Tap here to see items: ✈ Hidden money belt: amzn.to/3YWZbxe Credit card protector sleeves: amzn.to/3MjYaHW Slash-resistant crossbody bags with straps that lock: amzn.to/3Xcx2Rn Similar but larger: amzn.to/4cEvp3n Zipper clips: amzn.to/3WTZbex Backpack with zipper clips: amzn.to/3AAUe2Z (super thin fabric-no structure but awesome) Purple pullover: bit.ly/471cMWb Black crossbody bag: amzn.to/4cGfVMa Black/white strap: amzn.to/3yLoyaz Green backpack: bit.ly/45MzTDf Similar: bit.ly/3xTTxkh Lanyard money RFID necklace pouch: amzn.to/3AsHriP Pink (or white) pouch: amzn.to/3AAqrHy Hydration packets: amzn.to/46YKBr1 Carry-On luggage: amzn.to/3ABXTxu Blouse: amzn.to/4cDuhx5 (large is size 10) Ring: bit.ly/49Fu7Vw Amazon antitheft gear video: bit.ly/StopPickpocketGearFromAmazon 6 of the best personal item bags for the airplane: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-YlD_4OV0VKk.html How I pack a personal item (with freebie): bit.ly/PersonalItemBagHacks Waterproof shoes for traveling: bit.ly/WaterproofTravelShoes
WHY dont you say that in Europe it is a certain ethnic group from romania that does 99% of begging and picpocket crime in italy/Germany/France/Spain..???
Don’t buy money belt with a stretchy strap like that. They don’t feel stable. Better to have a not stretchy strap on yours Turns out I have good sense. I wore money belt Under my clothes and a fanny pack above. Outside, with the current things I needed fo, the day. They make backpacks with only one opening at the back otherwise smooth.. Yep they cost a little more. The backpack with structure to put the weight on your hips instead of your shoulders is worth its weight. Take my advice and spend enough to get one of those. Happy traveling!
I had my wallet with $300 go missing from my purse. I was distraught as this was all the money I had. It happened during the post-9/11 memorial at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco. The priests were amazingly supportive. They walked me through everything. Lo and behold, someone found my wallet with the money in it. They returned all of it to the lost and found, so I recovered everything. I can’t thank everyone at Grace Cathedral enough for their compassion and support.
@@TravelTipsbyLaurie WHY dont you say that in Europe it is a certain ethnic group from romania that does 99% of begging and picpocket crime in italy/Germany/France/Spain..? That would be useful information.
@@rebenton8112 Not necessarily from Romania. People confuse the name some of them use with Romania because it's similar, but they are present in all Europe, migrated in 8th to 10th. They can be from Romania, Croatia, Bulgaria, Balkans. Western Europe also has some populations. But... while they make a large percentage of pickpockets and have centuries-long experience in it, there are others. For example, in Italy there are now Peruvian groups as well. Besides, even with Roma you cannot always tell them apart, there is a variety of looks among them. Some darker some lily white. It's safer to suspect every single person near you and act accordingly. If you search specifically for pictures on the web, you can see those that aren't distinguishable from Spaniards or Italians.
I’m an expat living in Paris now for 16-years now. Paris is known for pickpockets, fact so good you won’t even know you’re being pickpocket. Here are some additional tips I’d like to add if you travel to Paris or for that matter any big city: -Always have your bag attached to chair or put your leg between the strap. Never have your bag strapped behind your chair. -Ignore people who come up to you at Tourist areas. It’s not rude, just pretend you don’t understand -If someone asks you if you speak English, don’t say anything, Or you can just say no. -Zipper connector’s don’t always work in crowded areas, I recommend a mini luggage lock. -Always ask your friend to look after your bag whether you’re inside or out at e.g., cafe when you go to the bathroom. -Never, ever stand near the door of a metro, if possible. Most thiefs time their grab and run as the train door is about to close. -Theft proof pants don’t work. This happened to a friend of mine. His wife got tripped, he went to help her up at metro. A crowd ensued and they stole his wallet from the zippered theft proof pants. -Paris metro on some lines the conductor will announce pickpockets just boarded. Many of the picpockets are known by the train operators. It’ll be in French, but they usually use the word “pickpocket” to warn everyone. -At ATMS, always have a friend guard you, I’ve seen cash and grab so many times. If you’re on your own, use the ATM inside the bank or building, never on the street. -If young teenagers or young women come on train, and they have a big bag, or jackets folded over their arm, they camouflage their hand so they can use it cover your purse or bag and steal from you. -I swear by slash proof “Cross body bags”. And, using a lock on the zippers. Thus far no problems, knock on wood. I’ve know people who lived in Paris all their lives and have gotten pickpocket, the important thing is to be alert of your surroundings, Don't let your guard down. My husband got pickpocketed last year. He forgot to secure his phone and got crammed by the entrance door of a metro, he knows better, but let his guard down. Hope this additional information helps.
