Pick pocketed in Rome!
 

So it happened to DH - his wallet was swiped from a front pocket on his shorts while on the Rome Metro on Sunday afternoon (two days before we headed home). We were getting on at the Ottaviana stop and a couple of guys got on and stood blocking most of the doorway (in the annoying, "not being courteous to other people around them" manner, which we seemed to experience a lot of on our vacation!) - so we and many others, pushed past them to get on and then they got off before the metro pulled away from the station, with DH's wallet! A stop or two later, DH felt around for his wallet and couldn't find it. At first, he thought he left it at the last gelato stop and then thought maybe at the Metro station where he bought the metro tickets - and then realized the two guys took it when I asked where he put the metro tickets after we used them to get into the metro (in his wallet!).

In all of our traveling, this has never happened to us - and we are generally very careful but we made several mistakes, starting with complacency (MISTAKE!) and "it's never happened, so it won't happen" (MISTAKE!)! Usually DH switches from his big fat wallet to a smaller travel wallet but hasn't on our last few trips (MISTAKE!) - who knows why. For some reason, he was carrying his wallet in an outside front pocket on some (cargo-type) shorts - the top of the pocket had a little strip of velcro (MISTAKE!) - and since it was the big fat wallet, it was obvious to anyone looking for it! As he said, these guys were good but I think he left himself pretty vulnerable.

I use a very small wallet and left mine back at the apartment in the safe - I rarely carry mine with me if I am with DH - no sense in both of us risking losing them. Before we left on our trip, we went through and divvied up our credit and ATM cards to make sure we each had unique cards. It was then that I realized I had an expired AmEx card - and not enough time to order a new one!. So with us, we had one credit card in common and each had a unique ATM card - plus DH had a second personal credit card (not sure why he had his and I didn't have mine), an AmEx and a business credit card. MISTAKES!

So that meant four credit cards and one ATM card to cancel. We were able to cancel/stop/notify two credit cards immediately; the theives were able to charge $5000 on his business credit card at a Timberland store before we could call the company (how do you accumulate that much in merchandise in such a short time!) and they tried to charge another $6000 at the same store on one of the personal cards but their fraud department denied it. It was frustrating trying to call all the card companies as quickly as possible - especially as we had one international cellphone and we were trying to figure out replacement options (basically cards wouldn't show up until after we left for home; alternative was they could give us the new numbers but good luck using those anywhere!) and any travel assist options (basically not much aside from wiring us our own money which we could access via my ATM card). It would have been so helpful to have copies of the front and backs of our cards (MISTAKE!) - trying to look up the contact info using the spotty internet service at the apartment was frustrating!

While we were on the metro ride home, a very nice British lady came up to me after overhearing what had happened and asked if we had enough money to make it back to our hotel. (Yes, as long as we weren't caught without our metro tickets!)

All in all, a PITA experience - but no one was hurt, just a bit rattled. DH was pretty hard on himself, blaming himself for letting it happen. But at least it wasn't our passports, and at least I had an ATM so we could get some cash to see us through for the last two days. And fortunately we had paid upfront for the apartment so we didn't have a bill to settle when we left.

We did file a police report at the local carabinierie office, which wasn't too involved.

So I hope everyone learns from our mistakes! I know that we will! (I will write a separate trip report for our actual trip - I didn't want to include all of this in that trip report.)

Sorry to read about this, iowa mom. As you say, at least no on was hurt. Looking forward to reading the good parts of your trip.

So sorry this happened to you. Ten years ago the same thing happened to us in Madrid on the Metro. It certainly is a real PITA to deal with.

The pickpocket lifted my husband's wallet from his deep front pocket - a place he believed to be secure since he would "definitely know that someone's hand was in there." Lesson learned.

I look forward to hearing about the good parts of your trip. Those memories, over time, will certainly overshadow this unfortunate incident.

Thanks for this info, I'm sure it will help others. As often happens, a single mistake is compounded by others but I think your listing "complacency" first is key...most of us are guilty of that!

Sorry to hear this, I hope it didn't totally ruin the last two days of your trip!

Thanks for the friendly reminder! Complacency -- yep, we all get sucked into that, don't we!

There was a Timberland store in Italy?!? Wow, the thieves must be walking around in some REALLY nice shoes!

I'm only glad that when this happened to ME on Bus 64 that it was my wallet and not my husband's. He's the one always hard on himself; I look at these things like you can't unbreak an egg and treat it as an adventure, a growing experience, and something to laugh about later.

Funny thing was we had walked by the Timberland Store (on Corso) the day before! We wonder if someone at Timberland was in on this at all... we'll never know! DH is secretly hoping his nice Coach wallet will show up in the mail - it did have his driver's license in it after all!

