I met three guys from the apartment next to mine once while travelling. They were in a complete panic cos the room had no room safe. (I'd like to put a rolly-eyes but they were barely more than 19 and everyone has to learn.) So: make your place prossie proof before you go out. If there's no room safe, lock stuff in your bag and either stuff it under the bed or stuff it under the bed and lock it to the bed with a wire lock. Don't carry money or credit cards you won't use. What money you do intend to use, put in your jeans pocket and, when you take your jeans off a) roll them up, pockets first, trouser legs last, and put them on your shoes, within eyesight but not within prossie-arm reach, or b) if it's your place, put them under the mattress when she goes for a pee and you get out of your togs. When you take money out to pay a prossie, have what you plan to pay her ready in a separate pocket so it looks as if you are emptying your pocket and "that's all you have." If you have a drink with her, don't let her do the pouring and don't let your drink out of your sight. Take control from the start of negotiations, haggling in a country where that is appropriate (know the going rate before you haggle), and be specific about what services and how long you are paying for. Get her to repeat the agreement so she hears it in her own voice. If it's a short time, glance at your watch casually when the session starts and say something casually such as it's ten o'clock so we have until 11pm. Switch your phone off ostentatiously and ask her to do the same "so it won't ring and disturb us." (Taking control, in a polite way, saves her thinking but also suggests that you are not a push-over.) If you do a duo, remember that is four pairs of hands and two pairs of eyes you have to watch (what scammer can resist an accomplice?) 'GFE' is a way to reduce your defences. Reduce hers by doing 'BFE' and if she gives you useful details that identify her, she may think twice about trying to scam you later. Suggest an ongoing interest by dropping a not-too-obvious reference about "next time" and if she is convinced you will be a repeat customer she may be less likely to scam you. Always be polite but firm. If you have to call security in any form (apartment/hotel/police) have an idea beforehand who they are likely to side with and what's in it for them/her/you to win or lose in the process.
All this is far more than you need in normal circumstances but, when you arrive somewhere new, think in terms of maximum security until you know your way round the scene. Hope that helps.
