Pickpockets in Europe

[Anonymous]

Passports and wallet in money belt under clothes when in transit. I have a travelon bag, small special crossbody with two locks and slash proof, for my cell phone. Some cities like Barcelona are not even fun bc of pickpockets, especially in touristy areas. They are very noticeable and lots of them working in pairs and groups.

[Anonymous]

Carry the bare minimum. If I am standing still/waiting at crosswalk/in line at least one of my hands is in my pocket. Always the front right pocket with wallet in it. I alway have something above the wallet in my pocket. Typically a dummy set of keys. If they are going to get the wallet they are going to have to dig.

If I have Airpod , it is just one.

I am a bigger guy 6'4" and have noticeable muscle definition, when the bracelet and phony petition people approach and I say no or ignore they typically don't continue to engage.

I also make sure my wife and kid are in front of me 90% of the time. They also know that if i say move sternly but under my breath it means move, don't look around, don't ask just move at a quicker pace until I tell you it is clear. If I fall back it is intentional to distract and they are to keep moving. If I save move 1 go to the hotel, if I ssay move 2 it means go to police station, if I say move 3 it means go to embassy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What precuations do you take?

I've read many stories on how passports were stolen, wallets were stolen, luggage stolen from trains if in luggage hold. Not to mention the train station ticket scams, the bracelet scams, flower scams.

Those of you who are seasoned travelers and who take the train and bus - can you share your tips?

Do you keep passports in safe in hotel or carry it with you (especially to places like colosseum in Italy and vatican city where iD is required)? Or is a photo on the phone enough?

What kind of purses/bags do you use?

Crossbody bag and be aware of your surroundings. Never hang your bag on the back of a chair at a restaurant for example. Wallet/cc are in the back of the crossbody bag, closest to my body. Passport is back at the hotel in the safe or hidden at the air bnb

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Carry the bare minimum. If I am standing still/waiting at crosswalk/in line at least one of my hands is in my pocket. Always the front right pocket with wallet in it. I alway have something above the wallet in my pocket. Typically a dummy set of keys. If they are going to get the wallet they are going to have to dig.

If I have Airpod , it is just one.

I am a bigger guy 6'4" and have noticeable muscle definition, when the bracelet and phony petition people approach and I say no or ignore they typically don't continue to engage.

I also make sure my wife and kid are in front of me 90% of the time. They also know that if i say move sternly but under my breath it means move, don't look around, don't ask just move at a quicker pace until I tell you it is clear. If I fall back it is intentional to distract and they are to keep moving. If I save move 1 go to the hotel, if I ssay move 2 it means go to police station, if I say move 3 it means go to embassy.

Where the hell are you going that all this is necessary?

[Anonymous]

I bought a cute Sherpani theft proof cross body for Europe. It has the locking zipper and cut resistant straps. I also carry a small backpack with snacks, water, and other miscellaneous items I wouldn’t miss if it got stolen.

[Anonymous]

I’ve never understood people that carry their passport on them while sightseeing. Do you want to be stuck in a foreign country? Seems like a good way to be stuck in a foreign country. Have been to (taken public transport in) Paris, Rome, Barcelona, London, Cape Town, etc. Never pickpocketed. Never accosted. Don’t look like a mark and you won’t be a mark.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Carry the bare minimum. If I am standing still/waiting at crosswalk/in line at least one of my hands is in my pocket. Always the front right pocket with wallet in it. I alway have something above the wallet in my pocket. Typically a dummy set of keys. If they are going to get the wallet they are going to have to dig.

If I have Airpod , it is just one.

I am a bigger guy 6'4" and have noticeable muscle definition, when the bracelet and phony petition people approach and I say no or ignore they typically don't continue to engage.

I also make sure my wife and kid are in front of me 90% of the time. They also know that if i say move sternly but under my breath it means move, don't look around, don't ask just move at a quicker pace until I tell you it is clear. If I fall back it is intentional to distract and they are to keep moving. If I save move 1 go to the hotel, if I ssay move 2 it means go to police station, if I say move 3 it means go to embassy.

What a fun trip!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve never understood people that carry their passport on them while sightseeing. Do you want to be stuck in a foreign country? Seems like a good way to be stuck in a foreign country. Have been to (taken public transport in) Paris, Rome, Barcelona, London, Cape Town, etc. Never pickpocketed. Never accosted. Don’t look like a mark and you won’t be a mark.

