Pickpockets in Rome
 

My husband and I are leaving on 6/26 for our first trip to Italy. We're flying into Rome and will be there for 4 1/2 days, then Venice for 3 days, Urbino (where my husband is speaking at a meeting) for 4 days and back to Rome for 2 days before we fly home.

I've been reading that pickpockets can be a problem, especially in Rome and I was hoping for suggestions on what worked best for carrying documents and money. Any other information would be helpful.

Thanks!

Use a money belt, the same for anywhere else you visit.

And just be aware of your surroundings always.

While it always makes sense to be careful in any major city--or anywhere for that matter, I don't think you have to be any more cautious in Rome than you would be in New York City, Chicago or Los Angeles. We never carry large amounts of cash and rely on credit cards and ATMs when we travel. We always leave things like passports in our luggage--or if you feel the need, you can use the hotel safe--and have separate photocopies of them. But our experience in Rome in full tourist season is that it is no different than any other city.

Pickpockets are a problem in any tourist area/train station etc. in any city. If you use a money belt you won't have any problems. If you don't then be sure and keep your hand on your purse especially when you are on public transportation as it is stopping. Pickpockets like to grab and jump off the bus/train/subway. Some will try to hand you something to distract you and occupy your hands so they can grab and run. Just be aware in crowded areas.

We were in Rome in March and we were very concerned about pickpockets. We both carried moneybelts at all times and kept a firm grip on our cameras. I wanted to note, though, that we never felt unsafe at anytime during our stay in Rome. However, its always important to use common sense, as in any large city. Use a money belt and keep a firm grip on your belongings and you should be fine.

The pickpockets in Italy's big cities are much slicker than I've ever seen or heard of in the US. They are often gypsies (especially children) and work in gangs - one or more to distract you by begging, touching your arm, shoving a piece of cardboard at you with some coins on it, etc., while another one goes for your pockets. They are very, very good - you won't even know you've been touched.

My advice:

- If you find yourself the target of a gang (or individual) like this, start yelling and flailing around - not so much trying to hit them, as ensuring that they don't make contact with your torso. And they don't like the attention you'll be attracting.

- Avoid crowds, e.g. on buses or in the metro.

- It's okay to carry a wallet in a front pocket, just keep your hand on it in your pocket whenever anyone is within reaching distance of you.

Purse snatchers are also something of a problem. Carrying a purse slung across your neck and shoulder, bandolier-style, is usually an effective deterrent. When in a crowd, clamp it firmly under your elbow and in front of your body, not at your side where someone could come up behind you and slit it open.

On the upside, it's extremely unlikely you'll be mugged at gun- or knifepoint in Italy!


best regards,
Deirdré Straughan

http://www.straughan.com

As others have said, the pickpockets like to work in crowded areas such as the Termini railroad station. I haven't seen many gypsies (usually the kids) when I've been in Rome lately. Another method is sometimes used in airport where someone "accidentally" spills a drink onto your clothing and as they are helping you clean it off their accomplice is either picking your pocket or the one of the person you are with whose attention is glued to you and what has just "happened" to you.

But sometimes it is pretty difficult to avoid crowds and busy places and that is why I strongly second the use of a moneybelt and I'd put my credit card in it as well.

If you go this route get yourself one that is convenient to use, either around your waist, suspended from around the neck, whatever...if it isn't convenient to use then you won't do so.

On previous posts such as yours someone used to big mouth about how they would just hit someone who had the audacity to pickpocket them. Please believe me, by the time you realize you've been hit the thief will be long gone.

Have a great trip

I found a moneybelt uncomfortable so I used a neck pouch - and just carried enough cash for the day in a wallet in my front pocket and made sure I was aware of it. As a woman I could not imagine anyone getting into my front pocket withou me knowing about it, but then I've heard these guys are good.

The only thing I ran into was getting on the train in Termini, someone did fingered the zipper on my purse but I noticed it, turned around and she ran off. There's was nothing but a guidebook there anyway.

Joelle

Thanks for the advice. We've spent a lot of time in major cities so we should be okay. I was thinking of using a neck pouch and then a waist pack for camera, glasses, medication etc.

i found a great pair of cargo pants at old navy that has snap buttons. and it has a pocket on the front which is just small enough to fit credit cards and cash. i'd like to see someone unsnap that button. heck it's even hard for me to do it sometimes. just a thought. also storing stuff in the side pockets near your knees makes it nearly impossible to get at.

i saw a fellow wearing some cargo pants with a small pocket on the back of the pants near the ankle. it was a zipped pocket. great location to store stuff.

Many years ago, I was surrounded by Gypsies near the Colusseum in Rome, and while the Mother distracted me for 5 seconds, the children (ages 5 or 6 up to 12) expertly grabbed the entire contents of my purse. There ensued a great adventure involving several hours at a police station, then waiting for money to be wired from home), and replacement of passport(it was worth the wait in line at the consulate, because I saw Ursula Andress waiting in one of the lines! (Yes, fshe was even more beautiful in person than on film!) But since then, I use a combination of the following, depending on place, time, and circumstances:
1) AWARENESS-most important-be alert of what's around you at all times (IOW,don't bury your head in a map while walking along the street, or standing on a crowded bus)
2)LEAVE PASSPORT ORIGINAL in the safe at your hotel, along with a copy of all the credit card numbers and the international numbers you need to report a loss or theft of these cards.