Thank you for sharing your unfortunate story. I will be travelling for the first time to Italy in May and am so worried about pick-pocketers. Many people don't take the crime seriously and think it's harmless because no one gets hurt but what if that was the first day of the vacation and you have no other way to get money. It could be devastating.

And we figured with cash, we could buy whatever we needed... except for snacks on the domestic Delta flight (credit card only) and couldn't download new books for the Nook since we didn't have a valid credit card on file with the account (even though we have outstanding gift card balances).

Yes, thank you for sharing.

I'm another who uses a very small wallet for travel (a business card case) but carries only one card in a deep front pocket and a bit of cash in the other.

I have to insist my husband leave the big fat wallet at home.

All in all, the pickpockets go after that which is visible/accessible, so it's just prudent to make sure anything of importance to you is not.

The advice to "just be aware of your surroundings" does not work.

So sorry this happened to you.

The next day we didn't really feel comfortable venturing far from our apartment (which was kind of silly since it could happen anywhere!) - we had prepaid for a tour and had to pick up the tickets - so I took my driver's license, ATM card and 50Euros and stuffed them in my bra, figuring this was the safest place for them!

Oh I'm so sorry that this happened to you - I hope it hasn't ruined your holiday. A similar thing happened to me in Lisbon some time ago - handbag snatched while it was hanging on the back of my chair in a restaurant - and I too blamed myself. It's just horrible how someone else's nastiness can make you feel so foolish.

Still - you two sound like the kind of resilient characters to chalk this one down to experience and soldier on.

Thanks for reminding us all to be on our guard.

As a single traveler I am religious about having my debit and a credit card either in a hotel safe or in my money belt. I know that if I loose them I am in trouble :).

I have had a credit card company overnight me a card so it can be done.

Rest of the trip wasn't ruined. This happened on Sunday afternoon and we left Rome to travel home very early Tuesday (yesterday) morning - one place said they could overnight it but we were staying in an apartment and didn't have access to the locked mailbox so not knowing when it would show up, we opted not to go that route. Other places said they could get them to us on Tuesday or Wednesday - but we would be traveling or home by then.

I had similar "attempt" on a bus in Napoli. Pushing and shoving and how "just be aware of your surroundings" would have helped. You know someone would try to pickpocket you so there is no shortage of awareness, so what are you supposed to do then?

Even though others thought silly, and that all one has to do is to "be aware of the surroundings," I carried a decoy wallet. I wanted pickpockets on concentrate on an irrelevant object, and that was exactly what they did. After I made my way though the pushing and shoving, I looked back and my decoy wallet was gone. Not only that, they pickpocket already figured out that he was duped and tossed the decoy wallet on floor. After that, everyone knew all they would get attempting to pickpocket me was a risk of being caught and no benefit, so they left me alone. All my real money and CC were in a money belt for this segment. Only an object of value outside of the money belt was a validated bus ticket.

I don't think publishing these type of stories would change many people's behavior especially the ones who have traveled many times like the OP and have yet to have this type of thing happened to them.

We also had a new credit card overnighted to us in a rural location in Italy.

While it was a painful lesson at least you learned from it and admitted your errors - and thank you so much for sharing that with others. I am sure you have just saved at least a few people from the same experience.

When traveling I (and my husband) always wear 'money belts' with passports and 'extra' credit cards/ATM cards in them. We use a very thin pouch like 'wallet' with just one credit card and the days cash in a front pocket and it's secured with either pin or string. Makes it less likely to be pickpocketed and if is does get lost or stolen only one credit card needs to be canceled and we have others as back up. The ATM cards only come out when we plan to take out cash and then the bulk of the cash and the card go back in the money belt as soon after using it as possible (but not in public). Such simple safety precautions to safeguard so much.

iowamom

Thanks for posting and reminding us that even seasoned travelers can be victims. I travel alone, so I am extra careful about keeping important things safe. But on a crowded metro, it is not easy to stay aware of your belongings. Last year in Nice, I had just come from the Louis Vuitton boutique and jumped on a very crowded tram back to my hotel carrying an expensive handbag that I was taking home to my daughter-in-law. I had the handle on my arm and my arms crossed. At a stop someone managed to tear the handle from the bag(very strong handle) and my bag was gone! I noticed it immediately and asked everyone about the bag. A young lady pointed outside on the sidewalk to the bag. i jumped off thinking it would be empty, but the handbag was inside. I had bruises on my arm for a while. I thought I was being careful. You never know.

I'm so sorry. I know from experience (also in Rome) the horrible feelings this leaves one with :(

Don't beat yourselves up over this, but you won't forget it either.

(speaking from Rome experience myself)

I use a Le Sportsac. With 5 different zippered pockets, it's hard for a thief to know which pocket to try. I've stopped numerous people from trying.

Maybe the shorts on a metro train is a dead giveaway. Get a sign that says American Sucker. I've even used the #64 bus in Rome numerous times without troubles (the famous pickpocket express).

