How to prevent pickpocketing

Pickpockets are thieves who specialize in stealing from unsuspecting tourists. Preventing pickpocketing can be quite challenging as these criminals often blend into the crowd, making it hard to spot them. To avoid becoming a victim, keep your wallet in your front pocket and always stay close to your belongings. Stay away from suspicious strangers and remain alert in crowded places. If you lose your belongings while traveling abroad, report it to the police and visit the embassy to get your passport or identification card replaced.

Store your wallet in your front pocket for added security. If you're used to keeping your wallet in your back pocket, be aware that it’s much easier for pickpockets to target it when it's out of sight. It's far more difficult for thieves to snatch your wallet, money, or passport if it's securely tucked in the front. Items in your back pocket can easily be snatched, especially when you're moving around.

Wrap an elastic band around your wallet to prevent it from slipping out.

Giấu ví trong ngăn túi bí mật nếu có. Nếu quần áo bạn đang mặc có túi ẩn, hãy giấu chiếc ví của bạn ở đó. Những kẻ móc túi thường chỉ nhắm vào những nơi dễ thấy để lấy trộm tiền và những vật giá trị. Hơn nữa, bọn chúng cũng không biết tìm chiếc ví của bạn ở đâu nếu bạn cất ví ở túi trong của áo khoác, sau đường may ẩn hoặc giấu gần túi áo ngực.

• Nếu bạn phải cất đồ trong túi áo khoác, hãy bỏ trong túi có băng dán nhám Velcro. Loại băng dán này sẽ kêu sột soạt khi có người cố thò tay vào túi.

Advice: Some clothing is designed with hidden pockets to prevent pickpocketing. ExOfficio, Voyager, and SCOTTeVEST are popular brands offering clothes with concealed pockets.

Avoid rummaging through your wallet to count money.

Nhét một chiếc ví giả ở túi quần sau để đánh lừa bọn trộm. Mua một chiếc ví, chuyển tiền và thẻ sang chiếc ví mới. Nhét các mẩu giấy linh tinh, thẻ quà tặng và vài mảnh giấy biên nhận không quan trọng vào chiếc ví sờn cũ của bạn. Khi ra ngoài, bạn hãy đem theo chiếc ví “mồi”. Nếu bị cướp hoặc có kẻ định đánh cắp, bạn hãy rút chiếc ví mồi ra, thả rơi xuống đất và chạy về hướng khác.

• Đừng để chiếc ví mồi thò ra khỏi túi và gây chú ý. Hẳn là bạn không muốn khuyến khích kẻ gian trộm đồ của bạn!

Choose a handbag with a complex closure to deter pickpockets. If you usually use a bag without a lock, consider buying one with a twist lock or zipper. These types of bags are harder to open, and pickpockets are less likely to try to reach into them. Whenever possible, use a bag with a secure lock to ensure you don’t lose anything while traveling.

Shorten the straps of your bag to keep it close to your body. To avoid having your bag snatched, carry it as close to your body as possible. Shorten the straps of your bag or backpack so it stays tight against you. This makes it more difficult for thieves to approach and steal from your bag.

Keep your bag or backpack in your lap rather than placing it beside you when sitting. When sitting at a restaurant or on a bus, drape your bag over your shoulder and place it on your lap. If you leave your bag on the floor or hanging behind your seat, it becomes an easy target for thieves. Additionally, if you leave it on the floor, you might forget it when you leave.

Allyson Edwards - International travel and consulting expert

Our expert recalls: "After that incident, I always remember to hide my bag. When I was a student, I studied abroad in Madrid. One weekend, I went to withdraw €200 in cash and put it in my wallet, only for a pickpocket on the subway to steal my entire wallet. I made the rookie mistake of not keeping my valuables in hand and not placing my bag in front of me in the crowded train. Now, I have learned from the experience!"

Use a money belt instead of a handbag. The straps of a handbag can be easily cut, and the bag can be taken from you in an instant. However, a money belt that fits snugly around your waist is much harder to cut. Transfer your cash and cards into the money belt, tighten the strap around your waist, and wear it just below your stomach. This way, you can keep a closer eye on your valuables.

Only carry what you need and leave the rest in the hotel safe. Most hotels provide safes for guests to store important items while the room is being cleaned or when they are out. Before heading out, store your passport, house keys, extra cash, and valuable jewelry in the safe and lock it. If you are pickpocketed, you will only lose the small amount of cash and items you brought with you.

Keep your phone in a secure pocket and avoid pulling it out often. Place your phone in an inner pocket that is hard for pickpockets to access. Try to avoid taking your phone out frequently, especially when you are focusing on finding directions. If you must use your phone, hold it tightly with both hands and don’t focus on the screen for more than 5-10 seconds at a time.

