I often have to go to home offices for some tasks as my work is not all virtual. As a women, I know the importants of being safe.

1) Check out the clients website
2) Ask to go to coffee shop or public setting first
3) Send the contacts name and address to a loved one before you go, text them andéor call when you are there safe
4) Keep you cell phone on you at all times
5) Leave if you do not get a good vibe

I hope this helps keep my fellow VAs safe

All good suggestions. Thanks for the list! I prefer to meet in public settings, just to keep the relationship on a clearly business basis.

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Lily Chambers, The Virtual Office Goddess, LLC
Author "How to Do Your Own Small Business Bookkeeping"

Originally Posted by Office Goddess

All good suggestions. Thanks for the list! I prefer to meet in public settings, just to keep the relationship on a clearly business basis.

I wholeheartedly agree!! I am, perhaps, overly cautious; but, I agree that meeting in a public place keeps things on a business level. In the past, in other situations where I have had to meet someone in a public place, I have even zig-zagged my way home, to assure that no one was following me. Personal safety, especially for women, should never be taken lightly . . . and can never be taken too seriously.

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Collaborative Business Support

So if the client has a home office. Do you not go? How about if they need filing that can only be done onsite?

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Urban Admin Inc.
Your personal virtual administrative professional

i don't do filing. Problem solved!

I think the concern is having them come to YOUR home office, rather than the other way around (as much). On the rare occasion that I have had to go to their office, my hubby knows my schedule for how long I should be there, where specifically I am going, and I call him when I arrive and when I leave. If he doesn't hear from me in a reasonable time he will call me on my cell (hasn't happened yet). If he can't reach me, the next phone call will be to the police.

We also have a 'code phrase' that means I'm in trouble, just in case. I won't reveal it in writing but it's best to make up your own anyway; something that you wouldn't say in a normal conversation like "I'll pick up the cat's pills on my way home" (we don't HAVE a cat!). This phrase would absolutely trigger him to call the police ASAP!

And I let my clients know that my hubby has my schedule so if he calls I will need to answer my cell so he 'isn't concerned that the can't reach me.'

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Lily Chambers, The Virtual Office Goddess, LLC
Author "How to Do Your Own Small Business Bookkeeping"

Thank you, I will use the password tip

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Urban Admin Inc.
Your personal virtual administrative professional

Lily, the code phrase is an excellent idea! My husband always knows my schedule and if I don't answer my cell he knows there is a problem, but the code phrase is a great addition to our security process.

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Margaret
Helping You Build Your Empire

Originally Posted by EmpireVirtualAssistantServices

Lily, the code phrase is an excellent idea!

We actually got that idea from a movie we were watching (don't remember which one?!?) where the hostage had to answer the phone and pretend like everything was normal with a gun to her head.

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Lily Chambers, The Virtual Office Goddess, LLC
Author "How to Do Your Own Small Business Bookkeeping"

LOL!! Great ideas come from the strangest places!

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Margaret
Helping You Build Your Empire

Eek, that's stuff I never thought I'd have to worry about. I think I'll keep meetings to a coffee shop or other public place.