Pickpockets?
 

Has anyone recently been to Rome or Firenze that can tell me of any problems they may have had with pickpockets or others? Wher to avoid and how did oyu handle it?

Have not been pickpocketed in Italy on three trips but lost my wallet in the train station in Amsterdam. No matter how careful you are, the pros will get you if you are not careful and you will never sense it is happening. Get travel pants with zippered inside pockets, use a money belt and make sure you guard your passport carefully. make sure you copy your credit card numbers down. If you travel with someone, each person should keep a different credit card so that if one is stolen you are not out of commission. Get American Express. Other cards may take a week to deliver a replacement.

Was in Rome a month ago; had no problem with pickpockets.

If you adhere to all those tips for avoiding pickpockets in all the tour guides or throughout posts on this board, you'll never know any pickpockets are around. If you don't, you'll have a story to tell upon your return.

This wasn't in Rome... but in Paris, my son was pickpocketed at the Musee d'Orsay. We're pretty sure it was very near the sign that warned to beware of pickpockets. We were told that area was especially vulnerable because people instinctively touch the place where they've got their valuables. My son had his in a side-of-the-pants-leg pocket. After that, my husband stopped making fun of my "paranoia." Luckily, they didn't get husband's pocket, where the losses would have been greater.

Hi Joseph. We were in Rome last March. While we weren't hit by any pickpockets, we'd ridden in on the train from the airport with another couple, ran into them near the Pantheon two days later, and the woman had been pickpocketed on one of the buses. However, what precautions she might have failed to take, we didn't know. <BR><BR>My suggestion: don't put anything in ANY of your pockets -- even your front ones -- that you can't afford to lose. Keep all valuables (cash, ATM & credit card, etc.) in a money belt/pouch hidden underneath your clothes.

I was in Rome last spring and, despite considering myself well-traveled and informed, was the victim of those pesty, roving bands of "gypsy" children who roam the subway cars looking for American victims. I always travel with a money belt, but kept a few lire in my front pocket for gelato, water or other items. The young thieves are absolute masters at emptying your pockets before you even board the subway car. BE WARNED! The little thieves are all over the Rome subway system, particularly the busiest stations near major tourist attractions (I was victimized on the way to the Colosseum). We also had a young lady attempt to empty one of our backpacks, right in front of the other subway riders (locals don't care if tourists are robbed). I've visited Europe many, many times and always use public transport. This last trip to Rome, however, seems the pickpockets are everywhere. YOU'VE BEEN WARNED!

My husband was the target of a pickpocket teenager in Paris, he caught the kid with is hand in his backpack. He punched him the head so hard, I thought I heard his skull crack. He then turned to the thiefs friends and asked who was next? the other tourists and locals who witnessed the whole thing started clapping. I was crying, thinking that we had just started an international incident and the gendarms (police) who showed up told my husband that that kid got what he deserved. I do not recommend attempting to thwart the thief, but my hubby said this made him so mad that he just let loose with out thinking about the consequences.My hubby is 6'31/2 and 260 lbs, so I don't know what this kid was thinking. As for Italy, was just there in the fall and people pretty much stay away from my spouse because of his size and he has that don't mess with me look. I guess this comes from being a combat photographer in the military.

I find it almost comical, the amount of doom and glooming about "roaming bands of pickpocket gypsies everywhere in Rome". I spent a week in Rome recently, very modest accomodations (i.e., not "protected" by the security cushion money can provide) and I have to wonder, where exactly in god's name did you see all of these evildoers, Paul? Since they ere "everywhere", you should be able to be more specific than "all over the Rome subway system, particularly the busiest stations near major tourist attractions". (Troll alert...?)I was "all over" the major tourist attractions, and didn't see anything at all like what you describe, anywhere. If there's a shred of truth anywhere in your tale of woe, it was no doubt because trouble seems to inevitably visit those who go out of their way looking for it. Get a grip!

