How to Avoid Pickpockets While Traveling

When you’re all swept up in the thrill and excitement of a new destination, it’s hard to stay vigilant and avoid pickpockets and petty thieves. Unfortunately, it’s the downside of travel; thieves are all around you, just waiting for an opportunity to separate you from your valuables.

No matter where we travel, as tourists we’re easy targets for criminals, even within our own countries.

Best Way to Avoid Pickpockets

The number one way to avoid pickpockets and petty thievery: Don’t look like a tourist. However, that’s easier said than done.

If I were to travel to LA, New York City, or Miami, I’d probably look like a tourist. Chicago might be one place I could blend in, but even then, carrying a camera and looking at all the skyscrapers and buildings, a thief would spot me in an instant.

Remember, just because you’re on vacation, doesn’t mean you can let your guard down.

Anyone Can Be a Victim

Sometimes I find it hard to believe that we traveled so often and yet avoided being pickpocketed for so long. Don’t think just because you are an experienced traveler it can’t happen to you. Even Rick Steves has been a victim of a pickpocket!

The End of a Pleasant Afternoon

While on a river cruise from Prague to Budapest, we stopped in Vienna, Austria, one of our favorite cities. After spending a pleasant afternoon at Schonbrunn Palace, we made our way back to the city for a brief stop for some beverages and a piece of Sachertorte before heading back to the boat.

While walking to the U-Bahn (or metro) station, a man in a clown costume came up and got between Patrice and I, put his arms though ours and began to walk with us. I thought it was funny, but Patrice was very uncomfortable and pulled away from him.

Street Performers

Patrice’s feeling was valid. Often thieves will work together in pairs or small groups, while one diverts your attention (for example the clown) the others remove your valuables without you even noticing. However, in this case, the clown appeared to just be a street performer working on his own.

Street performers are a magnet for tourists. While you are enthralled watching a magician, living statue, or musician, pickpockets work the crowd relieving those watching of cell phones, wallets and cameras.

An Empty Subway Station

We arrived and entered the U-Bahn station which was empty, other than a group of three giggling teenage girls. Art got our tickets and placed his wallet in this front pocket as he always does when we travel. He then put his hand in that pocket as we headed down the escalator to the platform.

As we went down the escalator, the girls came down as well, working their way through us as we stood and chatted.

The Hit Begins

The train arrived and we began moving toward the door. One of the girls pushed up against Patrice as she was going through the train door, almost like she was trying to get in before Patrice had the opportunity. We thought it was strange, but, they were teenage girls.

Patrice and I sat down on seats across from one another. Art and Ken stood near the doors.

The girl who came in the door with Patrice, sat down a few seats behind us. The other two girls entered the train car from the rear door. We heard them giggling as they approached Art and Ken.

Then the alarm sounded for the doors to close. The girls erupted in a fit of laughter. The one seated behind us got up and all the girls quickly exited the train, just as the doors closed.

At that very moment Art realized what had happened. As the train began to pull away from the station, he turned to me and said, “I just got pickpocketed.”

Waiting for an Opportunity

The girls had been watching us from the time we came into the station. They saw where Art put his wallet and were just waiting for an opportunity.

As Art heard the alarm for the closing doors, he took his hand out of the pocket with his wallet in it and grabbed the bar. Just as he did, one of the girls slipped her hand in his pocket and took the wallet as they walked out the door.

Then Patrice realized that her purse zipper was slightly opened. After looking inside, she realized that the case with her glasses inside was missing. Apparently, as the girl was pushing Patrice aside to get in the door, she got the zipper of the purse opened and slipped her hand in and pulled out the case.

Did we ever feel foolish! It all happened so quickly. We are always so careful in crowded areas, yet here we were in an otherwise empty place, and we were victims of pickpockets.

Once we returned to the boat, Art got on his phone and began the process of cancelling the credit cards that were in his wallet. He has a subscription to Lifelock, so he called to inform them of the theft.

Minimal Damage

Even though we had never been hit by pickpockets before, we were prepared. As a result, the damage was minimal. The only valuables in Art’s wallet were two credit cards, and a small amount of cash. His military ID, drivers’ license and Medicare card were also in it, of course he had to wait until we got home to replace those.

In retrospect, we decided that had we gotten off at the next train stop and headed back to where the attack occurred, we probably would have found Patrice’s glasses and Art’s wallet (less the cash) in a trash can or on the ground. These girls were simply after cash.

Subways Thefts are Common

When we went to Paris one of Art’s brothers was the victim of a pickpocket. We were traveling on the crowded Metro, and out of habit, Bill put his wallet in his back pocket. As the alarm rang to warn that the doors were closing, he felt the wallet being taken out of his pocket. He reached around and tried to grab the girl, but she already had the wallet opened and taking out the money as she headed toward the door. She dropped the wallet on the floor of the train as she stepped out and the doors closed behind her.

Bill was fortunate that he didn’t lose any credit cards or his drivers’ license, only the cash he had taken out of the ATM earlier that day.

Pickpockets and petty thieves are simply looking for a quick way to make money. Cash is an obvious attraction. But, if they can easily grab something of yours that has street value such as cell phones, jewelry or designer bags, they will.