I’ve traveled all over the world and keep my passport with me. Never pickpocked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Carry the bare minimum. If I am standing still/waiting at crosswalk/in line at least one of my hands is in my pocket. Always the front right pocket with wallet in it. I alway have something above the wallet in my pocket. Typically a dummy set of keys. If they are going to get the wallet they are going to have to dig.

If I have Airpod , it is just one.

I am a bigger guy 6'4" and have noticeable muscle definition, when the bracelet and phony petition people approach and I say no or ignore they typically don't continue to engage.

I also make sure my wife and kid are in front of me 90% of the time. They also know that if i say move sternly but under my breath it means move, don't look around, don't ask just move at a quicker pace until I tell you it is clear. If I fall back it is intentional to distract and they are to keep moving. If I save move 1 go to the hotel, if I ssay move 2 it means go to police station, if I say move 3 it means go to embassy.

Where the hell are you going that all this is necessary?

Had a friend have neck sliced in Spain when two men tried to cut her cross body strap and missed. My best friend and his fiance were robbed and assaulted while we were all in Paris. I was victim of attempted kidnapping in Spain. Got caught in brawl on a train in Germany and one on the street in Canada. I was in Madrid when the 3/11 bombings happened. Was in Paris when the street we were having dinner was way to close for comfort during the 2005 riots.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Carry the bare minimum. If I am standing still/waiting at crosswalk/in line at least one of my hands is in my pocket. Always the front right pocket with wallet in it. I alway have something above the wallet in my pocket. Typically a dummy set of keys. If they are going to get the wallet they are going to have to dig.

If I have Airpod , it is just one.

I am a bigger guy 6'4" and have noticeable muscle definition, when the bracelet and phony petition people approach and I say no or ignore they typically don't continue to engage.

I also make sure my wife and kid are in front of me 90% of the time. They also know that if i say move sternly but under my breath it means move, don't look around, don't ask just move at a quicker pace until I tell you it is clear. If I fall back it is intentional to distract and they are to keep moving. If I save move 1 go to the hotel, if I ssay move 2 it means go to police station, if I say move 3 it means go to embassy.

What a fun trip!

What do you mean fun trip?

[Anonymous]

in Paris common to get jostled from behind in the crush to get thru Metro turnstiles and voila something has vanished from your body.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:in Paris common to get jostled from behind in the crush to get thru Metro turnstiles and voila something has vanished from your body.

How does that even work if you have your purse in front of you? They push from behind but your purse is in front.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Carry the bare minimum. If I am standing still/waiting at crosswalk/in line at least one of my hands is in my pocket. Always the front right pocket with wallet in it. I alway have something above the wallet in my pocket. Typically a dummy set of keys. If they are going to get the wallet they are going to have to dig.

If I have Airpod , it is just one.

I am a bigger guy 6'4" and have noticeable muscle definition, when the bracelet and phony petition people approach and I say no or ignore they typically don't continue to engage.

I also make sure my wife and kid are in front of me 90% of the time. They also know that if i say move sternly but under my breath it means move, don't look around, don't ask just move at a quicker pace until I tell you it is clear. If I fall back it is intentional to distract and they are to keep moving. If I save move 1 go to the hotel, if I ssay move 2 it means go to police station, if I say move 3 it means go to embassy.

You sound...intense.
So you only walk and talk with your family 10% of the time? That seems a bit sad to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Carry the bare minimum. If I am standing still/waiting at crosswalk/in line at least one of my hands is in my pocket. Always the front right pocket with wallet in it. I alway have something above the wallet in my pocket. Typically a dummy set of keys. If they are going to get the wallet they are going to have to dig.

If I have Airpod , it is just one.

I am a bigger guy 6'4" and have noticeable muscle definition, when the bracelet and phony petition people approach and I say no or ignore they typically don't continue to engage.

I also make sure my wife and kid are in front of me 90% of the time. They also know that if i say move sternly but under my breath it means move, don't look around, don't ask just move at a quicker pace until I tell you it is clear. If I fall back it is intentional to distract and they are to keep moving. If I save move 1 go to the hotel, if I ssay move 2 it means go to police station, if I say move 3 it means go to embassy.

What a fun trip!

What do you mean fun trip?

/s

[Anonymous]

You leave really important stuff in a safe. You carry things you don’t want to lose close to your body and in a closed compartment. Bury it as deep as you can—closed interior pocket in a closed bag, small crossbody bag worn under a jacket, interior jacket pocket. That sort of thing. I live in nyc and admit I don’t always follow those rules, but I do if I know I’m going to be on the subway at rush hour or in touristy areas like Times Square where there are crowds in close quarters.