How do Romans cope with this overwhelming tide of street crime? [I ask only about those who are not engaged in committing street crime.]

The Romans are not subjects of most of the crime, like in many European cities, tourists are the primary targets. It is not just that tourists might be richer targets and less aware of their surroundings, but there is the legal issue. Tourists are safer targets. If caught, the trial date might be set for weeks from now and the tourist is unlikely to be around to testify. The criminal then walks free. Also, the local citizens are not as likely to demand increased police action from their politicians if only the tourists are targeted.

Just my opinion, but there was a study some years ago about pickpockets in Honolulu which found those results.

I always carry at least a copy of my passport because of what happened to me in Paris about 10 years ago. I was on a tour bus, and it was pulled over. The bus in front of us was also pulled. Those very scary people with big guns and bullets across their chests boarded the bus ahead of us. We asked our driver what was going on, and he said it was just a routine check. I asked what the check was for, and he said it was various things, but they would ask to see our passports. Neither my husband nor I had a passport or a copy with us--back in the room in a safe. I was sweating bullets. I asked the driver what would happen to us, and he told us not much, but we would be taken in and we would have to produce a passport from our hotel. He told us we would probably lose a day of our vacation clearing things up. Fortunately, they finally waved our bus on. Needless to say, I always have at least a copy, and usually my passport, on my person somewhere very secure. It is just not worth the trouble of losing a day to me when it is so easy to carry it in a secure place.

Hi jbm,
Like Ralphie I always have our passports, credit cards and the bulk of our cash in a pouch that has a loop attached to my belt, with the pouch inside of my pants.

When we are travel we are often moving each day and seldom return to the same hotel.

I don't find the pouch to be a bother and like the security of having everthing on my person.

"Well, the only people who really regret not wearing a money belt, or similar device, are those who finally get pick pocketed"
We have always used one to carry our passports and credit cards. WE try not to have a lot of cash but have about 100 Euros in there too. I keep some cash in zipper in my handbag.

I was just re-reading this thread and I got thinking about this topic again. It's a frequent conversation on travel forums.

I think maybe it's sort of like fire insurance. I don't know anyone whose house has burned down, but we all carry fire insurance.

Now, granted, this might (or might not) be lower stakes, but, still to ruin a vacation - well, I don't know - it seems like it's just better to be safe than sorry.

Once you get used to a money belt (I actually use the money pouch/necklace thing) it's just second nature.

As this is my first trip to Italy, I have found all of these posts helpful. I had planned to ccarry a med. size travel "purse" with a wide strap that crosses in front but now understand the importance of keeping things more separate. But, if you wear something more fitted on your body,am I safe enough with a purse?

Thanks,

Lucci

Lucci,

Anything that can't be seen is better than something that can be seen.

Even if you have a hidden money bag of some sort, you will probably still need a handbag or tote for map, tissue, camera, or whatever. It's just that your money and credit card and passport (if you carry it) are safer hidden.

Hello jbm, All good advice here. I carry a money belt that fits around my waist and under my pants and shirt. We carry copies of each others passports. Hubby carries mine, and I carry his. Actual ones are at hotel locked up. But one never knows, does one? My hubby was "picked" on the train in Paris. It happens so fast. A commotion was caused and some young people decided to leave the train. Unknowing to us at the time they had his money and they got it from a wallet he had put through his belt and around his waist. It was visible and that is probably what he did wrong, to have it where it could be seen. I use the one under my pants as stated and then also carry a light wallet on a strap, over my shoulder in front of me, but just use it for sunglasses and lipstick etc. No money. Good luck and have a great time.

DH had his wallet stolen out of his front pocket while in Rome. I did bring a money belt and carried a purse with a zipper. But, he insisted on using his front pocket.

The problem was reporting the stolen credit cards and filing a police report--which took hours.

Use a money belt while in Rome. Or, if you use your purse, clutch the zipper tightly while in crowded places.

Make several copies of your passport, and leave one copy at home with a friend or relative in case the passport and its copies get lost or stolen. So, the copy at home could be faxed to you. Leave your passport and drivers license in a safe place in your hotel room like a safe, and copies scattered in various suitcases. Only take out your drivers license when you do drive.

Also, when you pick up the rental car, make sure there is proof of insurance in your vehicle. There should be document verifying insurance in a pocket on the right side of your windshield. Our car rental did not have the document. Luckily, we did not get into an accident. We did meet one unlucky fellow who had to stay in Italy an extra few days because he was in an accident and the rental did not have the insurance paperwork.

If you are carrying your passport/credit cards/bank cards in your money belt, and have a copies, should they be LOCKED in the room safe? Hotel safe? If the copy is just left in your room in a suitcase or elsewhere and is stolen, is that not almost as bad as having the real thing stolen?

Carry what you need for the day, don't have all your CC's & money about your person - and if in transit DON'T keep them all in one place

I have recently heard of thefts from room safes. Too many employees, past and present, have access to them. Use the hotel front desk safe instead.

When in Italy, keep your bag on the side away from the street -- to prevent Vespa-riders snatching it as they ride by. I saw this done in Florence, was warned about it in Rome - in Italian - by a passer-by.

It's better just to use a money belt. Fewer worries.

A copy of a passport being stolen is definitely not as bad as the real thing being stolen. Thieves want it because of the actual passport itself, which can be doctored with another photo, etc. I never keep copies of credit cards or an ATM card anywhere, don't see the point of having that, even though I've seen people on Fodors recommend copying them. A copy of an ATM card wouldn't do anything, but a CC would if it had all info on it and showing, including the expiration date, name and even the security code.

I don't know why people have copies of that. I just have the phone number of the CC company in my address/phone no. book, and keep the actual number in a different place in the address book, but it isn't notated as that CC number, so it isn't obvious. This is a very small address book I keep in my purse.

I will be staying in B & B's and agritourismos and therefore paying cash for most large items. I do have a money belt, but was wondering about the best way to get money from the bank while there. No one uses or accepts travellers cheques any longer. I have a credit card that I load with my own money but it is more for shopping on line. My bank suggested a Visa ATM access card. The first 4 numbers start with the numbers of a Visa card and it would allow me to take money from my account with no fees associated with it except the monthly fee I pay. They tell me this is widely accepted in Italy but not perhaps in Southern Italy. Anyone know for sure?

Leaving aside that this is a thread from 2007, all you need is a debit ATM card, Val. I don't know what an "access" card is, but if it's one of those preloaded gismos, it's a total rip-off. You just need a regular ATM card, connected to your checking account. It will be usable in northern, southern, and in-between Italy at ATMs, which are everywhere.

By the way, a U.S. bank is usually the most unreliable source there is for getting accurate information about obtaining and using money abroad.

St Cirq,

Many of us will not use debit cards. Our banks (well, my bank, BoA) continue to supply access cards for using ATM's only, just the purpose Val_Harrison was asking about.

Thanks, Ackislander. I had never heard of an "access car." Was just trying to steer Val away from those preloaded cards that charge you every which way and sideways.

It would help to post the web link describing how what the bank claims "Visa ATM access card" functions in foreign countries. In case of B of A, here is a link related to usage in foreign countries: http://www.bankofamerica.com/deposit...c_faq_ATM#qn39 note that it mentions nothing about "Visa ATM access card", just debit card and ATM card.

St Cirq - My friend asked at our bank (Canadian) what she should do re money on her trip to Europe and the clerk advised her to take Traveler's cheques. Not only American banks give unreliable advice re taking money abroad.