I would like to apologize to the friends, family, and strangers about whom I’ve said negative things when you were pickpocketed. I thought that if you'd known everything I know about how to secure wallets, you never would have lost yours. I was wrong.
A pickpocket targeted me in Dubrovnik last month inside a gelato shop (talk about being punished for gluttony!). I was overwhelmed by a desire to get out of the jam-packed store, and when I abandoned all my pocketbook principles in favor of a quick exit, a woman saw her opportunity and grabbed it.
On the bright side, she taught me a few things. Here are five ways I’ll travel differently from now on.
1. I’ll leave all non-essential cards and documents at home.
I emptied out my wallet a bit before I left home, but I could have done a better job. There was no reason for me to carry my driver’s license, for example, and now I’m still waiting on a replacement! (Ahem, New York State DMV.)
2. I won’t withdraw large sums of cash at once.
I’ve always withdrawn wads of foreign currency at a time under the theory that I was keeping ATM fees to a minimum. I found out it’s not worth the risk; next time, I’ll pay the five dollars!
3. I’ll divide my cash and credit cards into at least two stashes.
I generally try to be good about carrying half of my funds in a money belt or suitcase and half in a wallet or secure pocket, but from now on, I will always do that. If half gets stolen, at least I’ll have backup cards.
4. I’ll remember that I brought that zippered purse for a reason.
And it wasn’t because it’s cute. Leaving my purse unzipped for 30 seconds to get out of a crowded store certainly cost me, and was completely avoidable.
5. I will travel with the phone numbers of my credit-card companies.
As I was scrambling to find the numbers on the Internet, I couldn’t help thinking that having them on hand would have saved a lot of time during post-pickpocket cleanup.
Has anyone else been pickpocketed despite your travel savvy—and learned any lessons to add to these five?
Photo courtesy of IgoUgo member Ishtar
Comments
Oct 14, 2009
Nothing good ever comes of cute purses and travel. Ditto shoes.
Oct 15, 2009
I was robbed inside the MGM Hotel in Vegas, a few years ago. I had just hit the jack pot and cashed in and went back to play the machine again and put my purse down between my legs as I was pulling the slots and a woman came up behind me throw a quarter on the floor and grabbed my purse, it was done so slick I didnt even know it happen untill another lady said did you own a brown purse and I said yes and she told me that a lady had just grabbed and ran out the door, I ran after her and got the license number of the car waiting by the door , and 45 minutes later the police had them caught , but when I went to the police station , I told them exactly the amount I stole and the asked me for the serial numbers on the bills, What?? they kept my money and I got nothing, I had to catch a plane in hr to fly back and the police were just as much a crook. I did put a claim on my home owners insurance for $60.00 for the purse they sliced up with a knife.
Oct 16, 2009
Can you please tell me how many pounds I am allowed to take with me without being charged? And may I take on a reasonable carryon? I have a medical problem and I have to take along medical equipment that takes up quite a bit of room. Please advise me. Thank you.
Oct 16, 2009
I learned the hard way that a zippered purse won't stop a pickpocket. If you choose to carry a purse, sling it around your neck in front of you, even if it looks dorky. Program your cell phone with the phone numbers you'll need. Never carry more on your person than you're willing to lose. Really slick pickpockets will use diversions created by others. Mine took advantage of confusion at a Megabus queue: we were suddenly backing off the bus to accomodate a person who saw her elderly parents to their seats, then got off herself. As I was backing off the bus, trying to see what was going on, the perp took my wallet. Now I carry only enough cash for the day and put my credit card in my bra. BTW, the credit card company recommended NOT signing the back of the card. Instead use the signature space to write "see photo I.D."
In thirty + years of travel, this was the first time I was victimized. Just thankful I wasn't injured in any way.
Oct 19, 2009
In response to Linda:
Whether your credit card is signed or not makes little difference. I have been carrying a card for years unsigned and only once did a clerk ask for a second ID. I thanked that clerk for asking. Most clerks if at all will just quickly flip the card over and not even compare signatures. Lots of stores don't even ask to look at your card.
Thankfully I have never been pick pocketed but have had a fellow navy sailor rifle through my wallet while on a submarine. Just goes to show you can't even trust your shipmates.
Oct 19, 2009
I really liked this point "I’ll divide my cash and credit cards into at least two stashes". I will try this.