Pickpocket
This word may not strike as much fear into you in your daily life, especially if you live in a small town or outside of a major city; however, when travelling, it is important to recognize that there can be upwards of 400,000 pickpocket incidents in a day. Add this to new and improving Identity Stealing Technology, street criminals are now as unstoppable as ever. There is hope, and we are here to help provide some insight to the issue so you are less of a target of pickpockets!
Places Known for Pickpocketing
Large cities are always a target for pickpockets but there are some that are more susceptible than others. The list of the following cities begins with the city most known for pickpockets…
- Rome, Italy
- Here, pickpockets work in groups to distract tourists around monuments and in crowded areas.
- Barcelona, Spain
- Specifically Las Ramblas, which is Barcelon’s most iconic street.
- Czech Republic
- The outdoor statues and other outdoor attractions often pull in large crowds and tourists which makes a perfect hotspot.
- Paris, France
- The French carry a reputation of not being the nicest people and this carries to their pickpocketing game within the metro system.
- Athens, Greece
- Making up to $3,500 per day, this city is a huge spot for the trained and systematic pickpockets. While the police have cracked down, warnings are still issued to potential vacationers
- Amsterdam, Netherlands
- If you were expecting the Netherlands to be nice, you thought wrong.
- Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Filled with colorful wonder, this city is filled with more creative pickpocket scams
Common Pickpocket Scams
Movies often portray pickpocket scams as a quick sleight of hand and while this is the most common, there are many new ways in which a pickpocket can come for your items!
- Pickpockets will work in teams – one will distract while the other steals
- Happens on the metro, escalators, out in the open, and disguised as homeless kids or teens. Can also look like street performances as well.
- Theft from jackets or hanging purses and bags
- Another popular option for pickpockets, this one is easily done thanks to not thinking of the consequences of leaving your wallet in your jacket and placing it on the back of your chair.
- Questions trick
- This can be done in pairs, but is most often solo. The pickpocket appears as someone who needs directions or is in need of help and distracts you with a map or a phone in order to reach into your bag or pocket.
Avoiding Scams
With a variety of scams out there, how can you protect yourself from pickpockets? First, you should research the area you are visiting to see what the most common pickpocket tricks are in the area. By knowing this information, you can be on the lookout for that specific trick! Next, you can follow the following tips to help protect yourself from all the tricks above.
- Avoid large, open bags
- As someone who is fond of the large tote bag, this is something to avoid when going abroad. Even those with zippers are targets for pickpockets.
- Instead, opt for the small crossbody bag that is pickpocket proof such as a slash-proof, waterproof crossbody
- Clip bag zippers
- Even with a zipper crossbody bag, you should be comfortable clipping the zippers to the anti-theft strap. While this may make paying for items slightly take longer, the safety of your identity is too important not to take precautions!
- Leave the expensive jewelry at home
- And even consider buying a mock travel ring that is less expensive. If it is lost or stolen, you would not have lost an expensive piece of jewelry.
- Dress the part
- You should aim dress like a local to avoid standing out in a crowd to pickpockets
- Be alert of those that step into your close space bubble
- Your space bubble should be around 18 inches in circumference
- If someone steps close, back away with a hand out to create distance and scare off pickpockets
Tools to Help Against Pickpockets
Some of the best tools to help against pickpockets abroad are very simple things! For example, an RFID blocking wallet such as our Slim Shelly is a great choice for the day to day or the live abroad person seeking protection from identity theft.
Beach vacations sometimes require large tote bags for towels, sunscreen, and much much more. In these situations, we recommend a hideaway keepsafe that does not look like a hideaway, such as our Hush Hush Brush or our Sassy Spray.
If someone gets within your 18 inch barrier, we also recommend having a choice of the up-close protection that is travel approved. We have travelled with the Written Off Tactical Pen with no issues* as well as with the Barbara Self Defense Ring and have received many compliments!
You may also want to check out our Alternatives on Airlines post for more travel friendly protection ideas. Reach out to your local Damsel Safety Educator here as well for a discount on all your travel needs!
