Pickpockets/Crime in Italy - As Bad as I Read???

Sad but true, yes, pickpockets and thieves are very bad here in Italy.
Be careful also about the bill at the restaurants.
If you are visting Rome and you need help because of some bad behaviour of restaurant employees, you can phone to this number 0645420928 and/or e-mail to helptourist@adoc.org.
As tourism flows are decreasing here in Italy, the not honest tourism people are becoming more and more angry so that they try to earn money in each way they can.


Vincenzo

I echo the sad, but true opinion.

At Civitavecchia - my mother and I were charged for 14 train tickets for the two of us. I caught it and he said - oh I can not credit your AMEX card back - but here are the Euros, which were of use and the card was fortunately not compromised beyond that attempt at the train station.

At dinner that night in Rome, an extra entree was added to our bill. Again - if I did not read and question the numbers which added up "strangely" from what I knew to expect - they would have just made a huge tip. They were mad to be caught, not apologetic.

Knock on wood - fortunately, no pickpockets, etc, yet, but what was attempted was thievery nonetheless.

I think pickpockets are prevalent in touristy places in Italy. However, same is true in Barcelona, Madrid, Paris, London, etc. I take same precaution in Italy as in other major European cities.

Being more observant? If that is the only step you will be taking, then, yes, you can be a target. Even though there are many posters advocating being aware as the principal (or only) defense against pickpockets, I consider being observant as a step I take in additional to other physical steps.

I am not sure about the value of tradeoff you are making, but only you can judge. The ES train for Venice - Florence is about 36Euro. Add few Euros to do VCE-Mestre and you get about 40Euro. The car rental is at least 100Euro without toll, gas, or parking. If you are the only traveler, then, it is easily over 2x. For over the 2x cost, it looks like you are trading pickpocket risks during your train trip against risks associated with renting a car.

I am presuming you are visiting Florence? Then you have to contend with pickpockets in the city regardless of how you got there.

Our trip in North Italy in 2008 was by train. We had not any problem at all and we did not see any person being worry about his luggage in the train. Put them so you can see them.

We had no incident there, our friends had in Paris and my son had in Barcelona. So, you must be careful every where. I suppose that you are from NY. Is there better?

People tend to post about bad experiences. Therefore, if they were the target of any type of dishonesty they will "warn" others. Look at the hundreds of posts and trip reports where no mention is made - that probably means it didn't happen. I've been to Italy numerous times, including twice as a solo female and never had a problem. I just returned from my 16th trip to Europe in the past decade and have never had any problem with dishonesty.

You need to put things in perspective - of course it can happen anywhere, but it probably won't. Doing something like renting a car just so you don't take a train is absurd. You are much more likely to have a car accident. Or to have the car rental people overcharge you. And if you were to be pickpocked in Italy it probably would not be on a train.

That said you should take the normal precautions. Don't carry a wallet in a back pocket. Wear a money belt/saftey pouch - and in it put your passport, most of your cash and all credit cards/ATM cards except the one you are using that day. I have a very thin wallet in which I carry a copy of my passport, one credit card and my "walking around money". It's attached by a string to my skirt or pants and carried in the front pocket. This prevents loss as well as pickpocketing. Don't wear lots of really expensive jewelery, don't leave your suitcase unattended on a train or in a station, etc. Use common sense. Check your change/receipts/credit card slips before you leave the store or restaurant. Have a really nice trip.

Some ES trains will only make two stops between Mestre and Florence so it wouldn't be that difficult to keep an eye on your bag. You only stop for a few minutes.

There are pickpockets where there are tourists in any major city all over the world.

I've so far spent 19 holidays in Italy and have never been a victim of crime. I've been to the US twice and was robbed both times. Get it in perspective - you just need to take the same precautions as you would in any big city anywhere.

I'd like to echo kybourbon and isabel. Take the precautions they suggest and then relax and enjoy your vacation!

