Pickpockets
 

OK, I've read all about the #64 bus in rome, the Gypsy children, etc. So how should you carry your money, credit cards, cameras, etc? The more I read the more concerned I am that I may spend all of my time in Italy worrying about getting ripped off instead of enjoying the country.

Carry your money in a money belt under your clothes, and just be aware of your surroundings. If you are traveling with someone else have them keep an eye on your backpack on whatever your carrying your personal belongings in. We lived in Europe for 3 years and spent a lot of time in Italy. We never had a problem. Just stay alert to whats going on around you.<BR><BR>Have a great trip!

Sharon. Get a money belt for the important stuf, suchs as large bills, credit cards, pasports and the likes. Wear it under your clothes as for cameras, purses and other things, hang on to them. Be alert at all times.

Sharon. Get a money belt for the important things, suchs as large bills, credit cards, pasports and the likes. Wear it under your clothes as for cameras, purses and other things, hang on to them. Be alert at all times.

We didn't know about bus no. 64 until after my wallet was stolen. Such a neat, quick pick, I didn't even feel a thing. The problem with that bus is that it is VERY crowded, and you're jammed in there. The wallet, by the way, was in my purse, my purse zipped up and a baby diaper bag in front of that. Amazing job, that pickpocket. After that, everyone said, ohhh, bus 64, from the hotel front desk, to American Express (where we got another card in 45 min.) to the police station, where we spent an interesting hour in one of those I Love Lucy 4 person translation situations. Actually, it was a pretty unique and, dare I say it, amusing experience, and made for a great back home story. The police station was kind of fun, like getting to go behind the scenes in a movie. But my word of advice (which all the Italians told me AFTER the fact) is: don't take bus 64, take the metro to the vatican.

When it comes to European pickpockets, if your money, etc. is not in a money belt under your clothes, IMO it is not safe. They can get in to any pocket, purse, wallet, pocket, jacket with zippers, etc. However, if it is under your clothing, you have a MUCH better chance of them looking for another target.

<BR><BR>Q: What do pickpockets pick?<BR><BR>A: Pockets.<BR><BR>Q: So, where should you NOT carry your money, credit cards, etc? <BR><BR>

I agree with everyone - be very aware of your surroundings - we got to &quot;pick&quot; (excuse the pun) those around us who were going to be targetted by the pickpockets around via Nazionale in Rome. They expensively dressed guy with his coat slung over his shoulder, the girl with her handbag hanging casually on her side. The gypsies are generally very easy to spot and you should be wary of them at all times, they generally operate in groups but spread around on either side of the footpaths so they can come at you from either side. They will also, it has been said - but I've never observed, throw their babies at you. They are very silent and very clever. <BR><BR>Money belts are a good idea but not fool-proof. Nothing is - but it better than your wallet in your back pocket or a purse in a beautiful italian leather bag you just purchased in Florence slung over your shoulder.<BR><BR>Just one note - Rome was the only place we spotted gypsies this time around - as it was last time. Venice and Florence seemed very safe and has done both times I've been there, however we were also heartily forwarned about the pickpockets in Pisa.

I disagree with the &quot;moneybelt is safer&quot; idea - if you're not used to wearing a moneybelt, you're likely to find it awkward and uncomfortable. In any case, there is not way to get money out of it without drawing attention to yourself (unless you can find a lav or dressing room to use to pull the bag out and get what you need). A better idea, especially for women, is a bag made of some tough material (that is not easily slashable) which fits close to your body with either a short shoulder strap or a long strap worn across the body diagonally. Make sure the bag has one long zipper along the top, and make sure it is zipped forward, and then hook your thumb over the strap and around the zipper when you are in a crowded place. Fold your elbow down over the whole bag, and there you are - no one can get anythiong out without attacking you openly. (Obviously, if the bag has outside pockets, don't use them for anything you don't mind losing.)<BR><BR>Also (excuse digression), Sharon (and Danielle), I think you meant to say that you are concerned about theives, not about gypsies. It is the actions of these people that find concerning, not their ethnicity, correct?

