Just another reason to wear a moneybelt under your clothes with your IDs, extra cash and credit cards, etc. and only carry the day's cash and a COPY of your ID in your "wallet".

I can't believe the number of people who still think they're safe to carry their entire wallet's contents in their backpacks in any city where they are easily targeted as tourists. duh.

Jules

Since the following is public information taken from a US State Dept. site ( http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_p.../cis_1116.html ), I’m not worrying about potential copyright violation:

CRIME: While both France and Monaco have relatively low rates of violent crime, a limited number of neighborhoods in the larger French cities merit extra caution. Additionally, although the overall crime rate has fallen slightly in recent years, the volume of crimes involving violence has increased in France. Thieves commonly target vehicles with non-local license plates and work in or near tourist attractions such as museums, monuments, restaurants, hotels, beaches, trains, train stations, airports, and subways. Americans in France and Monaco should be particularly alert to pickpockets in train stations and subways. Photocopies of travel documents and credit cards should be kept separate from the originals.

Although thieves may operate anywhere, the U.S. Embassy in Paris receives frequent reports of theft from several areas in particular:

Paris: The Paris Police Prefecture has published a pamphlet entitled “Feeling Safe in Paris,” which provides practical advice and useful telephone numbers for visitors and can be accessed at http://www.prefecture-police-paris.i...e_in_paris.htm. Gangs of thieves operate on the rail link (RER) from Charles de Gaulle Airport to downtown Paris, where they prey on jet-lagged, luggage-burdened tourists. In one common ruse, a thief distracts a tourist with a question about directions, while an accomplice steals a momentarily unguarded backpack, briefcase, or purse. Thieves also time their thefts to coincide with train stops so they may quickly exit the car. Travelers may wish to consider taking a bus or taxi from the airport into the city.
Reports of stolen purses, briefcases and carry-on bags at Charles de Gaulle Airport have been on the rise. Travelers should monitor their bags at all times and never leave them unattended. As thieves commonly target laptop bags, travelers should avoid carrying passports and other valuables in computer bags. Unattended bags are subject to destruction by airport security.
There have been reports of robberies in which thieves on motorcycles reach into a moving car by opening the car door or reaching through an open window to steal purses and other bags visible inside. The same technique is used against pedestrians walking with purses/bags/cameras slung over their street-side shoulder. Those traveling by car should remember to keep the windows up and the doors locked.

Many thefts occur on the Number One Subway Line, which runs through the center of Paris by many major tourist attractions (including the Grand Arch at La Defense, the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs Elysees, Place de la Concorde, the Louvre, and the Bastille). Pickpockets are especially active on this metro line during the summer months and use a number of techniques. The most common, and unfortunately the most successful, is the simple “bump and snatch,” where an individual bumps into the tourist while at the same time reaching into the pockets/purse/bag. Visitors should be particularly careful when metro doors are closing, as this is a favored moment for the less-sophisticated pickpockets to simply grab valuables and jump through the closing doors, leaving the victim helplessly watching as the thief flees. Visitors are encouraged NOT to aggressively confront thieves, who often operate in groups and may become violent if cornered. Simply drawing attention to an attempted theft will most likely stop the operation and cause a tactical withdrawal by the thief.

Gare du Nord train station, where the express trains from the airport arrive in Paris, is also a high-risk area for pickpocketing and theft. Travelers should also beware of thefts that occur on both overnight and day trains, especially on trains originating in Spain, Italy, and Belgium. Additionally, several sexual assaults involving American citizens have occurred in recent years in the immediate vicinity of the Gare du Nord train station.

Thefts also occur at the major department stores (Galeries Lafayette, Printemps, and Samaritaine) where tourists often place wallets, passports, and credit cards on cashier counters during transactions.

In hotels, thieves target lobbies and breakfast rooms, and take advantage of a minute of inattention to snatch jackets, purses, and backpacks. While many hotels do have safety latches that allow guests to secure their rooms from inside, this feature is not as universal as it is in the United States. If no chain or latch is present, a chair placed up against the door and wedged under the handle is usually an effective obstacle to surreptitious entry during the night. There are, however, reports of thieves breaking into hotel rooms on lower floors through open windows while the occupants are sleeping. To guard against this, hotel room windows should be kept locked at all times. There have been reports of thieves stealing safes from rooms in Parisian hotels. Whenever possible, valuables should be kept in the hotel safe behind the reception desk rather than in the room safe.

Many Americans have reported thefts occurring in restaurants and nightclubs/bars, where purses are stolen from the back of a chair or from under the table.
ATMs (Automatic Teller Machines) are very common in France and provide ready access to cash, allowing travelers to carry as much money as they need for each day. The rates are competitive with local exchange bureaus and an ATM transaction is easier than the cashing of travelers' checks. However, crimes committed around ATMs have been reported. Travelers should not use ATMs in isolated, unlit areas or where loiterers are present. Travelers should be especially aware of persons standing close enough to see the PIN (Personal Identification Number) being entered into the machine. Thieves often conduct successful scams by simply observing the PIN as it is entered. If the card becomes stuck, travelers should be wary of persons who offer to help or ask for the PIN to "fix" the machine. Legitimate bank employees never have a reason to ask for the PIN.