In all of my trips to Europe, I have had ONE known attempt by a pickpocket. On the metro, packed car. He tried to unzip my fanny pack, which I wear in the front. It is unfortunate for him that I am very adept at the art of the "thumb twist". He was also very lucky that at the moment he was going down and his thumb was about to be dislocated, we hit a stop and he pulled away through the door.

On the other hand, in Florida, where I live, I had my truck and boat trailer parked in the Florida Marine Patrol parking lot in broad daylight, less than 100 feet from their building. I would normally consider a busy State Police station to be fairly safe.

When I returned a few hours later with my boat, still broad daylight, I was happy to learn that the side window of my truck had been broken out, my radio stolen and boat trailer was unhitched. Luckily I keep a chain lock on the trailer or it too would have been taken.

Crime happens anywhere and everywhere.

dave

There are certainly thieves and pickpockets in Italy, and it is good to be aware that they exist, but reading messageboards sometimes gives the impression that you will be systematically robbed and ripped off from the moment of your arrival.

I have been fortunate enough to have visited Italy about 15 times over the last 8 years or so, normally for one or two weeks at a time. In all those visits I have I can remember the following incidents.

A) Attempted pickpocketing by two young girls in Pisa
b) My mother's purse stolen on a bus in Florence (but she had it in an open bag - foolish)
c) Short changed by €5 at a railway station
d) Attempted short changed in a bar in Rome - Instantly corrected when I asked for the reciept.

I have rarely felt unsafe or intimidated anywhere in Italy - the very few places I can remember include the railway station in Naples, and the path between the Rome Tiburtina railway and bus stations.

Stay vigilant, but don't worry too much, and enjoy your trip.

I solo toured Italy in June 2009. I encountered no pickpocketers. Beggers and thieves did not cross the line. I was really impressed.

However, echoing previous posters: people who are suppose to serve you (waiters, train officials, etc.) will try to take as much from you as possible. They are the modern day thieves. I have a lot of stories to add to this thread to illustrate my point, but for now, I will caution you about the post office at the Uffizi Museum in Florence, which has a tendency to overcharge customers.

Seriously, if Italy did not have its art and history, I would never recommend this country to any person. The level of deception they use is beyond one's imagination. It is stressful to have to always be on the lookout, even when you are dining, indoors, relaxing, etc.

Good luck! Be very alert and enjoy Italy for its art, history, and architecture!

On a side note, I think we should start a website that documents how people in the tourist industry (waiters, train officials, post office, etc.) in Italy try to scam tourists. By putting their names/badge numbers/restaurant names etc. on the world wide web, we are putting pressure on them to behave more honestly. It is the lack of this kind of check-and-balance system that encourages them to behave in this repulsive manner. If putting their ID is too much, the least we can do is put down their dirty tricks/location so that other travelers are aware.

Last, I am not saying that everyone in Italy is bad. I did meet some honest and good-hearted people throughout my travel in Southern Europe.

I don't think that crime in Italian cities is any worse than any other major city. The closest I've come to being pickpocketed was in Paris.

I've been overcharged lots of times in restaurants in the US. I think it's human error rather than someone deliberately trying to extract extra money from me.

If you carry a normal-size bag onto the train (rather than a steamer trunk) you can place it on the rack over your seat. It will be very safe there as someone would have to reach over your head to take it down and I think you might notice.

I'd rather take the train than have the hassle of driving from Venice to Florence.

Being overcharged by a few dollars is understandably human error, but being overcharged by double the actual price?

Its a mistake to choose your method of travel in Italy based on a fear of crime. If your worried, take some simple precautions. Buy a travel wallet with velcro closures that attaches to your belt with a short chain. Pacsafe sells them. The chain is hardly noticeable. For the train buy a retractable ski lock with a combination you set. You pull the cable out and secure your luggage to the rack at the end of the car. When you arrive, let everyone else take their bags and then unlatch yours so you don't hold them up. Don't worry about what anyone thinks if it gives you piece of mind. I've even used a ski lock to lock several bags together in a car trunk because even if you are travelling by car your trunk can be broken into, which does sometimes happen. You're biggest danger while travelling in Italy is not crime-- but being hit by a car as a pedestrian.

