ROBBED IN ROME!
 

Travelers beware! The pickpocketers are out in full force! Having just returned from our holiday in Rome, I want to alert everyone to our misfortune. We were suddenly approached by two gypsy women on Via del Corso on a Saturday afternoon. One grabbed on to my husband while the other one was screaming at him. I knew at that momment that we were going to get robbed. I started yelling at them, while my husband tried to pull away. I watched their hands at all times. My husband keeps his money in the front pocket of his jeans and still after the encounter was over they got away with over 200,000 lire (approx $130). He never felt a hand or anything and I never saw it happened. We have travelled to many cities and different countries and consider ourselves seasoned, savy and wise travllers, but this was truly shocking. During our stay we heard of many stories of other people getting robbed. Wear a money belt or a neck wallet tucked under your shirt! Learn from our misfortune!

Sorry to hear about your experience. I almost got robbed in Rome also, by a cute little gypsy girl. There was a large crowd gathered around watching a show, and she came up and stood next to me pretending to also watch the show. She was trying to get near my semi-opened purse. Everyone needs to be careful, exp. in Rome. Good luck everyone.

Jennifer,It's terrible that you were robbed.At least it sounds like that they didn't get your ATM or credit card.We were nearly robbed on the #64 bus.My husband saw just in time a swarthy type going for his pocket.That bus is always crowded.Try not to stand near anyone carrying a garment over their arm.The thieves use it as a cover for their hand.If we saw gypsies coming we crossed the road.This was easy with gangs of children or women and children.Maybe you could comfort yourselves with the thought that they may have really needed the money.There are many illegal immigrants in Italy.Social security must be hard to come by.When I got ripped off in Haiti over some carvings.I hoped the extra money I paid went to feed hungry children

It is such a shame when something of this nature happens, whethere it's in Rome or New York City. <BR> <BR>The only place I've travel extensively has been in and around the London area, and, so I've been told, certain squares and parks are rife with pickpockets. <BR> <BR>I have not been comfortable with the money belts I've tried and, since I'm a commercial photographer by trade, I shopped around for a good photographer's vest which included a pair of long pockets on either side of the garment, both are located inside and have a zipper AND a Velcro fastener. One is just long enough for airline tickets, the other side is perfect for passports and traveler's checks. The best brand I've found has been "Trail Designs" which I bought through a mail order camping supply company. <BR> <BR>My daughter hated hers, as she thought it made her look like a tourist, but since I wear one just about everyday anyhow, I thought it made me look like a photographer, which I am, and that it was great. The added feature of any good photographer's vest is that you've got pockets everywhere plus there is almost always a pouch in the back perfect for guidebooks and your umbrella. <BR> <BR>Knock wood, I've not been pickpocketed yet even in some shoulder to shoulder crowds. Of course, part of that could be very good luck, but give a vest some consideration. Mine weighs about 13 lbs. when fully loaded with colapsible drinking cup, perscriptions, moist towelettes, pens, notepads, reading glasses, etc., but I honestly believe those inside pockets are pretty secure.

Jennifer, what a terrible and frustrating experience!! I hope it didn't put a damper on the rest of your trip. We are travelling to Rome & Tuscany with our 3 1/2 year old this Spring and I am quite worried about the pickpocket situation I hear so much about. I am planning on leaving my handbag home and I have had many secret pockets installed in my jacket. I fear this may not be enough. Thanks for sharing your story - I live in a major US city and am on the street everyday with my daughter and a stroller, so I am hypervigilant by nature, but I am not so confident to believe that I will escape a similar fate in Rome. Do you think a daypack stored and attached (securely) underneath her stroller will be safe? Also, I hope the answer to my next question - would you go back to Rome? - is "yes".

Jennifer, <BR>Sorry to hear about your bad experience in Rome, I bet you'll never travel without a moneybelt again. <BR> <BR>I have been to Rome twice with no problems, we never carry more than $20 or so out of our money belt. If that were stolen it would be no big deal. All of our other cash, credit cards, passports, etc are stored safely in our moneybelts. They may take a day to get used to, after that you feel like your naked if it's not on. <BR> <BR>I hope Jennifer's experience in Rome won't frighten others, but remember WEAR A MONEY BELT!!!!!!

Hi Jennifer, I'm very sorry that you were robbed! It's amazing how fast they were in getting your money. My husband and I were in Rome last May and never had one bit of trouble throughout our 2 week trip. In fact, many people say there are gypsies all around and we never encountered any. Maybe it's because my husband is Italian and he blends in. We always use our money belt underneath our clothes. Everyone should be careful no matter when they travel.

Sara- my husband and I do not have any children and we both commented on how Rome would be a tough place to bring a toddler. The traffic moves quickly and it really is every man for himself when crossing a street. To cross the street you literally have to walk into the oncoming traffic and hope that someones slows down or stops. We were laughing because many times we would let old ladies go ahead of us to clear a path. Shame on us! If your child is very active and needs to run around please be careful. As far as a bag underneath a stroller, again use caution. Maybe you can somehow clip it on to the stroller and make sure you are able to secure the zipper. As far as going back, we both think it was neat but we wouldn't spend the entire trip in Rome again. Maybe three days at the max and on to Florence or the Lake region. We did fly over the Alps at sunup and it was the most awe inspiring site. So ofcourse I am trying to get my husband to go there now even though he hates the cold.