Large criminal operations in Paris involving the use of ATM machines that “eat” the user’s ATM card have been reported. This most often happens during a weekend or at night when the bank is closed. The frustrated traveler often walks away after unsuccessfully trying to retrieve the card, with plans to return the first day the bank is open. In such cases, a criminal gang has modified the machine using an add-on device equipped with a microchip that records the user’s PIN number when it is typed in and also prevents the card from being ejected. The criminal retrieves the card from the device once the visitor departs, downloads the recorded PIN number and then goes to other ATMs and withdraws as much cash as possible. ATM users are strongly encouraged to carry a 24-hour emergency number for their ATM card and bank account that will enable the immediate prevention of withdrawals from the supporting account.
Pigalle is the “adult entertainment district” of Paris. Many entertainment establishments in this area engage in aggressive marketing and charge well beyond the normal rate for drinks. There have been reports of threats of violence to coerce patrons into paying exorbitant beverage tabs. Visitors are encouraged to avoid this area unless touring with a well-organized and reputable tour company.
Normandy: There has been an increase in break-ins and thefts from vehicles in the parking lots at the Normandy beaches and American cemeteries. Valuables should not be left unattended in a car, and locking valuables in the trunk should not be considered a safeguard. Thieves often pry open car trunks to steal bags inside.
Southern France: Thefts from cars with open windows stopped at red lights are fairly common, particularly in the Nice-Antibes-Cannes area, and in Marseille. Car doors should be kept locked and windows raised at all times to prevent incidents of "snatch-and-grab" thefts. In this type of scenario, the thief is usually a passenger on a motorcycle. Similar incidents also have occurred at tollbooths and rest areas. Special caution is advised when entering and exiting a car, as this presents an opportunity for purse-snatchers. Break-ins of parked cars are also fairly common. Valuables should not be left in the car, not even in the trunk, when the vehicle is unattended.

INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME: The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance. The Embassy/Consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, to contact family members or friends, and explain how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed. Under French law, compensation is available to victims of crime committed on French soil under certain circumstances.
See our information on Victims of Crime at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/...cies_1748.html.

I live very near a large metropolitan area in the US (Los Angeles), and I know that petty crime happens all the time. I'm sure that tourists here have had their fair share of pickpocketing and such, but I've never really heard of it being the problem that it seems to be in Europe. Also the idea of this grabbing things out of a car - never seen or heard of that happening here, either. So, for all of the "crime is everywhere" talk, it just seems that there is so much emphasis on it being in Europe. And it really seems that there isn't very much people who are vacationing in Europe can do about it.

With all of the threads I've seen devoted to this topic over the last 9 months I've been visiting this board, it has seriously made me wish I'd made another choice for my vacation destination. Somehow packing all my valuables under my clothing, hanging onto my bag for dear life, not even being able to drive in a car with the windows rolled down, sleep in a hotel room with the windows open, trust in a hotel safe, and constantly being on guard and never being able to relax is beginning to seem like not much of a vacation. Not to mention the idea of what should happen if one of us is the victim of a crime and what we need to do to deal with that and how that can royally screw up a *supposed* vacation.

Kinda takes the wind out of one's vacation sails....

I think the general advice to be careful with one's belongings to avoid pickpockets is certainly apt in large cities. I don't know if pickpocketing is on the rise in Paris or not, it could be -- but I have never been a victim nor has anyone attempted to do that to me because I don't do the numerous careless and (ok, dumb) things mentioned in this post. I don't leave purses hanging at my side on the metro, I don't carry wallets in my back pockets with large sums of money in them nor allow people to see me stick them there in peak tourist spots like Montmartre, etc.

Yeah, people make themselves targets, these all were prime examples.

I wouldn't ever do any of those things even in my native city when riding the metro, or in cities where pickpocketing is not considered a particular problem. All of this behavior in public with money and credit cards is being careless.

Chele: I think there's MUCH less likelihood of experiencing violent crime in most parts of Europe than there is near where you and I live at home in the US. So you might want to weigh that against your fears of being a victim of theft whereever it is that you're planning to go in Europe.

Chele60:

You might want to take a look at this site for a dose of reality:

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs2/hosb502.pdf

Particularly the homicide tables.

Having been to Paris five times in six years (and loving EVERY MINUTE), we have NEVER been pick-pocketed. I carry a small (Norm Thompson) nylon backpack with guidebook, water bottle, maps, umbrella, sunglasses, etc. And I carry a very small nylon bag with a long strap diagonally across my chest and against my hip. This has my inexpensive camera, tiny binoculars, some ibuprofen, kleenex, one ATM card (I have two, just in case the machine eats one), and only enough cash for the day. I basically pay no attention to my backpack, as there is nothing of value or irreplacable in there--and even it has never been 'pick-pocketed'. So, I only have to keep track of the small nylon bag, which is easy and allows your hands to be free. If you are wearing a coat (I have a tencel raincoat), the small nylon bag goes UNDER the coat. We are 50 somethings, and don't need lots of 'stuff' to enjoy travelling safely. And yes, we are ALWAYS aware of our surroundings and the people near us; we take public transportation exclusively. The less stuff you have to keep track of, the more you can enjoy your trip.

cmt ~ I know what you say is very true. It just gets so disheartening sometimes to come to these boards and read these same discussions. It makes Europe just seem like one giant hotbed of thievery.