>>>At Civitavecchia - my mother and I were charged for 14 train tickets for the two of us.<<<

Buy your tickets from a self-service machine and you won't have that problem. It's also faster.

Thanks very much to you all!

I've driven many times in Europe so that doesn't bother me (and I will be renting a car to drive from Florence to Sorrento). The cost of the car from Venice to Florence is under $100USD. Will reconsider the train.

Even though I will be there for 3 weeks, I'm using a 24' bag... no steamer trunk!

I guess I have been very lucky in all of my previous travels. I've been to Europe/Asia 20 or more times and haven't run into any dishonestly, overcharging, pickpockets or anything! Not even in NYC... who would have guessed!

I have ordered a Pacsafe cross-body bag specifically for this trip.

Thanks again!

IMHO everyone needs to be alert to problems that can occur. Read about the kinds of scams out there. My daughter and I saw the young kids with their cardboard sheets near Termini as well as the romani women with their fake babies ready to jostle you. We have seen a woman hand a "gold ring"to a tourist which I grabbed and tossed far a way from us. The dishonest people are there but you need to know what to look for and you need to be alert. Put "Scam Alert-italy" and read and learn.

Just stay alert when your in crowds of people like you would anywhere in the states. Crime is everywhere.I have never felt unsafe anywhere in Europe that i have traveled.I don't use the subways late at night in any city are country.Also i don't do late nigt train travel i usually always drive .I always wear a money belt when traveling.

The only place I was overcharged was in Dublin and they did not even apologize!

We are 16 adults and children returing to Rome following a cruise in the Mediterranean Sea. We are looking for a tour agency to set-up a 2 day visit in Rome and surrounding area.
Any suggestions for a tour operator you have used and any suggestions for what we should see?

An friend of mine was visiting Italy a few years passed and rented a car. They were waved down by a gentleman in another car who said they had a flat tire. When they stopped to check they believe the other person with the gentlemen punctured the tire.

They were then offered a ride to the nearest station by the nice gentleman in suit. Bad mistake. Their luggage left in the car and all possessions were then stolen and they were abandoned on the road.

Be careful.

Tourists are fair game for scams in Rome. We are tourists, so naturally fair game. We were stung in the most memorable fashion a couple of years ago, when we managed to purchase a pair of leather jackets (“I’m on my way home from the Milan fashion shows, where are you from?, my sister lives in Adelaide, I’ve lost half my map of Rome (shows half map), can you direct me to the bank, my Visa card is broken (shows Visa card with broken corner), here take these two leather jackets – they are just samples, I don’t need them, could you spot me 50 Euro, I’m about out of petrol (points to petrol gauge)”. 50 Euro for two leather jackets – unbelievable, and they had an Italian label – pasted over the other label that said “Made in Beijing”. A few polyvinylchlorides were killed and their skins tanned to make those jackets. And he was right when he thanked us for our help – “you’ll never forget me”, he said. We haven’t.

So we were chuffed this time when a guy pulled up, asking to be directed to the Tiber – all of 50 metres away, bridge in full view, jackets in plastic bags on the back seat. Anticipation of sweet revenge. Same dialogue, up to the point when we were advised that his sister lived in Perth. And then he drove off – he must have spotted Lou’s grin as she poked me in the ribs. Damn. Hate that.

Tourists are not fair game. Period.

There were many time in Switzerland when train officials/strangers could have taken advantage of me, but did they? No b/c they have respect for human being and understand the importance of being a decent human being, unlike some other countries.

