How to Avoid Pickpockets in Europe
Jun 13th, 2012, 08:30 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 17,106
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
How to Avoid Pickpockets in Europe
The recent spate of threads about being robbed in Barcelona makes it a good idea to post the following guidelines on how to avoid getting pickpocketed - wherever you're traveling. Many thieves are professionals and the robbery takes place in seconds, but take these precautions and the chances are very good that you will not get pickpocketed.
These guidelines come from the Barcelona Yellow Pages and City Guide, because as the article states: <i>If there were Olympic medals for pickpocket and bag-snatching schemes, then Barcelona would win the gold.</i> Nevertheless, these guidelines would work anywhere in the world.
http://www.barcelonayellow.com/bcn-t...elona-top-tips
Wishing you all happy and safe travels!
These guidelines come from the Barcelona Yellow Pages and City Guide, because as the article states: <i>If there were Olympic medals for pickpocket and bag-snatching schemes, then Barcelona would win the gold.</i> Nevertheless, these guidelines would work anywhere in the world.
http://www.barcelonayellow.com/bcn-t...elona-top-tips
Wishing you all happy and safe travels!
.
Jun 13th, 2012, 08:53 AM
#4
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 12,820
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My recommendation is always to wear a money belt under your clothes. My sister had just given me her debit card and her passport to put in my money belt when her purse was stolen in a restaurant by a thief pretending to be a waiter. She did lose a good camera, but not vital items.
In the train to Montserrat a woman attempted to steal my purse, which was on the floor between my leg and the train wall--in contact with my leg. I felt the purse strap move and immediately knew what was up. I'm always careful, but especially in Barcelona.
I don't dress like a tourist, but one look at my face tells you that I'm not Spanish. My Irish and Danish forebears give me away.
Both these events happened in Barcelona, by the way.
In the train to Montserrat a woman attempted to steal my purse, which was on the floor between my leg and the train wall--in contact with my leg. I felt the purse strap move and immediately knew what was up. I'm always careful, but especially in Barcelona.
I don't dress like a tourist, but one look at my face tells you that I'm not Spanish. My Irish and Danish forebears give me away.
Both these events happened in Barcelona, by the way.
Jun 13th, 2012, 08:59 AM
#5
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 4,943
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just got back from Italy.
Not as much pickpocketing as panhandling. Old gypsy women going around with cups, even going up to some diners sitting at an outdoor table in Venice. Or African guys standing in a busy street with their cap out.
I'm sure there are still pickpockets in Italy but seems more panhandling than before. Who knows, maybe they're having better luck panhandling than pickpocketing.
Not as much pickpocketing as panhandling. Old gypsy women going around with cups, even going up to some diners sitting at an outdoor table in Venice. Or African guys standing in a busy street with their cap out.
I'm sure there are still pickpockets in Italy but seems more panhandling than before. Who knows, maybe they're having better luck panhandling than pickpocketing.
Jun 13th, 2012, 09:47 AM
#6
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The same way you avoid them anyplace else:
1) never let go of your belongings
2) be aware of what is going on around you
3) dont; be "nice" to random strangers asking questions while the partner picks your pocket or slits your knapsack
More than 90 trips to europe and never a problem. (Although I lost a pair of sunglasses in Switz, which I think some people here would consider theft - or the fault of the outdoor cafe on the table of which I accidentally left them.)
Caveat: I'm a native New Yorker and a lot of thigns that seem bvious to me are apparently a mystery to some other travelers.
1) never let go of your belongings
2) be aware of what is going on around you
3) dont; be "nice" to random strangers asking questions while the partner picks your pocket or slits your knapsack
More than 90 trips to europe and never a problem. (Although I lost a pair of sunglasses in Switz, which I think some people here would consider theft - or the fault of the outdoor cafe on the table of which I accidentally left them.)
Caveat: I'm a native New Yorker and a lot of thigns that seem bvious to me are apparently a mystery to some other travelers.