If you wear jewelry, tuck your necklace inside your shirt and leave your wristwatch in the hotel. Avoid wearing valuable watches, especially if they're worth more than a few dollars. Also, steer clear of jewelry with numerous gemstones, whether real or fake.

• Wearing a ring is generally safe unless it's too loose. It's unlikely that someone will snatch a ring without you noticing. However, be cautious with rings that feature gemstones. Wearing multiple pieces of jewelry could lead pickpockets to believe you’re carrying significant wealth.
• If possible, avoid wearing any jewelry while traveling. Unless you're attending a fancy evening event or an extravagant show, there’s no need for it.

Steer clear of ATMs not located in private, secure areas. ATMs are prime targets for pickpockets. Some thieves work in pairs: one distracts you while the other steals your money. Others may attempt to observe your PIN and later steal your wallet. If you need to withdraw money, choose an ATM located inside a trusted business or in a well-populated area where you can withdraw safely.

• It’s much harder for thieves to act if you’re using ATMs inside a secluded area like a restaurant or hotel lobby.

Check your pockets to ensure your wallet and phone are still there after bumping into someone. Some thieves will pretend to accidentally collide with you on the street or on a bus. During the bump, they’ll slip their hand into your bag or pocket to swipe your valuables. If someone bumps into you, quickly check your pockets to make sure everything is still there.

• Avoid bumping into people in crowded areas or tight spaces. Thieves often take advantage of the crowd to operate unnoticed. Always be alert when on a bus, train, or in busy city areas.
• Be cautious of interviewers, fundraisers, or talkative strangers. Pickpockets frequently work in teams, with one person distracting you while the other steals from you.

Advice: Don’t pull out your wallet or phone just to check if they’re still there. Some pickpockets use the collision trick to fool you into checking your items. Be discreet when checking your pockets—don’t let everyone know where your valuables are hidden.

Maintain a safe distance from strangers when they offer to give you directions. When receiving directions from strangers, make sure to stand at least 60-90 cm away from them. Avoid looking over their shoulder to view a map, and don’t lean in to listen closely. Pickpockets often use maps or brochures to distract you while they reach into your pockets.

• Be cautious of people offering help when you didn’t ask for it. While most people have good intentions, pickpockets may act helpful to catch you off guard.

Dress casually to blend in with the crowd and look like a local. When traveling, try to blend into your surroundings by dressing in a casual, unobtrusive manner. Avoid wearing bright, attention-grabbing outfits that make you stand out, as well as clothing that screams tourist. Thieves are less likely to target locals.

• This may not work if you're a red-haired Brit visiting India. In some places, it may be hard to blend in regardless of your attire.

Avoid wearing your bag on the street side to protect against snatch thieves on motorcycles. In many countries, thieves on motorbikes will pull up next to you, snatch your bag off your shoulder, and speed away. To prevent this, carry your bag on the sidewalk side, not on the road side.

• This type of theft is more common in countries with heavy motorcycle traffic, like in some Asian countries. In the US, this is less common.
• Always walk against the flow of traffic so you can spot any motorcycles approaching from behind.

Stay alert when watching street performances. Pickpockets often target tourists in crowds, and street performers can attract large groups of people. Additionally, people often pull out their wallets to tip the performers. There’s nothing wrong with tipping a few coins, but doing so can inadvertently reveal where you keep your wallet. Keep your valuables secure and remain vigilant when enjoying public performances.

• If you plan to tip, use loose change from a pocket where your wallet is not stored. This way, thieves won't know where your money is.

Don’t accept help from strangers offering to carry your luggage. Whether you're boarding a train or unloading from a vehicle, never agree to let strangers help carry your luggage. Even if your bags are heavy, you never know when someone might run off with them. While many people may genuinely want to help, it's not worth risking your belongings.

• Although it might be a bit inconvenient, it’s better to spend an extra 5-10 minutes carrying your luggage yourself.

• If you happen to become a victim of pickpockets and lose your passport or wallet while traveling abroad, head to the embassy of your country. They will verify your identity and assist you in returning home.
• Be cautious when getting in and out of taxis. It’s easy to forget your phone or wallet if you place them on the seat next to you.
• Pickpockets are everywhere. Don’t assume that pickpocketing only occurs in tourist areas. You could let your guard down even in your own hometown.

• If you are robbed, do not resist, unless you have a clear advantage, the robber is unarmed, and you are in a public area with many people around. The safest course of action is to report the incident and let the police handle it.