Read the thread on Japanese couple being stuck with 700 euro for lunch in Rome:
http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/japanese-couple-stung-by-rome-restaurant-700-lunch-bill.cfm

Hobbitt, my account of being scammed in Rome is extracted from a rather tongue-in-cheek trip report of our time in Venice and Rome. I recollect that when I first posted it, there was a chorus of people who said that they’d been caught out in the same way. One poster even suggested that we should form a club, the “We bought leather jackets in Rome only to discover ….” Club.

I do think that on the open-ended Richter scale of crimes, it is single digit at worst, and no scammer is going to try it out on any non-tourist.

We’re still able to laugh about it, and see the episode as being 50 Euro, if not willingly, at least amusingly, spent. On the other hand, we did avoid the gentlemen selling genuine Prada hand bags on the streets of Venice.

For me, life is too short to complain overly about the minor slings and arrows of outrageous fortune.

I'd see your comment "Seriously, if Italy did not have its art and history, I would never recommend this country to any person. The level of deception they use is beyond one's imagination" as being a tad over the top. One could just as well make the same comment about Australia, Botswana or Canada.

I've taken the ES from Venice to Florence as well as the regional trains, solo, and never a problem; it's a great way to go IMO. I always take a 22 inch but if you think a 24" will fit in the overhead then you are all set. The trip isn't that long, and if memory serves they come by with a trolley for drinks/coffee/snacks so you don't even have to leave to go to the dining car (however in trips with the DH or friends we have often left our luggage and gone to the dining car without incident).

Other than allowing myself to be overcharged for a vaporetto ticket in Venice because I wasn't paying enough attention, and buying a glass bowl on Murano with a small "Murano" sticker over the air bubble, I've had no scam or theft problems or even close. I usually use a small microfiber messenger style bag carried cross-body, and my hand is on it most of the time. In places I feel less secure (Naples, for ex.) I also use a money belt for passport/atm/credit card/tix. I avoid places like the pickpocket express bus in Rome.

I recently bought the book "The Italians" and figure I will gain some insights into this issue, but one theory I've heard is that Italians are so used to having to stick it to "the Man" to survive that it's almost reflex by now. As Rick Steves put it on one of his programs, "Money--you got it; they want it."

I was interested to read the comment above about how the decrease in tourism has increased the problem.

Of course, tourist scam can be said about South East Asian countries as well....that's why I don't go there anymore. I visited the "must-sees" in that region and would never return there again. The same with Italy, unfortunately.

However, I would definitely re-visit Switzerland, France, UK, Germany, and Austria---whether it is to re-visit the "must sees" or just for vacation (renting an apartment and just relaxing). Basically, you don't have to watch your back when visiting those countries...at least, I didn't (though my mom was almost pickpocketed by gypsies in Vienna 6 years ago).

At the least, I had a feeling that they wanted to be friends (actually, they looked out for me even when it is not profitable to do so) and did not see me as a walking ATM machine. Some even went out of their way to make sure my interest was satisfied though they gain nothing in return.

Though I shared some experience with this board, I did not share all. And it is the rest of my experience that left a very bad taste.

Italy visitors, see this thread, as a visitors be aware.

The biggest "scam" in the world is DisneyWorld. Now, complaining that they have fewer tourists, they have raised the daily price to $79 from $75 per person.

Add in overpriced, crap food and mouse ears and a family of four cannot get out of that place for less than $600 per day.

Yes, I live near Orlando and would rather cap my own teeth with copper pennies than ever go back near MickeyLand.



dave

Pickpocketing can (and does) happen anywhere, not just Italy. I've seen someone pickpocketed in Switzerland, the Louvre, etc.

Well, in the interest of presenting both sides of the story, I have to say that our experiences have been very different from many of the incidents told here.

We've been to Italy many times and with the exception of one incident with some teenagers near Termini years ago, we've never been robbed, threatened, or scammed.

We have taken trains nearly everywhere with no problems.

I can't think of any incidents of rudeness, but I can give you chapter and verse tales of being directed and helped by Italians.

