How do you avoid pickpockets in Europe?

16 Tips to Outsmart Pickpockets and Thieves in Europe
  1. Know where the biggest threats lie. ...
  2. Research the most common pickpocketing scams. ...
  3. Don't have anything on you that's worth stealing. ...
  4. Put your passport and credit cards in an RFID wallet. ...
  5. Get an anti-theft bag. ...
  6. Be extra careful around popular tourist attractions.




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Outsmarting Pickpockets and Thieves
  1. Be prepared. ...
  2. Wear a money belt. ...
  3. Leave valuables in your hotel room. ...
  4. Secure your bag, gadgets, and other valuables when you're out and about. ...
  5. Stay vigilant in crowds and steer clear of commotions. ...
  6. Establish a don't lose it discipline. ...
  7. Leave a clue for honest finders.


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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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The safest and most convenient style of bag is a crossbody bag that you wear from one shoulder to the opposite hip. A thin flexible wire embedded in the strap makes it slash-resistant to thieves who cut bag straps and then run off with the bag.

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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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One of the most readily available sources of personal information is your purse or wallet, and a thief can do plenty with the contents. Your credit cards, debit cards, checkbook, and home information can give a criminal valuable material to work with, especially in terms of making a quick buck through account fraud.

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Crossbody bags are the best way to prevent pickpockets in Europe because they allow you to keep an eye on your valuables. While crossbodies are purses that are hard to pickpocket, make sure to keep them in front of you at all times when you're out and about.

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Secure Your Bag/Backpack Your bag or backpack is probably the most vulnerable area that pickpockets love to target. Backpacks are especially vulnerable because you can't see if someone is trying to get into it.

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Security experts say that crossbody handbags are a good bet since you can easily keep an eye on your belongings. With these bags, your items are safely secured to the front of you or your side via bag straps that go all the way around your body.

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