I knew a man who lucked out: When he stepped off the top of an escalator in Paris, he was approached by the gendarmes and asked to pull out his wallet. Once he couldn't find it and his eyes went wide in realization, they told him they had caught the pickpocket and was escorted to a room to press charges and get the wallet back
Great tips. I always keep my passport, debit card, extra cash and a small copy of my itinerary and travel insurance in my underclothing money belt at all times. That is never accessed in public…..ever!! If you need something, go into a bathroom or change room in a store. Wear it in the small of your back, you don’t feel it. I now have a crossbody sling bag worn in front for my next trip, for my day bag. All that’s in it is a small amount of cash, tissues, etc. Don’t let people try to “help” you., and yes, always stand with your back to a wall, and in a Metro station, stand well back from the tracks! When I land in Europe, after passport control, I take my bag into a washroom stall in the airport and stow my cards and passport in my moneybelt in privacy. Keep only enough money out to get to your first hotel.
@@kirstenschwendiman2010 I think they mean if your backpack has a second access point, rather than just the one, to lock it somehow. Anything to make yourself a difficult target.
We were just in Paris for the Olympics on the Metro. We spotted the 3- 20ish girls get on the metro with us. One looked to be about 15 months pregnant🤦🏻♀️. They came over to my daughter and myself to have us give up our seats for them. I knew immediately what was going on and warned my daughter to keep her hands over her carabiner hooks on her zippers of her bag when giving up our seats. Immediately I felt the hands trying to get into my locked bag and slapped her and yelled to not touch us and made a scene. They immediately ran off train and a bag of clothing fell out of the “pregnant” girls shirt. People were at first appalled that I slapped her hands away until they saw what was really going on.
Paris the worst. People in our tour group were never ripped off in Italy as we were worried about the "gypsies", but the worst theives were France - they looked like us. Three in our group got pickpocketed in Paris.
similar scenario just happened to my mom a couple weeks ago on our trip in italy. train ride from pisa to florence, one girl pretending to try to help ky elderly mom with her bag while the other, also a fake pregnant lady, was unzipping my moms crossbody purse since my mom was distracted telling the other girl no hands off her bag. my husband thankfully saw it, slapped the pregnant lady away and created a massive scene too which other passengers then joined in on on this very overpacked train. these ones were pros, pretending they were only trying to help and that she was pregnant, they tried to play it off but they got off the train too. thankfully nothing stolen but definitely an unpleasant and scary scenario.
@@sarahm.a.9064 If it was in Italy, the girl could've really been pregnant. In Italy, they don't put pregnant women and women with kids under 1 in prison, they postpone their sentence and let them go in the meantime. So some of the pickpockets have one baby after another. They recently arrested a 31 year old gypsy from Croatia with 20 years "experience" pickpocketing, teaching others to pickpocket, I guess you've got to start early to learn the craft well. Every time they arrested her, she was either pregnant or had a small baby, 10 kids in total. They call her "mamma borseggiatrice" - mommy pickpocket. With all the prior sentences postponed she should have gone to prison for 30 years except her last baby is only 2 months old. So the judge had no choice but to let her go. It's really sad, they take kids out of school after 6 or 7 years and teach and force them to pickpocket and have kids to avoid prison.
I love to put together a cheap 2 dollar Velcro wallet filled with stage money and those fake credit cards they send you in the mail to get you to sign up. Then I either stuff it into an open back pocket or, one time, left it on the bar while I went to visit”John”. When I got back the bartender was laughing and gave me the high five. The thief grabbed it,ran out, then returned and flipped it back through the door,with, I was told “severe cursing”. I was the bar hero that night in Lisbon.
Great tips, many of which I already use, as I am a solo, senior female traveller. Another tip.. when purchasing a small backpack for travel, I make sure it closes with dual zippers, so I can then put a small travel padlock on each access zipper set. I know it stopped my being pickpocketed as I was in a boarding line for a flight from Lisbon to Frankfurt last year, in front of a group of young men. As we waited, I heard "She's got locks.."
In Paris my French tour guide told me that one of the latest pickpocket schemes is for three young women to start arguing and fighting, hoping you will step in to help the one being beaten up. While you do their other friends run by stealing your bag! She also said they are really good at unzipping a backpack while following you up the metro stairs. I use the clips you mentioned on all my bags and carry a small travel on crossbody bag that I keep my hand on at all times or if it’s cold, I wear it under my coat. Ive done that on my Christmas market cruises.
After 30 countries over 2 decades, I feel safest wearing a slim travel pouch under my shirt with my essential valuables. I carry a sling or small purse with some cash and a card but if it gets taken, they don’t get what I value most. The other defense is confidence and awareness. My friends got pickpocketed in Milan but although I was alone, I projected confidence and watched my surroundings and had no issues. All that is to say, don’t be afraid to travel. Just be prepared.