To Zzzzzz: so, because you didn't have any problems with pickpockets when you were in Rome for a week, you doubt a problem exists? Hmmm.<BR>We were in Rome for a week last summer and didn't have any problem at all for the first 4 days (although I was certainly aware that there must be a problem, since our party was told by bus drivers, on the train, and at attractions to be careful of pickpockets). We had under-the-shirt moneybelts, and I had a tiny purse (for a lipstick and some change), worn bandoliero style. On the 5th day, we were targeted on 2 different occasions on the metro -- one by a gypsy child who tried to pick my husband's empty front pocket -- and 2 in our party were targeted by 3 teenage girls later in the afternoon. Fortunately, we had heeded the warnings we received and lost nothing.<BR>There are certainly adept pickpockets around, and I would take precautions, be alert, and not scoff off the warnings.

We were there for eight days last March and saw only one group of, presumably, gypsy kids, three of them, who were pestering an elderly couple on the way to the Colosseum. The couple brushed them off, and they didn't even approach us at all, maybe because we were younger (and I was smacking my black leather gloves together while trying to look as mean as possible :~)<BR><BR>But I've little doubt that groups (or, if one prefers, gangs) of kids -- gypsy or otherwise -- do prowl the streets, buses, and subways of Rome. Not every square centimeter, but they're there, and one is wise to take precautions.

I am going to Italy alone in May. What are these "precautions" that everyone keeps referring to? I have been to Europe a few times before and I usually carry a small backback in which I keep local currency, one credit card, maps etc. While on buses and subways, I take the backpack off my back and loop it several times around my hands so I can keep it in my field of vision and so I can hold on to it very tightly. I leave my passport, plane tickets and the other credit card back at the hotel. What other tips do you have?

Hi Dawn. My suggestion for precaution, noted in my first post above, was: don't put anything in ANY of your pockets -- even your front ones -- that you can't afford to lose. Keep all valuables (cash, ATM & credit card, etc.) in a money belt/pouch hidden underneath your clothes. <BR><BR>What you do is certainly good, but I would bet there are numerous people who have stories of backpacks/purses/etc. that they feel they've always kept within their field of vision, and yet have had valuables stolen from them. <BR><BR>Now, does this mean if you continue to do what you do, you're guaranteed to be a victim of a pickpocket eventually? Absolutely not. But, in my opinion, your odds are higher than that of a person who carries valuables in a money belt/pouch hidden underneath their clothes.

got picke pocket in rome last summer---getting on the #64 bus ---my friends in front of me were struggling with thief #1 when i (right behind them) tried to assist ,thief #2 got my money (80 bucks0 from my pocket(frontal) as i grabbed thief #1 i have to admire their skill because they are very organized and adept but it is very frustrating

Of course it doesn't happen to every tourist, but there is always the first time it happens to you to wake you up.<BR>Be aware on an elevator also, in the parking structure in Monaco, a teen girl was upzipping and reaching into my friend's backpack and didn't know I was with her. The other people on the elevator just watched passively. I lunged at her and slapped her hand, she said something in some language and the other people snickered and looked at me like I has weird.

Hi,<BR><BR>Last summer someone tried to pick my husbands pocket in the subway going to the Vatican. Two years ago a group of people (very neat ordinary looking) tried to pick pocket him on the subway in Paris. There was a scuffle and they fled as soon as the doors of the subway opened. Also, on that trip someone broke into our hotel room when we were at dinner and stole two camers. Fortunately we had all our important papers, credit cards, passport with us. They opened our locked suitcases. Since then we are always on alert. A women we were with in Rome had her wallet stolen near the Coloseum. Wear a money belt. Put all your money and credit cards, passport, and airline tickets in this belt. Only have enough money for the day in your pocket. Keep a look out. You will be Ok and you will have a great time.<BR><BR>

I don't know about Rome these days but I can tell you to beware the pickpockets in Dublin.<BR>I was alarmed myself at what the Garda (police) told us about this while we filed a report.<BR>Seems Americans are particular targets.<BR>His recommendation was wear a money belt. Backpacks are not safe. <BR>I caught a 20 something girl removing my wallet from mine.

