How bad are the PICKPOCKETS? How to avoid them?

[cruise kitty]

DH and I recently toured in Barcelona, Rome & Florence. We saw pick pocking gangs, but were not targeted ourselves. DH wore a neck pouch from REI made of silk and cotton, (so it breathes against your skin) & with a cut proof cord. He had copies of our passports, some cash, & a credit card. He also had a good backpack that contained no valuables. I had a leather backpack (try cutting that) with several hidden pockets in the interior,where we stashed our passports & some cash & a credit card. The only things I put in the outside pockets were maps & water bottles. Like others said, be aware, walk with purpose, & know where you're going. Don't stand on the corner studying your map, go inside a store, & make sure you & your partner watch one another's back. Try & keep your hands on your backpack straps so if someone tries to hand you something your hands are already occupied. Usually someone trying to thrust something at you is a good sign of a scam.

[OttoCal]

If you keep your eye out, you can spot many of the pickpocketers.

Think about what American tourists look like. Look at what the shopkeepers or staff look like in the stores in the cities you visit.

 

Then if you see someone who really doesn't fit in with that look- think long dark tattered skirts or umkept grooming habits or groups of women wearing heavy layers of clothing- these might be people to avoid.

 

More obvious than the pickpocketers will be the scam artists that offer you something and you can't easily escape. (This is a generalization for some of us Americans who have trouble saying 'no', myself included). Examples would be the women or men offering you a rose, carnation, or some sort of handout for the 'pretty lady'- if you aren't paying attention, you are stuck with it and they hit you up for cash.

We got taken by a shady character in the Naples train station- he actually had on a uniform style outfit and escorted us directly to our train. Then extorted money from us for his assistance. We gave him a few euro, he asked for much more than that, but eventually figured we were cheap targets and gave up.

 

Be aware, be worried or even a little paranoid, but realize that these things happen everywhere, and take your own reasonable precautions. AS another example here in the US, College students are losing their laptops and ipods to theft at a good clip in campus libraries all across the US because they don't watch their backpacks. It's all about paying attention to your surroundings.

 

And I'm with the dangerous Baltimore warnings- everyone I know who has has been mugged (not pickpocketed, but mugged- big difference) has had it happen in Baltimore.

[tocanada]

I have been to Barcelona for cruises many times and have often met people who have encountered pickpockets there. Up until my last visit, I have never had a problem but in November, they tried twice on my first evening. Once on the Metro and a couple of hours later at the Musical Fountain. This time, I was wearing cargo pants and a bright blue wind breaker. As others have mentioned, I obviously stood out in the crowd and was targeted.

Needless to say, the pocket held a "fake wallet" with nothing in it but a couple of pieces of Canadian Tire Money and a rude note! All my valuables were well secured. However, it was upsetting that they actually tried to pick my pockets. For the rest of my stay in Barcelona, I wore jeans and dark clothing and had no problem.

I do strongly suggest taking photos of all your documents (passports etc) so that you have copies easily available on your camera. Also e-mail copies of these documents to you or to a friend (just in case the camera also gets stolen!)

andrew

[CintiPam]

Pardon my naive, what is a bra stash and where can you buy it and what does it look like? and money belt, what can you buy it also? Thanks.

 

A bra stash is a small pouch, perhaps 2" X 4", large enough to hold folded currency and credit cards, that has two small straps that go around your bra straps with snaps, with the pouch then laying on your chest inside your shirt. Mine is made of satin and cost $5 at my local AAA office, but many are offered on Amazon.

 

A money belt is a larger pouch, with an elastic waistband which clasps around your waist (worn inside your pants), with pockets for your valuables, perhaps $14. Available also at AAA and on Amazon, I purchased mine many years ago on Rick Steves' website. (I am a huge fan of his guidebooks.)

 

I switched to the bra stash two years ago from my money belt because my belly sweats too much in the summer!

[lkakers]

A bra stash is a small pouch, perhaps 2" X 4", large enough to hold folded currency and credit cards, that has two small straps that go around your bra straps with snaps, with the pouch then laying on your chest inside your shirt. Mine is made of satin and cost $5 at my local AAA office, but many are offered on Amazon.