Avoid Pickpockets and Petty Thieves

Don’t fret, there are things you can do to avoid pickpockets and petty thievery. Here are a few tips:

Don’t Attract Attention

Don’t carry your flashy designer bags or wear expensive jewelry. It’s like having a flashing neon sign over your head saying “Pick me. My things are worth lots of money.” Here’s my rule of thumb when I travel: Don’t take it if you can’t afford to lose it.

Secure Your Valuables

Make sure your valuables are as secure as possible. Use clips, carabiners, tie wraps, even a paper clip, anything that makes your bags harder to get into. Just putting a small wire tie wrap to hold two zippers together will make it that much more difficult for someone else to get open. No, it doesn’t look great, but it does the trick.

Never Leave Bags Unattended

Art and I feel most at risk during the time we traveling to our destination; that’s when we have our money, credit cards, all our valuables and identification on us. We never, ever, leave our bags unattended; not even for a second. One of us is always with our belongings.

Always Watch Your Stuff

At train stations or airports while looking at the arrivals/departures board or trying to find where to go for your next mode of transportation, you are extremely vulnerable. Remember to keep an eye on your belongings.

Carry Small Amounts of Cash

Don’t carry a lot of money. Art and I only take the amount of money we will need for an outing, and we split it between us. If we need to get more money from an ATM, we get it on our way back to our room, so that it can be quickly put away. Never take large sums of cash from an ATM at any one time. Even if you have to pay a fee each time you withdraw money, it’s worth it.

Only Carry a Few Credit Cards

When we travel, we take four different credit cards with us. Art takes two and I take two. We don’t like to take our debit cards on our trips. Our thought is that it’s just too easy for someone to wipe out our bank account should a debit card be stolen. We’d rather use our credit cards and get cash advances on them if necessary. Yes, there are fees on the cash advances, but we made the decision that for us, it’s worth the cost.

Use RFID Blocking

Use RFID blocking technology to avoid being scanned and having your valuable digital information taken. This is becoming more and more common. Your passport information and credit/debit card information can be easily obtained this way.

Use Money Belts/Body Pouches

Carry your money, credit/debit cards, passports, etc. in a money belt or body pouch. Under your clothing is the safest place to keep your valuables. Yes, it’s a pain in the behind to do this. But remember, if it’s inconvenient for you, it’s inconvenient for a thief as well.

Wallets in Front Pockets

If you find yourself out without your money belt or pouch, put your wallet in your front pocket, and then put your hand in the pocket. It works best with tighter clothing, such as jeans, but the thought is that if you have your hand in your pocket, you’ll be able to feel if someone else tries to slip their hand in.

Waist Packs on the Front

Fanny, or waist packs, as they are now called, are seen a lot more often these days. Again, make sure they have all the antitheft deterrents built in. You can find them with steel wire in the belt and RFID blocking technology as well as locking zippers. Just remember to wear it on the front of your body, not the back or side.

Backpacks Are Easy Targets

Backpacks, including backpack purses, are very vulnerable to thievery. When in crowds or on public transportation, wear your backpack on the front so you have your eyes on it, at all times. If you wear a backpack very often, you know how frequently you bump into things, and eventually, you don’t even notice it. When you’re in a crowded place, thieves will unzip your backpack and have something out of it, and you’ll be completely unaware.

Don’t Get Lax

Never walk through a crowded area with your backpack or purse slung across one shoulder or in your hand, it can be snatched away from you in the blink of an eye.

Cross Body

Wear purses and satchels cross body. Preferably yours will have anti-theft devices such as latching zippers and steel wire in the straps.

Know What’s Going On Around You

Always be aware of your surroundings. Don’t stop within a large group of people to watch street entertainers. Always remain vigilant while using public transportation.

Be Suspicious

Be suspicious of anyone who approaches you out of the blue and tries to strike up a conversation. If someone stops you to sign a petition, they’re just trying to distract you so their accomplices can relieve you of your valuables. We personally witnessed this petition scam at the base of the Eiffel Tower.

Keep Wallets and Cell Phones In Your Hand

Never put your cell phone, purse, or wallet on a table in a restaurant or next to you on a bench. Don’t put your purse on the back of your chair. Someone can walk by and take these items in an instant.

Don’t Think Thieves are Conspicuous

Never assume all pickpockets and petty thieves are male or will be easy to spot. Thieves want to blend into the crowd. As in any profession, pickpockets and thieves can be of either gender.

Thieves are Like Magicians

Just like magicians, pickpockets and petty thieves are counting on you to be distracted.

We all laugh when a magician takes someone’s watch and the person never even knows it happened until it’s returned. This is exactly what pickpockets and petty thieves do, only they don’t let you in on the trick. Think of them as magicians for illicit profit.

Don’t Be a Target

Let’s face it, there’s no 100%, surefire way to prevent pickpockets and petty thievery. Thieves will always go for the most vulnerable. Your goal is to make yourself less of a target than the person standing next to you. I hate saying that, but that’s the reality.

None of these tips are difficult to follow.  Be mindful of your situation and you’ll avoid pickpockets and petty thievery the next time you travel.

Have you every been a victim of a pickpocket or thief while traveling?  I’d love to hear your thoughts or any tips tips you’d like to share. Don’t forget to subscribe and share this blog post with your friends!