ter2000

DH and I are just back from a terrific trip to Greece (report to follow - honestly!) but I thought I'd post this as a bit of a heads-up for anyone planning on visiting Athens this Summer. We found that pickpocketing is absolutely rife on the metro - we witnessed three incidents ourselves (none successful), DH was targeted twice (stupid because he's a hefty 6' and not a pushover), and on our plane home we spoke with an elderly gentleman who had his wallet stolen on his first day.

Be especially vigilant at Piraeus, and at Monastraki, Thissio, Omonia and Syntagma stations. They are all young men, dressed casually like students or tourists and operate in groups. One will try to block your way as you are boarding the train, by pushing against you as if the train is more crowded than it actually is. They go past, you look down and presto! Your bag is open and your money is gone.

If you keep your wits about you then you'll come to no harm, but be aware of your surroundings and keep your hand over your bag to protect your valuables.

Athens is a safe and pleasant city, and we all know that theft like this can happen anywhere, but an incident like this could ruin your holiday so stay vigilant, especially on the metro.

Nikki

I've seen this same technique in Italy, where my husband, also a hefty 6' guy, had his wallet taken from his front pocket just this way in the Naples train station.

ira

Thanks for the reminder, ter.

"I beg of you, Monsieur, watch yourself. Be on guard. This place is full of vultures, vultures everywhere, everywhere." - Casablanca

Cries_Van_Notebook

You have to be vigilant against theft everywhere, not just Athens.

When I travel, I make sure my wallet is in an inside zippered compartment in my bag. I also put my bag in front of me whilst on the train or bus.

I don't know why men carry their wallets in their pockets when travelling on buses and trains in big cities.

Thin

ter2000

Good advice Cries - and one I for one always follow. My husband was wearing what we call a "bum-bag" (I think they're known as "fanny packs" in the US) and before he had time to react, it was open and the would-be thief would have made off with his wallet had he not been on the end of a shove and an expletive roared into his face. As we live in Dublin - where everything that isn't nailed down is stolen - we think we're pretty used to guarding against theft. However it's a different thing when you're on holiday and easily distracted.

artsnletters

Bum bags/fanny packs are notorious for their accessibility for pickpockets. Plus they are unconscionably ugly. I wouldn't wear one at home, let alone on vacation.

BigRuss

I carry my wallet in a deep front pocket and if anyone tries to block me from moving, I push them hard. I'm not tall, but I'm bigger than the average European twentysomething. This is the BigRuss equivalent of diplomacy -- get in my way, and land on your a**. This comes in part from my pa, who (at age 73 or so) when targeted a few years ago on a Barcelona subway escalator with a block-and-pick trick, kicked the blocker in the butt and told him to bug off; the blocker ran off and the partner went running past pa and out of the station. It's also harder to pick a moving target.

And I NEVER wear fanny-pack/bum-bag or other cash-carrying accoutrements that scream "I AM A TOURIST AND AN EASY MARK." I'm sure that with my backpack and variety of quintessentially American T-shirts, jeans, other clothes that anyone can spot me as a tourist (in Poland, every waiter who greeted me to seat me at a table came up to me, took one look and started speaking English) but there's a difference between looking like a sucker and looking like a tourist.

colduphere

I always wear a fanny pack in front. For those who think they are ugly/for sissies, please read:

http://ronebreak.com/2009/07/03/fannypackinitiative/

willit

"I always wear a fanny pack in front." *Snigger*

FrankS

Crime against tourists is way up in Europe. A friend of mine now sleeps with his moneybelt on ever since a maid snuck in a tried to lift his wallet when she thought he was in the shower.

itsallgood5311

My wife and I were very likely targeted while shopping in Fira on Santorini in Greece today while in an established shop. We had been looking at paintings for about 30 minutes and commited to purchase when the commotion started. The diversion / commotion started and was created by a man who appeared to have an interest in the paintings we were looking at. He interfered with the shop keeper and then very quickly or better yet "slickly" another man along with a woman appeared running more interference by gettin in the way or attempting to block or seperate. The 3 created such turmoil asking "how much" for 3 postcards - very inexpensive postcards. It unwound in less than 30 seconds. The shop owner was annoyed and very upset, saying how rude. Being street smart we knew something was not right so we simply backed away from the painting and the would be thieves disappeared not even purchasing the 3 post cards for 1 euro. From what I have heard this is the way it's done..... Not suspecting, we may have been watched for sometime prior as we made several purchases along the way prior to the art. My wife's bag is always zipped and my cash and credit cards were secure in a front pocket. Be smart and aware of your surroundings. Safe travels

clausar

I have actually never heard of pickpocketing on small islands like Santorini.....
Athens is another case, being a big city... but on islands like Santorini pickpocketers cannot hide, as they cannot leave the island easily.. they will have to go through the port or the airport. Chances of getting caught are very high....
especially since you have seen their faces....

But one should always use common sense, since you never know, where something could happen......

Other than that, i hope you are having a great time on Santorini

brotherleelove2004

I'm just glad you were savvy enough to reaize what was happening and took steps to avoid being victimized!

Tommmo

I'd like to suggest something that has been very effective for me for years.
Any pet supplies place will have a cheap "choker chain" for dogs -a short chain with keyrings at both ends. To attach to wallet you can fix to a zip or make a small hole in the wallet (I use a nylon one with velcro ) and the other end make a loop and slip onto your belt or other point like strong button etc.
It's a bit like the old gents watch chain. Added bonus is you can't walk away and leave you wallet or purse on the counter!

colduphere

I am still wearing my fanny pack. I often find women smiling at me, I guess because it looks so good on me.

Heimdall

I was once the near victim of attempted pickpocketing on the Athens Metro. The time to be especially aware is when you are getting off the train. By the time you realise you have been robbed, the train is pulling away and you are left on the platform watching the thief departing. In my case, a man tried to block me as I was heading for the door. As I sidestepped him I felt his hand going into my front pocket where I had my wallet and cellphone. When I brought my hand down to the pocket he pulled his away.

The answer is to not carry a wallet — just some walking-around money and maybe a credit card. There will be no bulge in your pocket to alert potential thieves. A fanny pack (don't call it that in England ;-) ) would be an answer if you wear it in front. My answer would be to leave your wallet in the hotel safe, or in a zipped compartment inside your day bag when you have to carry it around.

cathies

Don't call it a fanny pack in Australia either!

clausar

and for those of us who have a mother tongue other than english....

what is a fanny pack in the US ?
and
what is it in the UK or Australia? ( even though i can smell that it is something not very decent... lol)

Heimdall

I'm trying very hard not to be vulgar here. In England (and apparently Australia) "fanny" is a part of the female anatomy used for reproductive purposes. ;-)

clausar

Thank you Heimdall !!!

Now i know ))