Pickpockets

Having your pocket picked will ruin your day, ruin your trip, and potentially make you very jaded about the country that you’re visiting. While only a small percentage of the tourist population will fall prey to pickpockets and scammers, there are a few key things that will help you avoid being a victim.

1. Make sure you’re in physical contact with your belongings at all times. Keep your bag between your legs when you’re seated or standing, or clip it to the chair. If you feel like you need to have your phone on the table, rest your arm on it. I recently read about a guy who was at a cafe in Europe with a friend. They heard a loud bang on the street and turned towards it. When they turned back to their table, both of their phones were gone. Obviously the thief had a partner down the block. A predetermined signal, a noise is made, the victim is distracted for a moment, the thief makes off with some new toys.
2. Keep your bag zipped and closed at all times. The number of people who walk around with an open purse or pocket in their bag is amazing. If possible, when you’re out for the day, go without a bag at all. Put what you need in your pockets and travel light. It’s one less thing to worry about leaving behind or having stolen. If you must wear a bag, wear it in front of you whenever possible. If you carry a purse, shorten the strap so that your arm will cover the opening of the bag while you’re walking.
3. Stay aware of your surroundings. When you’re sightseeing, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the sights. But remember that tourist attractions are, by definition, full of tourists and are therefore good spots for pickpockets and scammers to ply their trade.
4. Keep your wallet and phone in your front pockets. This goes without saying. Front pockets are deeper than back pockets and deep pockets are harder to pick. I read about one town that posted “Beware of pickpocket” signs. When people saw that sign, they’d automatically pat their wallet to make sure it was still there. Thieves would hang out by the sign to see who patted their wallet, then follow them to relieve them of their goods. Once the police found out that this was happening, they took the signs down. The thieves put the signs back up, since they were so good for business.
5. If someone asks you for directions and sticks a map in front of you, beware. The ‘hapless tourist’ asks for directions while their accomplice goes through your pockets. Sadly, the same has been known to happen with “charity” workers and their clipboard. They ask you to donate to help homeless albino pigeons, but meanwhile you’re unknowingly donating everything in your wallet. And you don’t even like pigeons.
6. Wear a money belt. It doesn’t have to be cheesy, and there are several styles to choose from. The one that I have has a belt loop and tucks inside of my pants, and it has more than enough space for credit cards, cash, passports, etc, and is virtually invisible. If there’s a pickpocket out there who wants to go inside my pants to get my money, well, more power to them.
7. Beware the bump. If you get bumped, you might have gotten picked. It can happen in a crowded subway car (especially if a bunch of people get on right before the door closes), at a turnstile, or on an escalator when an accomplice stops abruptly at the end of the escalator, causing a backup right behind them. You think they’re an idiot with no social awareness, but their friend who was right behind you now has your phone.
8. The more stuff you have with you, the more likely you are to be a victim. Look at it this way: If there are two people identical in appearance and attire, one who has no bags or encumbrances, and the other has a backpack on his back, a large camera on his front, and is dragging a rolling suitcase behind him, who looks more like a tourist? Who is less able to chase down a potential thief? As I’ve said before: travel light.
9. Split up your valuables. Don’t keep all of your valuables in one spot. In fact, you shouldn’t even have most of them with you when you’re out and about; they should be safe in the hotel (whether you trust hotel safes is a different question). When I’m sightseeing, I have my money clip with my driver’s license, a copy of my passport, a business card with my email address and phone number (in case I lose it and a good samaritan wants to return it), a credit card, and a little cash. The whole thing is about 1/4″ thick, and in 10 years of using a money clip, I haven’t needed anything that isn’t in there. My other credit card, debit card, the rest of my money, and my original passport all stay in the hotel. In case you end up getting your stuff picked, this will limit the damage. If you’re traveling to/from the hotel and you have no choice but to keep everything on you, a money belt or similar option will keep everything on your person, just in case your bag gets stolen.

There’s no way to outsmart every scam or pickpocket. But you can take several easy steps to minimize your potential exposure.