On a trip to Spain a phone theft that almost happened to my daughter was someone coming up to her and putting a large menu on the table over her phone and then grabbing it . Luckily she had just seen a video about this and was able to avert the theft - smart girl !
She is smart. A similar thing happened to the husband of my cousin in Berlin. He is German born in East Berlin. Maybe as a local, he didn't think he needed to be careful especially as he'd probably come to this place many times before. He was sitting at a table by the river, they have this place in the center. His phone was on the table. A girl came up to him with a petition. While he was reading it, his phone was gone. He ran after her, called a policeman, but when they caught up, she had nothing on her. When I visited my cousin, he took me to show me the city, and he pointed out this place and also the little paper sign posted nearby warning people of this type of pickpockets.
@@barbaraberry9075 I don't believe she tossed the phone. She probably gave to an accomplice. This is what they often do - steal and then give the loot to an accomplice.
For anyone that carry’s anything in their pockets you can sew Velcro strips into the inside top of the pocket. You can’t discretely open Velcro, you’re going to hear it or notice it giving you a better chance to stop it.
I did this for my son’s clothes. He was a little kid and I didn’t want any of his money falling out. I just use a couple of safety pins to lock in my pockets. I also sewed in a passport size pouch in my clothes.
❤❤❤ love these tips. I put my phone on a lanyard around my neck, even at home while going to work, or when flying domestically.. Makes me not put it down somewhere, and helps keep my hands free. TSA agents often say “great idea”! 😊
We have done 7 tours with Rick Steves Tours. He stresses the importance of money belts and issues them to each member of a tour. Thieves would have to strip off our clothes to get to passports and credit cards!
I'm going to Europe next summer with high school kids, thank you for doing this!! The more prepared we can be, the more fun we can have. I'm a Momma Bear, I'm not having it with the thieves !! Nope 😊❤ You're the best!! 🤗
Europe is a wonderful area, although after this report I’m not surprised you are concerned . Sensible precautions worldwide. Europe is certainly no more dangerous than tourist areas of US.
don't be too scared. I traveled through many European cities and never even seen anyone being victim of pickpockets... Only once I have seen that someone stole a backpack - it was left on the beach while owner went swimming o.O it was in city beach in Budva (Montenegro), in 2013 or 2014
@@MaraMara89 thanks. You watch a lot of videos & you get concerned. I've not been back to Europe so nice I was so little ( Norway/Dad side😏). Time for fun!
I keep ids and credit cards in a holder under my clothes and try to keep my crossbody purse under a coat or sweater or shirt instead of outside. Has worked for 50 years.
In Milan thefts are very common. Local friends advised me to wear a tiny cross body bag with a zip opening that was pretty tight. A long coat is then worn on top of the bag to help deter thefts.
Great video. Thank you for all the useful tips. I don't carry a wallet when I travel. I put my passport, cash, credit cards in separate zippered pockets in my Travelon crossbody, so if I do get robbed, the thief doesn't get everything. We were warned in 1993 by our TA in Italy to be carful of groups of children who surround you and pickpocket you.
Laurie, one of my favorite travel aids is the NiteIze Hitch. It attaches to your phone. You can either wear it around your wrist, or clip it directly to your body or purse. I also use a tether for my wallet. The tether is also attached to my body or purse.
2 things i do in crowder trains/ public transportation - first is if i wear a backpack and not going to sit i always try to go and lean on the windows or a wall and press the backpack towards it that way they cant just unzip it. Second is if i can't lean , i take the backpack and hold it down that way i have full view of it incase someone try to get into it. Also i avoid backpacks that are with just 1 way of closing - i prefer if they have a zipper and a flap on top of with with another closing mechanism. If i use purse/ crossbody bag - zipper always facing forwards never on the back and i like to hold the strap lower , not on my shoulder area but lower closer to the bag , that way the opening is touching the whole length of my arm. In restaurants depend on the chair type if is solid back , i can place it on the back and again squeeze it with my body , and the strap is always still attached to me . If the chair is more open back then the purse goes on my lap and under the table. One advice i can give is if restaurant have tables close , and someone sit on the one behind you and put a coat on their chair move your purse to the front of you. Some use that tactic with holes in their coats , for everyone it will look like they are looking for something in their pocket ,when in reality they are stealing from the person behind.
Smart! In the past I've used a clip or carabiner to prevent my zippered bag from being opened easily. And if I'm sitting down at a restaurant, I put my backpack under the table, hanging it from my legs instead of hanging on the back of the chair. If you are just inconvenient enough to rob, they'll look for someone who is less cautious.
The likelihood of being robbed by a pickpocket seems to vary by country. Japan has much less of this. In Barcelona, I felt like I was attending the olympics of pick pocketing -- incredibly subtle and deft. I saw people do this and the victim had absolutely no idea that they had been struck; incredible brazen thieves. It is essential to be constantly vigilant as you have said. And yes, the thieves tend to choose the easiest targets. I picked up a tiny cable lock, like a padlock but with a steel cable instead of solid metal, that I use to close zippers together. The effort needed to open it would get my attention so it is a helpful but not impossible to defeat. For most of my travels, I am carrying a small camera bag with internal, zippered pockets. While it is not impregnable, it would take enough effort and physical movement to get my attention and thus protect myself.
