Brazil is an amazing country with vast rain forests, gorgeous beaches, and cosmopolitan cities rich in culture. All of these things make Brazil the perfect vacation destination for anyone who wants to travel to an exotic locale and discover a whole new place. Unfortunately, like all metropolitan areas, the big cities in Brazil do have crime, and there is a slight chance that you may be the victim of a pick pocket or purse snatcher. Use the following tips to get your vacation back on track if your purse is stolen while traveling in Brazil:

Cancel All Credit Cards and Put a Fraud Alert on Your Credit Report

The sooner you cancel your credit cards, the less likely they will be used fraudulently. Call your bank and credit card companies right away to report the theft, and then place a fraud alert on your credit report to help prevent having your identity stolen.

Arrange to Have a Friend or Family Member Transfer Money to Brazil

Being in a foreign country without any cash or credit cards can be a very frustrating situation. Luckily, in this day and age money transfers can be done quickly. so contact a friend or family member as soon as possible after your purse is stolen to request that he or she send you funds. There are a number of companies that facilitate international money transfers, that could transfer money to Brazil. Look for one that does cash to cash transfers so you will have immediate access to money. Make sure you request an amount of money that will get you through the rest of your trip so you don't have to worry about running out of cash before you get home.

File a Police Report

While it may not be possible to recover your purse, it is still important to file a police report. A police report establishes a paper trail of the crime, and you may need to submit it to your bank and credit card companies to prove that your credit cards were stolen if they are used fraudulently. The U.S. Embassy may also request a copy of the police report to include in your file to prevent your stolen passport from being used illegally. 

Contact the U.S. Embassy

If you were carrying your passport in your purse when it was stolen, you will need to contact the U.S. Embassy in Brazil for an emergency appointment. During an emergency appointment you will be able to fill out the necessary documents to expedite an emergency passport so you will be able to exit the country at the end of your trip and re-enter the U.S. Before going to your appointment, make sure you have a passport photo with you; if you do not carry an extra copy of one while traveling abroad, have one taken. Also be prepared to pay for any passport fees in cash, as U.S. Embassy locations are not able to process any other types of payment.