Pickpockets in Europe

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

And adding that you should be wary of anyone who tries to engage you or hand you something. Read up on common scams so you know them when you encounter them—spilling something on you to distract you, bumping into you and dropping something, panhandlers with long stories. It’s okay to be unfriendly. Women are conditioned to be polite and accommodating, and criminals use that to our detriment.

[Anonymous]

Never seen it happen in northern Europe as people keep distance. Been to Paris and Amsterdam twice and still nothing. I must have looked poor.
That said, crossbody under clothes. Nobody wants to lose their passports and have trouble getting back.

[Anonymous]

Definitely varies city to city. I feel way more on guard in Paris and Barcelona than Warsaw or Riga, for example.

[Anonymous]

Watch the videos on YouTube of the pickpockets on the trains. There’s a particular type of person to watch out for. It’s not the only type but it might help you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

And adding that you should be wary of anyone who tries to engage you or hand you something. Read up on common scams so you know them when you encounter them—spilling something on you to distract you, bumping into you and dropping something, panhandlers with long stories. It’s okay to be unfriendly. Women are conditioned to be polite and accommodating, and criminals use that to our detriment.

+1. We had someone try this at a subway station in Rome late at night. Walked up and “accidentally” dropped a bunch of coins right at my feet while two “bystanders” moved in. But it was pretty obvious, and we just moved away from all 3 people immediately.

[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.

It used to be recommended because you’ll need it if stopped by local police. I was detained once in Uzhbelhodyan (having done nothing) and they demanded our passports — they held us because we did not have the paper visas on us, even though they clearly knew we had them. But if you’re going to someplace like Italy or France, I don’t think this is necessary. When I did carry my passport, I had a square passport vinyl holder that looped over a belt and went inside your pants — basically right outside your underwear on the front. If you are wearing jeans or similar, this is totally the best, as it sits there very snug and is more comfortable than the belt bags and less accessible. (I once was almost robbed by a gang of Roma children in Russia that lifted my shirt to grab the wait belt bag. I’m not sure if other countries have those gangs of children but they are much harder to avoid than a standard pickpocket because they work in a group and take advantage of the fact that you don’t want to punch them or anything like that.).
For a standard tourist vacation. I just use a leather cross body purse held in front of me, and general awareness. But if I think I’m gojng someplace high risk (colosseum might fall into that category), I use the inside the pants square packet for my ID and money. Like ttbis:
https://www.amazon.com/Lewis-N-Clark-RFID-Blocking-Hidden/dp/B00I5IWC1E/ref=asc_df_B00I5IWC1E?mcid=86cd2b6eee4f33d29739b3574cb50816&hvocijid=18248130904768093528-B00I5IWC1E-&hvexpln=73&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=721245378154&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=18248130904768093528&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9007781&hvtargid=pla-2281435179978&psc=1

[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.

Reacher's in the house!

[Anonymous]

I've traveled a bit. The trick is just to not make yourself an easy target. Cross body bags with zip tops, keep stuffed zipped inside inner pockets. Keep bags in front or on the side and in crowded situations rest a hand on the top of your bag as well. Never leave your bag on a chair next to you or changing off the back of a chair.

The reality of pickpockets is they don't generally want to get into a confrontation, so make yourself someone who's not easy to take from without getting noticed. Now someone who's willing to get violent, you may just want to give them money to go away. But that's extremely rare. There's no reason to carry large sums of cash in Europe so don't do that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

And adding that you should be wary of anyone who tries to engage you or hand you something. Read up on common scams so you know them when you encounter them—spilling something on you to distract you, bumping into you and dropping something, panhandlers with long stories. It’s okay to be unfriendly. Women are conditioned to be polite and accommodating, and criminals use that to our detriment.

Traveling with my parents can be a bit stressful because of this. Neither of them really gets the "you have to ignore people" stuff. Even here in DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Same.

Also, when I travel I rarely stay in the same hotel/city the whole time. I'll definitely be carrying my passport on me while I'm traveling between cities (and usually that's on public transportation.)
I often ask the front desk of the hotel to store my bags if I will be out in the city during the day and then leaving that night (or if I've arrived early in the morning before my room is ready) and I'd rather have my passport with me than stored in a luggage room.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

It used to be recommended because you’ll need it if stopped by local police. I was detained once in Uzhbelhodyan (having done nothing) and they demanded our passports — they held us because we did not have the paper visas on us, even though they clearly knew we had them. But if you’re going to someplace like Italy or France, I don’t think this is necessary. When I did carry my passport, I had a square passport vinyl holder that looped over a belt and went inside your pants — basically right outside your underwear on the front. If you are wearing jeans or similar, this is totally the best, as it sits there very snug and is more comfortable than the belt bags and less accessible. (I once was almost robbed by a gang of Roma children in Russia that lifted my shirt to grab the wait belt bag. I’m not sure if other countries have those gangs of children but they are much harder to avoid than a standard pickpocket because they work in a group and take advantage of the fact that you don’t want to punch them or anything like that.).
For a standard tourist vacation. I just use a leather cross body purse held in front of me, and general awareness. But if I think I’m gojng someplace high risk (colosseum might fall into that category), I use the inside the pants square packet for my ID and money. Like ttbis:
https://www.amazon.com/Lewis-N-Clark-RFID-Blocking-Hidden/dp/B00I5IWC1E/ref=asc_df_B00I5IWC1E?mcid=86cd2b6eee4f33d29739b3574cb50816&hvocijid=18248130904768093528-B00I5IWC1E-&hvexpln=73&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=721245378154&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=18248130904768093528&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9007781&hvtargid=pla-2281435179978&psc=1

Just out of curiosity, what would happen if you did fight back and punch/kick the kids? Could you (the foreign tourist) get in trouble?

[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.

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.

Wow. I was in Paris a few months ago and been to Germany, Spain, and Canada many times in the past. Never had an issue.

[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.

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

I didn't say they were any great distance in front of me, I said in front of me. Still hold hands with my wife similar to if she was at my side.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

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.

Wow. I was in Paris a few months ago and been to Germany, Spain, and Canada many times in the past. Never had an issue.

Same. I've been all over the world and admittedly put myself in some dumb situations in my 20s and still ...no issues. Was in London the summer of the 2005 bombings which was terrifying, but that's nothing that you can prevent. My only friend who has ever had something bad happen was my friend who got mugged in Buenos Aires when she was 20.

[Anonymous]

I'm not rich so I wouldn't be staying in fancy hotels. Are budget hotel safes fine to store your passports or should I be wary of the safes in those hotels and keep passport on me.