As a male, I used a leg holster. It was very comfortable, relatively easy to get to, a little obvious getting into it, but I felt I would probably realize a pickpocket crawling around on his hands and knees reaching up my pant leg. I tried a neck pouch and money belt before we left and felt there was no way they would work with the type of shirts I was going to wear. I can't tell you how many times I saw people walking around with their neck pouch hanging out of their shirt, or their money belt sticking out from underneath their shirt. At Pisa, I stopped a young girl and told her that her money belt was sticking up in the small of her back.<BR>I also bought several pair of Dockers Mobile pants, which have several security zippers in the pockets. I only carried enough cash in my pants for immediate needs.<BR><BR>A side note, I was totally freaked out about pickpockets and gypsies after following this board prior to my Italy trip last June. However, much to my surprise, we had absolutely no problems and we went to all the high risk locations. The Gypsies kept a very low profile and never approached us once. The one piece of advice seen here that you should follow, is be aware of your surroundings, take reasonable precautions, but don't let your apprehension spoil your trip.

Hi Sharon,<BR> A safety pin closing an inner pocket is helpful.

I agree that bus 64 is notorious for picpockets..Also beware,there is a group of south american women that are famous in rome.. they always travel together in the bus..Also the metro in Paris is quite bad.. expecially around Montmartre.. normally there is a group of 3 people that work together.. Just be aware of your surroundings and have a great time.. By the way , i feel much safer walking in Europe that in the USA,,, at least the people there dont take your life for a penny....

I completely disagree with Maria. There is NO WAY anyone can keep their thumb over the zipper and strap while out and about. When on the bus or metro, for example, there will be occasions when you will have to steady yourself with BOTH hands, and this is exactly what the pickpockets watch for. <BR><BR>A bag, if you insist on carrying one, should have TWO zipper pulls which you twist tie together.<BR><BR>Even so, NEVER carry all your valuables in a shoulder bag or tote - what if the entire thing is grabbed?

I have a hard time understanding the people you see who have their neck pouch out of their shirt, or are trying to raise their shirt to get to a money belt. Those things are supposed to be hidden. Carry some cash with you and a credit card in a separate wallet to use for the day. Your money pouch should never be seen. If you do have to get into it, use a stall in a restroom. Again, the idea of the money pouch is to keep it hidden.

Frankly, I feel safer in Rome or Madrid than I do in Miami or Chicago. Europe is safe when it comes to violent crime, but Americans do get targeted by pick pockets and purse snatchers. This is especially true in the crowded areas of the larger cities. We have never been victimized during any of our European sojourns. However, we did get a small camera stolen from our luggage in, would you believe, Salt Lake City.<BR> Here are some tips that will hopefully make you less vulnerable:<BR><BR> 16. Wear a money belt for those items you cannot afford to have stolen--passports, travel documents, credit cards. Operate with just a few Euros in your pocket at a time.<BR> 17. Keep purses /cameras on your person and around your neck--do not lay down.<BR> 18. Stay alert and vigilant ! It is when you are distracted that you are vulnerable. <BR> 19. Of course, always lock your car and leave nothing in view that you want to keep.<BR>_________________________________________ _______________________________

<BR><BR>I don't understand the suggestion, or implication, from people who say that because a money belt won't GUARANTEE you won't get pickpocketed, you therefore shouldn't wear one. <BR><BR>Nonsense.<BR><BR>Short of not carrying any cash, credit cards or other valuables at all, NOTHING can probably guarantee you won't be successfully hit. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't try to at least make things more difficult or challenging for pickpockets. <BR><BR>

I was also worried about getting pickpocketed in Italy after reading so much about it. However, to my surprise, the situation wasn't anything I'd expected.<BR><BR>Don't get paranoid over it; enjoy your trip - Just be aware of your surroundings! Wear a moneybelt if you feel more comfortable with it, however, I gave it up after a few days ...