Jun 13th, 2012, 09:49 AM
#7
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 986
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Something that seldom is mentioned is a bra wallet. Now your passport won't fit in there but it is a good place to carry a spare credit/ATM card and a few bills of the local currency (or your home currency) for emergencies.
No one is interested in going after my bra wallet (sob).
No one is interested in going after my bra wallet (sob).
Jun 13th, 2012, 10:54 AM
#8
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Be cautious and sensible, just as you would be at home, but not overcautious. If you wear A shoulder bag closely gripped under your arm, or keep it in your lap with one hand over it while eating... You are just indicating it's valuable, and you are afraid of being robbed... Which will make you a target.
On the other hand, if you leave your passport at the hotel, you won't be ableto use your credit cards. Shops are required to ask you for a passport or ID card with photo in order to pay by credit card.
On the other hand, if you leave your passport at the hotel, you won't be ableto use your credit cards. Shops are required to ask you for a passport or ID card with photo in order to pay by credit card.
Jun 13th, 2012, 11:19 AM
#10
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 19,881
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
<i>How to Avoid Pickpockets in Europe</i>
There's only one guaranteed way - don't go to Europe, get pickpocketed in New York or Hawaii instead.
But who is stupid enough to go from "pickpocketed in Barcelona" to "pickpocketed in Europe" as if Europe was one large Barcelona.
There's only one guaranteed way - don't go to Europe, get pickpocketed in New York or Hawaii instead.
But who is stupid enough to go from "pickpocketed in Barcelona" to "pickpocketed in Europe" as if Europe was one large Barcelona.
Jun 13th, 2012, 11:29 AM
#11
Agosto: "<i>On the other hand, if you leave your passport at the hotel, you won't be ableto use your credit cards. Shops are required to ask you for a passport or ID card with photo in order to pay by credit card.</i>"
That doesn't makes sense. Millions of people use credit cards every day in Europe and the VAST majority won't be carrying their passports, and chip/pin credit card users don't need any sort of ID. What country are talking about? Or do you just mean if one is doing tax free shopping (VAT refund scheme)?
That doesn't makes sense. Millions of people use credit cards every day in Europe and the VAST majority won't be carrying their passports, and chip/pin credit card users don't need any sort of ID. What country are talking about? Or do you just mean if one is doing tax free shopping (VAT refund scheme)?
Jun 13th, 2012, 11:30 AM
#12
"On the other hand, if you leave your passport at the hotel, you won't be ableto use your credit cards. Shops are required to ask you for a passport or ID card with photo in order to pay by credit card."
Huh? What country are you talking about?
Huh? What country are you talking about?
Jun 13th, 2012, 11:42 AM
#13
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Agosto as indicated above is wrong. It is possible they will ask for your passport and number one precaution is don't walk around with your passport. I believe once I was asked and I used my card alot and the photocopy I had with worked just fine. I don't care what country it is don't walk around with your passport.
Jun 13th, 2012, 12:13 PM
#15
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 15,767
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"On the other hand, if you leave your passport at the hotel, you won't be ableto use your credit cards. Shops are required to ask you for a passport or ID card with photo in order to pay by credit card."
Where?
I NEVER carry my passport and have been able to use my credit cards from Stockholm to Barcelona...Berlin to Venice , Prague to Amsterdam etc.
Where?
I NEVER carry my passport and have been able to use my credit cards from Stockholm to Barcelona...Berlin to Venice , Prague to Amsterdam etc.
Jun 13th, 2012, 12:24 PM
#17
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 15,767
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
....we live in a very safe city, but like nytraveler said,
one only has to use common sense when traveling ( and at home).
I admit,I once left a scarf in a Berlin restaurant and someone took it .
one only has to use common sense when traveling ( and at home).
I admit,I once left a scarf in a Berlin restaurant and someone took it .
Jun 13th, 2012, 12:31 PM
#18
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 26,390
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've wondered if the robbed in Barcelona guy was on his phone at the time. I think he said something about looking up.
Be present where you are. If you don't like the look of someone who has approached you, step aside, ignore them.
Be present where you are. If you don't like the look of someone who has approached you, step aside, ignore them.