I was in Barcelona earlier this year. Never saw any of the scenarios mentioned or felt unsafe. Luckily it was in cooler weather so I had my jacket on most day or a sweater. Just used my regular Prada purse that I love for travel (it holds a lot & so many zippers/pockets). I’m definitely aware of my surroundings.
We did Barcelona, Paris, Brussells, London, etc. We both had sling bags that we wore on the front of our bodies (or down to the side under jackets if it was cold enough). They had good padded staps that couldn't be cut easily. I'm sorta always aware of people because anxiety but honestly I wasn't overly alert and I didn't need to be with that bag. I kinda hated how it looked haha, but it did the job being right in front of me at all times, was easy to naturally keep my hand on and leave on when eating. It had an external zipper pocket against my body where I put my phone. I also had my wallet (just a small coin purse) on a small bungee cord clipped to a loop inside the bag, then slipped in an inner pocket. Then, if someone did cut the bag it still wouldn't fall out (and it was easy to find). I also used a strap on my phone like others mentioned. I will say, a lot of these things I did came from watching your videos and learning what to look out for!
Excellent tips Laurie! I’ve lived in NYC for over 50 years & after having my purse stolen from the back of my chair in a theme restaurant, I continue to wear it across my body. On mass transportation I keep it close on the front of my body, zipped w/the zipper pulls in front, & my hand on it at all times. And my passport stays in the safe at the hotel or on the ship. I do have that Travelon bag but also a Baggallini anti-theft convertible waist pack that can be worn sling-style (I’m too short for most slings). AND(finally!) Apple Support has a RU-vid video on using ApplePay on your watch-very easy! I only take 1 physical credit plus my debit card with me when traveling. Thanks as always!
@@flynn1a It happens everywhere in this country as well. I believe Laurie is pointing out that the techniques vary from one locale to another. As she said we need to be observant & take some precautions.
Your tips helped so much in Paris!! I love both the Travelon messenger bag and the fanny pack wallet. The biggest challenge was trying not to whip my phone out as much for directions in crowded areas, though!
I put my phone on a crossbody strap and wore that a lot. It came in handy for using Lime bikes in Paris. Then I could start my Google maps, put in one earbud, prep the bike, then ride off like I know where I am going.
Laurie, we used your tips on a 2 week trip to the UK. I carried a heavy zippered leather bag and my husband used a Scott eVest with internal zippered pockets. We dressed to blend in and not look like tourists and didn't carry our phones in our hands. We also didn't use the popular traveler crossbody bags, as only tourists were wearing those. We came home safely with our stuff even traveling by boat, Tube, and on foot. However 3 people on our tour were pickpocketed in the Westminster Abbey gift shop, and another had his wallet stolen from his jacket draped over a chair in a pub. Thanks for preparing us!
London is bad. The only time anyone went in my bag was when my son was little. I'm usually on my guard,but he'd fallen over and was crying, so I was distracted trying to comfort him. He was only about 2, or 3 at the time. Thankfully they didn't get anything. For some reason, I hadn't put my phone back in it's usual place in my bag and had put it in a different section. I thought they'd got it at first. I don't know if they realise that they didn't have time to get it and get away (it turned out there was a police officer not far away), or if they realise it was a cheap phone and not worth it, but either way, I still had my phone, but was shaken that some awful person would try to steal from someone comforting a crying child.
I like the code word! My inlaws were in Europe and my FIL felt something on his coat. He instinctively just whacked his arm back and shouted. There were cops nearby and he was actually worried he'd get in trouble for hitting someone. Another time, a gypsy threw a baby doll at my MIL, trying to get her to automatically raise her arms to catch a baby. She didn't 😆.
Thanks for all of your valuable travel tips Laurie!!! 🌸 The purchase of my SCOTTeVEST (with inside zippered pockets) and Travelon locking/slash-proof purse are the best anti-theft purchases I have made to date! My husband wears cargo shorts and keeps his wallet in the lower front zippered part of the shorts, and so far he’s not had any issues. We carry minimal valuables on our trips, but what we do bring, we are careful to keep them safe.
Good info but scary! We always put our valuables in an around-the-neck-under-our-clothes RFID pouch. You just can't be too careful. Thanks for the great video.
In Rome, some friends (a group of 6 adults standing side by side.) were standing at the curb facing the street across from the Colosseum. The dad felt his wallet being lifted and yelled she’s got my wallet! The lady passed it off to a child who was running past, his son who was at the end of the line, grabbed the kid who promptly dropped the wallet. The woman who had initially taken the wallet was no where to be seen. She left the little kid to face the music alone! Looking back they wondered if it was wise to grab the child, but it all happened so fast and everyone acted on instinct. Crazy!
