Avoiding pickpockets and scams in Europe

[cj'smom]

I'm sailing on the Med cruise in May. Thought this info might help others going to Europe.

Had a long talk with an American family who lived in Italy for many years. They said pickpockets are VERY common there and warned about the gypsies specifically. They work in teams to have one distract you (often a woman or child) while another one picks your pocket. One shocking ploy is to throw a baby at you. Of course the instant reaction is to reach out and catch the child so it won't be hurt - while you are doing that someone else picks your pocket or steals your belongings. Yikes!

Another one they told me about is they throw fake bird poo on you, point out that you got hit by a pigeon and offer to help wipe it off all the while helping themselves to your pockets!

Advice they had: if the gypsies start approaching you don't make eye contact, go quickly in the other direction, don't take out your wallet to give them money (they'll snatch it) even if it's a child begging, don't ride bus 64 in Rome (infamous for thievery), stay with a group.

Also use a hidden safety wallet (waist, neck, or leg) and consider buying a slashproof purse or backpack (thieves slash the straps right off your shoulders). In general try to blend in by dressing more European - more muted colors and overall dressier than American casual. Said typical American white sneakers stick out like a sore thumb, lol!

I'd imagine much of the advice would apply in Barcelona and other cities also. I'd love to hear advice from anyone else or stories if you were scammed/pickpocketed and what happened so maybe the rest of us can avoid that. None of us want to have our cruise ruined by falling victim to scams or thievery.

 

[woody73]

Here's another thread on pickpockets and scams. Thread

Woody

 

[Tink rules]

Hi Woody... are you doing the WBTA??

 

[jdybnsn]

Pick pockets are notorious in the Ramblas district of Barcelona (especially as people stand and watch the street entertainers !) and on their subway system too !...so be very careful !
Sad to say, I have heard of people getting their wallet taken by children when they wrongly assumed it was safe to carry it in their knee level trouser pocket !

 

[cseca]

I heard sometimes they would use little kids to distract you as well (have never heard the baby throwing story before. That is just sick) while another person pick you.

Basically wherever you go ALWAYS carry your valuables in front of you. Hold your purse opening with your hands at all times.

 

[Hanover]

We knew about pickpockets before we did the Med cruise in 2007, but were surprised that both my DH and I had a male/female couple try to pickpocket both of us right in the airport as we were going out through the doors to the transfer bus. The woman tried to push me faster while trying to unzip my bag and as I turned quickly I saw her partner trying to unzip my husbands back pack. The man had a duffle bag open, ready to collect. Luckily I had a zip tie on mine and my DH didn't have anything in the zipper they went into. We carried our bags in front of us when we went home through the airport. They had stations where luggage was Seran wrapped and tons of people were having that done so no one could take anything out or put anything in their luggage. When I got home and uploaded photos, I realized that I even had a picture of the couple that tried to steal from us since I took a picture of the Mickey hands being raised for the transfer bus and they were nearby.

We heard various pickpocket/theft stories on our cruise including our stateroom host was supposed to have a different roommate but her purse got pickpocketed at the airport and she had to return to her home country for a new passport, etc.

Our DVC guide was on a crowded bus in Rome and had someone go into his camera he was holding and take his SD card. He said he also saw someone on a moped zip by near the Colleseum and steal someone's camera as they took photos.

We did have kids in Florence come into our tour group and the tour guide started yelling in Italian at them and they ran away. She told us to stick tight together and keep everything in front of us.

My husband and I kept our money in a neck wallet tucked in our shirts. I wore our camera in front around my neck. I left all my jewelry in our safe onboard except my wedding ring. If we did anything on our own outside a DCL sponsored tour, we tried to stay away from tight crowds where anyone would be pressed against us and steal. We did not let our boys carry any money at all.

The thing that irritated me the most was at the Trevi Fountain, my boys threw in Euros after making a wish and a guy next to me took out an expandable baton with a magnet and took them right out. His pockets were filled. I yelled at him but he ignored me and continued to steal lots of other wishes.

 

[RedSox68]

We, too, cruised in the Med on Disney in 2007. We must have been EXTREMELY fortunate -- we never had one single incident in any of the ports we were at. And we even walked around the gothic section in Barcelona on our own into the night. However, my husband did not carry a wallet and kept his incidentals in an inside pocket in the front of his shirt. My daughter and I had safety purses (the type that's can't be cut through) and we wore them directly in front of us strapped across our body. We did have friends in another group, however, who were pickpocted and also someone tried to snatch one of their cameras!