 

A money belt is a larger pouch, with an elastic waistband which clasps around your waist (worn inside your pants), with pockets for your valuables, perhaps $14. Available also at AAA and on Amazon, I purchased mine many years ago on Rick Steves' website. (I am a huge fan of his guidebooks.)

 

I switched to the bra stash two years ago from my money belt because my belly sweats too much in the summer!

 

Ebags also has a pretty good supply of security items (http://www.ebags.com/travel_accessories/travel_wallets_security/category_search/index.cfm?Ne=100&N=4001+2006748). I'm a fairly devoted Amazon shopper, but I often find cheaper prices on Ebags, and their service has been impeccable.

[sandancer]

We have visited Barcelona many times both for cruising and week-end breaks. We thought we were immune because we are ultra careful but still got caught out. We left the ship at 8.30am and of course could not check into our post cruise hotel as it was too early. We could however, leave our luggage there. In Spanish hotels you have to leave a photocopy of your passport so we asked them to hold onto the passports rather than carry them with us. They agreed to also store some items (jewellery mostly) in the hotel safe. Off we went for coffee and while I was ordering my handbag was lifted right from under my husbands nose. It was on the table in front of him and neither of us saw it go. Unfortunately all my money and credit cards were in there along with the valuables that I had dropped in there before leaving the cabin. You know how it is, you check everywhere and put everything you find in the bag you are carrying with you. At the police station there was a long line of tourists reporting robberies and it was the most horrible experience. We were well insured but I still wonder who is wearing the black pearl my husband bought me in Tahiti and listening to my ipod. We will be there again this year for another cruise but will carry nothing apart from some cash for meals etc.

[WesW]

Sandancer, thanks for sharing that very painful pickpocekt story...good lessons

learned for us all.

[lkakers]

Indeed, good warning. Those pros are very good at stealthy thievery.

 

In a neighborhood pub in London, my mother similarly learned never to hang her travel purse on the back of her chair while dining. Someone very stealthily walked by and nicked her bag. No valuables, thank goodness, but the inconvenience of not having your stuff and the notion of having been violated leaves a disappointing stain on one's travels.

[UKBayern]

What I really don't get is all these posts on the forum that everybody gets pickpocketed in Europe. We have been in almost every European country and a lot of other places in the world too, and never ever been pickpocketed. We ride on the local bus and train, eat in local restaurants, etc. DH carries his wallet in his back pocket and I carry a normal ladies handbag. I have very very white english skin and DH is blond, so we do stand out as tourists anywhere other than northern Europe. So no, to us pickpocketing in Europe is not "that bad".

 

I must say that you can learn valuable lessons from the other posts that I was already taught by my mama:

-never put your handbag on the table in front of you on a terrace. Put the strap of your bag underneath the leg of the chair or around the leg of the table or put your leg through the strap and rest it on your knee. If they want to take the bag, they have to take you or the whole table or chair as well. Put the bag in a low place: if somebody has to bend over and half crawl under the table they won't bother and find an easier target.

-Put the strap of your handbag over your head, so it cannot be snatched. If the bag has zippers, make sure they are pointing towards you, not behind you. If you walk on the pavement of a busy road, keep your bag on the side of the houses not the side of the road.

-watch your back. Don't use a backpack other than for your water bottle, your rain coat or your map. If somebody keeps following you around, shake him off by suddenly stopping, changing direction or going inside somewhere. If you want to read a map, stand with your back against a wall or go into a shop. One person reads the map and the other person stays aware of the surroundings.

-social welfare is excellent in most European countries. People begging or trying to sell you trinkets or flowers are something to watch out for. Be careful of people shoving a cardboard sign or a newspaper under your nose are maybe pickpocketing underneath it.

-public spectacles such as street artists attract pickpockets too.

-there is no such thing as a free lunch. Why is that stranger suddenly being so nice to you? If you are looking at a map or appear lost, yes maybe. If you need help, approach families or senior citizens. They are not likely to run away with your stuff. If you want a picture, ask another tourist. They have an expensive camera themselves and would maybe also like to have you take their picture with theirs.

 

Don't stress out too much. If you do that, that makes you stand out and makes you look insecure and a potential target. As other people already said: behave as if you know where you are going.

