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Every year, thousands of travelers fall prey to the quick and
clever tactics of pickpockets and thieves. What may take thieves
a moment to "lift" from your pockets (passports, credit cards,
airline tickets) may take weeks to replace, turning your
pleasant vacation into a nightmare.
It is difficult to recognize these changeling thieves -
sometimes the well-dressed businessman standing next to you who
just dropped some coins, at other times the "friendly" group of
young children with newspapers approaching you in a city subway.
A thief may be hard to recognize, but their time-tested tactics
are not. Travelers can prevent the majority of common thefts by
arming themselves with the knowledge of typical scams, following
some basic travel safety tips and using security products.
Typical Scams
The Trio: A
typical three person team of thieves includes the "stall" (who
positions himself in front of you and draws your attention), the
"dip" (who acts upon your moment of distraction to pick your
pocket or purse), and a third person who receives your valuables
and casually and quietly disappears into the crowd.
Some rely upon your kindness by dropping something on the chance
you'll help them pick it up, asking for directions, or even
faking an accident that somehow seems to be your fault or beg
for your involvement. Thieves put their faith in your good
character to the extreme, as in the case of a tourist sitting on
a Caribbean beach who went into
the water to save a 'drowning swimmer' only to return to find
his valuables stolen.
Others "accidentally" bump into you and another "kind" person
catches you from falling. In reality, you have just fallen into
their trap. Pickpockets have been known to soil your clothes
with toothpaste, ash, or ice cream. A second member of the team
points out the spill to you, pointing skyward to the potential
culprit and offers to help you clean up. This is the perfect set
up for a theft, or even a mugging.
In some African countries, the "stall" approaches the traveler
with arms outstretched, and a friendly smile on his face. While
he embraces you, another thief strikes you on the back, creating
enough distraction to lift your valuables.
Children as thieves:
Schooling for thieves starts very early. A traveler was seated
on a crowded bus in Rome on her way to the Vatican. She
glanced down at her lap to find a tiny little hand reaching into
her now unzipped fanny pack. The child could not have been more
than 6 years old.
Groups of children have been known to gang up on unsuspecting
travelers as well. One common scenario is the newspaper trick. A
group of children approach the unsuspecting tourist and ask for
money or try to sell you knick knacks as they jab at you with
newspapers or cardboard. The papers effectively block your view
of little hands fast at work, opening pockets, slashing belts,
and cleaning out your travel funds. If you do catch on, usually
the shock of being robbed by children delays your reaction a
moment more, making for a successful robbery.
Be Informed!
Know how they work:
Familiarize yourself with the typical scams thieves use to rob
travelers. By recognizing their time-tested scenarios ahead of
time, you will recognize situations to avoid, and keep your
attention focused on your valuables, not on their intentional
distractions.
Research the area:
Find out where the bad parts of the city or countryside are by
reading up on the country before you get there, and ask the
hotel staff for more specific information once you arrive.
Tourist offices and other areas promoting travel to a specific
region may be inclined to play down any negative aspects of the
area. Rely on newspapers, magazines and official agencies to
give you more unbiased information.
Read consular travel
warnings:
The U.S. Department of State Travel Warnings
Hotline 202-647-5225, is an invaluable source for large-scale
safety warnings regarding travel.
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possesions.
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We recommend keeping your valuables out of sight, and close to
your body, using a money belt, neck wallet, waist wallet, or
hidden
travel wallet.
If you prefer a day bag, consider using a bag with steel belted
straps that prevents cut and run theft. These steel cabled
straps foil most surgical blades, and keep your fanny pack,
purse or day bag from disappearing into the crowd.
A money belt looks like a regular belt, but includes a zippered
pouch for valuables. A neck wallet loops around your neck and
tucks comfortably down inside your shirt. A waist wallet is worn
like a belt beneath your garments next to your skin, where it
would be highly difficult for a casual thief to reach without
your knowledge. The hidden wallet attaches to your belt with a
choice of two colored loops for discretion in matching your
belt, or pins to your clothing. Once again, this item is worn
inside your clothing, out of sight.
Safety Tips
Do not draw attention to yourself by wearing fancy clothing or
jewelry. You are setting yourself up as a target. Instead, leave
the jewelry at home and wear travel clothes with special, hidden
security pockets. Choose looser fitting clothing that is not
only comfortable for travel, but also leaves room for more
subtle use of hidden security wallets.
Divide up your funds so that if your wallet is taken, you have a
back up supply (in your socks or elsewhere) to get you back on
track.
Don't show your money. Pickpockets observe travelers when
shopping, and then later know exactly where to lift your wallet.
If someone taps you on the right shoulder, train yourself to
turn to the left, and vice versa. This will prevent a purse from
being slipped off your opposite shoulder, or momentarily
diverting your attention.
If you must use a wallet, carry it in the front pocket, and put
a rubber band around it, or use a chain to attach it to your
clothing.
Don't accept food or drinks from strangers. They may contain
drugs that will knock you out, creating opportunity for a
thorough robbery or worse.
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