The gypsies in Italy were everywhere -- but we just avoided eye contact or walking near them. If children approach you, put your hands in your pocket. They will thrust things into them and then start yelling that you didn't pay for them!

There are also many many street vendors whose items are laying on blankets in the squares. Our tour guide told us they are illegal and if you are caught buying from them you can be arrested. We would see the police run in and they would snatch up their blankets (items and all) and run.

As for Trevi Fountain, do as our guide did -- use US pennies. They're not worth anything to them over there and you get to keep your wish

 

[Hanover]

I wish we'd have had U.S. pennies on us for the wishes!

We saw the people with the blankets selling pursers and other items in Pisa and in Rome and as soon as police would come, they'd whip those things up in seconds and were halfway down the street. The ones we saw had some kind of elastic on the outer rims and they had a stick and carried them like Tom Sawyer! Even the guys that set up purses on cardboard box stands could pack up in 3 seconds flat and run!

 

[Goofy Mum]

I think the problem lies everywhere not just in Italy. One just has to be vigilant. I lived in Italy for three months and never had a problem. I noticed a lot of posters mentioned how to carry purses. Well I would suggest not to carry a purse at all unless it's absolutely needed. I wear cargo pants. I keep my money in my front pocket zipped up. Phone, lipstick, camera or other things I may need I simply keep in other zipped up pockets in the cargo pants. I've seen pics on here of DCL folks walking through towns with their DCL badge around their neck. Could there be anymore of an obvious sign they're a tourist? It's just not being smart.
I think the best thing to do IMHO is to try to blend in as much as possible. Always walk as if you know exactly where you're going. Walk with confidence, don't carry any valuables in bags/purses and don't wear expensive jewelry. I found by doing these things, the pickpockets will move on to easier prey.

 

[bound2travel]

I'm sailing on the Med cruise in May. Thought this info might help others going to Europe.

Had a long talk with an American family who lived in Italy for many years. They said pickpockets are VERY common there and warned about the gypsies specifically. They work in teams to have one distract you (often a woman or child) while another one picks your pocket. One shocking ploy is to throw a baby at you. Of course the instant reaction is to reach out and catch the child so it won't be hurt - while you are doing that someone else picks your pocket or steals your belongings. Yikes!

Another one they told me about is they throw fake bird poo on you, point out that you got hit by a pigeon and offer to help wipe it off all the while helping themselves to your pockets!

Advice they had: if the gypsies start approaching you don't make eye contact, go quickly in the other direction, don't take out your wallet to give them money (they'll snatch it) even if it's a child begging, don't ride bus 64 in Rome (infamous for thievery), stay with a group.

Also use a hidden safety wallet (waist, neck, or leg) and consider buying a slashproof purse or backpack (thieves slash the straps right off your shoulders). In general try to blend in by dressing more European - more muted colors and overall dressier than American casual. Said typical American white sneakers stick out like a sore thumb, lol!

I'd imagine much of the advice would apply in Barcelona and other cities also. I'd love to hear advice from anyone else or stories if you were scammed/pickpocketed and what happened so maybe the rest of us can avoid that. None of us want to have our cruise ruined by falling victim to scams or thievery.

When I was in Rome on a tour, a girl in our group had her purse stolen from a group of people. One pushed her down and while another was being "helpful" getting her to her feet, another stole her purse.

a friend of mine was on a different tour had was carrying about 200 in cash as she was going back to a store to buy a dress. Instead of the "bird poo" scam, she was spit on by a woman. Then purse stolen while someone was being "helpful" in cleaning her up.

All sorts of scams. That's why I like my fanny pack (wear in the front) and a money belt tucked in my jeans. If it is cool or cold, my jacket goes over the fanny back so they can't get to the straps to cut them.

Kristi

 

[RedSox68]

Another thing we were told was DO NOT walk around with a tour guide and map. If possible, try to organize your sightseeing for the day before you get off the ship -- or take out the guide/map while sitting for coffee or lunch. Walking around with them in your hand pointing and looking puzzled is a dead giveaway.