I haven't been to Rome yet, but I have heard several stories of that happening in Rome. A friend of mine from Sardinia confirmed that there are theif schools in Rome. They have classes, and exams in which they have to steal something in order to pass. I have heard several reports of people being robbed there, both europeans and americans. They also know about money belts. A friend of mine had her belts slashed from the back and stolen. Be careful and you should be ok. A tip I heard was to wear the money belt tucked into your underwear also! <BR>

Jennifer, <BR>When in Rome some years back, our friends, while with us, were attacked by a group of about 5 children, ages 3 to about 8. They approach, place a piece of cardboard against your waist, yell and scream, whilst the shorter members of the gang help themselves to whatever they can get. <BR>My friend, who was there soon after, learnt to identify potential trouble very quickly. He had learnt an all encompasing phrase that when uttered put them off totally. Of course they abused you , but apparantly it works. The phrase is "via afenculo". Its an extreme curse suggesting terrible will things will happen to their person if they persist. <BR>By the way.....the kids got the equivalent to a couple of hundred Australian dollars but were stopped by an Italian fellow about 50 yards down the street. The money was returned. <BR> <BR>

Summer 1995 I was travelling with 6 other college buddies, anyway a few gypsy kids tried to get me even after I yelled at them, so I grabbed the closest one and basically did a "backbreaker" maneuver on him (like in pro wrestling) <BR>and the rest got the message. Sometimes you must show by example. Oh yeah I gave the kid 500 lire afterwards :) <BR> <BR>-LUCA BRACCI

Jennifer, WOW what a bad experience! I hope you guys still enjoyed your vacation. <BR> <BR>As word of warning goes, beware of valuable in cars, even when you are in the car! As my husband & I were driving slowly out of the parking lot in Pompeii, a cute little boy (who was asking passersby for money), reach into our car for the camera that was laying in the front seat between us. A quick reaction from my husband prevented him from grabbing the camera, but it was amazing how QUICKLY this all happened...Beware.

On the subject of robbery, I have a question that deals with the skill of pickpockets and the means to thwart them. I do carry the big items (credit cards, checks, passport large cash bills) under my clothes. But to make a quick, small purchase hauling out the money pouch is a little inconvenient, and it reveals where the big stuff is hidden. So, I carry some cash in my normal billfold in my hip pocket. I usually wear a pair of slacks that has a zipper over the pocket and a button flap. Normally a button flap is no obstacle at all to clever fingers, but I am wondering if th zipper would slow up a pickpocket to the extent that I could tke conter measures. In other words, how vulnerable am it? Could a skilled operator unzip the pocket and lift my billfold without my feeling it? <BR>How about if I sew (have sewn) a velcro strip to help with the closure?

Bob, on the return flight from Rome this past October, a woman was telling me how she was robbed on the bus going to the Vatican. She was wearing a fanny pack on the front of her waist and it was zippered. Someone unzippered it, removed all the valuables and zippered it back up without her knowing it. Somewhere I've read that placing an elastic band or two around your wallet is a deterrent. I believe it prevents the wallet from sliding out easily. I think these people are extremely skilled at their craft and would love to know whatelse besides wearing a money belt under your clothes could be done. I read about a woman who is having zippers sewn onto her pockets for an upcoming trip. I was wondering if it would be a good idea to attach a small key lock to the zipper. I've heard of pick pockets who use razors to slice the bottom of your rear pocket or side pockets on a jacket and just let everything slide out .

My nice husband says that he is going to walk around with a loaded mousetrap in his pocket!!

After my husband had his wallet stolen, then returned (long story) in Paris he now ties a thin leather strap around his belt with his wallet attached at the other end. (I'm not sure, but I think he used a hole punch on his wallet) So now his wallet is always attached to him. He wears it like this even here in the States.

Here's a couple tips: <BR> You can buy a money belt with a steel cable running through it, which protects you against slash and grab (the thief can't cut through the cable). <BR> You can safety-pin your pocket closed. <BR>Apparently this one is new enough they haven't figured out how to unpin yet. YOu might want to pin it from the inside, though, so someone reaching into your pocket can't undo it (yes, you have to reach inside your pants to undo it). <BR> You can stuff an old wallet with crap until it bulges, then stuff it in your hip pocket as a decoy. Thief thinks you're a jerk for being so careless and steals the decoy instead of your true wallet. Your other wallet has to be subtlely hidden, though.

Bringing this back up because or several requests, today. <BR> <BR>I've read that if you get selected by a pro there is little you can do to prevent from getting pluck. However, some people have fought off the attempts so it is not entirely hopeless. <BR> <BR>Also keep in mind that supposdly the thiefs will sell you back whatever they took from you during the week at the Sunday flea market! <BR> <BR>I still believe in not carrying around a lot of cash. Certainly not enough to be a trip buster. I also bring spare credit cards, kept separately with the account numbers and telephone numbers to call for the US and whatever countries I am visiting to report a lost or theft.

And back up....again! <BR> <BR>Italy was never real high on my list. Then came the Tuscany forum and I started to think....hmmmmm? Now, I'm not so sure, at all!

Raeona, don't let this discussion deter you from going to Italy. I think that Italy has much to offer. All these problems are real, but many, in fact most, travellers never have a problem. I think the problem is worse in Rome and Milan and probably all large cities, but if you take some precautions as recommended by the other posters, you can further reduce an already pretty low risk. And if you followed my advice of not carrying a lot of money to start with and having spare credit cards kept separately, even if you were selected, the loss wouldn't be that much and you could still continue your trip and enjoy it. I and I don't think any of the other posters are telling anyone not to go. I think we just discussing some of the problems and what can be done to minimize them. I think we are just informing people who obviously don't know by their questions so they are better informed and can take some precautions. <BR> <BR>If you do go, you may be surprised how high on your list italy climbs. Maybe not. I don't know for sure, but many do enjoy italy.