LONDON — Families across London are counting down to the October half-term break, scheduled from Monday, Oct. 27 to Friday, Oct. 31, and many are already printing boarding passes. Yet before travelers fasten a tag to each suitcase, security specialists urge them to rethink exactly what appears on those dangling cards. The advice, which surfaced in a recent guide from 1st Move International Removals and was later highlighted by the Liverpool Echo, suggests that over-sharing personal data can invite identity theft, financial fraud and even home burglary.
Why luggage tags can put more than your belongings at risk
Most jet-setters scribble their addresses on luggage tags without a second thought. According to the guidance from Bristol-based 1st Move International, that habit effectively advertises an empty home for the length of your trip. In addition, thieves rifling through abandoned bags at an airport could use personal details to open credit lines or orchestrate phishing schemes. Mike Harvey, managing director of 1st Move International, cautioned travelers to strike a balance between identification and privacy. “Sharing too much information could expose you to identity theft, financial fraud, burglary and other risks,” Harvey said in the guide.
Three details to leave off your luggage tag
Travelers are advised to omit the following specifics:
- Home address — Publicizing your street and post code signals that the property will sit empty from Oct. 27–31 or longer if you extend the trip.
- Valuables list — Writing “camera equipment” or “tablet inside” on an exterior tag is an open invitation to opportunistic thieves.
- Travel itinerary — Broadcasting that you will land in Tenerife on Tuesday and hop to Barcelona on Thursday offers scammers a roadmap of your whereabouts.
The information you still need to provide
Skipping those danger zones does not mean abandoning luggage tags altogether. Airlines and baggage-handling teams still rely on contact data to reunite travelers with lost items.
- Full legal name — Use the name exactly as it appears on your passport to avoid confusion at international claim desks.
- Mobile telephone number — An active number allows ground staff to reach you the moment a misplaced bag shows up.
- Email address — When you are airborne or out of cellular range, email offers an alternate channel for updates.
Consider writing your phone number and email on both sides of the tag. If privacy remains a concern, some travelers create a dedicated “luggage-only” email account to funnel any baggage-related correspondence away from personal inboxes.
Luggage tag security for the October half-term surge
Airports in London and across the United Kingdom traditionally experience a spike in family traffic during the late-October school recess. More footfall equals longer waits at carousel belts, raising the odds that someone may walk off with the wrong black roller bag—or deliberately target yours. To fend off casual mix-ups, Harvey recommends that travelers add a bright ribbon, strap or sticker in addition to a streamlined tag. Travel insurers also remind holidaymakers that policy payouts often hinge on demonstrating reasonable precautions. Leaving bags unmarked might slow down reunification, yet plastering them with sensitive data could be interpreted as negligence if fraud results.
Lock it up: the companion step to smarter tags
While a disciplined tag can keep personal data out of the wrong hands, locking the suitcase itself adds another layer of protection. Booking.com’s travel tips section notes that “locking your checked luggage also ensures your personal belongings remain private,” a statement published on the company’s website earlier this year. Combination locks approved by the Transportation Security Administration are widely accepted at U.S. and many European airports, permitting security inspection without destroying the mechanism. For trips limited to Europe, any sturdy lock that fits through the zipper pulls should suffice, though travelers should verify local customs regulations before departure.
- Choose locks in neon hues to help identify your bag on the carousel.
- Keep a digital photo of the lock’s combination stored in a secure smartphone app.
- Swap out padlocks that show rust or weakened shanks before the outbound flight.
Tips for travelers: packing checklist for data-safe luggage
- Print two luggage tags per checked bag—one exterior, one interior—listing only your full name, mobile number and email.
- Remove or mask any built-in tags that include your address from prior trips.
- Attach a TSA-approved lock and verify that it clicks fully closed.
- Photograph the suitcase, including distinguishing marks, before heading to London’s departure halls.
- Email a copy of those photos to yourself in case you need to file a claim from your holiday destination.
- Upon arrival, inspect every pocket before leaving the airport to ensure zippers remain intact.
FAQ: luggage tag dos and don’ts
Do airlines require a home address on the tag?
No. Carriers need a way to reach you—not directions to your front door. A mobile number and email satisfy that requirement.
What if the airline provides its own paper tag at check-in?
Affix the airline-issued stub as instructed, but still add your private tag so you control the data displayed.
Can I use a business card instead of writing out details?
As long as the card lists a reachable phone number and email without revealing your home address, it meets the recommended guidelines.
Are digital tracking devices a safe alternative?
Bluetooth and GPS trackers help locate misplaced bags but do not replace identification tags. Use them in tandem for a belt-and-suspenders approach.
Bottom line for the October 27–31 getaway
The half-term window promises lighter crowds at beach resorts and lower airfare than peak summer, but the same period can prove fertile ground for opportunistic criminals. Limiting your luggage tag to three basics—name, phone, email—keeps essential channels open while safeguarding everything else that matters, including the house you left behind in London. Swap the customary address line for a simple “Reward if found” note if you crave extra incentive, lock the suitcase, and glide into vacation mode confident that both you and your belongings stand a better chance of returning home unscathed. — as Harvey told Liverpool Echo.
