Just returned from Paris. My wallet was stolen from my purse by a pick pocket on the Metro. I actually saw her with my wallet in her hand and noticed my purse was unzipped. At that exact moment, the doors to the metro closed and we didn't get to them fast enough to re-open. Our hotel staff said that they have 2-3 guests a week that are being robbed lately - their is a very well organized, professional band of pick pockets operating in Paris lately.

continuing - so the moral of the story is this:<BR>1. Wear your money belt. I had one and didn't use it. Duh.<BR><BR>2. Keep you senses on extra alert at places where there are large crowds. We were changing metros at peak time, and we barely got on, standing right by the door - perfect pick pocketing place. My husband noticed a man hanging around that he had seen the day before at another metro stop and was suspicious - but not enough to say anything to me.<BR><BR>3. Don't wear a purse that has a zipper or opening that is obvious - it makes their work very easy.<BR><BR>4. Do not carry your money and your credit cards in the same wallet - if they're going to get something, it will not be everything you've got. Keep a backup credit card somewhere else - locked in your luggage or in another place. Get 1000 - 2000 ff at a time with your ATM so you never have a lot of cash - bring a backup ATM card or a credit card that will allow you to withdraw cash. <BR><BR>5. don't bring anything with you that you are not prepared to lose. These people will become violent if you try to stop them - you won't win. As your pickpocket exits the metro, their accomplice is standing right behind you ready to assist if necessary. This girl had 2, and had 2 kids with her.<BR><BR>6. Learn how to say - Stop Thief, and pickpocket, help, etc. in French fluently! The other people around you may not speak english - nor do the police.<BR><BR>7. If you get robbed, don't let it ruin your vacation. Make copies of your card numbers and the 800 number to alert them, stash some emergency travelers checks in your luggage, have a friend at home with the information that can make the calls for you, and get on with your trip. Be gald that you are there because you work hard and have earned this vacation, and they are destined to a life of street crime with great risk for little pay-offs. They're not going to Disney World on what they lifted from me. <BR><BR>8. Lock your luggage in your room - my son had his camera stolen from his suitcase in his hotel traveling on a tour - (super-tourist!).<BR><BR>9. Don't call attention to yourself as an American - talk softly - speak French to your companions if possible, don't travel in large groups of tourists, you wear a capital T on your forehead! T for tourist, and T for target.<BR><BR>10. Listen to your mother! I told my kids to use their money belts and they did. A student in their group got mugged and lost her passport and all her money. After my experience, I used my money belt and it was remarkably comfortable, un-noticeable, and gave me a sense of security. I wish I had taken my own advice! Bon Voyage.

Adding to the pickpocket thread. I was pick pocketed at Chatelet also. <BR><BR>Carry a purse with two zipper heads, then twist tie them together. Don't wear a fanny pack - too easy to unzip, and small enough to not have to root around for a wallet. I noticed French woman carry larger tote bags. My kids carried their back packs and locked the zippers together - no problem.

You guys should also post this on the pickpocketing crime poll thread.<BR>A lot of people do not see this as a problem.

How about carrying a dummy bag with something squishy and rude in it and let them reach into it. Might be a fun alternative to sightseeing.<BR>

How about a bag full of mouse traps!

Hey "take that" -- a nice idea -- but with my luck I'd forget and be the one that gets pinched!

Take that, I'm not familuar with many of the positions of legality in Europe, but if you tried that in the US, you would get sued for damage by the thief. Wouldn't matter that he/she had their hands in your pockets. <BR>Art <BR>

I rigged my purse with a bomb. When the thief reaches inside . . . KA-BOOM!

I was just in Rome with a tour group of about 100 people. We saw the Coliseum then hopped on the subway across the street to go back to our hotel. It was the infamous Termini route at rush hour and the cars were PACKED. Perfect for pickpockets and four of the males got robbed. I don't mean to sound feminist, but these guys all felt infallible, in control, and confident about having their wallets in their pockets. That is when one of them got shoved off-balance (on purpose, of course!)and used his hands to avoid falling. And that is when he got robbed. The other three never knew until afterwards and one even had a palm pilot taken! Don't anyone even THINK about using a metro-line without complete, pick-pocket-proof gear. I wore a little wallet that went around my neck and hung under my shirt. I would definitely have felt someone trying to get to it!

p.s. I, too, have thought how satisfactory it would be to have a snotty tissue waiting for a pick-pocket! Noone would sue you for that!