I like my travel bag because I can keep my hand on it or arm over it the whole time. We've also heard of people being pickpocted from front pockets even with zippers. These people are very good and very fast! My husband also wears the neck wallet tucked inside his shirt and I have a waist one for inside my jeans. Those are where we put the money, credit card and and traveller's checks!

There is a terrific travel vest offered by Magellan's that has inside pockets and zippers. Since we'll be travelling in June when the weather is damp and/or chilly sometimes, we're thinking that might be a good option.

 

[xangav]

We went on the 2007 Med cruise and had no problem at all walking around Barcelona. In fact, one Spanish woman tried to as me something while we waited for the train to La Sagrada. She looked very taken aback when I spoke English and said I didn't understand her.

Now, I was born in England to Dutch immigrant parents and my husband is first generation American from Irish immigrants so we don't look like your "typical americans". But we still did our best to blend in before we took this trip. I also lived in Holland, Germany, and Turkey as a child.

I have to agree with Goofy Mum. If you are really worried then try to blend in a little more. We could always pick out Americans before they said a word just by their behavior and dress. Some were down right rude.

In Pisa we were perusing the wares sold by the vendors and an American woman walked up asking about postage or where to mail something (can't remember exactly). When the Italian woman stared at her blankly she started gettting irate and started raising her voice as if that would make the woman understand English. Try learning some phrases before you go like "please and thank you" A little politeness goes a long way........

 

[OurDogCisco]

Wow... I gotta say we experienced nothing like previous posters have mentioned. Although, I did read all the warning messages prior to going, it didn't seem like any of the things happened to us. I remember reading about someone will distract you while the other steals. Maybe because we were traveling in a group of 2 adults and 2 kids we didn't look like good canditates. Or because we are tall people. We did carry a PacSafe Backpack. I liked it but it was heavy and hot especially in Italy. I think, for our Baltic Cruise it will be perfect as it is not as hot. We were never in situation where kids ran up to us or anything like some people have described. We did see the tag teams though. They are VERY easy to spot. At least I thought they were. Both would be on walkie talkies and they didn't blend in with the crowds. They wore weird clothing as well. We noticed them in France the most especially when we stopped in Aix En Provence.

 

[OurDogCisco]

In Pisa we were perusing the wares sold by the vendors and an American woman walked up asking about postage or where to mail something (can't remember exactly). When the Italian woman stared at her blankly she started gettting irate and started raising her voice as if that would make the woman understand English. Try learning some phrases before you go like "please and thank you" A little politeness goes a long way........

You know, I really hate when people ASSUME it is only Americans that are rude. I just really get annoyed when people make assumptions based on one experience. Honestly, I thought most people in Italy were rude to us. I'm not talking about store keepers or vendors. I thought mostly the waiters/waitresses and our tour guides were very rude. They seem have to have this attitude with us. I never really complained on some of our tours but I probably should have. There was only one tour that it really annoyed me. The lady was just plan rude. She acted like we were inconveniencing her because she had to get up early to meet our tour. She told us that. I couldn't believe it. This was for the PISA/Florence tour. However, we had lunch on the Amalfi coast and the waiter was just wonderful. Some of the experiences we had didn't leave a great taste in my mouth either. I think, in general everyone is pretty rude these days. I don't think it has to do anything with what country you are from.

 

[DCL~Dreamer]

I agree with OurDogCisco...when we were in Italy for one month in August of 2003, we were surprised how rude most of the Italians were! My husband was born in Italy and we were shocked to see what went on over there! We had pizza for dinner one night while in Rome and it was horrible, it was like a crisp tortilla with sauce and cheese on it. I couldn't eat it and I told my husband's cousin that I wanted to send it back...he said you don't do that in Italy. I didn't want to make a stink about it, so my husband shared his dinner with me. When we were paying, my husband told the man at the counter that the pizza wasn't very good and he slammed down our change and pointed to the door and told us to not come back and go somewhere else!!! The people in the shops, in general, were rude and not helpful in the area of Rome; up Florence and Venice, the shop owners were wonderful.

As for pick-pockets, they were there but they focused more on tour groups. In Rome it was the worst, as it was little kids who did the stealing! They were in the streets and on the subway! One night we were on the subway at midnight and these little kids (ages 7 to 10?) were still hanging around the subway! These kids are not Italian kids; we were told they come in from eastern europe and their parents teach them how to pick-pocket!

