Travel safety tips from ex-spies as US combat operations hit Iran

• Former CIA officers advise travelers to research destinations using resources like the U.S. State Department website.
• Travelers should avoid posting trip details on social media until after they return home.
• To avoid being a target, dress to blend in, be aware of your surroundings, and secure valuables in multiple locations.

Jason Hanson was almost kidnapped once.  

“I spotted the kidnappers. I looked up. They didn't blend in,” the former U.S. intelligence officer told USA TODAY. “I was maybe 25 yards away when I figured out what was going on because my head was up.” 

Being aware of your surroundings is a fundamental principle for spies, but also solid advice for travelers.

Hanson managed to outrun his would-be captors. Most travelers don’t face such extreme scenarios, but they can still learn a lot from former intelligence operatives on how to stay safe abroad. 

"They're just some very simple precautions, not like anybody has to do anything crazy expensive or crazy James Bond-ish," Hanson said.

Since the start of the ongoing US-Israel attacks on Iran, the U.S. State Department issued a worldwide caution for Americans, not just in the Middle East.

“Following the launch of U.S. combat operations in Iran, Americans worldwide and especially in the Middle East should follow the guidance in the latest security alerts issued by the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate,” the State Department announced Feb. 28. "The Department of State advises Americans worldwide to exercise increased caution." 

Here is some general safety advice for travelers.

Deciding where, when to travel 

Safety starts before you leave home. 

Hanson suggests researching “anything and everything" about a destination before deciding to visit. 

Doug Patteson, a former CIA officer who now advises film and TV projects and teaches university courses on intelligence, spelled out how. 

“I'll start pulling the Department of State's crime and safety reports for a country that I'm going to,” he told USA TODAY, noting that the information is publicly available on the State Department’s website. He also checks reports from other countries, including the destination country, and trusted news outlets.

Patteson looks for things like, “Have there been recent protests? What's the government like? What's the government's relationship with the people like? Is crime rampant?” In addition to general safety risks, he looks for terrorism risks, threats directed at foreigners versus locals, and risk of natural disaster.

What he finds helps him determine if a trip is worth it. 

“Everyone has to go through their own decision calculus to figure out how much risk they're willing to take on,” Patteson said, adding that the decision also depends on factors like who else is coming along. “If I had small children, that would change my calculus. If it was just me and some buddies, that would change my decision, so there's no one answer. The answer is almost always going to be, 'it depends.' What you want it to do is be an active thought process that’s not rooted in fear, but in logic and decision-making.” 

Preparing to travel 

Once a destination is picked, Hanson largely keeps it to himself. 

“I put none of my plans out there when it comes to travel,” he said, adding, “I'm more paranoid than the average Joe because of my background.” While no longer with the CIA, he founded a safety and security business called Spy Briefing and has authored several books on the subject. 

Instead of posting about trips on social media in advance or in real time, Hanson waits until they’re over. He only shares plans with his immediate family and a close friend who can check on his home. Hanson also gives two trusted people copies of every document he’s bringing on the trip, including his passport and health insurance information. 

“There's the old saying, 'Two is one, and one is none.' You want redundancy when it comes to travel,” he said.  

Patteson also recommends registering for the State Department’s free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, which can provide critical updates when traveling abroad.  

“The other thing it does is it tells the State how many Americans are in a given area so that if there's the need for an evacuation like there was in Libya during the Arab Spring, it makes it that much easier to connect Americans in trouble,” he said.  

Both he and Hanson advise looking up contact information for the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as well as how to reach local authorities for help, and keeping that information handy. 

"Everybody knows to call 911, but it's not 911 everywhere," Patteson said. "Learn what is the code for the emergency services where you're going to be, so that you have that in your hand."

He also suggests carrying a physical list of your allergies, in case you're incapacitated for any reason and first responders need to know. 

Protecting your stuff, yourself 

When traveling, Hanson hides documents in a money belt, out of easy reach. He also hides multiple credit cards and at least $300 cash in local currency and U.S. dollars in different places so it can’t get snatched all at once.  