[sandancer]

Excellent advice. We always followed all of the safety rules until that one time when we were distracted. Thats all it takes. We saw a Swedish tourist on the Spanish Steps in Rome pushing off a young gypsy girl who had her hand down the front pocket of his jeans. However, I have to agree that these things don't just happen in Europe. We have family who lived in Rio and my niece would not even wear her wedding ring to go shopping.

[chipmaster]

Well said, common sense!

 

I will say we were in all the notorious bad spots where there are threads galore here and between my kids carrying my thousand dollar camera around their necks all day or my 80+ old dad wandering out for hours with all the valuables in his pocket nothing bad happened. Was it luck? No, I think 99% of the people don't get pickpocketed, crash in cars etc. There is a common theme to be part of that larger percentage of the population. You are totally in controll of most of those variables and NO doesn't mean you can't go outside or got to stuff your money, passport and CC in in dark smelly places. :D

 

What I really don't get is all these posts on the forum that everybody gets pickpocketed in Europe. We have been in almost every European country and a lot of other places in the world too, and never ever been pickpocketed. We ride on the local bus and train, eat in local restaurants, etc. DH carries his wallet in his back pocket and I carry a normal ladies handbag. I have very very white english skin and DH is blond, so we do stand out as tourists anywhere other than northern Europe. So no, to us pickpocketing in Europe is not "that bad".

 

I must say that you can learn valuable lessons from the other posts that I was already taught by my mama:

-never put your handbag on the table in front of you on a terrace. Put the strap of your bag underneath the leg of the chair or around the leg of the table or put your leg through the strap and rest it on your knee. If they want to take the bag, they have to take you or the whole table or chair as well. Put the bag in a low place: if somebody has to bend over and half crawl under the table they won't bother and find an easier target.

-Put the strap of your handbag over your head, so it cannot be snatched. If the bag has zippers, make sure they are pointing towards you, not behind you. If you walk on the pavement of a busy road, keep your bag on the side of the houses not the side of the road.

-watch your back. Don't use a backpack other than for your water bottle, your rain coat or your map. If somebody keeps following you around, shake him off by suddenly stopping, changing direction or going inside somewhere. If you want to read a map, stand with your back against a wall or go into a shop. One person reads the map and the other person stays aware of the surroundings.

-social welfare is excellent in most European countries. People begging or trying to sell you trinkets or flowers are something to watch out for. Be careful of people shoving a cardboard sign or a newspaper under your nose are maybe pickpocketing underneath it.

-public spectacles such as street artists attract pickpockets too.

-there is no such thing as a free lunch. Why is that stranger suddenly being so nice to you? If you are looking at a map or appear lost, yes maybe. If you need help, approach families or senior citizens. They are not likely to run away with your stuff. If you want a picture, ask another tourist. They have an expensive camera themselves and would maybe also like to have you take their picture with theirs.

 

Don't stress out too much. If you do that, that makes you stand out and makes you look insecure and a potential target. As other people already said: behave as if you know where you are going.

[One Eye Open]

sandancer. I had a similar incident in Santiago, Chile, just last month prior to our cruise. Thank goodness had passport in another bag. Kicking myself for not using my neck pouch. So buy and use those security pouches!

[Tucker in Texas]

I tie my neck pouch to my bra strap and let it hang down past my waist, below my belt. No "tell tale" string showing around my neck and they would have to reach down my pants to get to it and then have to get it past my belt which would not be easy in my case.

 

Husband has a "throw down" wallet he carries in his back pocket much like the OP. In it he has worthless credit cards (those ones you get in the mail that say "your name here") and a some sheets of paper in the bill section that say "gotcha thief" and one US penny. I think he is actually disappointed no one has gotten it yet.

 

Tucker in Texas

[Destin Mom]

Pickpockets...not hold ups at gun point...it is terribly inconvenient but thankfully NONviolent. As virtually everyone has said, common sense is your friend. My tips (for what they are worth...or not):

- have a copy of your passport AND front and backs of your credit cards. You should have a copy with you (in a secure section of your baggage) and a copy with someone you can get in touch with in the US.

- we carry a backpack (REI) that has straps you can put around your waist. On travel days, we carry it on frontwards with the straps around our waist. We use a lock on the zipper compartments. We travel with young kids so have to be a little more careful as we can get distracted easily. On non travel days, we keep the bare minimum on us.