@@ZzXZ636 not at all. But grabbing someone could escalate rather quickly. They were very happy to get their property back, believe me. But these days when even making a rude gesture can end in a knife or gun retaliation is something to be aware of. Just sayin’.
@@meridethhendry5733 in Europe it isn't popular to have weapon on you o.O if you get caught as thief is one thing, but owing a gun would be big troubles
@@meridethhendry5733 in Italy they’re not so likely to have guns but could have knives, but I would think if it’s a small child it wouldn’t be likely they would hit you with a knife, if it was a teenager, maybe.
Keep your head on a swivel in all of your surroundings, and keep your items close to your body and if possible under your hands at all times.Simply easy precautions. Knock on wood, I’ve never been robbed, but I’ve also followed the tips that I just explained above. I grew up in a tough neighborhood so that’s made me super aware and cautious.
A friend was on a tour in Warsaw and a member of the tour group foiled a pickpocket. My friend grabed the pickpocket and slammed him against the wall, but didn’t try to detain him.
I have a pacsafe backpack and I don't know if I forgot to clip the lock and left it unzipped, before I put it on. When I next took it off it was definitely unzipped, but I had stuffed a big scarf on top of everything so if someone actually tried to steal something that scarf probably discouraged them. They couldn't get to anything easily. This was in Italy.
A friend of mine used to stuff, just on the top of the pockets of her travel bag, with cellophane paper. The crackling noise helped her catch the pickpockets more than once. This was in Paris.
Yes, thieves have a tendency to make people paranoid where ever they are traveling. I'm on the look all the time, I wear cross body slash resistant purse, locks on suitcases & backpacks, husband wears travel vest with inside pocked and zippered. Goodness sakes we are ready for battle. It makes me feel more protected but sad that we have to do all that and still are vulnerable.
I email to myself copies of my passport, driving licence and other identity card. Also I keep copies in my suitcase. In case they are lost or stolen in a foreign country, it will be easier to get new ones.
A few decades ago in Rome, my wife and I were surrounded by 5 yelling kids pretending they were just walking by laughing and teasing each other. It seemed strange to me as I saw no adults so I told her to run. After we ran away, I had her turn around and her backpack was unzipped. They are trained by their parents to steal. Serious problem.
Amazon has different cords available that attach to your phone and you can attach the cord to your purse or a belt loop. I got one to travel Europe and it really gave me a little peace of mind when I had to pull out my phone. I know some could cut the cord but I do think it is a deterrent.
You truly can't assume that certain types of people would never be prone to pick your pockets. The head librarian of my town - in her sixties, well dressed, looked like your typical grandmother - was quite good at it, and enjoyed showcasing it whenever someone left their wallet peek too far out of their pocket or purse! 😂🤣 (She always did return what she "stole", of course!) I couldn't help but chuckle at the image of someone leaving c-notes sticking out of their back pocket; you're enticing even the most novice Pickpocket doing that! 😏 Knowing who's around you truly is a huge part of keeping your valuables from being lifted. My hairdresser told me an anecdote about how she had taught her son and his friends a lesson about NOT keeping their wallets nor phones in their back pockets. While they were standing around talking about their upcoming class trip to Washington DC, she spied how they kept both items in the rear pockets of their pants. So as the boys were going over the places they were going to visit, she went from one to another, slipping their wallets and phones out, all of them unaware of her actions. As one young man after another discovered their things missing, they actually started blaming each other for the thefts too! She eventually revealed what she had done, leaving them all dumbfounded. "They call the back pocket the 'sucker pocket' for a reason, guys!" she said to all of them. 😂😂 As always, great video. And btw, you look great in that silk top - you could pick my pockets anytime looking so good! 😉❤️
Thanks to your suggestions in the past, small Travelon crossbody bags and a money belt have been great for me in Barcelona, Naples and Rome, and even in crime-ridden NYC. Kept my hands casually on the purse all the time. I always felt safe in London but times are changing there too.
Great tips Laurie! When I go grocery shopping, I keep my hand on my purse if I place it in the grocery cart, even if I’m reaching or bending to put something in my cart. I have a few friends who’ve had other people in the store take either their wallets out of their bags or take their entire bag while they were grocery shopping.
I just bought a new Travelon bag to use for shore excursions on my Mediterranean cruise. I will also be spending a few days in Athens and in Barcelona. I appreciate these tips to stay safe.
Travelon is great! I use mine a lot. I have also bought a Travelon cross body sling. I feel really safe and I cannot understand why people put anything in their pockets and let their purses stay unzipped.
@@TravelTipsbyLaurie I have your bag in purple. I love it so much that I use it as my regular purse at home too. Using it all the time helps to get used to locking it up.
I just ordered the Travelon you have in this video. Hope the back pocket is big enough for my Samsung 23. Have another Travelon that I used this spring that had a back pocket, but no way to close it. Hope this new one works.