My father was pick-pocketed by little kids several years ago while in Rome at St. Peter's. He and my mother were walking back to the tour bus when the kids surrounded him and holding their hands out. My father said he shook his head 'no' and the kids hugged him, which is when they probably stole his wallet and his passport! My father didn't realize what they were doing until someone on the tour bus yelled out to my father what the kids were doing and the kids then ran away. The tour guide dropped my parents off at the police station to report it, but the Italian police could care less. My Dad had to call the American Embassy and they were able to issue him a new passport or a temporary passport (can't remember) so he can get home. After my parents left Italy, they went to Ireland and they said there were little kids stealing in Galway, and these kids were not from Ireland either! I guess it is something that is happening all over.

While we were in all of Italy, it was very easy to guess who was from the US by the clothes they wore. A previous poster stated not to wear white sneakers while in Europe and I totally agree, this is an indication you are from America! Italians/Europeans do not wear white sneakers...they tend to dress up a lot more than Americans do.

My husband's relatives also told us that if you ask the Italian police a 'tourist' question, that they expect to be paid to answer your questions. Not sure if this is true, as we were traveling with my husband's cousin who knew where he was going. He did ask a taxi driver which bus went where and the taxi driver started yelling at him! Not very friendly! Going to the north of Italy was totally different than the south, it was MUCH cleaner up north and the people were a tiny bit friendlier. My husband's cousin came to visit us a year later and commented to us how friendly American's are! Italy was not a very friendly country, but I would go back again because the history and sights were breathtaking.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Whilst I can appreciate the need to be careful, and it is a worthy thread to consider dangers, but as a European, who travels a lot in Europe, its no worse than any other major city in the World.

La Rambla is a hot spot so take care, I stayed in Barcelona 7 nights pre cruise in 2007, walked up/down La Rambla and other streets day and night, no problem, also stayed there in 1993 without an issue.

Rome, been there twice, no issues, yes be careful in central Rome,

Sightseeing= tourists= money & credit cards, = target.

But thats anywhere in the world.

I love USA, and the people there, when I started going there I was worried by what I saw on TV and the movies, My family worried about Guns etc, I have grown to understand that crime is very low overall, but does occur.

I take precautions in USA, the same as I do in Europe.

I say this as people can *worry* a bit too much, thinking, its a hotbed of crime, it is not, enjoy your time in Europe, take sensible precautions.

 

[Melcatfish]

I was just going to say that as a European it is interesting to see US residents worrying about crime abroad. A lot of Europeans are worried about travelling to the US because of the reputation for gang and gun crime.

I guess the advice for all travellers regardless of where you are from and where you are going is be sensible, be vigilant and think about how to keep yourself and your valuables safe before you set out in the morning.

Mel
x

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I was just going to say that as a European it is interesting to see US residents worrying about crime abroad. A lot of Europeans are worried about travelling to the US because of the reputation for gang and gun crime.

I guess the advice for all travellers regardless of where you are from and where you are going is be sensible, be vigilant and think about how to keep yourself and your valuables safe before you set out in the morning.

Mel
x

Agree.

We are always told about the *bump* to the back of a hire car, and drive onto a petrol station in USA...

My point is don't over worry, be careful, be streetwise, wherever you are..

 

[Goofy Mum]

I was just going to say that as a European it is interesting to see US residents worrying about crime abroad. A lot of Europeans are worried about travelling to the US because of the reputation for gang and gun crime.

I guess the advice for all travellers regardless of where you are from and where you are going is be sensible, be vigilant and think about how to keep yourself and your valuables safe before you set out in the morning.

Mel
x

I find it intersting also. I've been fortunate enough not to have experienced any sort of petty theft, burglary or the like. But members of my family in the States have. My mother has been assaulted..her bag snatched, my grandmother had a necklace pulled straight off her neck, and her house has been burgled too many times to think about.
Again, living in the UK I've been fortunate however I remain vigilant always. Dare I say the only time I feel unsafe is when I travel back to the US. I guess I watch too much American news.

 

[GuardMusic]

Just went to Europe this summer. BFF & both bought PacSafe bags. They are PERFECT. We felt very safe with them, fashionable, & tons of options depending on what you need to carry, etc. Check them out!

Gayle