<strong>Photo by Bruger:Twid (via Wikimedia Commons)</strong>

Pickpockets: What to Watch For & How to Protect Yourself

Compared to many other tourist-rich countries Italy is relatively safe and in most places you don't have to be worried to walk alone or at night. Of course, like anywhere, if there are many people and especially a lot of tourists there is always the chance for crimes like pickpocketing. While one can never protect themselves fully there are certainly steps you can take to make sure you're not the victim of a pick pocket while in Italy.

1. Beware of Children

We all love children and we all definitely feel when we see

<strong>Warning pickpockets sign </strong>

2. Street Bumping

One technique that is very popular and can be extremely damaging to your wallet is "bumping." A man or a woman accidentally bumps into the victim and rapidly steals their wallet or is assisted by an accomplice that takes advantage of the confusion caused by the bumping and pickpockets. Be aware as these people are professionals and any theft during a bumping will occur at lightning fast speeds and many only realize their wallets are missing later on when they go to use them.

3. Lost & Recovered Wallet

The best strategy to steal money is actually the one where the thieves pretend to be honest. After stealing a wallet, a wristwatch or a piece of jewelry (often while using the bumping technique described above) the thief actually returns it to the victim, pretending to have found the goods on the ground. At this point the victim is happy and although surprised, is usually willing to pay a reward. In this way, cash is earned out of a crime and the victim is very "happy" to have been robbed even if they're not aware it happened.

<strong><strong><strong><strong>Symbolic for safety precautions on either spending money or pick-pocketing.</strong></strong></strong></strong>

4. Sliding a Purse

This usually happens when in very crowded areas or on a bus. Someone using a shaving blade to slice the purse open and take whatever is inside. It is very common for the owner of the purse, the bag or laptop case to not feel anything and to carry on to eventually find a very unpleasant surprise.

5. Scooter Steal and Run

A very dangerous scenario is when a thief runs on a scooter and steals a bag or a purse. The elderly are often a target of this scheme as they are slower to react, but it could happen to anyone. This particular trick is very dangerous because it is a spontaneous reaction to defend our own property and that often leads to falling behind the scooter, causing major injuries.

6. Mom Holding a Baby

This is by far the most despicable scenario when it comes to small theft and pickpocketing techniques. Here the thief, usually a female, holds a baby to attract attention and appealing for money from passersby. When people stop to offer money either the woman, or another child, will steal from the unwitting victim.

Brave and shameless pickpockets in Italy.

7. Gang Surrounding

This is likely the most terrifying type of robbery and difficult to defend against. If you're surrounded by one or more people threatening you, often with a weapon, the best thing to do is give up all your belongings immediately.

8. Credit Card Forging

While this is not an act of pick pocketing per se it still represents a theft, which is very hard to detect in real time. It happens in restaurants and retail places just like it does in North America. The credit card is given to be charged and it is cloned then returned to the customers. At this point a forged credit card is made and third parties can access your credit. It is almost impossible to realize what has happened unless you constantly monitor your spending. It can be really dangerous when check cards are used, as cash is taken out from the account and extremely difficult to recoup.

Pickpockets in Rome.

9. Keep Money Hard to Reach

Pickpockets are often very skilled and the best way to protect against them is to make their jobs harder. Don't keep your money or wallet in the back pockets of your pants and don't carry a very large bag. Instead, think about storing money in your front pockets, in your shoe or in a crossbody bag. Also, if travelling in a group split up funds so even if one person is robbed not everything will be gone. It's also a good idea not to walk around with more than you need in your pockets. Purses and luggage should never be left unattended. Ladies try not to leave purses hanging on the back of chairs or under tables in restaurants.

10. If Something Does Happen...

Don't feel embarrassed, things like this happen to everyone and Italians are victims just as often as tourists. Keep calm and dial 113 (the Italian equivalent of 911).

Safe Travels!