Re: "...and confident about having their wallets in their pockets." <BR> <BR>Guess they must've thought pickpockets were called that because they picked wallets out of shoes, eh? :~)

I was pickpocketed two different times in Paris. The first time they got cash due to my own stupidity, but it was the second time that really ticked me off because they didn't steal cash, which could be replaced. Nooo...they took my prescription glasses while I was wearing my prescription sunglasses and I had to go through the rest of the trip with sunglasses on.

We got back from France a few weeks ago. My wife was almost pickpocketed near La Samartaine (close to Notre Dame). She had a small purse, which she always held securely in front of her. The one time she let her guard down to look at a street vendor's booth, a young woman tried to slip her hand in her purse. Fortunately, my wife happened to reach towards it at the same time, and the would be thief pulled away. We watched her for a few minutes and saw her regroup with two other guys, so do be aware that very few of them act alone. I didn't even bring my wallet, just kept what I needed in front pockets or neck wallets underneath my shirt. Overall, we didn't worry too much about it, but it is important to always be aware of your surroundings.

I live in NYC, and have had my wallet stolen from me twice: once in Macy's, during the pre-Christmas shopping rush, and once in the city subways, when I wore an open-style bag with my wallet near the surface. This has taught me to always be conscious of my surroundings; to wear a bag that closes securely; and, when in a crowded or tourist setting, I usually hold my bag very securely against my body and actually holding the bag itself. All large, urban centers have a degree of crime, and no matter where we go, we have to stay aware and alert.

I'm a federal law enforcement officer in NY. My understanding, from speaking with a Paris policeman, is that the pickpockets in Paris tend to be from Eastern Europe. Many are teen-agers. Not to stereo-type...but, be wary of groups of dark haired and olive complexion teenagers near you on the Metro especially if ythey have walked through the train car to be near you. Be cautious when you see one of them seemingly move away from the others when their friends are near the door. (Someone generally stays near the door to block you if you try and exit the train.) Look around you and if you are pushed, immediately check you wallet and get off the train if it is gone. DON'T TRY AND STOP THEM YOURSELF. Yell if you think you see them. <BR> <BR>My wife travelled there in November with her Aunt and Mother. Her mother was pick-pocketed on the Metro. Be wary of some pushing you. Always be aware of your surroundings and keep your bag in front of you. Better yet, leave the purse at home. Men should keep thier wallet in their front pocket. <BR>In a separate incident, the thieves are so brazen that they follwed my wife's aunt from the bank into our hotel! <BR>ALSO, NEVER KEEP YOUR PASSPORT IN YOUR PURSE. I suggest you take a photo copy of the first two pages of your passport in case it does get stolen. <BR> <BR>

Thank all of you for the information. Six of us (females) are headed for Paris in about three weeks. I have copied each with your messages and can only hope we will be vigilant and safe.

we just got back fronm Paris in june, and never had a problem with crime. but then again, we never took the Metro, we walked or cabbed it. If the Metro's a concern, don't use it. we found we could walk pretty much everywhere we wanted to go - this of course will depend on where your hotel is, ours was in the Latin District.

My wife and I had a three-week holiday in Paris during late May/early June and had no problems despite riding the Metro almost every day -- often three or four times -- and visiting all of the "usual" attractions. As with previous vacations, we each carried our passport, cash, airline ticket and a credit/ATM card in one of those rectangular pouches worn around the neck inside one's shirt/blouse. We figure that these are the essential items to carry, and we will not worry about whatever is left in our hotel room. Our pouches are made by Eagle Creek. We always wear shirts/blouses with collars so that the cord around the neck is hidden. <BR> <BR>Beyond the physical, there is attitude. We are always aware of our surroundings and look out for one another. Sometimes on the streets or in the Metro there may be menacing-appearing types. We just act naturally and don't let them bother us. Heck, maybe they're great citizens anyway! I believe that pickpockets are opportunists, and one must simply not give them an opportunity. <BR> <BR>I can see how one type of tourist could easily be pickpocketed, and I saw this vulnerability many times: Soon after entering Metro station, these tourists stop, sometimes putting their belongings on the ground, to gather with two or three others while unfolding a big map to determine where they should be going next in the Metro system. I could easily imagine a seasoned pickpocket having an opportunity.

Hindsight is always 20/20 - no? So I hope someome learns from my experience and is a wiser traveler - I know I will be. Now I will have a year to contemplate the juicy suggestion of booby trapping a pick-pocketable bag! I love it.