Hi.<BR><BR>My two cents: Keep your valuables in a waist pouch worn bandolero style over one shoulder and across your chest under your shirt. Carry a cheap wallet with cash for the day in your front pants pocket. Wrap a thick rubber band around the wallet making it harder to slide out of your pocket. If you REALLY want to keep that wallet, afix a safety pin inside your pocket keeping the pocket closed. Finally, put a vulgar note to the pickpocket in your wallet...just in case.<BR><BR>By the way, does anyone know for sure if gypsies REALLY throw babies at people to distract them? Is this urban myth?<BR><BR>Frankly, if I had my wits about me, I'd let the little bugger drop. One less future scam artist.

We had someone try to pick us in florence twice and venice once. We knew they could never get our $ attatched to our jeans tucked in front near our crotched) but it was fun to CLOCK two of them in the head.

The gypsy baby throw did happen to my cousin in Florence a few years ago. Turns out it was one of those realistic dolls, and her suitcase was stolen. In reply to the origial poster, while there is no benefit to worry, your awareness will be your best defense. Stay alert and skeptical, and avoid suspicious looking characters and situations, especially when you are transporting your luggage. Once you're checked into your hotel, you can be more relaxed if you keep your valuables and passport locked in the safe or in locked luggage in your hotel room. Just carry the cash that you need for the day and one credit card. I prefer to carry my Citibank Visa card which has my photo on it. Leave the rest of your wallet locked in your room safe, together with a copy of your credit card and the number to report loss or theft.

Pickpockets are a fact. We had one of our group nailed in Rome on one trip and another person nailed in Madrid a few years later. You have to stay aware. If you see a young girl nursing a baby and asking for a hand out you are face to face with a pickpocket.<BR><BR>One thing we do is for my wife to carry one credit card and me another card. If one of us gets picked we kill that card and still have another one to use. If you do get picked: CALL THE CREDIT CARD FIRST, THEN POLICE. The credit card cancel is more important because the police have not caught anyone since the summer of 1964.<BR><BR>Another tip: When driving a car...keep the doors locked. A good friend of mine was driving with his wife in Nice. They stopped at a light in busy traffic. Two guys on one scooter pulled up, opened the passenger door, grabbed her purse off her lap and raced away...all in about 3 seconds. No way to chase them with all the traffic. The purse had their passports, cash, plane tickets and hotel key. A major hassle.<BR><BR>These people are very good at what they do. Just stay aware!

We were in Italy for 12 days last spring, and saw one interesting pickpocket incident outside the Forum in Rome. Three pre-teen gypsy girls ran up to a college age American man - two of them held his hands, while the other one tried for his wallet. Needless to say, he knew what was going on and went ballistic. Luckily, his family was close by and stopped him from beating on the girls, who ran off screaming.<BR> All in all, we felt quite safe in Rome, even on the infamous 64 bus. I did carry a 'down the pant leg' money pouch to feel safe however.

he should of beat the girls, may be they would stop. I beat up two pick pockets in Florence.

I bought some great pants from LL Bean that has two zippered pockets in the back and one deep zippered pocket in the front. They were great. You could also sew in a bigger pocket into some old pants for the same purpose. <BR><BR>This didn't do me much good; however, in Leige, Belgium when I had some stuff stolen out of my back pack in a crowded rail station.

What I don't understand is: everyone knows about the pickpockets, yet no one ever seems to do anything about it. Do Europeans just take it as a fact of life, I would not want to worry about gypsy or any other pick pocket every time I went out into my own city. I live in a suburb of Los Angeles and I am cautious about my purse, but to constantly think I am about to be picked would rack my nerves.

