Thwart Pickpockets

By Author: Steve Robinson
Total Articles: 468
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There is no reason to let a trip that was planned carefully by a thorough review of cheap travel options, including cheap airplane tickets, discount hotel rooms, cheap auto rentals, and cheap vacation packages, later get spoiled by a pickpocket.

In early April staffers at Paris’ Louvre, the world’s most popular museum, walked off their jobs in protest of what they claimed was an increasing problem of aggressive pickpockets operating inside the museum and targeting tourists, particularly Chinese and Russians who often were carrying large amounts of money.

Tourist locations have historically been popular places for pickpockets to operate. Unfortunately over the last 18 months pickpockets at the Louvre have become increasingly violent and their modus operandi has become more complex.

Paris’ tourism office believes that the Louvre was being targeted because it is “a private institution, where the young enter for free, and because it’s a private space, without controls by the police inside. It’s also a setting where visitors are perhaps less likely to be vigilant.”

The following are suggestions ...
... on how to avoid becoming a victim of a pickpocket:

• Carry as little as possible in your wallet, such as a single credit/ATM card, one piece of ID, and no more than 50 Euros ($75 US). Remember replacing your passport or social security card is a hassle. Travelers should make a copy of their passports and front and back of everything they have in their wallets. It is much easier to cancel cards and replace your passport when you have all the numbers and contact information.

• Beware of scams where people swarm you getting on or off of a train or bus and the distraction scam where someone “accidentally” spills or quirts you and then offers to help clean up the mess while an accomplice robs you.

• The “broken” ATM scam is common. Only use ATMs that are well lit, at a reputable bank. If an ATM does not return your card, go immediately into the bank. Never talk to anyone while using an ATM. Walk up, get your money, and then move along as quickly as possible.

• Recent scams have people walking up and requesting directions while someone is using an ATM. Crooks attempt to get the pin and card numbers so that they can later empty unsuspecting tourists’ accounts. Place your hand over the pin pad when entering your code. Never use an ATM that appears to have been tampered with.

• Women should travel with a purse that zips. It should be carried right under your arm and slightly in front of you vs. over your shoulder where it is easier for motorcycle bandits to steal it. Never drape your purse over a chair.

• Dress down while traveling and leave designer goods and jewels at home. This is true even of cubic zirconia jewelry since it sends a message to thieves that you are worth their attention.

• Be particularly aware in heavily touristed areas.

• Never place your laptop or purse on a metal detector conveyor belt until the person in front of you has cleared his or her belongings. Thieves sometimes intentionally set off an alarm to cause a back up while their accomplices steal other peoples’ belongings.

• Consider purchasing clothing designed to foil thieves. Clothing Arts has come out with ingenious “Pick-Pocket Proof Pants”.
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