3)Before leaving, try to join a registry where you only call one number and they notify everyone else in the event of loss or theft. Carry a copy of this information with you always.

4)DIVIDE and SEPARATE YOUR MONEY. I own a neckpouch, a strap-on leg pouch, and a money belt. I don't always use all at once.
I usually put some cash in a money belt, some in a pouch along with a photocopy of my passport,and other ID
If I'm wearing closed toed shoes or boots (my boots have a little pocket sewn inside), I always keep my greatest amount of cash there, and smaller bills where I can get them easily.

Another method: I (a female) buy a padded bra, take out the padding, and put some extra money and bank card in there.


But I try not to use credit cards too much because of the heavy transaction fees associated with ATMs, added to the exchange rate, make this so expensive, IMO. I have sometimes been able to get a little discount for using cash at a hotel or when shopping.

Another tip I saw here or another travel site awhile back: Carry a small inexpensive purse filled only with something like tissuepaper, or a snack, then carry valuables in a simple plastic bag like you would see in a market. This way, if the p (thieves won't grab a plastic shopping bag!

We've been to Rome several times without incident. But last year, my husband had his wallet lifted on a bus to the Vatican. Was in his front pocket and he's always said "I would know it if someone tried to touch it" Ha! We subsequently met a young Swedish tourist who'd had his cargo pants picked on the subway. So I think the best thing is to just travel around with a credit card and money stashed somewhere in an inner pocket or down your front, etc. You might want to carry cameras and stuff in local shopping bags. I'd not wear anything that would give me away as a tourist (packs, money belts, etc... tho they'll spot you soon enough if they're looking for marks.

Just came back and didnt see many gypsies in Rome. There are a few,I didnt see anyone get pick pocketed cause they are way too good at it.

A pair of cargo pants with snaps wont do you much good. Before I left I purchased shorts and cargo pants with zippers. I still keep my hands over my pockets.

Now Milan on the other hand is loaded with gypsies, 2 years ago I got surrounded by about 10 young 14 year old punks, they are like Hyinas, they tried to goat me into a fight one of them slapped me in the chest, my first reaction was to deck the kid, but my old NY sense told me run my ass off which I did and they didnt follow.

In Milan they are in all of the parks you cant miss them.

Make copies of your passport a good idea is to scan them onto your computer and make sure a family member has access to them, they can email them to you if needed.

I was just in Italy for a month (Milan, Venice, Florence and Rome) and had no problems with pickpocketing. I was suggest being careful, as you would be in any major city. Try making sure that your money is in an inside pocket of your purse, and not just in a wallet that can be pulled right out of the top of your purse. You really dont need to keep your passport on you while sightseeing, unless you will be traveling that day. Leave your passport and any money you wont need for that day in the hotel safe (most will have one in your room).

My husband had his pockets picked in the Termini area by gypsies who grabbed his arm and distracted him. All they got was a map, I had the money and credit cards in a money belt under my clothing. My daughter says that when she was in Rome a guy she was with was distracted by a gypsy who tossed her baby at him. When he reached out to catch the baby, she picked his pockets. What could he do? Let the baby fall on the ground?

My son was pickpocketed in Paris...had his money in the side pocket of cargo pants with shirt covering them... Family members who scoffed at my paranoia stopped laughing.

We were in Rome a couple months ago and attempts were made to pick pocket us twice. Any time you are in a crowd, you are a likely target. The hustle and bustle of bumping and swaying in close quarters can confuse any intrusion into your space. First suggestion - don't let an attempt spoil your trip. Best way to do this is to prepare. Make sure that there is nothing that you don't mind losing in your pockets. For your shoulder bag, use a bread twist, a piece of wire or a small carabiner to secure the zippers. Use a money belt securely around your waist, under your clothes. If your hotel has a safe, leave what you can there. Don't hesitate to sternly warn off anyone abnormally close to you. Keep your hands on your belongings and face your travel mates. Always be aware of your immediate surroundings. If it happens, laugh it off, feel sorry for the poor soul, and know that becuase you were prepared they were not successful. Happy trails!

If you see a poor young girl with a baby on her arm asking for help for her baby....you are looking at a pickpocket. They will clean you out quick.

We always take 2 credit cards to Europe. My wife carries one card, I carry the other card. If one of us gets picked we still have a good card to use after we cancel the other card.

If you do lose a credit card call the card company before the police. It is more important to put a stop on the card as the police will take a long time to write a report and do nothing else.

Italy has pickpockets all over. I do not care what any other posters say. It is the one country that I have numerous friends that have been picked in crowds, trains, busses, subways and solo. They are not dangerous...just very, very good. be on alert and you should be okay.

Given everyone's stories about being pickpockets, I thought I'd let you know to also read this thread.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34410518

There's a whole bunch of stories about people NOT being pickpocketed.... Don't get all panicked, it didn't happen to me and it doesn't happen to everyone, as you will read.

I live in and have traveled all over Europe, and the only place we had anything stolen was Barcelona (pickpockets took husbands wallet on the underground). I don't have a moneybelt. Do you wear a moneybelt when walking around your own hometown? Just be sensible with your valuables.