My rule is to carry small amounts of cash in my pocket, but nothing else. Only open Le Sportsac when not in a crowded location, and pretend you're in a large city, which you are, so caution is upmost.

Hi Mom,

Thanks for the heads up.

I always close my pockets with safety pins.

((I))

No one is more paranoid about pickpockets than me, yet they almost got me at the train station in Rome. I hope that people that are smug about not being pickpocketed ("I have been to Europe 80 times, use the same purse I use at home, being aware comes naturally to me being from New York, I'm big and tough etc blah etc blah blah, yada yada) get pickpocketed someday.

That doesn't sound very Christian-like of me just before Easter.

I disagree that these types of stories aren't helpful to others. So many people post "I've never had a problem", but they've just not had the problem yet. I think this is a great reminder to pare down the wallet to essentials only. The money-belt debate will be ongoing, but the reminder that if you carry a standard purse or wallet you should only keep the essentials in it, and have the numbers handy for all credit/debit cards is very valid.

Sure, you may have the same risk at home, but dealing with these things is always more of a hassle when you're traveling.

It can happen anywhere. A friend of mine had her wallet stolen 3 separate times in the NYC subway (but she was a ditz that carried a gian purse behind her shoulder and it was open at the top half of the time.

The key is - be aware - of your own things and everyone around you. And have good luck. (If I'm in a subway and there are people blocking the door or aisle I put my hand on the zipper to my purse as I walk or push past - so no one can get it open.)

Thank you for sharing your story! I have not had it happen and hope it never does but you are kind to remind us that we have to be smart. I appreciate your willingness to point out your mistakes (never easy to do). We head to Rome in the Fall.

I just hate that the world is loaded with lowlifes! I hope that those guys get what is coming to them at some point.

Thankfully, you were not hurt (just your pride, maybe) and I am grateful that there are good guys out there like you and your DH. We will make sure to be smart and careful with our money, wallets, etc...

Thanks again.

Thank you for sharing your story and the lessons learned. I have also been to Europe multiple times without incident, but this is a great reminder of basic precautions to take for a safe trip.

The people who stole your wallet are pros, so tell DH to quit blaming himself.

Plenty of Italians and other Europeans wear shorts and ride Rome's subways, Trousers wouldn't have changed anything.

Things to learn?

Don't put your metro tickets in your wallet. Don't ever take out your wallet in a train station. Keep small amounts of money in your shirt pocket or hand.

Don't carry more than one credit card and one ATM between you.

Never carry your driver's license abroad unless you plan to drive, and don't carry it abroad except when you are driving.

After DH stopped beating himself up about it, he commented how professional they were and pondered where one goes to get the special training!

On the domestic connection from Atlanta back home, I found a VISA card on the floor of the plane under a seat. I turned it in the flight attendant but I don't think it was someone on that flight - I feel bad for whomever's it was!

Having had a similar experience in New York many years ago, I am now firmly in the camp of leaving everything but what I need that day at the hotel/apartment, whatever. I figure that if I dont trust the place I shouldn't be staying there. And normally they are better at looking after my things than I am, given that I will be on the street, in subways, in restaurants, surrounded by people. Even if the people around me are honest, I could always drop something (under an airline seat for example) or otherwise lose it. So I try not to have all the valuables with me.

Sorry, IowaMom, about the whole ordeal!

Decoy wallet - learned something new today :) I'll tell Mr Again.

So men can use a decoy wallet. What are some of the tips for women. Thanks IowaMoM for posting btw! I usually travel with a money belt and keep only what I need in a small purse. I don't use a travel purse but I often wonder if it might be a good idea. My feeling has always been that if they want my stuff, they will get through safety pins, reinforced linings and the like. Any comments on this? I have to say that wearing a money belt in the heat of the summer is no picnic either!

it can happen to anyone, anywhere. i like the decoy wallet idea!! will share that with my hubbie.

i also use a purse with a thousand tempting little pockets... with nothing of much value in them-- really just one of those travel superstitions-- it probably doesn't really slow anyone down.?? my wallet is triple-zipped inside...with only the essentials. also have my wallet on a leash-- honestly, more so that i don't walk away and leave it on the counter after buying something than for other security. i keep the wallet down low-- so nobody can see the leash.

d.h. keeps my essential card numbers in his wallet(written in secret code--figure by the time it's decoded, we would have called them in) and i do the same for his card numbers.

still-- stuff happens to the best of us (i posted a while back about being overtaken by several thieves in a quiet corner in barcelona) so we just have to be ready when it does. always good to remember-- so thanks all for sharing.

i loved the signs around the palace in bangkok... "beware of wily strangers." words to live by!

