Tips to Prevent Pickpockets

Traveling anywhere in this world comes with it’s own set of risks, but being a prepared traveler can help you prevent pickpockets and avoid being the target of petty theft. For some, being stylish and getting social media-worthy travel photos often trump being sensible. For us, style (and photos) come second to being smart! When my husband and I travel we are cautious travelers; we don’t trust easily, and are very careful with our valuables.

After a recent trip to Amsterdam, I don’t see our travel style changing. On this trip witnessed a pickpocket ring in action, and it was shocking to see it in person! This incident inspired me to learn more about pickpockets and travel scams to prevent pickpockets targeting you on vacation. Here’s what you need to know…

How do Pickpockets Work?

Pickpockets often work in teams or small groups. Members of the group will try to distract the target, and another member of the group will grab the items from the victim once distracted. Usually the group will all run in different directions and the thief will pass off the item to someone else. This makes it very difficult to track down the stolen items or even know who to report to the police.

A few scams I learned about were pretty creative too! Some pickpockets pretend to be lost or looking for help, they may ask for signatures on a petition, or even use groups of children to distract and steal from someone. They can also be lurking around during street performances, street fights (that are often set-ups), or create a delay. The others were pretty standard including slash and grabs, scanning/duplicating credit or debit cards, bumping into people in crowded locations to grab phones or wallets, offering to take a photo and running off with a camera or phone, and blatant robbery.

Where do Pickpockets Work?

Typically pickpockets operate in busy tourist destinations or around main attractions. Pickpockets usually look for easy targets like open bags, unattended items or generally just people who aren’t paying attention. Many cities in Europe are known for pickpockets and scams, but pickpockets are in most major cities around the world.

Tips to Prevent Pickpockets…

Luggage & Bag Tips

Use an RFID blocking wallet.Reduce the risk of having your debit or credit cards scanned. Use an RFID blocking wallet, sleeves, or purse to shield your cards from potential thieves.

Use an anti-theft bag or purse. I like to use my Travelon Cross-Body bag when I travel. This bag claims to be slash-proof, has locking straps, zippers that lock and RFID blocking card slots. It’s large enough to fit my DSLR, wallet, phone and travel documents and gives me peace of mind.

Lock zippers. While in transit it is always a good idea to lock your zippers and luggage. You can do this with a small travel lock or zip ties. If someone wants in your luggage, they’ll find a way, but this can help keep your belongings safe.

Keep bags in front of your at all times. When you’re in transit or out admiring a new location, always keep your belongings in front of you. If I have a backpack, sometimes I will even wear it in front of me so I can always see that it is closed and the contents are safe.

Cash & Possessions Tips

Disperse your money throughout various bags or pockets. If you are carrying cash on vacation, try to spread it out among your pockets, bags and members of your travel party. My husband and I always split our cash and hide some in different locations throughout our luggage – just in case!

Carry minimal cash.Don’t bring lots of cash with you when you travel. Research where you can get money in advance of your vacation, and try to be conservative with how much you need to carry. Alternatively, use a credit card for purchases when possible to reserve your cash for “cash-only” purchases.

Only bring essentials. Try to limit the amount of luggage you carry around on your travels. This will help you keep a better eye on your bags and belongings.

Don’t flash around expensive items. Cameras, phones, expensive jewelry, and other flashy equipment can draw attention to you as a tourist. Try to limit the number of gadgets you carry around in order to blend in better and trade in expensive jewelry for costume jewelry or simple pieces.

Surroundings & Awareness Tips

Be aware of your surroundings. Pay attention to where you are in a city and acknowledge the potential pickpocket hot spots like public performances, dark alleys, crowded tourist attractions and while in transit. If you have items in your pockets, be sure to zip them up or check often to ensure you still have your belongings.

Avoid rush-hour on public transit. Sometimes taking transit is inevitable, but try to avoid peak times when crowds are larger. If you need to take public transit, try to go in off-peak hours or take a cab or Uber if possible.

Stay away from street performances or crowded tourist areas. When traveling, I know I always want to see the main tourist attractions, but I usually try to avoid peak times and large crowds. I also avoid street performances if the crowds are large, or take extra caution if I do decide to stop and watch. I don’t want to be distracted and become and easy target!

Prevent Pickpockets Summary

These are just a few things you can do to help prevent pickpockets from targeting you and stealing your valuables! These may not work 100% of the time, so make sure you are always aware and careful when you travel. If you have tips to prevent pickpockets please share them in the comments section below.