Maybe we're just lucky, but, as Bob says, be aware and have a great trip.

Byrd

One couple who was dressed very well put a city map under my nose and asked questions saying they were lost - I immediately covered my purse and told them to go away. They then went to my sister and did the same thing. When finding out they could get no where on that bus they hopped off like they had been doing this all of their life.

We assumed that while they were talking and my eyes could not see under the map they would attempt to pickpocket my purse.

I also must addthat I have neverhad any incidentsin the many times I visited Italy.

On the contrary my wife once left her handbag with money passports etc. in a restaurant only to have someone follow her group by car, flag them down and tell her. When they returned to the restaurant the bag was returned to her without anything being missing and they all had a joke about it.

Stuart

I've been to Iraly 4 times. I was robbed 3 times--first and second visit. The robbers are pros. Watch out for the gypsies. They are dressed in suits and carry knives. They ride the buses and will slit your purse on the bottom to get to your wallet. If anyone shoves you, they are robbing you. We had a rental car that we parked outside of a train station and when we returned, we discovered that they opened the trunk with a crowbar and removed the contents (dishes, video camera, cases of wine, chairs, etc.) all worth about $2,500. Wear a money belt and bag the pocketbook. Sorry, no suggestions about a rental car.

Thank you all! Some very interesting comments!

I am planning on taking a money belt. And the Pacsafe cross-body bag that I bought has a lock for the zipper, a steel cable in the strap so it can't be cut off, and steel-reinforced front and bottom so it can't be slashed open.

Now, it seems that I need to find a way to not have my luggage stolen from the trunk of my rental car while visiting San Gimignano and Orvieto (they will be stops along my way to Siena and Sorrento.

Yes, the money belt is a good idea! Of course one should always be aware of the surroundings, but sadly, Italy demands it just a bit more than many other places I've been. On the upside luggage doesn't get stolen out of car trunks too often. On the downside cars themselves are easy to steal. Maybe a really good steel version of the club would be a good idea, and trying to park in view of where you are when the car is full of luggage.

I had a credit card stolen, it happened at my local supermarket when I stupidly put it down to sign for the CC purchase. We have had our vehicles broken into five times, that always happened in California.

In all of my trips to Italy there has never been an incident of our vehicle being broken into. Never had my anything stolen. Does that mean anything, no, but to think that only Italy has the problem is not realistic.

There was an incident when I was staying with dear friends in a small city in the Region of Veneto. Their home was on the top three floors of their five story building. Other friends had arrived as we were going somewhere. The wife of the house where I was staying was home alone. Suddenly she heard noises on one of the floors above her. She went upstairs to check and found a stranger in the bedroom I was using. The woman had some of my jewerly in her hands. My passport was sitting on the desk. My friend had a knife in her hand and started yelling at the woman while waving the knife and the intruder ran out of the room empty handed and down all five stories of the stairway and came barging out of the building exit door with my friend behind her. Thankfully nothing was stolen and very thankfully my friend was not injured or killed. A scary incident. The intruder was not Italian. My friends all said she looked like she was from Albania. And how she got into my friends residence is a mystery to this day.

Joannyc, two friends got on a train in Italy. One friend had all but the money she needed for the day in her money belt along with her passport etc. The other friend had all of her money, passport etc. in her purse. She had 500euro stolen from her when she first got on the train. I don't remember if she had her passport stolen or not. She was a good sport about the incident and didn't ruin their trip but I know she was heartbroken.

So wear a money belt. And regarding your rental car, if possible try to back into a parking space where the back of your vehicle will be up against a wall or a building so it will make it harder for thieves to break into the trunk of your car. And of course don't leave anything in sight within your car.

And have a wonderful and crime free time in beautiful Italy!

I just remembered another incident. The husband of one of the Italian families that are like relatives to us had been so good to me while there in their city. I had brought a hostess present and flowers or wine from time to time when visiting them which was often but I wanted to buy some "little" present for him. I couldn't find anything that pleased me.

