How to Avoid Pickpockets

Pickpockets are thieves who steal tourists’ belongings when they’re not paying attention. Avoiding pickpockets is quite a challenge because crooks often blend into the surrounding crowd and are not easily recognized. To avoid falling victim to them, you should keep your wallet in your front pocket and keep your personal belongings close at all times. Stay away from suspicious strangers and stay alert in crowded places. If you have it stolen while traveling abroad, report it to the police and go to the embassy to get your passport or identification card back.

Table of Contents

Store and keep your wallet safe

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Store your wallet in your front pocket for extra security. If you have a habit of keeping your wallet in your back pocket, prevent pickpockets when your wallet is out of sight by moving your wallet to the front pocket. Pickpockets will have a much harder time getting your wallet, money or passport if they are not easily accessible from behind. ^{[1] X Research Source}

Items stored in the back pocket of your pants can poke up when you’re walking and are easy to steal.

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Wrap the elastic around the wallet so it doesn’t slip out easily. Find a regular elastic band around the wallet. Tuck the wallet deep into the pocket. If the thief wants to get the wallet smooth, they will have a hard time pulling it out. That should be enough to alert you that someone is pickpocketing. ^{[2] X Research Source}

If given the choice, you should use a wallet with Velcro or a canvas wallet instead of a smooth leather wallet. Such wallets will not be easy to get out without your knowledge.

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Hide your wallet in a secret pocket if you have one. If the clothes you’re wearing have hidden pockets, hide your wallet there. Pickpockets usually only target conspicuous places to steal money and valuables. Plus, they won’t know where to find your wallet if you keep it in the inside pocket of your jacket, behind a hidden seam, or hidden near a breast pocket. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

If you have to keep your stuff in your coat pocket, put it in a bag with Velcro. This type of tape will rustle when someone tries to reach into the pocket.

Tips: There are clothes that have secret pockets designed to prevent pickpockets. ExOffico, Voyager and SCOTTeVEST are brands known for clothing with hidden pockets.

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Avoid rummaging through your wallet to count money. If possible, use your own money clip or keep it in a safe bag. That way you won’t have to take out your wallet to rummage through your purchases. If you leave money in your wallet, you should only withdraw your wallet when you really have to pay. Remember to hold the wallet with both hands to prevent thieves from taking the opportunity to snatch the wallet when you are distracted. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

If you usually keep your money in your pocket, keep it in your front pants pocket or coat pocket. Don’t put anything in your bag to make thieves think your bag is empty.

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Stuff a fake wallet in your back pocket to fool thieves. Buy a wallet, transfer money and cards to the new wallet. Stuff scraps of paper, gift cards, and a few unimportant pieces of receipt paper into your worn-out wallet. When you go out, bring a “bait” wallet. If you get robbed or someone tries to steal it, pull out your bait wallet, drop it on the ground and run in the other direction. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Don’t let the bait wallet stick out of your pocket and get noticed. You certainly don’t want to encourage thieves to steal your stuff!

Keep your bag or purse safe

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Choose bags with intricate latches to discourage pickpockets. If you usually use a bag without a buckle, buy a bag with a twist or a snap. These bags are harder to open, and pickpockets won’t usually try to reach into the bag. If possible, use a bag with a lock to make sure nothing is lost when you travel. ^{[6] X Research Source}

The smaller the bag, the better. Large bags will have plenty of room for thieves to act.

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Shorten the bag straps to keep the bag close to the body. To avoid snatching your bag, keep your bag or backpack as close to your body as possible. Shorten the straps of a bag or backpack to fit it close to the body. This makes it harder for crooks to get access to your bag. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

If you want pickpockets to have no chance of stealing from your bag, wear the bag on your chest instead of on your back.

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Hold a bag or backpack in your hand instead of putting it down next to you while sitting. When taking a seat in a restaurant or on a bus, sling your bag over your shoulder and on your lap. If you put your bag on the floor or hang it behind the back of a chair, your bag will become a good bait for thieves. Plus, if you put your bag on the floor, you might forget it when you leave your seat. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

Allyson Edwards

International consulting and world travel

Allyson Edwards graduated from Stanford University with a BA in International Relations. She has since gone on to facilitate international collaborations with agencies in more than twenty countries, she has also consulted for companies in the education, financial technology and retail industries.

Allyson Edwards
International consulting and world travel

Our expert recounts: “After that, I always remember to hide my bag. When I was a student, I used to study abroad in Madrid. One weekend, I went to withdraw €200 in cash and put it in my wallet, Then my wallet was taken by a pickpocket on the subway.I made the elementary mistake of not keeping my valuables in my hand and not leaving my bag in the front on a crowded train. Good luck. Now I have experience!”

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Use a stomach bag instead of a handbag. The strap of the bag can be cut off, and the bag will easily leave you in a split second. However, a stomach bag worn close to the waist will be much more difficult to cut. Move the money and cards into your stomach pocket, tie the straps close to your waist, and rotate the bag so that it’s just below your navel. This will make it easier for you to keep an eye on your valuables. ^{[9] X Research Source}

Don’t use regular plastic ziplock bags. Buy anti-theft stomach bags online. These bags have stronger locks and prevent thieves from reaching into the bags.

