Many of you will book your vacation online. Watch out for fake sales platforms and fake offers on well-known platforms.

Scammers offer things for advance payment that don't even exist. The offer sounds like a great bargain, which alone should make you suspicious. Take a close look at the reviews. Do they seem genuine? Some platforms have verified providers that you can rely on. It is also an indication of attempted fraud if the landlord suddenly offers that you can also pay outside the platform in order to get away with it more cheaply - because you save on fees. Only use secure payment methods. Keep all receipts for online purchases. Report any suspected fraud immediately.

Common sense will always help you. Don't believe in the miracle of a last-minute mega bargain falling at your feet two weeks before your vacation starts.

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After all, anticipation is the greatest joy. However, a few preparations are necessary before a successful vacation. It is good if friends or relatives know from when to when you will be away - and where you will be. However, you should not leave this information on an answering machine on your landline (if you still have one) or on social media.

Make copies of your ID, payment cards and tickets before you leave. Keep these copies in a different place in your luggage than the originals.

Save the number of the card blocking emergency number in your cell phone. You can call 116116 or +49116116 and +493040504050 from abroad to have your bank or credit card blocked if it has been stolen. Having the number already in your cell phone is less stressful than having to search for the piece of paper on which you wrote down the number. It's best to pack it with the copies of your ID - in case your wallet and cell phone are stolen at the same time.

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When is an empty house a safe house? When it looks like someone is at home. Barricading all the shutters before going on vacation and then leaving them down for 14 days is a sign to burglars that they shouldn't expect people to be in the house.

Ask neighbors or friends to change the position of the shutters every day if possible - make sure that lights are always on in other rooms. This can also be done with timers.

Those who keep an eye on your house should also empty the letterbox every day, because if it is overflowing, then everyone knows that no one is at home.

Of course, you can also air the house once during such a long absence. But then someone should be in the house. For burglary professionals, a tilted window is the same as an open window. If no one is in the house, all windows should be closed.

Basically, you should take a quiet minute to think about how you can secure your home beyond the normal standard. After all, burglars like to take the path of least resistance. Their motto is: get in quickly - get out quickly. Having to spend a long time trying out security systems is often a deterrent.

The journey begins - off you go on the highway. Be vigilant when you stop to refuel or take a break. Your brief absence is enough for thieves to steal valuables from your vehicle or even drive off with it.

Be suspicious if someone tries to draw your attention to damage to your car, asks for directions with a map in their hand or distracts you in any other way. These are scams to get into the vehicle and take something out unnoticed.

Always stop in busy and well-lit parking lots and keep an eye on your vehicle at all times if possible. Do not leave anything valuable in your vehicle, even if you are only leaving for a short time. Always take the ignition key with you and lock the windows, doors, trunk, sunroof and fuel filler cap.

Keep your vehicle locked while driving to prevent theft at junctions or traffic lights. If you are spending the night on the road and there is no locked parking space, take all your luggage out of the vehicle.

And of course: travel instead of speeding. Make the journey part of your vacation. Plan generous breaks so that you can relax and be well rested on the road.

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Of course, not all holidaymakers are traveling by car. But safety instructions also apply on #trains, #buses, #ships and #planes. The following applies to everyone: there are lots of people at train and bus stations, in ports and at airports. Pickpockets take advantage of crowds of people like this to make a quick grab and disappear into the crowd just as quickly. Therefore: money, bank cards, IDs and tickets should be kept in as many different closed inside pockets as possible, as close to your body as possible - and always keep an eye on your luggage.

Do not leave anything unattended during the journey. If you have to leave your seat, take valuables and luggage with you or ask trusted fellow travelers to look after them. There is a safe for valuables on a ship; these do not belong in the cabin. And when you get off the plane, go straight to the baggage carousel to get your suitcases.

#Have a nice vacation

You've arrived and now want to visit the sights or lie on the beach? You guessed it - there are dangers lurking here too. It's actually always the same: Take care of your valuables, wear them close to your body, preferably in lockable inside pockets of your clothes. Only take as much money or as many cards with you as you absolutely need. More money or other cards should be kept in the hotel safe or another safe place.

Do not leave things like a camera or watch lying around in your room when you are out and about. Always lock your room or vacation home and don't leave the key anywhere where other people could easily take it.

When you pay, don't let anyone see how much money and how many cards you have with you.

And now comes the biggest challenge: even if you are in the water swimming, your belongings should not be left unattended.

If you lose your bank card, have it blocked directly via the emergency blocking service.

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Beware of scammers and fraudsters. The same applies here: be particularly suspicious if an offer sounds tempting. Never change money on the street, even if it sounds like a fantastic exchange rate. Do not buy tickets for excursions from "hawkers", but only from official sales outlets. Be careful with medicines: Only buy from an official pharmacy. Otherwise, there is a risk of receiving counterfeit preparations that could be harmful to your health.

Before taking a cab, going on an excursion or joining a guided tour: Agree on a binding price to avoid a rude awakening later.

Beware if someone pretends to have a breakdown or an accident - the helpfulness of travelers is often exploited to steal from them.

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Are you going camping? Then it's best to secure an official campsite or pitch to spend the night before nightfall. "Wild" camping is usually not only prohibited, but also more risky.

Lock your caravan or motorhome, even if you are only going away for a short time. If you have bicycles with you, secure them with additional locks. If you uncouple the caravan, use a drawbar lock so that it cannot simply be attached to someone else's car and pulled away.

A firmly anchored small "safe" in the vehicle is recommended.

If you are taking a break at a rest stop, don't look for the farthest corner to supposedly have "peace and quiet", park in a lighted and busy area.

Find out about the speed limits and other regulations in the countries you are traveling to or through. Plan your breaks even more generously than when driving, and always check that all the equipment on your vehicle or trailer is working properly during your breaks.

#Have a great vacation

Empty weight, payload, gross vehicle weight rating, trailer load, drawbar load - have these terms been running around in your head for weeks? Then you probably have a caravan and would like to go on a long trip with it during your vacation.

The weight of caravan combinations is a science in itself. We can't explain it to you in a few words. The important thing is that everything is right when you roll out of the yard. Not because we're petty, but because it's about your safety - and that of other people.

Find out exactly what your driving license class allows. Weigh your caravan, measure the drawbar load and, if necessary, repack it so that it is optimized.

Exceeding the weight limit can be expensive and result in points. And in the worst case, you may have to repack or even dispose of items where you are stopped.

In the event of an accident with an overloaded trailer, you may have problems with the insurance company in addition to the loss, possible injuries and loss of vacation enjoyment. Therefore: always play it safe, even when driving on vacation.

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