- I have been pickpocketd in London during a demonstration. Be careful anytime you get into a crowded situation no matter how you are carrying your valuables. My purse was on frontward and my hand was on the top- never felt a thing. They lifted a $500 wallet that might have had $20 in it. Ouch.

- in BCN and elsewhere, watch the big tourist attractions. There was a couple with a map open at the La Sagrada HOHO bus stop (one of the stops that does back up and creates good opp for the light fingered of heart). The HOHO bus guy was telling everyone to watch themselves as the couple were pickpockets. They (the couple) did not flinch one bit but kept looking at their map while scanning the crowd. Amazingly, I would say half the guys in the bus line had their wallets in their back pockets and moved them after the announcement.

- do not stop to hold a baby, accept a gold ring that has magically appeared right in front of you, or accept anything else for that matter. And if someone appears to get sick, spill, or trip over your backpack, luggage, etc., apologize and keep on going.

 

99% of the people you will meet are wonderful, friendly and helpful. Just be alert (not crazy paranoid) and use common sense. Have a great trip!

[tiyana4]

Just curious if anyone has had problems with thieves stealing cameras? A co-worker of mine visited Spain 2 years ago. Although she had a relatively inexpensive camera (Sony Cybershot), someone snatched it right out of her hands while she was taking a photo. That is pretty brazen IMO! She ended up with no vacation photos because she had not backed up her pics.

 

For those with higher end photo gear, what are your suggestions for keeping them safe. I heard mention of the Pacsafe bags, but I'm more concerned about it being taken while it's not in the bag.

[cruisemom42]

Just curious if anyone has had problems with thieves stealing cameras? A co-worker of mine visited Spain 2 years ago. Although she had a relatively inexpensive camera (Sony Cybershot), someone snatched it right out of her hands while she was taking a photo. That is pretty brazen IMO! She ended up with no vacation photos because she had not backed up her pics.

 

For those with higher end photo gear, what are your suggestions for keeping them safe. I heard mention of the Pacsafe bags, but I'm more concerned about it being taken while it's not in the bag.

 

 

MOST theft is by pickpocketing (e.g., stealth), not mugging (e.g., force), but occasionally you do hear of someone having their bag or camera snatched.

 

I have heard about these PacSafe camera straps:

 

http://www.pacsafe.com/www/index.php?_room=3&_action=detail&id=16

 

 

However, I personally would never use one. What happens if the thief grabs the camera and takes off running (or is on a scooter) -- with the camera still attached to YOUR neck? I've seen the aftermath of one older lady who got dragged a few yards when a thief on a scooter grabbed her purse and she didn't let go.

 

My life and personal safety are worth more than any purse/camera/photos! Just back up your pics. Or if you can't take several smaller photo cards rather than one large one. Keep your valuables hidden. And if anyone grabs your stuff (bag, camera, backpack), let them have it. That's my philosophy -- others may feel more confrontational.

[mauimary]

While in Barcelona, Rome, Venice--I did not even carry a purse at all-I used a small wallet with limited amount of cash in it and put it in my front jeans pocket--never bothered at all--husband had small wallet in his front pocket with rubber bands around it and our small camera in the other pocket--both were fairly tight--It is also a good idea to learn how to take your own photos of yourselves especially if you are traveling alone or with one other person--NEVER let anyone volunteer to take your photo with you in it even if they look safe--unless you know them -- you may just very well loose your camera--and don't set it on a table either--One does not need to be paranoid--just cautious and aware of techniques used and be aware of the too friendly local--

 

There are lots of opportunities for someone to try to hand you a rose--watch out--we saw this alot-and very common in Venice--Also the guys dressed up like roman soldiers at the Coliseum --your photo with them will cost you alot--we saw this happen and the guy tried to extort a very large sum for the photo from some unaware tourists--they are not free !!

[CintiPam]

Just curious if anyone has had problems with thieves stealing cameras? A co-worker of mine visited Spain 2 years ago. Although she had a relatively inexpensive camera (Sony Cybershot), someone snatched it right out of her hands while she was taking a photo. That is pretty brazen IMO! She ended up with no vacation photos because she had not backed up her pics.

 

For those with higher end photo gear, what are your suggestions for keeping them safe. I heard mention of the Pacsafe bags, but I'm more concerned about it being taken while it's not in the bag.

