Travel Tips & Trends

Avoiding pickpockets

Professional pickpockets and bag-snatchers operate in all countries of the world, with well-known tourist attractions usually among their favorite haunts. While the risk of theft when traveling is not enough to dissuade most people from enjoying a vacation, a few basic precautions are recommended for all travelers.

Be vigilant in crowded areas.

Busy, crowded areas are a haven for thieves. Be wary on rush-hour public transport and in major tourist spots.

Watch for distractions.

Someone may come up and put a bouquet of flowers right in your face, for example, on the pretext of selling you a flower, to distract you for a moment while your wallet is lifted.

Don't be an easy target.

Always be aware of where your purse, camera and/or fanny pack are. Don't put them down on a counter top in a store, or under your chair in an outdoor restaurant. Consider using a money belt or neck wallet, under clothing; this makes it much harder for thieves.

Reduce the potential damage.

Split up your credit cards, cash, passport and other ID among different bags or pockets, so you don't lose everything at once in the event of a theft (or an accidentally lost bag). For the same reason, if you're traveling with a spouse or friends, don't make one person solely responsible for holding all the money. Keep a copy of your passport and a list of your credit card numbers in a separate location, in case you need to reference them.

Simple awareness will go a long way toward reducing the chances of an incident.