I have never had a problem, but have talked to those that have. One couple had their credit card on the night stand in their hotel room and it disappeared during housekeeping service while they were in the room. It was the only one they had taken to Rome and the bank didn't get it replaced while they were there.

I too was pickpocketed in Dublin, at the Dublin airport.<BR>\<BR>The local cabby told me it's getting to be a regular problem with all the Bosnian gypsies there.

We were also pickpocketed last year in Rome. Luckily they got nothing because we all were prepared, that meaning our money belts were hidden under our clothes. My money was in a zippered compartment on my chest. They rifled through my backpack on the bus and at the flea market. I only kept water and maps in the backpack, even the locals told me to hold my pack in the front!!!<BR>Buses are bad because they squeeze you in, our pickpockets were not kids, they were adults. Many people at the flea market told us they were hit, my husband saw one at work on a backpack. The guy felt her and tried to hit her, she just walked off like nothing happened. Same with me, this young lady's hand was in my pack, when I reached around, she just walked off like nothing happened. Then later we saw her and her partner showing each other their booty. Just BE CAREFUL and more importantly BE AWARE.

Joseph,<BR><BR>I had a client that took his entire family to Italy all 10 of them. <BR><BR>While touring some of the sights in Rome, they were approached by a group of "gypsy's". <BR><BR>He had 10 credit cards and almost $3000.00 dollars in traveler's checks....they got them all, and he is a policeman in a major metropolitian city...buy a money belt to wear underneath your clothes....leave all but maybe 2 credit cards at home, and when traveling, put them in your money belt....and buy american express travelers checks...keep the log of numbers seperate and if lost/stolen at least you will be able to get them replaced within 24 hours as a rule...better to be safe than sorry.<BR><BR>This was just this past summer.

Ok, I got picked in Dublin Ireland, too although it was in the city centre.<BR><BR>The street was Graftan Street and it's always full of window shoppers. One day I caught a woman who turned out to be Bosnian with her hand down in my rucksack, I grabbed her arm and drug her to the Gardi station where she was arrested, She was quite dirty and smelled terribly. A gypsy perhaps but a dangerous one. EXERCISE CAUTION!!!!

Is it safer to carry passports, airline tickets, all money and cc with you in a moneybelt or carry a little money and leave the rest locked in the hotel safe or your luggage? I have seen conflicting advice. Any suggestions?

Joseph<BR>Our Arch Bishop lived and studied in Rome for four years. Before we traveled to Rome, he taught me a verbal Italian curse and hand sign to use on the gyspy children who would steal from us. He swore it would scatter them. I never had the chance to find out as no one approched us! I was really kind of waiting!!

Joseph, <BR>Last summer I lived in Rome for a month and visited many of the other top tourist spots around the country. I never encountered gypsies myself, but a girl in my group had her wallet stolen from her purse on a bus. The best way to protect yourself is to try to not look like a tourist. This is easier said than done, but watch the Italians body language and just be aware of your surroundings. Gypsies work in teams and one will try to distract you while the other goes for your wallet. They are not above using their children to commit the crime either. Don't put valuables in a backpack if it can be helped. The safest thing to do is to keep your hand on your wallet/purse at all times when in public. Leave your original passport in the hotel safe and carry a copy with you. Other than pickpockets, there's hardly any crime in Italy, so have a great time!

Instead of a bulky money belt, I wore a "money sock", an elastic band around my leg, when wearing pants. It would be very hard to get to, even if someone knew it was there. They'd have to stick a hand up my rather narrow pants leg (lying on the floor?), rip open the velcro pocket, and withdraw without me knowing. <BR>And why carry large amounts of cash or traveller's checks, since ATMs are everywhere? And why carry a purse that needs to be set down sooner or later? We carried 2 credit cards, ATM card, passport, and a small amount of cash in our money belt/sock at ALL TIMES. On a couple of occasions the passports went into the hotel safe and we carried the hotel card with us. The backpack was for water, maps, guidebooks, as someone said. If carrying camera, camera bag went around the neck with flap strap threaded around camera as well, so no one can grab camera out of its case. We never had a problem.