Lately I've used sling bags a lot. I can shorten the strap so it's across my chest when in busy areas & when I go to a public toilet which doesn't have a hook on the wall to hang your bag 😊
I pickpocketed my own passport and hubbys. He put them in the outermost pocket of his backpack when we boarded a cruise. Just to prove to him what a bad spot it was to put them.
I already told my husband that we will each be responsible for our own passports. When my daughter’s family was in San Francisco two summers ago they kept all passports together in a backpack. Their rental car was broken into in the hotel garage and they lost all of them. The British girl with them visited her embassy and flew home the next day; it took two days for my daughter to find a same day appointment and they had to fly to Seattle for that!
Great info Laurie! Rome Italy on the Subway near the Coliseum Gypsy children pickpocketed our friend with his wallet in front jeans pocket. He did not have his own hand grasping it. 😯
This happened to my husband in the exact same place in May. One gypsy girl distracted while one of them watched me and the 3rd gypsy girl went up my husband’s shirt, unzipped the strapped bag around his chest and stole ALL of our cash. Legit went up and under his shirt! It ruined our whole Rome experience. Sufficed to say we’ve learned our lesson the hard way.
Preparation and situational awareness are both critical for not becoming a victim. While you're seeing the sights, always keep in mind someone has you in their sights!
These are all great tips to be using. I use the money belt and in a cross body I put non-valuables like kleenex, lip gloss, etc. Unfortunately this whole topic makes me hyper vigilant and is part of anxiety that makes travel somewhat less than magical.
I have to say, I would always keep an eye out for unsavory TSA "agents". They have been caught on camera stealing from busy/ unsuspecting travelers. Unfortunately they don't always hire the best and brightest. Thanks Laurie!
I travel a lot, and the only time I’ve ever been robbed was at the TSA line. Right at home. I put a Nicole Miller umbrella ( $6 at Marshalls)in the outside side pocket. The umbrella had a very nice, hard case. I think the TSA agent thought it was a camera or some kind of electronic device. I noticed right away, but nobody saw anything. Since it was something inexpensive and I needed to catch a plane , I didn’t report it. 😮😢
One thing not to do: don’t travel with a cheap, flimsy backpack. Those cute, stylish backpacks look good, but the straps can be thin, weak, and easily cuttable (if that’s a word). My friend experienced this in NYC, unfortunately.
Currently in Istanbul and moving to Athens tomorrow. After seeing so many videos about the phones being grabbed, I bought one of the crossbody straps for my phone off Amazon. It’s been great! Passport and cards and most of my money stay in my money belt under my clothes and then the wallet in my Travelon backpack with the locking zippers just has cash for the day, my metro card and my hotel room card. I’ve had no issues here but I have a feeling Athens is going to be a lot like Barcelona.
As you mentioned, awareness as you're walking is important....Last year, I was in a small coastal town near Lisbon, walking around the shopping area looking for a cafe, as I was too early to get access to my lodging. I still had my travel backpack and a rolling case with me. During that walk in the central walking area, found it very strange when 2 tall young women who in the distance were walking side-by-side suddenly split as they came closer to the point where we'd pass each other. I surprised them by doing my own "diversion", so neither of them would be close to me as they passed me. I did hear "she moved!" as they passed. They continued walking, as I had observed a security person nearby and was moving toward that person.
A guide in Paris warned us of a pickpocket scam where they throw coins at your feet as you walk down the street. The inclination is to stop to help them pick up the coins (while the thieves pickpocket you) The next day we literally had this happen to us and we knew to keep on walking….
I was thinking the same idea! Amazon and Temu sell the lanyard for just a few dollars....the ones that go around your neck or wrist. I'm sure some are slash-resistant.
One of the few times I've had anyone try to rob me in a lifetime of travel around the world was a group of old women in Quito, Ecuador. I was in a dangerous area in the Colonial old town. There were about ten of them, they surrounded me and slashed my raincoat with razor blades. The thing is, I was not a tourist, I was living there at the time and was just out for a walk--I did not have any money or valuables on me. Barcelona is famous for theft, but I have never had any problems there...I don't hang out on the Rambla though!
I did this while walking after seeing a show in London, with the bag on the front of me under the jacket. My mistake was letting my guard down once we were inside a very nice pub, swinging it around to the back of me in order to sit comfortably. It was still under my jacket (I was thinking slash-and-grab) but I should have left it on my lap. Sure enough, two men came in and sat down beside me. One spilled a drink on the other, causing a commotion. They left quickly which I thought was odd and when I went to grab my brand new iPhone that I bought for the trip... It was gone. My crossbody was magnetic open/close. From now on, will travel with nothing but a zipper opening now and those carabiner hooks. Learned the hard way.
