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Started By
Message
Pickpockets in Europe...
Posted on 9/21/24 at 8:42 am
Posted on 9/21/24 at 8:42 am
Going to Spain and Italy ( Florence, Rome) in April.
Have heard some horror stories about this crime.
Any expriences or suggestion to help prevent this happening. Wife wants to get a belly bag, have no desire to go this route.
Have heard some horror stories about this crime.
Any expriences or suggestion to help prevent this happening. Wife wants to get a belly bag, have no desire to go this route.
This post was edited on 9/23/24 at 2:09 pm
33
Posted on 9/21/24 at 8:59 am to Beachtiger
A homeless looking man barged in on me at a subway kiosk in Barcelona. He intentionally distracted me and stole my credit card out of the ticket kiosk. Be careful at all times.
Posted on 9/21/24 at 9:05 am to Beachtiger
There are a lot of Instagram sites showing pickpockets and folks who out them on trains and in public areas. They usually surround someone and have a hand under a purse or open your backpack/purse while walking. I watched those to know what to look for before going overseas. Also, watch out for the newer fad of electric scooter phone theft. They silently ride by you and grab your phone. VERY fast and silent.
Posted on 9/21/24 at 10:18 am to Beachtiger
Crossbody bags will often have a zipper on the Side facing your body that you use for your money
Posted on 9/21/24 at 10:53 am to Beachtiger
It's really not that big of a deal, especially if you try, just a little bit, to blend in. Dress generally how the locals dress, don't stare down at a tourist map in public spaces, don't loudly broadcast your English language conversations. If you avoid those things, the odds of a pickpocket even looking in your direction are slim.
Beyond that, don't do anything overtly stupid (like carrying a backpack) and try to carry as little on your person as possible. I've spent the last 3+ decades traveling extensively with a standard wallet in my front left pocket. I've never, not once, dealt with a pickpocket.
Beyond that, don't do anything overtly stupid (like carrying a backpack) and try to carry as little on your person as possible. I've spent the last 3+ decades traveling extensively with a standard wallet in my front left pocket. I've never, not once, dealt with a pickpocket.
Posted on 9/21/24 at 10:55 am to Beachtiger
quote:
Any expriences or suggestion to help prevent this happening.
I had a wallet vanish from my back pocket while in the Panama City, Panama airport. Inside the security area which is odd. Now when I travel I wear light weight pants with front pockets that zip (fishing/hiking/outdoor pants) and keep my wallet zipped tight. Yeah, be careful in Florence and Rome.
Posted on 9/21/24 at 11:50 am to Beachtiger
I read a guy in Spain had his higher end watch removed from his wrist without even noticing. It was on a double clasp bracelet. Crazy how that could happen.
Posted on 9/21/24 at 12:13 pm to Beachtiger
LINK
Tourists in Italy experience 4 times the pickpocketing as in Spain, though Spain is not "low" compared to other European countries.
None of it is new. When I was there in 1992, there was a group taking people's bags on an overnight train. The conductor deliberately ignored us when we pointed it out -- he'd obviously been bribed.
There are consistent tricks that thieves use, normally involving distraction. For example, someone bumps into while eating and splashes food on you and tries to help clean you up, while an accomplice is picking your pocket.
Aggressive begging is another. I'll never forget how this gypsy woman got in front of us and stopped us by begging, while her young child had gotten behind us and already opened my sister's backpack (we realized just in time what was happening).
The key is these kinds of situations is to worry less about being "polite" and more about protecting yourself.
I don't necessarily think that you need to get one of those wallets that go around the neck or on your lower leg under your pants, but a pocket that zips or buttons should be a must. Personally, I sometimes carry a "dummy wallet" that has my old expired driver's license in it, along with mostly expired credit cards and some cash -- if it's stolen or I'm robbed, I might only need to cancel one credit card and be out a small amount of cash.
Tourists in Italy experience 4 times the pickpocketing as in Spain, though Spain is not "low" compared to other European countries.
None of it is new. When I was there in 1992, there was a group taking people's bags on an overnight train. The conductor deliberately ignored us when we pointed it out -- he'd obviously been bribed.
There are consistent tricks that thieves use, normally involving distraction. For example, someone bumps into while eating and splashes food on you and tries to help clean you up, while an accomplice is picking your pocket.
Aggressive begging is another. I'll never forget how this gypsy woman got in front of us and stopped us by begging, while her young child had gotten behind us and already opened my sister's backpack (we realized just in time what was happening).