I was shopping at the city's weekly farmer's market and saw a beautiful shirt I knew my son-in-law would love so I bought it. The vendor gave me the correct amount for the change, this was back when the Lira was still being used. Later I thought the Lira looked a bit "different" but didn't give it a lot of thought. A couple of nights later I was at said friend's home for dinner and after dinner the dear husband pulled out a coin and currency book he had had since he was a young boy. He showed me page after page of old coins and old paper money. One one page there was not any paper money on the rectangle for a certain no longer in use Lira. He looked at me sadly and said he had given up, he knew he would never ever find it so his book would never be complete. Oh my gosh..I excused myself and went into their library and took the paper Lira that the vendor had given me out of my wallet,
looked at it, placed it in my hand and went back to their living room and sat down next to my friend. I again looked at the picture of the Lira he had never been able to collect and put the Lira I had on the rectangle. My friend almost passed out from shock. His precious wife got tears in her eyes. So the "no longer in currency" Lira the vendor had passed on to me knowing I wouldn't know it wasn't valid currency did me and my friends the biggest favor in the world, lol. I still smile everytime I think of that story.

Thanks very much!

I do like the suggestion of backing into a parking spot... very clever! And, I do see that Orvieto has a parking garage where this would be possible. Would this also be possible in the San Gimignano parking lots, please?

<<Pickpockets/Crime in Italy - As Bad as I Read??? >>

I don't think it is. At least not so bad that you need to rent a car instead of taking the train.

To stay on topic here, my most recent visit to Italy was in high season last summer (August) when I walked around Rome every day with my sister, taking local buses and occasionally the Metro. My mother (who grew up there) warned us profusely about pickpocketers, but from my own experience and from the conversations with the local friends we stayed with, pickpocketing is far less of a problem than it once was. Much like continuing to call New York the murder capital of the US, your actual likelihood of being killed or witnessing a murder isn't statistically high enough to alter your plans (unless your plans involve, you know, walking around the docks in the Bronx at 2 am). I found Paris to be 100 times sketchier than any place I've been in Italy.

*Of course* there are still pick pocketers. There are pick pocketers in every city and every country. It's not worth re-routing yourself at any expense of time or money, though. Just take the normal precautions, keep your eyes open and you'll be fine. Of particular importance:

1) Never put anything important in your back pockets. Ever. You'll just get paranoid about people eyeing your derriere (which, if you're a foreign woman, they're going to do anyway).

2) Walk around with only as much cash as you're expecting to spend that day. Keep it somewhere no one in their right mind would grab without expecting yelling and a smack across the face to follow. My opinion on those waist things that fit under your pants: they're better than fanny packs and infinitely less of a target, but they just velcro and are easy to take off someone without their noticing. If you use one, make sure it's safety pinned to your pants so you'll feel the tug if someone makes an attempt. Otherwise, those deluxe passport holders with the extra pocket for cash/cards that you can wear around your neck and inside your shirt are great.

3) If you're staying somewhere nice (anything that feels like a US hotel), you can be generally confident about keeping your money hidden inside your luggage with the luggage lock on it (and we all have luggage locks, right, right?)

4) You only *really* need to be a hawk about this around major tourist areas. If you're in Rome, around the Coloseum is probably the most at-risk, followed by the Parthenon. Venice, the main square. Florence, Ponte Vecchio and the piazza next to the Ufizi building. Naples - Naples. Everywhere else urban and central is about as dangerous as Times Square during the day. Urban bordering on suburban it's worth being slightly more alert. Small towns and rural areas, beach-side towns... you're totally fine.

5) If you feel a strange vibe, make eye contact with the person you're getting a weird vibe from. Give them the hard, New York stare. The stare that says, "Don't even think about getting within three feet of me." Especially if they're within three feet of you.

