Pickpocketing is no longer just an occasional nuisance – it’s becoming a full-blown plague across Europe’s most popular tourist destinations. On a recent trip to Italy with my cousins, two of them fell victim to a slick and professional pickpocket operation in Florence. What happened to them should serve as a wake-up call for anyone planning to travel abroad this summer.
Public transportation in Europe is the epicenter for pickpockets – While boarding a public train en route to the Florence bus station, my cousins were surrounded by a small gang of young girls who looked like harmless commuters. As the train doors opened, the group surged forward, jostling for seats. One of the girls stepped deliberately on my cousin’s foot while another bumped into the second cousin’s side. Within seconds, the damage was done—both had their wallets stolen. One was taken from a front zippered pants pocket and the other from a zippered fanny pack.
It can happen so fast your head will be swimming – By the time they realized what had happened, the gang had exited at the very next stop. It was only quick thinking and fast action that prevented further financial pain. My cousins immediately contacted their credit card companies to report the theft. Even in the short five-minute window before the cards were frozen, the thieves had already attempted to charge $1,100 at a jewelry store and $500 elsewhere. Thankfully, the charges were flagged and denied.
These thieves are highly trained professionals – They know where tourists gather, they know how to distract you, and they know how to vanish before you know what hit you. The losses can go beyond money—passports, travel documents, and peace of mind are often casualties too.
Here are 6 things you can do to protect yourself from pickpockets:
1. Avoid carrying wallets in any outer pockets, especially zippered ones.
2. Use a money belt worn under your clothes, not a fanny pack or shoulder bag.
3. Stay vigilant in crowded areas and when using public transportation. I hold in my hand my wallet in my right pocket and my cell phone in my left pocket. If I ever fall down, I am in big trouble.
4. If you’re surrounded or bumped suddenly, immediately check your valuables. Stepping on people’s feet appears to be a new way that people distract you from feeling them grab your wallet.
5. Keep a backup credit card and ID separate from your primary wallet.
6. Know how to quickly lock or freeze your cards using your bank’s app.
As travel bounces back and tourists flood Europe’s cities, pickpockets are following the crowds. Don’t let your dream vacation turn into a nightmare. A few extra precautions can save you a lot of heartache and money.
3. Stay smart. Stay safe. And as always, simplify your travel.
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