It's not that it's accepted, it's just not as profitable to pick residents' pockets. <BR><BR>Europeans deal with ATM cards -- they have &quot;chips&quot; that US cards don't. They can use them for small purchases, therefore don't carry a bunch of cash. <BR><BR>If you were a pickpocket, would you target tourists (who are &quot;oohing and ahhing&quot; at the sites, generally carrying their valuables with them) or locals (who carry just enough money for small purchases and know exactly where they're going)? <BR><BR>Pickpockets generally go for tourists, armed thefts and assaults are generally for locals.<BR><BR>Note my liberal use of &quot;generally&quot;.

My husband prefers a &quot;shoulder holster&quot; type money pouch, in it we keep credit cards and passports, we carry a small amount of cash (usually enough for one day) on us for easy access (small enough if it got stolen or if we got 'held up&quot; we could give it away and not be hurting too badly&quot;. )Interestingly my sister in law is currently on holiday break from a semester abroad and is backpacking around europe. Just this morning my mother in law emailed me to tell me that Jessica had her wallet and money stolen out of her purse on a train ride in Italy. Luckily for her, she kept her passport and credit card in her money belt.. but it just goes to show you.. not a pleasant feeling especially on holiday.

Just went back and read not from Concerned.. I live in Los Angeles too, and rarely worry about pick pockets, but then, I am not stromping around crowded pedestrian places or riding public transpo very often. My best friend used to live in downtown San Franciso and got pick pocketed or attempted pick pocketed 4 times in 3 years. Likewise, I had someone reach for my bag in NYC... and in grade school my mother had her purse stolen off a bus in D.C. I don't think Europeans are any less aware of the problem then people in the US are, but living in L.A we don't have a lifestyle that lends itself to pocket picking.. just my opinion and I live in Hollywood.

Thyra, you have brought up good points. I guess if we were at tourist sites often we would have to be more concerned. In general though, I do keep my purse on my lap at a restaurant or wound around my chair or feet and I do hold the top of my purse in any crowd.<BR><BR>The only time I was picked was at a line in a bank in town, when a grandmother urged her granddaughter to reach into my purse. I caught her, but later I noticed a gold barette was missing.

MAKE SURE IT'S AN EXPRESS BUS. THEN THEY'RE STUCK WITH YOU A FEW MINUTES UNTIL THE NEXT STOP. THEY GOT ABOUT $20 IN LIRE OUT OF MY BUTTONED BACK POCKET, BUT I YELLED AT THEM UNTIL THEY GAVE IT BACK. IT WAS KIND OF FUN. BTW, ALL THE IMPORTANT STUFF WAS IN MY MONEYBELT.

Has anyone here ever tried to pickpocket a gypsy? Their pockets must be a treasure trove. Just a thought, maybe we should band together as tourists and turn the tide.

Curious...lol.. good idea, although after watching a pickpocket get caught in Greece I would think twice. This young guy had tried to pick the purse of a Greek woman at this outdoor restaurant... she noticed him, so he ran away. Some g|Greek bystanders chased after him, caught him, and dragged him back kicking and screaming to the woman he had targeted.. Well to the general approval of the crowd she &quot;read him the riot act&quot; in Greek the punched him!

<BR><BR>&quot;Has anyone here ever tried to pickpocket a gypsy?&quot;<BR><BR>No, but I love the idea!

While I appreciate that this thread has offered a good discussion of various methods to avoiding pickpockets I also think it has taken on a decidedly racist tone. It is clear that there are many Gypsy (or Roma, as they would prefer to be called) pickpockets in cities such as Rome and Paris. However this does not meant that Gypsy = pickpocket any more than African-American = car jacker. Negative stereotypes about gypsies are one of the main reasons that this group has remained so economically disadvantaged. Few people realise that gypsies are a ethnic group that were persecuted in many countries. For example in Romania they were owned as slaves (similar system to American slavery) until 1872 and they also suffered greatly during the Holocaust. <BR><BR>I'm not trying to be preachy I just think it would be better if those contributing to this thread referred to pickpockets as 'pickpockets.'<BR><BR>otherwise this thread has some great tips on avoiding pickpockets