 

My spouse is careful to keep the small camera loop looped around his hand whenever he is taking photos so that it is very difficult to simply snatch it from out of his hand.

[mcjyl]

I had an opposite experience in Barcelona. My pocket was not being picked even though I had about two hundred dollars sticking out of my shirt pocket. Upon arrival at the hotel, I exchanged 200 USD into local money and stuffed it immediately in my shirt pocket. Then we went to the Rambler for a walk. One local person tapped on my shoulder and said something to me in Spanish which I didn't understand. I thought he tried to sell me something, so I said no thank you. A minute later, another person walked in front of me and pointing at me said something in Spanish. Again, I thought he also was trying to sell me thing. My wife looked at me and realized my money in my shirt pocket was hanging out half-way. She thanked that person in Spanish, Gracias.

 

Another incident happened in the subway in Rome. My pocket was picked. It turned out that my wallet has no money, but it was just a key wallet. That person again tapped on my shoulder and returned my key wallet.

[financialgrl]

Going to be in Barcelona for 3 days prior to our cruise. Maybe I always do overkill b/c I have a bra stash, my niece uses a neck pouch and I carry a PacSafe. I am from the DC area, I used to visit New York back in the years when that was more risky and I love New Orleans. These 3 places in our own homeland are not exactly the safest of places to visit if you are unaware. I recently bought a wallet with a large thick chain that I swapped for a much thinner chain that is attached to the inside of the PacSafe. The purse will have little cash because the rest will be either "on my person" or anything other than what I absolutely need for any given outing goes into the hotel/cruise room safe anyway. I think you just need to be vigilant about your surroundings. I would like to believe being more than prepared only means a thief goes after someone much more of a target.

[lovemylab]

MOST theft is by pickpocketing (e.g., stealth), not mugging (e.g., force), but occasionally you do hear of someone having their bag or camera snatched.

 

I have heard about these PacSafe camera straps:

 

http://www.pacsafe.com/www/index.php?_room=3&_action=detail&id=16

 

 

However, I personally would never use one. What happens if the thief grabs the camera and takes off running (or is on a scooter) -- with the camera still attached to YOUR neck? I've seen the aftermath of one older lady who got dragged a few yards when a thief on a scooter grabbed her purse and she didn't let go.

 

Wouldn't this be a concern for any camera strap though? Those thick canvas straps that come with SLR's are certainly not going to break away easily (or at all) if someone decides to grab a camera while it is still attatched to your neck and pull you down the street with it. In the situation you describe, I think one would have injuries regardless of the strap they are using.

 

I have both a regular canvas strap (that came with my camera...complete with the word "NIKON" in bright yellow) and the pacsafe strap. Only reason I bought the pacsafe one was because it was the only plain black camera strap I could find. It is also very comfortable.

[Fairfield Nana]

Why not use both straps? The pac-safe one is sturdy enough to use to whup-up on anyone trying to rip you off!

[iancal]

Take the same precautions as you would when visiting a large NA city such as New York. Pickpocketing is NOT just a European thing. I think that you just need to stay alert and be aware of your surroundings and the people around you.

[GlendaleCruiser]

We were cautioned about pickpockets in Barcelona and apparently it's one of the worst cities for it. I had a "pac-safe" purse, but a friend had one and got pickpocketed from it in Rome (Trevi Fountain is worst) and she had a sweater on top of her wallet in it, so I plan to do this the next time I go:

 

I will take a small purse (either pac-safe or my Coach Swingpack) and it will go over my neck and be cross body. I will keep it in directly in front of me with my hand on it at all times.

 

In addition to that, I use a safety pin and pin the zipper pull to the purse itself when it is closed. One more hurdle for them to get over.

 

I still keep my passport under my clothes in a neck wallet. So far, so good.

 

When on a tour last time in Barcelona, our tour guide alerted us to watch our purses when a group of people walked by.

[lkakers]

Not to fan the flames or anything, because I believe in general, if you are somewhat careful (no reason to be paranoid, but be sensibly careful, of course), you can travel such cities safely....

 

BUT, that said, being aware of the scams out there can be helpful in avoiding them, so... check out this site for tales of pickpocket/scams in Barcelona: http://jon.es/barna/scams.html