Does Spain have a pickpocket problem?

We hear stories about people losing their phones, documents, wallets and bags all the time. Enrique had tourists who got pickpocket on the tour, once he even confronted the thief and obligated to return the stolen things. I myself became a victim of pickpocketing 8 times. Eight!



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Exchanging currency in cash is very costly If you're just taking a simple trip abroad, you can avoid unnecessary stress if you use ATMs to withdraw money when you need it in Spain. If you're carrying a lot of cash, security can also be an issue as you could make yourself a target for thieves.

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Forbidden names Most would think choosing a name for a newborn is one of the fundamental rights of a parent, but in Spain, it is forbidden to call a child Cain, Judas or Lenin.

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Your clothes are a dead giveaway. The stereotype is true: American tourists stick out like a sore thumb when they travel, making them prime targets for pickpockets. Instead of throwing on a T-shirt to rep your alma mater, try to dress like the locals.

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How To Avoid Pickpockets When Traveling In Cities
  1. Be Extra Aware In Certain Areas.
  2. Don't Let Looks Fool You.
  3. Know Common Pickpocket Scams.
  4. Leave Valuables Locked In Your Hotel.
  5. Look Like A Local.
  6. Wearing A Money Belt To Avoid Pickpockets.
  7. Invest In A Pickpocket Proof Bag or Pickpocket Proof Wallet.


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The criminals in this city are not looking to hurt anyone, but they are looking to take advantage of oblivious tourists. The sad truth is that nonviolent crime, especially pick-pocketing, is pretty common. However, if you are informed, aware and know what to look for, you should be in the clear.

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On the metro or in very crowded touristic areas, wear your bag in front. Ladies should carry purses with a thicker strap if possible and across the body, not on the shoulder. When in a restaurant, don't sling your purse over the chair (this is an easy target) or haphazardly on the floor.

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The currency of Spain is the Euro (€). U.S. dollars are not accepted.

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Expect to need cash for things like coffee and tapas, and anytime you need to make a purchase for anything between €10 and €20. When you're visiting the larger cities of Madrid, Barcelona and Seville, you should be able to live on your credit and debit cards.

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Tipping in Spain works differently: The customer actually has the option to not leave any tip at all. However, restaurants expect a 10% tip on each bill—although it's not a formal rule, and that percentage is much lower than tipping practices in other countries.

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Who do pickpockets target? Pickpockets look for distracted and unaware travelers. “That's not to say that anyone can be prey, but if you're engrossed in your phone, you're less attentive to what's going on around you,” said Maria Pasquale, a Rome-based travel journalist and author.

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Go to any Police Station (Comisaría) or Citizens Advice Bureau to file a report (denuncia)
  1. Police Stations are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
  2. Remember that the Spanish police are not necessarily multilingual, the police station for the 'Mossos d'Esquadra' can provide an English speaker with whom to make a report.


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