The very thought of a money belt, fanny pack, neck pouch, trouser sock turns me off! I carry a large DEEP tote, with my credit cards inside the zippered pocket inside of another zippered bag, safety pinned to inside! To get in you would need 20" arms. 4 zippers then an inside carrying case, I have room for cameras , guide bookes, film, umbrella whatever! And I don't look like a Sherpa! I also leave pasport in room safe, never on over 50 trips have needed it , and we spread our cards around, I carry Atm and 1 credit , my hosband another credit, all in seperate places!

Can't any sort of a tote, no matter how deep, be grabbed away from you if you're distracted? And don't you ever put it down?

NEVER lock anything in your luggage and leave it in your room unattended, if there is someone desperate enough to break the locks of your luggage, they will find what you have hidden.<BR><BR>Lock any valuables in the safes at the front desk, period.<BR><BR>And when traveling Internationally, I have always been told to carry my passport with me, in the event law enforcement officials stop you for whatever reason, or in case you should have an accident. Saves the tylenol for some other headache.<BR><BR>And even though there are ATM all over the world, that can be precarious as well. There are people who stand close to watch and see who is pulling out money, not just in Europe but here in the US as well. Just be aware of your surroundings at all times, and keep one eye on the world around you. Doesn't mean you have to be paranoid, just observant.

I'm going to Rome in February and am going to use a belt while my girlfriend uses a neck pouch. Are the Hotel safes or in room safe REALLY "safe"?<BR>i've heard some bad things about leaving passports and credit cards in them. Should I be worried?

I, too, was targeted in Florence by the groups of gypsy children. [...actually it was a travel buddy]<BR>we were backpacking and my friend looked like a better target, i guess, so this little girl came up with what she made seem like the current newspaper, and she acted like she wanted some money for the paper. ..What they do is they place the paper over their forearm, and hold their other arm just underneath. The newspaper is then used as a shield so you can't see underneath, and they reach with their other hand for your pockets... Right away, another five kids appeared out of nowhere, and a 'feeding frenzy' took place with little hands everywhere. My buddy started yelling 'polizia!' [police] when we realized what was happening, and a store owner peeked out his door and yelled at the kids... they didn't take anything, but his hip pack zipper was almost fully opened, and he felt one kid's hand in his front pocket, too.<BR><BR>Be careful, and be firm, and you should be OK.

I was in Rome last summer and did not had a problem. However, I had to use extreme caution not to became a victim. As for ZZZZ maybe you were asleep the whole time and did not notice them. The big deal is that even if you are not robbed, it's very annoying to be always in high alert for the gypsies and it takes away some of the pleasures of vacationing. As Micia was telling us yestarday, Carabinieri are not interested in stopping this type of crime, they are too busy harassing the smokers.

We did not have any trouble in Italy; although we know others who have. Our only incident was in Paris. I wear a neck pouch under my clothes; but my husband would never wear his money belt ("too uncomfortable"). Although he should have known better, he was sure that if he kept his wallet in his front pant pocket, he could feel anyone trying to get it. WRONG!! We were using the Paris metro when two male gypsies targeted him and got his wallet. He noticed it immediately, and he caught the older man and I went after the younger man. I don't recommend this and am not sure why we reacted the way we did. However, he was able to get his wallet back from the gypsy. Needless to say, he now uses a money belt.

My tote has a very long strap that crosses over the chest and provides a place to rest your hand! And Of course I put it down , I just don't hang it over the back of a chair or anything else foolish. Usually put it on floor between my feet!

Carry a copy of your passport and leave the original in room or hotel safe, a pickpocket is just as likely to steal your passport as your wallet! it is really more valuable to them.<BR>And just be aware , if you are going to spend your whole trip worrying you might just as well stay at home.

