13, Sep 2018
The 6 Most Popular Places for Pickpockets to Rob Tourists
Pickpocket Techniques and Locations: How to Avoid Pickpockets
Greetings from Vatican City! You see a lot of tourists here, walking by. But what you might not realize is that not all of the people here are tourists. There are also pickpockets wandering around among the tourists. So, today I want to share with you the most common places that pickpockets work. So that when you’re traveling, you can pay extra attention to your surroundings. That said, you do need to realize that pickpockets can be anywhere! They’re not just in the bigger towns like Rome and Barcelona, but also in small towns, so it’s always good to have your wits about you when traveling.
Pickpocket Spot #1 Major Tourist Sites
This is where you will find a lot of pickpockets. There’s a concentration of tourists, and those tourists are generally preoccupied with the sites around them. A pickpocket might bump into you, or “accidentally” spill something on you, or just slash your bag. Even once you are inside some of the museums, there are pickpockets. The Louvre has warnings when you enter, and there are also pickpockets in the Vatican museum. The best thing you can do, in addition to paying attention, is to leave your valuables at home and keep your wallet in your front pocket.
Watch: World’s Biggest Travel Scams
Pickpocket Spot #2 Train Stations
When you exit a train, there are usually crowds and confusion as you try to figure out where to go next. Pickpockets know you are distracted and that this is a good time to rob you. The ticket kiosk at the train station is another common spot for pickpockets to work. They might offer to help you figure out the ticket system, while robbing you at the same time. Also, on the trains you have to guard your luggage. If you are sleeping, it’s very easy for a thief to dip into your luggage stored overhead.
Read: The Most Common Pickpocket Techniques & How to Avoid Them
Pickpocket Spot #3 Public Transportation
The metros in big cities are a prime spot for pickpockets to work. Paris, Rome and Barcelona are infamous for pickpockets on public transportation. Most often, you will be pickpocketed as you enter or exit the bus or train, as that’s when you are most distracted. They might even have their hand in your pocket, ready to pull your wallet as soon as you step on the Metro. They might also try to follow you through the turnstile as you enter the metro station. They’re not just trying to get a free ride on the subway; they’re getting close enough to pick your pockets. This happened to my dad at Gare du Nord in Paris. Rush hour on public transportation is an especially high time for pickpockets because of the crowds.
Pickpocket Spot #4 Shopping Centers
Stores and shopping centers are another common place for pickpockets to work. They look like everyone else, sometimes even dressed nicely to blend in. Fitting rooms are a prime spot for purse snatchers, particularly if you step out of the fitting room and leave your purse behind to get an opinion on the outfit you’re trying. This happened to my wife when she left the baby stroller, with her purse, outside of the fitting room.
Pickpocket Spot #5 Restaurants and Cafes
Restaurants, cafes and bars are another hot spot for pickpockets. Most people when enjoying a drink or tapas at the end of the day, will put their purse or coat on the back of a chair in a restaurant. This makes it very easy for someone to steal. If you’ve been out shopping and have bags of new purchases, those can also be stolen, so put them in front of you, under the table. Keep your phone and your wallet in your pockets; don’t put them out on the table where they’re easy to swipe.
Pickpocket Spot #6 The Beach
This one might surprise you, but pickpockets love to work the beach. The beach is tricky because you want to play in the water, but you usually have things like a wallet, cell phone or keys with you that you can’t take into the water. Pickpockets know this, so you need to have someone always watching your things. Maybe you make friends with the people next to you at the beach, or take turns going in the water. We seriously limit the stuff we bring to the beach. We usually just bring some cash and a waterproof camera. If you don’t have a lot of stuff with you, you can’t be robbed of a lot of stuff.
The key thing to remember is that pickpockets will work anywhere that they have a target. Anytime they see an opportunity to get money, they’ll be there. Even when you least expect it, be on the lookout. Check out some of our other travel tip videos on this topic:
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