As for other valuables, Patteson advised: “Don't wear a backpack on your back in a crowded subway where a very skilled pickpocket can zip it open without your knowledge. Don't leave your phone on the table of an outside cafe while you're having dinner and drinks with your friends. Don't set a drink down in a bar and expect to pick it back up again and safely drink from it.” 

How you dress also matters. 

“I want to blend in and look like every other tourist, but I want to look like the poorest tourist. I don't want to look like the tourist who's got the big diamond ring, the fancy sunglasses, the North Face jacket that's several hundred dollars,” Hanson said. “I want to be the most boring, least exciting, least rich-looking tourist and also the hardest target because I'm going to be scanning around and looking around for anybody trying to size me up.” 

Intelligence officers are trained to notice details many travelers overlook, like license plate numbers, but Patteson said, “The root of it is still situational awareness, which means being aware of the things going on around you so that you can specifically take a decision step sooner than somebody else.”  

Hanson credits that awareness with helping him evade his potential kidnappers. 

 “Act like it was 25 years ago, the year 2000, when you weren't staring at your cell phone and have your head up,” he said. “If I would’ve had my head buried in a device, I walk right into those guys and I’m in a very bad fight that I don’t want to be in. By having your head up and scanning around, you're going to stop that problem.” 

Both he and Patteson look up maps and study routes before heading out. Patteson also pointed out another problem with being glued to your phone: “Frankly it causes you to miss out more on the enjoyment of being around and seeing the world around you.” 

'Don't be obnoxious'

Patteson has a saying he’s taught his kids and others through the years. 

“Don't do stupid things with stupid people in stupid places at stupid times of the day or night,” he said. “It really is a decision rubric because one area may be totally safe at 2 in the afternoon, but totally unsafe at 2 in the evening, and understanding that difference can be the difference between safety and danger.” 

Hanson added a few other no-nos.  

“Don't be obnoxious. As Americans, we are so obnoxious overseas. We think the world revolves around us,” he said. “Don't draw that much attention to yourself.”  

He also cautioned accidentally sharing too much information. 

“One of the things we do in the spy business is (what) we call it 'give to get,'” Hanson said. “I may come to you say ... 'Oh, you're American? I'm American. You're staying at the Marriott with me too, right?’ And then you'll be like, ‘No, Jason, I'm actually at the Best Western down there.’ They're using those sentences, that verbiage to try and get you to correct them.” 

“It's happened to me many times – and of course I don't fall for it –  but people overseas, you think they're being super friendly ... and then you're giving your hotel information,” he said. “Don't give any of that information.” 

Similarly, he said, “If somebody's like, ‘Hey, come down here with me. Come into my shop, and I'll give you a better price,’ clearly don't go into the shop to get a better price ... If it sounds too good to be true, it is.” 

“A good friend of mine and mentor who's also former CIA, he says, ‘You know what spying is? Spying is common sense on steroids,’” he added. “When you're traveling, have common sense on steroids.” 

Handling emergencies 

Patteson noted that in many places, the biggest risks most travelers face are petty crime, vehicle accidents and natural disasters.  

However, in the event of an emergency, he said gathering information is key. 

“Pay attention to what's happening locally. Go to the Department of State's website. If you're in a location that has a consulate, go to the consulate's website because that's where the most current information about the the threats (to U.S. citizens) is going to come from,” he said.  

He also recommended checking local media and trusted social media. 

“You have to filter it appropriately, right?" he said, acknowledging the growing presence of AI and other unreliable content online. “But very rapidly developing information is often released on (X) almost before anywhere else, and so I would very quickly figure out what search terms I needed to use to search social media for current updates.” 

If you are ordered to shelter in place, like Americans in various parts of Mexico were after the killing of a cartel leader known as “El Mencho,” Hanson said do it.  

“It's all about not panicking and sheltering in place until you know it's safe to get out,” he said. “The most dangerous time is when you're moving, is when you're in transportation ... It's not worth it putting yourself in danger to go to the airport when you're already in a safe location, where you have shelter, where you have food.” 

Spy or not, it all goes back to being aware of your surroundings and assessing risk.