I was also a victim of the Bosnian gypsies in Dublin.<BR><BR>They divert your attention on the premise of purchasing a supposedly Homeless magazine from them and then they rob you blind.<BR><BR>When I gave my report at the Garda station I was told many of them are a health hazard as well since they are infected with contagious TB.<BR>Those that surrounded me were quite dirty and very forward and rude.<BR>I hope the irish will soon do something about this problem.

Traveling with our two toddler grandchildren, we use our backpack to carry items such as toys and other items to occupy them during a restaurant meal. We were in London last year when an attempt was made to pick my husbands backpack. As he does in every city we visit, he was occupied doing his favorite thing- bending over restaurant windows to check the menus. Being Chinese- American, he must have looked like the proverbial Japanese tourist.<BR><BR>My daughter, grandchildren and I were walking in front of him on the sidewalk.As I turned to look back at him, I saw two young arab men slowly reach to unzip his backpack zipper.<BR>I toally lost it and went ballistic. I ran down the street, grabbed one by the neck and lifted him by the shirt collar up against the building, screaming obscenities and punching him. (To explain the picture this made- I'm almost 60 years old, 5'1" and was nicely dresed with highheels, a hat and the proverbial black dress coat. To explain even further, I'm also an Italian-American.) <BR>The other fellow ran for his life. The man I held up against the building finally got away from me. However, he never realized my daughter was further in front of him. She tackled him and wrestled him to the ground again in a side alley. By this time, people had started to gather to se what all the commotion was about. My husband and I were screaming for my daughter to let him go for fear he would hurt her. This fellow was totally confused. Two different people, an old white woman and a young girl with two children had just given him the scare of his life. My daughter let him go and he ran. She was furious that she had broken a nail and we were relieved that was the only sequelae. <BR>In speaking to some of the english police officers, we heard that this has become a real problem in London. I watched the next day as a young man cased the gift shop at the cathedral. He particularly was watching to see tourists who were distracted by their search for souvenirs.<BR><BR>As everyone has said, wear your important items in money belts. Never put anything in a knapsack that you can't afford to lose. <BR><BR>And try to reign in your instincts to lash out. We were lucky. This man could have had a knife or gun and hurt the person most important to us in the whole world. Money, credit cards and passports can be replaced.

Just a word of warning. One of the people I work with had his passport stolen from a hotel safe in Rome. The front desk personnel told him that was not uncommon in Rome.

Recently returned from a Christmas trip to Germany.<BR>BEWARE the Bosnian (female) gypsy pickpockets throughout Germany.<BR><BR>Very skilled thieves.<BR>Also, very dirty and some mentally ill.<BR>Scary street people that the police seem unable to control.

Hi Joseph,<BR>I live and work in Rome as a tour guide and and I have met many people on my tours who have experienced being pickpocketed. It definately is a problem here in Rome particularly in the high season when there are many tourists around. <BR>Even though I know to be careful, it has happened to me as well. the last time was 2 days before I was due to leave on holiday myself. I was in a store, a woman bumped me and stole my wallet out of my bag. You must pay attention to where your wallet is and who is around you.<BR>That is not to say that you must become paranoid but just that you must pay attention. <BR>If a group of gypsiescomes up to you with a piece of cardboard asking for money - don't let them anywhere near you - they will rob you!! Also when you use the metro to go to the Vatican or the Number 64 bus from Termini to the Vatican you must be extra careful. The pickpockets know the routes used by tourists and actively work them. <BR>Don't feel sorry for young children begging because they will most definately rob you as well. Mothers with babies in their arms are there to distract you from the others who are ready to rob you!<BR>I guess you get the picture YES it is a problem!!! and you have to be careful. I meet people at least 3/4 times a week who have been robbed!!<BR>Just be careful, leave the most important things in your hotel safe and only carry what you need and make sure it is in a safe place. Men do not put your wallet in your trouser pocket - you won't have it for long.<BR>Having said all of the above you can get through a trip here without experiencing it, but if you do it can really spoil your trip. So be aware.<BR>Any other help or insight that anyone needs please feel free to email me direct.<BR>Marianna