Keep valuables out of the reach of thieves

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Bring only the essentials and leave everything else in the hotel safe. Most hotels have safes for guests to keep important items while the room is being cleaned or when they are out. Before going down the street, keep your passport, house keys, remaining money and precious jewelry in a safe and lock it. If you accidentally get pickpocketed, you will only lose a little money and belongings. ^{[10] X Research Source}

Always leave some cash in the hotel safe. If you get pickpocketed, you will still have money to eat or travel before the problem is resolved.

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Store your phone in a sealed bag and avoid taking it out. Keep your phone in the inside pocket, where pickpockets are hard to reach. Try to avoid pulling out your phone often, especially when you’re focusing on finding directions. If you need to use your phone, hold it firmly with both hands, and don’t stare at the screen for more than 5-10 seconds at a time. ^{[11] X Research Source}

Every time you take out your phone to take a photo, always remember to put it back in your pocket when you’re done. If a stranger offers to help you take a photo, don’t accept it.
Print out the maps you need while staying at your hotel so you don’t have to use your phone to find out where you are.
Even if you don’t want to use your phone, you should still take it with you. You won’t know when there’s an emergency that requires a call.

Avoid common scams

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Stay away from ATMs that are not in private companies. ATM machines are attractive targets for pickpockets. Some crooks conspire together to distract you here and there to take your money when you’re not looking. There are other crooks who peek at your PIN, then try to steal your wallet. If you have to withdraw money at an ATM, look for an ATM in a trusted company and not in an open space where you can safely withdraw your money. ^{[13] X Research Source}

Thieves are often much more difficult to get the hang of if you withdraw money from ATMs inside the private recesses of restaurants and hotels.

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Feel the bag to make sure the wallet and phone are still there after hitting someone. Some thieves will pretend to bump into you while walking down the street or getting on a bus. During the collision, they will reach into your pocket to rummage and steal valuables. If someone bumps into you, touch your bag to check if your belongings are still there. ^{[14] X Research Source}

Avoid bumping into people in crowds or in tight spaces. Thieves often take advantage of crowds to stay undetected. Take good care of your belongings and stay alert when boarding buses, trains or traveling in crowded urban areas.
Watch out for interviewers, fundraisers, or rambling strangers. Fraudsters often work in groups so that one distracts you while the other picks your pocket from behind.

Tips: Don’t pull out your wallet or phone to make sure it’s still there. Some pickpockets use knock-on tricks to trick you into checking your belongings. Be discreet when touching the bag. Don’t let the world know where you keep your valuables.

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Keep a safe distance from strangers when they offer to show you the way. When you hear strangers giving directions, you should stand at least 60-90 cm away from them. Don’t look over their shoulder to see the map and don’t lean close to them to hear. Clever pickpockets will often show you a map or instruction sheet while reaching into your pocket. ^{[15] X Research Source}

Be wary of people who offer help even if you don’t. Most people mean well, but pickpockets are often quick to help to trick you into letting your guard down.

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Dress casually to blend in with the crowd and look like a local. When traveling, try to blend in with the environment by dressing casually. Don’t wear flashy clothes that make you stand out and typical tourist clothes that make you a stranger. Thieves rarely target people living in the area. ^{[16] X Research Source}

This may not work if you are British with red hair traveling in India. If you come to an area too far away from home, you may not be able to mingle with the locals.

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Don’t wear your bags on the street to avoid robbers riding motorbikes. In many countries, robbers use motorbikes to get close to you, snatch your bag from your shoulder, and then run away. In order for robbers not to have a chance, you should wear your bag on the side of the road, not on the side of the road. ^{[17] X Research Source}

This situation occurs more commonly in countries with a lot of motorbike traffic. In the United States, for example, this type of robbery usually does not exist.
You should go against the traffic on the roadway so you can see which car is coming close to you.

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Keep an eye on your surroundings when watching street performances. Pickpockets often hunt in crowds of tourists, and street performers often draw large crowds. Furthermore, it is common for people to pull out their wallets to reward performers. There’s nothing wrong with giving a few pennies to street performers, but by doing so you’re inadvertently revealing where your wallet is. Keep your valuables safe and be wary of viewing pastimes in public. ^{[18] X Research Sources}

If you want to give money, put some change in the pocket of your clothes that you don’t keep in your wallet. That way the crooks won’t know where you put your money.

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Don’t accept help from strangers who offer to help you with your luggage. If you are bringing your luggage on board or unloading from the car, never agree when strangers try to help you carry it. Even if your bags are really heavy, you never know when someone carrying your stuff will run away. There are many well-meaning people who want to help, but you shouldn’t risk your fortune. ^{[19] X Research Source}

It’s a bit annoying, but it’s better to spend another 5-10 minutes carrying your own luggage.

Advice

If you accidentally fall victim to pickpockets and lose your passport or wallet while traveling abroad, visit your country’s embassy. They will confirm your identity and help you return to your home country.
Pay attention when you get in and out of the taxi. You can easily forget your phone or wallet if you put it down on the seat next to you.
Pickpockets are everywhere. Do not think that pickpocketing only happens in tourist areas. You can let your guard down where you live.

Warning

If robbed, do not fight them, unless you have an overwhelming advantage, the robber is unarmed, and you are in a public place with many people around. It’s safer to come forward and let the police do their job.

Steps