StCirq ~ That was quite an interesting article! And certainly placed things in perspective in many ways. I also have to keep in mind that I am naturally a cautious a traveller and my S/O is - thankfully - a man who has a wealth of common sense and a great sense of how to "read" people. Hopefully, between the two of us, we should be able to steer clear of trouble and be able to enjoy our time.

StCirq - Just looking at the bar graph, it appears that the Belgian population has become quite violent, and the English aren't murdering each other quite like they used to, although one might argue they never were very good at it...Thanks for the report!

People, the main thing to consider is that if you do get ripped off in your home town, it's easy to call someone you know, in your language, to come get your or help you out. The only reason I take extra precautions outside of the US is because it's a big fat hassle to replace lost documents and money, and no matter what shoes I wear (white sneakers or otherwise), I still stand out as an American Mutt from 7 European ancestries, and therefore are an easier target. Here in Denver, I know where I'm going, and look like I belong here, and no one messes with me because I walk with confidence.

Jules
moneybelt.moneybelt.moneybelt
lok into it.

whether the OP is genuinely concerned or just trying to stir up trouble -

most of these posts miss what to me are a couple of simple facts - and I am biased in that I have lived most of muy life in 3 big US Cities (NYC, Boston and SF)

Pickpocketing is NOT a huge problem here in that you are more likely to be the victim of an armed robbery or assault - sad but true. For that reason, and maybe others, I think we in the US are slightly less prepared for the "slickness' of pickpockets abroad. With all the warnings on buses and subways here, we don't seem to have the roving gangs of teens or families who are VERY good at pickpocketing. At least for me,I feel the need to be vigilant in a way that I don't at home, and not just because it's home.

The other salient fact is that no matter HOW careful you are, pickpocketing CAN happen to you. Of course the warnings about purses, backpacks , flaunting money are all valid and helpful and should be followed, but sometimes you really are in the wrong place at the wrong time.

bottomline i believe you can dramatically improve your chances of not being pickpocketed by not putting your wallet in an outer back pocket of your backpack! sheeez.

Darn trolls. Why not just label the post "Beware of Pickpockets Everywhere."

Because you don't have to be aware of pickpockets everywhere. I have lived in Scandinavia and travelled throughout the world, and Paris is the only place I have seen such blatent crime. Perhaps you are more likely to suffer a violent crime in the U.S., but I felt more vulnerable to crime in Paris than I have anywhere in the U.S. People are not saying not to visit Paris (I love Paris!), they are saying that the problem exists, and it seems to be getting worse!

<<but I felt more vulnerable to crime in Paris than I have anywhere in the U.S.>>

Interesting, as that completely 100% contradicts my own experience (which includes dozens and dozens of trips to Paris).

I've never been pickpocketed in Paris; nor has anyone I know. Here in the USA I was mugged in broad daylight on a major avenue in downtown DC, had my house broken into a couple of times, had my car lock picked and items stolen, had a friend in a neighboring apartment years ago raped, and know countless people who've had similar experiences.

I wonder where in the US you've traveled.

Well, you must live in a more dangerous neighorhood than I do.

well, the OP must go to a different Paris than I do

I have been mugged (only once) outside a grocery store in Creve Coeur, a suburb of St. Louis.

We were robbed in a gated community with a manned 24-7 guardpost on the west coast of Florida.


In Manhattan, a man attempted to steal from me. But he did not plan on meeting up with a very tired, very pregnant woman exhausted from the Christmas shopping crowds. I went into the McDonalds's near Bloomingdales to sit with a cold drink before catching a cab home. My bags were piled all around me on the table, floor and chairs. Yes, probably a scene of utter conspicuous consumption, but these were kids' presents for the little ones at home. A tall young man strode by me slowly, nonchalantly picking up my largest Bloomie's bag and, without missing a beat, kept on walking toward the door. I was so infuriated that I stood up and shouted, "Put that down RIGHT THIS MINUTE" and threw my cup at him. He turned around with a "Whoa. Crazy lady at one o'clock!" look on his face, put the bag down and left.

Most of the others in the restaurant looked up when I shouted, then just quietly resumed reading their papers. No one would have dreamed of interfering!

I am sure there are certain districts that more crime occur as much as it can be said of other cities. You shouldn't generalize. For me Paris is like being at home, same risks. Just have to be careful no matter where you go.

It's amazing bigal that you signal me out when others have also said generally what I have said. I still say that one has to be careful wherever one is.

As to your offensive comment about my attitude, I think it's fair of me to say that the only thing big about you is your bad attitude.

I like Rick Steves' idea. Buy a cheapo wallet and put nothing in it but a note to the thief. Then carelessly place it in you back pocket, just begging to be stolen.

What would you put on the note? I think mine would be a cartoonish hand-drawn piece of "currency." Something with giant $ signs with "You are an idiot" written in the local language.