As far as the trains on the Tuscany routes, they're not Amtrak. Never leave your bag out of your line of sight. IF you have a purse and you think you might fall asleep, sit on it. Or fold the opening into you and clutch it with both arms folded.

Oh, yeah, last suggestion, and this sounds awful but pay attention -- if you get even mildly approached by any woman with or without a small child who's speaking plaintively in a language you don't understand, shake your head demonstrably and say "no" until she backs off, and if she doesn't, just walk away. And keep your eye on the kid. Always keep them both in the same line of sight.

(whew) That's all! 2nd generation Italian tourist tips just for you!

Also, I'll bet it would be awful to have a rental car broken into - are you liable for that? I don't know:

http://www2.scnow.com/scp/news/local/pee_dee/article/officials_work_to_promote_improve_safety_of_downtown_florence/62032/

joan:

I don't recall any parking garages in San Gimmy..there is a gigantic open lot at the entrance to the South Gate...we used it several times over the years..never a problem (we lso never had anything in the trunk at the times we stayed in San G.

Most people who lose a pocketbook, it isn't because it was cut off their body by a thief (thinking a cable strap is somehow safeer), it's because they lost attention in a crowd, left it sitting somewhere that it could be grabbed, hanging of the back of a chair in a restaurant, whatever.

I certainly wouldn't rent a car for such a simple trip as going Venice to Florence -by train- because of fear of pickpockets.

There is definitely a pickpocket problem wherever there are large numbers of tourists in Italy. The most important and, IMHO, only effective protection is to keep your valuables in zippered pouches under your clothing. These thieves are "pick pockets" after all and it's pockets, bags and packs that they target. However, even the most skilled have difficulty getting inside your clothing and on the whole they don't waste their time trying when there are easier pickings readily available. There's some useful information and a collection of quite scary pictures here http://www.bella-toscana.com/pickpocketsinitaly.htm However, don't let fear of pickpockets disturb your vacation - just take the necessary precautions and enjoy yourself.

I don't generally check my bill to see that it adds up correctly, but after paying a dinner bill and feeling that it was a little high as we left the restaurant, I began to check. After that I was overcharged at two different restaurants who both suggested that it was the waiter's bad handwriting that caused the errors.

Don't bother taking the car when you can take an easy train ride. Just be cautious as everyone has said. I lost all my camera gear on the train to Rome but it was my fault. The camera bag was black and I had put it up on the black rack above the seats. I had previously kept it in my luggage so when we got off the train, I grabbed my luggage and forgot all about the camera bag. I went to the station master who called to the custodians on the train which was then enroute to its next destination. At that point I had a bad feeling that he was pretty much just telling the custodian that there was some really great camera equipment where I had been sitting. But this was my error.

The only other suggestion that I'd make is one that I've seen here before. When you do get your car, put anything that's going into the trunk in the trunk when you depart, say from your hotel. When you get to your destination, don't put anything in the trunk and then walk away from the car to see the sights.

I took this trip 2 years ago.

"I took this trip 2 years ago."

The economy in Italy continues to be in decline and Italy is on the watch list for debt default. Whether 2 years ago, yesterday, or tomorrow, it's important to know that desperate people do desperate things. Statistically, crime rises when the economy goes south, anywhere.

I have been a victim of petty crime in Italy, several times, and during boom years. I speak the language, however, I do not look Italian. Studied in self-defense, I know how to protect myself.

Threads like these never get old. To enjoy Italy, a smart tourist will learn how to become street savvy. Feeling safe is the only way to enjoy any trip away from home.

I could be wrong. Really, really wrong. But having travelled for a long time, I don't think pickpockets in most of the world use distraction nearly as well as pickpockets in Europe. In Europe distraction is really an art. Sometimes I feel like applauding the pickpockets for being so clever.

So you think you are being aware and street smart with the person on your left while it's the person on your right you should be worried about. They use "being aware" against you. Admirable in a way.

