You have likely seen movies where pickpockets take people’s possessions without their knowledge.  However, this may give you an inaccurate interpretation of how pickpockets frequently operate. While it is true that they will often bump into somebody to create a distraction, pickpockets have multiple other ways of getting your money before you are aware that you have been robbed. While you may be at greater risk when you’re traveling somewhere you are unfamiliar, do not underestimate the risk of a pickpocket taking your wallet in your day-to-day life.


Pickpockets are professionals, and they are very good at choosing their targets. This is why basic awareness and prevention are so important in protecting your money, identification and credit cards.

Methods

Anyone can be a potential pickpocket. The most successful thieves are the ones who can blend in well with a crowd. An elderly lady, a young child or a well-dressed man are all just as likely to be pickpockets as the suspicious types of people that you likely picture in your mind.

Pickpockets often do not work alone. They frequently work in teams to help find targets, create distraction and get away without being noticed. This makes pickpocket detection more difficult, because there is often one or more assistants around you that are helping with the theft without your knowledge.

Crowded places are ideal for pickpockets to work their craft. Tourist attractions, subways, airports, restaurants and busy crosswalks all provide a constant stream of moving pedestrian traffic that allows a pickpocket to work efficiently and quickly.

Pickpockets rely on distraction a lot of the time when taking a wallet or a watch. While a thief will frequently bump into somebody he is robbing, the distraction is often more elaborate than that. For example, someone may stop right in front of you and either fall over or bend over to tie a shoe or pick up something. While you are momentarily stopped and distracted by that person, someone else can be taking your possessions from your pockets.

Another common tactic is for two assistants to pretend to get into a confrontation or fight. As a crowd surrounds the incident, one or more pickpockets make their way through the onlookers and take whatever is available. They then leave and the two assistants “make up” or go their separate ways so the crowd dissipates.

Children are unfortunately often used in pickpocketing schemes. They are less likely to be suspected and, if they get caught, they are not going to be arrested like an adult would be. The adult will often provide a distraction, such as begging for money. The children will then raid your pockets while you are talking to the adult. The lesson here is not to take anything for granted.

More aggressive pickpockets will sometimes cut open a purse with a sharp blade and pull the contents out before you are aware of what is happening.

Pickpocket Prevention

Wear a money belt if you are going somewhere you’ve never been before or traveling overseas. The money belt fits under your shirt, so that you can carry money, ID and other important items in a way that makes them much harder to steal. The belt may be uncomfortable, and it is not the most convenient to use on a regular basis. However, it is especially useful when you are traveling.

Wrap a rubber band around your wallet. This makes it much harder to pull the wallet out of a pocket without you feeling it. Keep your wallet in a side pocket or in a zippered pouch if your clothing has one. It is much easier for pickpockets to steal things out of your back pocket, especially if that pocket is unsecured.

Avoid carrying all of your cash and credit cards at the same time. Limit what you carry any time you go out to reduce your losses should something get stolen. Keep color photocopies of all of your identification. This is useful in the event of ID theft, and can make it easier for you to get replacements. Keep the photocopies separate from the originals at all times. Avoid wearing valuable items such as jewelry when you’re going out to a place that you perceive to be higher risk. Pickpockets target those that they believe have money.

If you are wearing a backpack, lock the zippers together to make the bag harder to open. Choose a more durable material if possible to make it harder to cut the bag open without you noticing.

If someone does bump into you or you see what could be a distraction, immediately check your belongings. Pickpockets are also less likely to target those that they perceive to be more aware of what is going on around them.

Theft is a constant threat, whether you are in your home, out in public or in your car. While it is not useful to worry excessively about these risks, it is very useful to be aware of them. This helps you develop good habits over time that greatly reduce your chances of being victimized. There is no way of staying 100% safe, but you can greatly increase your odds.