Security Issues for International Process Servers

Provided by Process Service Network, LLC
www.processnet1.com

Process serving in the United States is typically routine and without danger.  However, in most parts of the world it can be quite dangerous – not as a result of the direct encounter with the person you are serving but with persons or groups who have a political or financial motive in harming you.

That is one of the reasons that international service of process is so expensive; the need for bodyguards to accompany the process server.

Here are some tips to keep the possibility of kidnapping or harm at a minimum:

Passive Kidnap Avoidance

1)    Avoid advertising your American ties

a)    If you have dual citizenship, use your non-U.S. passport in lieu of your U.S. passport whenever possible.

i)     Checking into hotels

ii)    Registering for events

b)    In conversation with unfamiliar persons, it is better to refer to yourself as a citizen of another country (except Israel) than of the U.S.

2)    Try to blend in

a)    Observe how the locals dress

i)     To the extent feasible, mimic

3)    Avoid sharing information

a)    Do not share information regarding your upcoming activities, times or places

i)     Out load among members of you group

ii)    In idle conversation with taxi drivers and hotel staff

iii)   Documents left in hotel

iv)   Assume your hotel room and phone are bugged

v)    Keep laptops and IPads with Bios-level password and Windows-level password

(1)  Consider using  Windows 7 Bitlocker

(a)  Can be configured to encrypt your entire hard drive without an on-board encryption chip

(b)  http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/6229/how-to-use-bitlocker-on-drives-without-tpm

vi)   Keep information on your itinerary and schedule under your control

(1)  Consider using disinformation

(a)  If asked, share the wrong information

(i)   (You can always later say that you made a mistake)

(b)  Leak the wrong information

(c)  Avoid predictability

(i)   Vary routines, routes, times, modes of transportation

(ii)  Exit and enter hotel via different entrances

(iii) Change up meal times

(iv) Use different taxi drivers

1.    Ask hotel which cab companies are reliable

(d)  When ordering a cab, you do not have to give the exact location of your destination to the hotel staff

(i)   You can always "change your  mind" when you get into the cab

(e)  When being dropped off by a cab, consider getting out before or after your true destination and walking a block

(i)   Deny potential kidnappers information regarding your whereabouts

4)    Avoid American or expat hang-outs

a)    McDonald's Hooters, Irish pubs, locations frequented by foreigners in that country

Active Kidnap Prevention & Detection

1)    Best time to escape is at the moment of the kidnapping, when kidnappers are off balance

2)    The longer you are under the kidnappers control, the lower your chances of escape

3)    Best methods to handle a kidnapper's roadblock

a)    Spot it early and turn around

b)    If caught by surprise, drive up to the roadblock, act as if cooperating, and accelerate through the roadblock when your car is approached

i)     Key to successfully running a roadblock is to strike the blocking vehicle at the end that does NOT have the engine

(1)  Vehicles with engines in front, strike at the extreme rear end so that the car pivots on front tires

(2)  Vehicles with engines in back(such as a VW bug), strike at the extreme front end to that car pivots on rear tires.

4)    Do not allow your vehicle to be boxed in

a)    Leave maneuvering room with car in front of you at stop lights

b)    Middle of three lanes is worst location

c)    At each stop, always think where your escape route would be if you felt you were about to b hijacked

5)    Surveillance detection

a)    On foot, surveillants usually work in teams and rotate positions

i)     Person directly behind you at a distance; on opposite side of street diagonally back from you; paralleling you; out in front of you

b)    Surveillants change articles of clothing (hats, coats, etc.)

i)     Focus on something difficult to change quickly (face, shoes, and pants)

ii)    Employ channeling and reverses, illogical flows, both on foot and in vehicles

(1)  It's OK to use such aggressive techniques that let surveillants know you are on to them

(2)  The harder the target you are, the more likely they will select a softer, less savvy target

Street Crime

1)    Photocopy all your ID's and credit cards, front and back, before traveling

a)    Leave copies with a trusted person in the U.S.

i)     This helps facilitate the rapid reporting of theft

b)    Carry a copy of your passport (not the original) on your person

c)    Keep your passport in the hotel safe

d)    Be aware that when you pull out money, someone may be watching you

i)     Use two hands in different pockets

ii)    Shield from view when withdrawing money from pockets

iii)   Be discreet

iv)   Change where you keep your funds

2)    Only carry on your person what you need and are willing to lose to pick-pockets or muggers

a)    If you have three credit cards, take just one with you on the streets

b)    Always have some "throw away" money to give up if assaulted

i)     Disperse your money in different places on your person

(1)  Shoes, money belt, shirt and pants pocket

(2)  Visa cards are widely accepted, followed by Master Card; Discover card and American Express are not widely accepted

ii)    In a mugging/hold-up, do not fight back

(1)  Stay calm

(2)  Give up your "throw away" money

(a)  thieves, pick=pockets and muggers often work in teams, with some members some members ready to be called into action if things go wrong

Hotel, Restaurant & Event Location Selection

1)    The best locations have multiple entrances and exits

a)    Makes surveillance more complicated

b)    Safer to have your team grouped on same floor in contiguous rooms to monitor each other's security status

2)    When dining in restaurants, identify the exits

a)    Position yourself so that you can monitor the front door and see trouble coming

b)    If trouble comes in one door, leave immediately by another door

Securing Personal Property

1)    When traveling, zip ties and Jocks are handy, but not a guarantee of security

a)    If locks cannot be used on suitcases, using Saran wrap and/or zip ties adds another level of security

2)    When checked into your hotel, zip ties can be used to add level of security and provide visual clue of tampering

a)    Do not trust hotel staff

b)    Use in-room safe for laptops and IPads you do not carry with you and for any valuables left behind

3)    When on the street, if carrying laptop, better to use bag that does not telegraph th contents

a)    Briefcase better than laptop carrying case for example

4)    Credit card cloning

a)    Report to credit card company your itinerary before you leave the U.S.

b)    Credit cards are often cloned at restaurants when the card is removed from your sight

i)     Keep your eye on your credit card at all times

(1)  Watch the waiter if your card is processed away from your table

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