It's the same in big cities everwhere. The only place I have had my *coat* stolen was in New York City. The only place I have had handbags stolen is London.

Oops, lost half my reply. To continue...

I have had 2 handbags and separately all my cards stolen in London. Guys attempted to grab my bag in Barcelona but I managed to resist until they gave up & ran off. Lost a purse once in Rome - my fault - but have been fine in 21 other trips to Italy, including 2 stays in Naples and 1 in Palermo.

You just need to be on your guard in big cities everywhere.

I would like to take on Italyphile here on pervasiveness of ripping culture of thuggery prevalent in Italy. I have been there 3 times and in two of these visits I faced problem of pickpockets or baglifters. Fortunately, both times they were not successful.

Its true that it can happen anywhere in the world and to anyone. But in italy its the utter helpness one feels because total lack of good samaritan behavior of italians. In my both situations I caught the person in the act and caused enough commotion that even my wife of 52 kgs also threw her weight and see how many italians showed there comraderie .... none..... most shameful city dweller behavior I have witnessed in any part of the world.

Just yesterday in Milan in metro station of duomo, we faced the same old trick. As we were entering the train ... a guy in front created situation of blocking the entrance by dropping his tickets ... and that very movement I could feel hand in my front pocket... little did that thug knew that there are guys who can catch them in the act. I not only caught him in the act as I held his hand holding my wallet, I was able to throw few punches at him. But everyone in the car I m sure noticed and had zero guts to even get from there seats to raise any good smaritan show. I would say ... whatever people like ISABEL, KYbourbon talk of this happening anywhere ... I would say go with total disdain to italian friendliness and enjoy italy's art and history but make sure those idiots are not able to lay there dirty finger on your money. You have to be extra viilant in Italy. I m going there again but maybe with few more tricks up my sleeves.

This is a very old thread but certainly problems with pickpockets still exist in Rome, as they do everywhere in the world. Shahrajk, I can appreciate your frustrations but those people trying to steal from you - or anyone in Italy - make up a very, very, very small part of the Italian populace. To judge a country, and the friendliness of a culture on these events, is really unfair.

Living in Rome for 3+ years I did see the "after-effects" of theft, burglaries, and pick-pocketing. And yes, thefts DO happen in Italy. The targets I saw were both locals and non-Italians, but mostly tourists. But NOT ONCE did we ever have an issue living and working in downtown Rome for those years.

Part of that may be because we knew where we were, where we were headed, and were familiar with our surroundings. We also don't carry the normal "tourist" gear. We used to laugh over beers and talk of the hardened, "1000-yard-don't-mess-with-me-stare" you get living in the city.

I have many Italian friends and neighbors and I can assure you they are not thieves, nor are they "out for your money." They are as offended by these people committing these crimes as you are - probably more so because it reflects poorly on them. Just watch their behavior towards many of the gypsy population.

If you approach any group of people with "total disdain" you'll probably get the same back - and especially from Italians as this will be perceived as rude behavior. I know my friends just wouldn't tolerate this.

I agree that any visitor should be vigilant when traveling. In 20+ years of living in Europe, we've been pick-pocketed once - in Granada, Spain. My wife, a seasoned traveler, became a victim inside a Zara department store. Fortunately, we had taken precautions and were able to quickly cancel any credit cards. All we lost was a small amount of money in her wallet. Although I don't use a money belt in Rome, as we lived there, I do use one when traveling and our passports, cash, etc. was stored there. So it can happen anywhere - and to anyone. It's not just Italy that faces these challenges.

Since you're headed there again "with tricks up my sleeves" and "total disdain to Italian friendliness" I think you'll find the trouble you're looking for. Happy Hunting!

Me, I'll go hang out with my Italian friends... who accept me, protect me, support me, and treat me as part of their family. I appreciate them and their friendliness. It's a big part of why we lived there and continue to visit as often as possible.