We always travel on such trips in the fall …. I can’t imagine what we would do in the height of summer! So much easier to stash things under bulk and layers! Jet lag is a killer and the first few hours are critical. My husband (“tough guy”) thought I was being paranoid but he did listen to me when I told him to put everything in the under-cloths lanyard until a potential thief tried to distract him by pointing on the floor to something he had “dropped” out of his pocket. He couldn’t believe that he hadn’t felt a thing. He stopped calling me paranoid after that. We had a code word from then on too.
I have ordered 2 travelon items and a money belt for future travels. Thanks to my Grandmother for teaching me this, I have always worn my purse crossbody style, and always wear a shirt or jacket over my purse. Sometimes a hassle but always better safe than sorry.
In Toronto I constantly see unzipped pockets on people’s backpacks when I’m on transit. It’s easier to keep track of your bag if you bring it to the front while you’re on transit, especially when it’s very crowded. You won’t think that the people bumping into you in a crowded train might be unzipping your backpack but it can happen! And bonus you’re not rudely bumping your bag into people’s faces if you bring it to the front. This is also why I hate those bucket bags and open totes… not only will snow or rain go right into your bag, so can hands! And people will walk around with their phone visible in their pockets, not even behind a zipper or hidden!
I have been reviewing my German and understand most things. I think that will help on my trip down the Rhine River next year. If I hear some thieves choosing their target, they won’t know I hear and understand them.
I learned that thieves when they work in groups do not have to talk to each other! They are so perfectly teamed up! Beware! While one young man helped me carrying my heavy suitcase up the train steps , another caused a "traffic jam" inside the train while #3 zipped up my bag which I was carrying crosswise to snatch the wallet! Zipped the bag again! I did not notice anything until somebody walked through the train calling for a person whose wallet was found in the washroom! I was "lucky" that only the cash (150)was gone since I was on the way to the Airport.
@@valsblueforrest2961 the same goes for most pickpockets in tourist areas/big cities in Europe, not just German ones. Knowing the local language won't help you spot a pickpocket as they usually speak different languages.
Children! Absolutely, especially groups of them. I ran into (or was run into by) gangs of adorable looking child thieves in Mexico, Vietnam, Indonesia and Vietnam. While I have been robbed (and beaten so badly I couldn't even crawl off to the side of the dirt road) in my travels, I have not actually lost anything to the child pickpockets - probably because I was aware and on the lookout. Another very common tactic is for a woman with a baby to beg you for some food or money while an older child picks your pocket or purse. I am a great believer in spreading valuables around one's body in various clothing items with hidden pockets.
I start snapping hidden pockets in my clothes that I travel in and when I’m home, I could just unsnap the pocket out of my clothes. I’m going to a wedding the dress I’m going in underneath I put a pocket. I will be in Las Vegas.
My husband and I were in Las Ramblas in Barcelona when he was surrounded by a group of noisy, boisterous (friendly-seeming) children and realised one of them was trying to get their hand into his cargo shorts pocket. Fortunately it has a really noisy Velcro fastening on the pocket flap and this alerted him. He slapped his hand onto his pocket and felt the little hand making an empty-handed getaway!
great tips, thanks! when my daughter and i travel, we always use a wrist strap attached to our phone. that way, it's harder for someone to grab it away from us. we also use scarves with secret compartments when sleeping on a plane, to hide money and passports, etc.
I travel with both a credit and debit card. However I opened a debit card just for travel. This card is not linked to any automated bill payments or credits (pay or social security income). This way, in the event of the card being stolen, I’m not struggling to reach out to all those automated bill paying companies and/or credits that hit my regular debit card. I keep a relatively small amount of cash just for use on that trip and that card is not linked to any other checking/savings accounts. Just an easier way to deal with the unfortunate lost or stolen debit card.
For a long time, as the price of Chanel increased, I no longer thought I could afford it. I think I would be happy to have the *HOTDUPS* as my travel bag and not have to take care of it. By the way, I'm sure no one will have a hard time telling the difference. Thanks for the comparison.
You really should use a credit card that you use just for travel. No balance and low credit limit. My sister learned this the hard way. She was robbed RFID style (still had the card in her possession) but since it was a debit card, the bank held her responsible for cash taken (using a dummy duplicate card) at an ATM. Most credit card companies will not. Banks make you jump through hoops to prove it was a theft, not legit.
Was recently on a Med Cruise and used a slim cossbody bag that i bought on Amazon with Carabiner clips , it worked a treat,i felt safe and was vigilant( i did notice several girls with shawls over their arms walking along and in Barcelona in 35 degree heat) i knew this was super risky ! Would not have noticed otherwise
Great tips although I fear folks will be too nervous to travel when they think they're going to be robbed. We travel a lot, I mean over 50 countries around the world and never had a problem. We are careful. I just recently I bought a new bag from Amazon, 'Anti Theft Bag, Anti Theft Travel Bag, Slim Sling Bag Anti-Theft Shoulder Bag Crossbody Bag for Women Men'. It stays close to your body and feels great on and holds more then it looks.
Thanks for the tips! I'm headed to Paris in November...I'm preparing to be very cautious, and these tips are very helpful in both physically and mentally preparing!
