Victim of Theft in South Africa

Wonder if you can give me some advice please. My son has had wallet, passport, money , medication and mobile stolen in South Africa. he is going to the embassy today to try and sort out a replacement passport. I understand he will have to pay for this but he does not have any money as all his cards were in his wallet. Do any of you travellers have any experience with this kind of situation. Also can you give me some idea how to get money to South Africa as insurance company told me to wire funds via Western Union, but they dont appear to have offices in south africa. He needs to get replacement medication as he does not return for another week and this stress will only make him worse.
Never been in this situation before and even tho son is 21 as a mother you never stop worrying !!!

Any advice would be appreciated

thanks

Sue

Not having been in this situation myself, I'm afraid I can't really offer too much assistance, other than to say good luck to him, and I hope everything gets resolved quickly. Must be a pretty awful thing to happen especially abroad.

Not having been in this situation myself, I'm afraid I can't really offer too much assistance, other than to say good luck to him, and I hope everything gets resolved quickly. Must be a pretty awful thing to happen especially abroad.

[Darren Wheeler]

Try contacting the Foreign and Commonwealth Office helpline on 0207 0081500
[url=http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/things-go-wrong/crime/]

[Darren Wheeler]

Try contacting the Foreign and Commonwealth Office helpline on 0207 0081500
[url=http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/things-go-wrong/crime/]

Try

www.SendMoneyHome.org

I've never used it, but located it via a websearch. It's recommended by Citizens Advice Bureau and 'is supported by the Department for International Development. It offers a free and independent online service which helps you find the best exchange rate, lowest fee and the fastest way to transfer your money.'

Though set up to help those working here and remitting money to their home countries, it also claims to offer information on the best way to make one off payments.

Good luck..and you never stop worrying about them, do you ?

Paul

Try

www.SendMoneyHome.org

I've never used it, but located it via a websearch. It's recommended by Citizens Advice Bureau and 'is supported by the Department for International Development. It offers a free and independent online service which helps you find the best exchange rate, lowest fee and the fastest way to transfer your money.'

Though set up to help those working here and remitting money to their home countries, it also claims to offer information on the best way to make one off payments.

Good luck..and you never stop worrying about them, do you ?

Paul

Has he got insurance? Worth seeing what they offer in terms of emergency money. Amex seem to be pretty good with getting cards out if you have one of their cards go missing too.

Has he got insurance? Worth seeing what they offer in terms of emergency money. Amex seem to be pretty good with getting cards out if you have one of their cards go missing too.

Thanks for the advice. Have managed to transfer money via Moneygram. This is done from the post office so quite easy to sort out. His replacement passport will be ready by Sunday and he is at the local hospital at the moment getting some medication sorted out. he does have insurance and I have found them to be most unhelpful.

Fingers crossed nothing else happens between now and next Thursday when he comes home.

Sue

Thanks for the advice. Have managed to transfer money via Moneygram. This is done from the post office so quite easy to sort out. His replacement passport will be ready by Sunday and he is at the local hospital at the moment getting some medication sorted out. he does have insurance and I have found them to be most unhelpful.

Fingers crossed nothing else happens between now and next Thursday when he comes home.

Sue

Originally posted by oneredmini
he does have insurance and I have found them to be most unhelpful.

Now there's a shock... [:(]

I hope everything works out!

GJ

Originally posted by oneredmini
he does have insurance and I have found them to be most unhelpful.

Now there's a shock... [:(]

I hope everything works out!

GJ

I would of though that, if he has 'worldwide' travel insurance, the crime is documented with the authorities and a 'reference number' issued, the Insurance company should be able to resolve and sort out emergency funds. (Go through the policy document carefully and speak to line managers minimum).

Good Luck

I would of though that, if he has 'worldwide' travel insurance, the crime is documented with the authorities and a 'reference number' issued, the Insurance company should be able to resolve and sort out emergency funds. (Go through the policy document carefully and speak to line managers minimum).

Good Luck