The key is these kinds of situations is to worry less about being "polite" and more about protecting yourself.
I don't necessarily think that you need to get one of those wallets that go around the neck or on your lower leg under your pants, but a pocket that zips or buttons should be a must. Personally, I sometimes carry a "dummy wallet" that has my old expired driver's license in it, along with mostly expired credit cards and some cash -- if it's stolen or I'm robbed, I might only need to cancel one credit card and be out a small amount of cash.
Posted on 9/21/24 at 12:30 pm to GOP_Tiger
quote:
I might only need to cancel one credit card and be out a small amount of cash.
There's very little reason to carry more than about 20E in cash in Europe. There's essentially zero reason to carry more than 100E. Doing so is just silly at this point and is asking for trouble.
Posted on 9/21/24 at 1:44 pm to Joshjrn
quote:
There's very little reason to carry more than about 20E in cash in Europe. There's essentially zero reason to carry more than 100E.
There are a lot of places out of the cities in Austria that are cash only. But I understand your point but it is not valid in some places.
Posted on 9/21/24 at 1:48 pm to Joshjrn
quote:
It's really not that big of a deal, especially if you try, just a little bit, to blend in.
They will know you are a tourist no matter what. If you look like you are lost or not paying attention then you are a target.
Posted on 9/21/24 at 3:39 pm to Beachtiger
Wallet in front pocket. Hand on phone when in crowd.
Be careful getting on and off trains.
Be on the lookout when around any crowds like street performers
Be careful getting on and off trains.
Be on the lookout when around any crowds like street performers
Posted on 9/21/24 at 4:37 pm to Beachtiger
Don't bring a wallet with you when leaving the hotel. Take one card, and two bills under 50. Put the card in one front pocket, money in the other.
Posted on 9/21/24 at 6:24 pm to 2 Jugs
quote:
There are a lot of places out of the cities in Austria that are cash only. But I understand your point but it is not valid in some places.
I’ve admittedly only traveled to the larger cities in Austria, but I assume you’re referring to smaller areas, where I have to think pickpockets aren’t quite the same level of concern.
Posted on 9/21/24 at 6:26 pm to 2 Jugs
quote:
They will know you are a tourist no matter what. If you look like you are lost or not paying attention then you are a target.
Try not to look lost?
And if you’re in Japan, sure. In Europe? If they can clock you as a tourist from across the street, you’re doing something wrong.
Posted on 9/21/24 at 6:40 pm to Beachtiger
There are lots of great people there too. I mentioned losing my credit card by theft earlier. I was so shaken up by that I left my cell phone on a train. I got my hotel to call my number and a lady answered. She worked as a hotel maid and was heading home when she saw my phone. A few hours later she met me at a busy street intersection with my phone. I insisted that she accept my $100 reward for it. She insisted on not taking it. She gave me my phone and a hug and left. This was two years ago.
This post was edited on 9/21/24 at 6:43 pm
Posted on 9/21/24 at 8:14 pm to Beachtiger
First off, don't expect a group of Oliver Twist looking kids (I naïvely did my first time in Rome). The ones that tried to pickpocket me and the wife were a group (4-6) of normal, middle class looking kids. They like to hit you in the subway/metro. Will typically be loud and wild, running around the acting goofy so as to district you. Kid was standing next to wife and tried to reach in her purse, she caught him and he jumped of the train right as the doors were closing.
Just be vigilant, especial in the metro.
Just be vigilant, especial in the metro.
Posted on 9/22/24 at 4:41 pm to jfw3535
Thanks for all the suggestions.
Posted on 9/22/24 at 4:58 pm to Beachtiger
In Paris I witnessed pickpocketers in action. We were on a fairly empty subway train and when we got off a group of young gypsies huddled around my elderly father-in-law like a huge rush hour crowd was coming up behind and around him. They were trying to get in his backpack. I pulled him away and they went on.
Posted on 9/23/24 at 9:02 am to Joshjrn
quote:
It's really not that big of a deal, especially if you try, just a little bit, to blend in. Dress generally how the locals dress, don't stare down at a tourist map in public spaces, don't loudly broadcast your English language conversations. If you avoid those things, the odds of a pickpocket even looking in your direction are slim.
This is such good advice. And so many people do not grasp. Put your camera down. Stop trying to be an influencer. Seriously stop trying to dress "cool" because it's a different country and nobody cares. Be low key, blend in, go to local joints, can be a lot of fun to travel.
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