Help! I’ve Been Robbed

Brazil has its fair share of crime. Pickpocketing and theft of iPhones, passports, and wallets, for example, are common occurrences. Anyone spending time in public places should take measures to prevent unnecessary risk, just as one would in any large city worldwide.

But what should you do if you’re robbed in Brazil? Seeking help from a lawyer likely isn’t the answer. If you were robbed back home, you’d probably call the police. The same should be true in Brazil.

You can file a police report just as you would in the United States. You can either go in person to a police station or you can file online. A police report in Brazil is known as a Boletim de Ocorrência or BO.

If it’s your US passport that’s gone missing, you’d best notify the United States government. The US Embassy and Consulates in Brazil have a US Citizen Services section with an emergency hotline that you can call 24/7. You should also contact the Brazilian government to replace your immigration entry stamp.

Don’t forget to cancel credit cards if your wallet was stolen and change passwords if your electronic device was taken. The faster you act, the better your chances of preventing unauthorized access to your accounts.

Being a victim of a crime is stressful. Being a victim of a crime in a foreign country, especially one where you don’t speak the language, is even more challenging. While dealing with crime in a foreign country can be daunting, there are resources and people ready to help.