Joseph7820

I came up with a quite simple solution to foil the infamous pick pockets of Europe. I went to Wal-Mart and purchased an inexpensive cloth camera case and attached a velcro strap to the belt loop and can now attach it to my ankle. It is worn in a manner similiar to the way undercover police officers conceal their small back-up guns. Of course you cannot wear shorts with this setup, but then again many European tourist attraction frown upon wearing shorts anyway. Especially Italy.

atp2007

In Europe or South America, I always carry my wallet in my front pocket following the advice of a detective. It's easy to come up behind a guy and slip a wallet out of his back pocket and I once saw a guy's back pocket in Philly get neatly sliced with a razor so the wallet fell out. If you are especially concerned, you can put the wallet in and give the front pocket a twist so it's not possible to slide a hand into your pocket easily. It is also important to be aware of those around you, don't be so distracted, make eye contact and not let people see where you have placed your valuables. Some people also use what is called a "rabbit garden" trick. To keep rabbits out of your garden, you plant a smaller garden with cheap rabbit favorites that is easier for the rabbit to get into and it stays out of your main garden. So use a smaller wallet with a small amount of cash (and maybe credit card with a small credit line) to pay for things so it attracts any attention and not your main wallet with your real cards. If you lose the "rabbit wallet" you haven't lost much.

robjame

"In Europe or South America, I always carry my wallet in my front pocket..."

So where do you carry your wallet in the US where...
"I once saw a guy's back pocket in Philly get neatly sliced with a razor..."

Heimdall

>> Europe has the best pick pockets and smug Americans are no match for them.<<

Funny - I've lived in Europe for 35 years and never had my pocket picked - I'm American, but hopefully not smug. ;-)

logos999

"Geen geld in de achtersack"
You learn that at a very young age

jlande

Both men and women should wear a waist moneybelt under their clothing. In it should be limited credit cards, ATM card, big bills of cash and passport. In your day bag or front pocket carry any "day money" you need. I do this while traveling abroad as well as in the United States. That way if the unfortunate happens, I've lost very little and my trip can go on. The best moneybelts? Try www.ricksteves.com
Have a good trip and relax!

rkkwan

To answer the original question. Men keep their ATM and credit card(s) wherever the wife or GF can't get to.

Scootoir

In December 1986 a friend and I were riding a car crowded with commuters in the London underground. I had my shoulder bag tucked under my arm. I thought the woman next to me was moving awfully close and pushing against me but perhaps someone was pushing her. Got off at a stop pretty soon so didn't think it was too bad a ride. A little later I picked up my purse to pay for dinner and discovered one side of it had been cut open. She must have done this, stuck her hand in and could not ket past my big ol' Nikon. Wrecked the bag but wallet and camera were secure.

caroline_edinburgh

Travelpat : "All of you who insist on keeping your wallets in your pockets like you do at home, are being quite silly. You have never come up against the pickpockets as in Europe."

So how would you apply that to all of those of us who have lived in Europe all our lives, taken dozens if not hundreds of holidays here and don't feel the need for moneybelts etc ? Maybe we're just more used to being careful. Or maybe it's because we don't drive everywhere at home ?

Padraig

Caroline, don't give the game away. We Europeans survive because we are the pickpockets, all of us.

caroline_edinburgh

SMB60

In a Zanzibar fishmarket, a man was coming from the opposite direction. He bumped into me and tried to shove his hand into my pocket but I felt it and shoved my elbow into his hand and I ran off. I keep a money belt under my clothing while traveling. In the hotel, I keep most of my money and passport in the hotel safe. I keep a small amount of daily money divided in my front pockets, either zipped or pinned. Split up your money so you don't loose it all. You can't be too careful. In Oman someone got into my zipped back pocket without my knowledge but I just had non-important papers in it. I think I'm going to print up cards that say "Shame on you" for them to pickpocket. They are pros!

NeoPatrick

I'll be the first to admit that a sport coat pocket or a back pants pocket are very vulnerable to a skilled pick pocket, but not my front pocket. it's all I can do to get my wallet out of there. I'll happily submit to a test from any of you who want to see if you can get your hand in my front pants pocket without my feeling it. Sounds like fun to me.

jmcc

We just returned from a European cruise and visited several large cities with crowded shopping areas, etc. Our solution against pickpockets was to wear cargo pants with buttoned and zippered pockets. Your valuable documents and credit cards, cash, can go in the pockets of your pants. My purse contained only items that were expendable if stolen.

We never had a problem but we felt safer.

HImom

In 1995, my hubby was hounded in Rome until he finally took his wallet OUT of his pocket & put his valuables in the money belt he brought & wore under his clothes. He was fine thereafter.

The only pickpocket we encountered was in the tube in London. They got my 10 or 20 pound note and some old theater ticket stubs. All in all, I feel better if we're safe rather than sorry.

For us, it is better to be safe than sorry and I prefer not to have my trip challenged with extra hassles sorting things out with the police and banks, if at all possible.

Hubby & I will keep most of our cash, passport, & limited credit/ATM cards in those travel holders made for the purpose & worn under clothing. We have purchased ones that are worn around the neck, on the ankle, or around the waist. Will try to convince our 20 & 22 year S & D to wear these too, but not sure if they will.