasp is an invitation to a pickpocket if it is dangling carelessly out of the owner's sight or lying on the floor of a restaurant or shop. Likewise, a wallet in a man's outside pocket is an easy target for the pickpocket.
In general, all the pickpocket wants is your money. Unfortunately, he or she usually gets other things too because tourists often carry all their documents in "convenient" travel wallets.
Although the wallet, minus cash, is often discarded by the thief and might eventually be found and returned, the victim's vacation has already been ruined.
Do's and Don'ts
DO carry with you only what you need. Leave in the hotel safe such valuables as jewelry, Eurail passes, airline tickets, travelers checks, credit cards, extra cash and your passport. Once admitted to Ireland, American tourists do not have to carry passports. A student card or driver's license usually is sufficient if you are asked for identification.
DO carry your passport separately from your wallet or handbag. This is not always feasible for women, but men can carry their passports in a front pocket or inside jacket pocket.
DO make a list of passport, travelers checks and credit card numbers and keep the list in a safe place. The receipt for the purchase of travelers checks should be kept in yet another place, perhaps a suitcase.
DO be alert for groups of noisy children who swarm about you with distracting signs, papers, or blankets, begging for money. Despite their young age, they are among the best pickpockets in Dublin.
DON'T have one family member or group member carry all the passports. Never put a group of passports in the same bag or briefcase.
DON'T leave your valuables in a locked car. Locks are easily jimmied by experts, and often thieves will simply break a window. If you leave bags, cameras, or clothes inside a locked car, you are practically extending an invitation to a would be thief. The trunk is not safe either.
DON'T resist if you are mugged, as you may be injured. If you catch a pickpocket in the act DON'T attempt to apprehend him unless a police officer happens to be handy.
Replacing Lost Documents
If you are robbed, ask immediately for the location of the nearest police (Garda) station. Report the theft or loss to the police and ask for a copy of their report. This is useful for insurance purposes as well as temporarily covering the loss of your identification documents. Then report the theft to the American Citizen Services Unit, U.S. Embassy, Elgin Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, tel. (01)668-8777, ext. 2413.
What The Embassy Can Do For You
The Consular Section of the Embassy can help you with information on how to replace items that have been stolen or lost. If you have lost all your money, we can give you information on the most rapid means for money transfers and assist you in contacting your family or friends. If your passport is stolen, please apply at the Embassy as soon as possible for a replacement. See below for replacing lost traveler’s checks and credit cards:
American Express International Inc.,
116 Grafton Street, Dublin 2. (Traveler’s Check Division)
Tel. 6772-874.
Office Hours: Monday through Friday 9:00-5:00; Saturday 9:00-12 noon.
After hours: Tel. 8721-511 (connects to the London office at no extra charge).
Bank of America NA
The Harcourt Building
Harcourt Street
Dublin 2
Tel. (01) 407-2100
Fax: (01) 407-2199
Website: http://www.bankofamerica.com/index.cfm
Office Hours: Monday through Friday 9:00-12:30 and 1:00-5:00.
Barclays Bank
47 St. Stephen's Green
Dublin 2.
Tel. (01) 661-1777
Fax: (01)662-3141
Office Hours: Monday through Friday 10:00-3:00.
London, Tel. 00 44 207-937-8091 (24 hour service).
Citibank/Citicorp Travelers Checks: For information about lost/stolen credit cards, call FREEFONE 0044800 962 488, 24 hours a day.
Visa Premium Card or traditional Blue, White and Gold Card:
call U. S. collect, 703-556-8878 or 415-574-7700;
London,
U. K.
Tel. 00 44-207-938-1031;
Telex United States: 89676
Call Collect to the U. S.:(415) 574-7700
All Available 24 hours.
Mastercard/Eurocard,
Joint Credit Company,
3rd Floor,
Nassau House,
Nassau Street,
Dublin 2.
Tel. 6719-555;
Call Collect to the U. S.: (314) 275-6690. Available 24 hours.
The Diners Club Ltd.,
Credit Card Service,
Russell Court,
St. Stephen's Green,
Dublin 2.
Tel. 6779-444.
Opening Hours: Monday through Friday 9:00-5:00.
If unavailable, call collect (303) 792-0629 in the U. S.
Citicorp,
London,
Tel. 0044207 438-1414
(24 Hour Service)
Thomas Cook Ltd.,
118 Grafton Street,
Dublin 2.
Tel. (01)6777-000.
Office Hours: Monday through Friday 9:00-5:30
Saturday 9:00-1:00
Allied Irish Banks
Visa Traveller's Checks,
International Division,
Bank Centre,
Ballsbridge,
Dublin 4.
Tel. (01)6600-311 (or nearest A. I. B. branch).
United States direct line: 415-574-7111
Cable United States: Visacheque
San Mateo, California
Visa Traveler’s Checks, London, Tel. 0044207 937-8091 (24 Hour service)