It was in 1999. We were at "las ramblas". We had fanny packs in front under the belly. Then came some gypsys (roma). One woman had a paper on her arm, on the paper some roses, she pushed the arm/paper against the belly of a man of our group and screemed "buy roses, buy roses" several times and with the other hand she opened the zip of the fanny pack. This happened in few seconds. She stole the wallet but the man felt it and screemed "she has stolen my purse". All in a sudden our group picked her and held her. But the wallet was already given away to another person (gypsy) and as we were standig in front of a church this person has entered the church. We went into the church but there were 4 exitdoors and the thieve was away. For sure the gypsys had chosen this point to pickpock 😬. We called the police several times, waited 40 minutes but nobody came and we had to let the "rose-woman" go because we had to reach our ship ! Some spanish people told us that the police never come in such cases because it's to "small" and they could do nothing against this people (roma gypsys). 🤷♀️.
For us, we use a "chain" attached to our phone (or wallet) and our belt loop, it is long enough so that we can use it at waist level and easily put back in pocket but it is always attached to us. The chain prevents anyone from stealing it either directly from our hands or our pocket. If you think of motorcycle people who attach their wallets with a chain to their belt...that is kind of the idea (although our chain isn't anywhere near as big or strong.)
Used something like this when my SO and I went to the SEA games. He went to buy snacks from the food stalls and when he came back, the clip attached to his belt loop was damaged. People were bumping into each other there so he didn't notice somebody was trying to steal his phone from his pocket. It was only a cheap one but glad it saved his phone from being stolen.
Have a printed list of important phone numbers. credit card and their contact numbers, insurance numbers, health insurance, copy of your passport, medication Rx, etc. in your suitcase or somewhere separate from your cash and phone in case things go missing. Never carry all your money or credit cards in the same place. Keep a few Euros or cash for wherever you are traveling in a pocket so you don't have to access your wallet for small purchases or to access a bathroom. Keep your head on swivel and if you have to stop and look at a map or check your phone, don't stand in the middle of the sidewalk - best to have your back to a wall and even then, don't ignore what/who is around you.
I was at a rock concert and had to stand on a chair to view the band. I had my purse on the floor. Looked down and it was gone. Frantically looked around and a guy was walking away with my purse strap around his foot. I went after him and politely said "Oh excuse me. My purse got hooked on your foot." That took him by surprise as I grabbed my bag. That's the kind of thing that can happen at a restaurant or crowded area.
We’ve got both Travelon crossbody and a foldable backpack with locking zippers, which seem to be easy to unzip, so I used it mostly in front as well as hidden money belts. We never used metro in Paris, but buses and saw more of the city on those rides. We walked a lot too and felt safe, but avoided overly crowded places. Thank you for your advice! Barcelona is next in our list.😅 We’re mostly interested in Gaudi buildings, not Rambla though.
We went to Barcelona pre-covid, avoided Las Ramblas but went ot see the Gaudi buildings. They are crowded, especially the church. I sewed deeper pockets into all of my clothes because all women's clothes lack decent front pockets (pants, shorts, and skirts) . Small rifd wallet into one front pocket, phone in the other, pocket tops closed with 2 -3 safety pins. Wore a cross body bag but never kept anything of value in it, just water and snacks. Sometimes I wore a light weight shirt over as sun a theif protection. For transit I stored items in a zippered pouch that I sewed into the front of all my pants and shorts.
Thank you for all the great tips. The pickpocket problem seems to getting worse but we can’t let that ruin our trips so we have to be more careful especially with our phones.
In the 1980s, my sister and I, (we were in our early 20s), were surrounded by a group of “gypsy children” near the Louvre in Paris. They held cardboard signs and were pushing the signs up against us. I saw one of them stick their hand in my sister’s crossbody bag and take her traveler’s checks. I grabbed his hand and snatched the checks back. The little boys in the group, who were 8 - 10 yrs, were smoking cigarettes and turned their lit cigarettes towards us, to threaten us. They were unbelievably aggressive. Guess what? 40 years later, I saw the same type of gangs of gypsy children roaming the streets in Paris and in the Metro.
I was pickpocketed when my slim crossbody ended up on my side, rather than in front. I was looking at a display in a museum and it was crowded, so lots of folks were around me. I had license, card, money in a small snap purse lifted out of the bag, so from now on I separate my license in every purse from my wallet.
I had a guy slash one of my backpack purse strap in a 7-11 here at home. I was waiting in line. I felt that someone was too close and too quiet. I made eye contact with the guy, as I moved my bag to the front. In France, I had a kid try to “help” me with my luggage. We were getting off the tour bus at a new hotel. That’s a big attraction for pick pockets/thieves to work. In Cozumel, a group of trees vendor surrounded me. I noticed they were working together and getting in my personal space that was walking me into an alley. That was the scariest. It was only my vigilance that saved me from all these attempts, at home and abroad.