Colduspere - you make me laugh :D

iowamom, so sorry this happened to you! After 20+ years of living overseas (and 3+ of those in Rome), we never had any issues - **till last year in Granada, Spain.** My wife, a very seasoned traveler, was pickpocketed in a Zara store by two young ladies. You can read about it - and some of our Roman "security" experiences - in this article:** http://tinyurl.com/pkpt-Rome **

Like your husband she beat herself up pretty good and was rattled and upset. Because we often travel about every other weekend in Europe, we fortunately have a "drill" we go through in preparations. Thus, we did have all the numbers to call, etc. Using our international phones, we were able to cancel all the credit cards in just a few minutes and NO charges were placed prior to the cancellations. For some helpful steps similar to our preparations, you might read this post: ** http://tinyurl.com/prepare-Italy **

She lost the cash she had in her wallet and her US driver's license (which we were able to replace through an online site), but more than anything she was just angry at herself. She's always been "vigilant" but obviously even more so now. I think I would describe her primary reaction as feeling "violated."

Pickpocketing is a"crime of opportunity" so the best defense is to limit those opportunities. Thus, when traveling away from our apt in Europe with passports, etc., I'm always the one wearing the money belt and/or a "personal security" system and carrying those "can't lose" items.

Filing a police report - or attempting to in Granada - was a fiasco; and as the police told us, a "useless exercise." Our vacation, due to our precautions was not disrupted, but it certainly does put a sour taste in your mouth.

After travelling for many years and never having a pickpocket problem (due to dumb luck and nothing more) I decided I should rely on something more than luck.

I decided that I'm a tourist and they are professional thiefs. They have an obvious advantage as I am touristing and they're stealing.

I figured that it would be very difficult for me to really protect myself. So I decided that I would make it quite unrewarding should I be pickpocketed.

I carry the equivalent of $20-30 in my pocket for general use. I keep nothing else of interest in my pockets.

I wear two very thin, flat money pouches.

One is very small and has a narrow belt loop. It slips down inside my pants. In there I keep a credit card and about $50 as second level cash. If I'm in a store and need my credit card, I'll pull it up, use the card and slide it back inside my pants.

The other is slightly larger and has a thin strap that goes around my waist inside my pants. In this one I keep passports, etc.

We were in Madrid and went to the flee market. At one point I felt somebody lean on my leg. I jumped back but it was too late. Less than a minute later an older man came up to me and said "somebody stole this from you". He gave me back my empty sunglasses case (I was wearing the sunglasses) and street map. I said to him "yes, somebody". They didn't even get the little bit of cash at the bottom of my pocket.

I keep my pockets pretty empty and unrewarding.

Sorry the pickpockets in Italy are most accomplished. A few years back they got a refundable $200 train ticket in Milan
I had in my jacket pocet inside. That is how good they are, Always ricksteves.com money belt dummy wallet and trip cover
for theft for me has saved me lots of money over the years.
Also donot use room safes they are not safe managers have a
general combo and can clean you out any time they like.

Take a good look at Myer's story above and you will see the outlines of another pickpocket scam:

"Somebody" brushes against you.

"Somebody" steals something of no value from yuo.

"Somebody" helpfully alerts you to the theft.

There is a good chance somebody else is watching all this, hoping you will instinctively feel for your wallet to make sure it is still there, and that somebody else will then see where you really keep your valuables. They also hope your companions will simultaneously feel alarmed, and check their purses and wallets.

Best defense is not to carry anything that it would ruin your trip to lose.

Yes quite an unpleasant experience that may well have spoilt your travel memories. There are quite a few stories of theft in Rome. What intrigues me is the fact that someone walks into a store, blows $5000 on clothes using a credit card and the staff think nothing of it. Highly unusual.

Nonetheless theft can happen anywhere not just in Rome which is notorious for it. Recently I was at my local supermarket queuing to check out and the lady in front of me reached for her purse to pay her bill when to her horror she realized it had been stolen. I asked the check out lady if this happened often and she replied "quite frequently".

This is all such useful info...I have not had a problem but was already a bit more worried about Rome. I have a small flat purse, that I wear across my torso. It has multiple zippered compartments and can be easily hidden under a coat or jacket. I do love the decoy wallet idea.

I will definitely split up our spending money, etc...we have not really done that.

I do wonder about hotel safes although I really only put my passport in it...it seems you always must trust the hotel staff as you don't have much choice. Where else can you store anything of value if you don't use the safe?

The stores don't care about the unusually high spend. They don't here in the US...they just want to sell their stuff and the staff doesn't care if it is theft or not. It won't come out of their pocket.

Too bad there are so many dishonest people who make everyone elses's lives harder!

worldinabag - we were intrigued by that as well. All we know is that they were able to charge $5000 on one card and had a charge for a similarly large amount declined - but who knows if it was for the same merchandise; and we have no idea if they attempted charges on the other two cards. Makes us wonder if someone at the store was in on it as well.