Highlights:
• Always have a photocopy of the front and back of passports, debit and credit cards
• Email the photocopies to your our own email, accessible on any computer
• We also have photos on our phones of the same information
• Don’t carry all money in one place.
• Purses always go cross body with the purse on front of body (not side body).
• If using a backpack on public transportation, carry the pack in the front
• Guys consider a money belt that goes inside waistband of pants, or a money pocket you wear around your neck inside your shirt, necklace style
• Consult the maps, and have a good idea where you are headed, then put maps away.
Even for seasoned travelers like Mike and I, who take precautions and are incredibly careful wherever we go. Crime on a trip can be a nasty surprise.
We are “situationally aware” on public transportation, crowded tourist attractions, or a busy café. We don’t look up and point while looking at a map. We carry our money in a fastened front pocket. Purses are worn cross body with the bag in front. All the above techniques we practice to keep us from being a victim of crime when travelling.
Let me tell you about our close encounter. On our latest trip to Greece, in 2019, we had arrived the day before with our travelling companion Linda. The three of us had gotten a good night’s sleep and were well rested as we planned a morning trip and hike up to the Acropolis.
After a good breakfast and a quick check of google maps, we confirmed with the front desk of the hotel for specific directions to the closest subway which would take us there and off we went.
We had read about the increase in crime in large metropolitan areas especially Athens and Rome. Linda and I both wore our purses cross body, with the purse in front, rather than on the side of our bodies. Mike had his wallet in a Velcro sealed pocket on the side of his cargo shorts. Phones were put away so as not to be a further temptation or a quick grab target.
We purchased our ticket in the metro station and boarded the subway. The Athens subway is relatively modern & clean. Our exit was only two short stops away. The subway car was relatively full, so we were standing.
As we approached our stop, 2 men in front of us, by the door tried to pull the door open and appeared to be having great difficulty getting it open. The train was still moving slowly at this point. Big strong Mike leaned in to help wrangle to supposedly stuck doors. Linda and I were standing behind Mike waiting to exit. When the train finally stopped the whoosh of hydraulics sounded and the doors opened all by themselves, as they are supposed to do.
All of the sudden Mike grabbed a third man’s hand which contained Mike’s wallet. In all the commotion and intentional distraction of attempting to open a closed door and get ready to exit the train, this 3rd man in his late 50’s had picked Mike’s Velcro closed pocket and slipped out his wallet.
Thank goodness Mike felt it at the last minute and was able to grab his arm and take back his wallet with a few choice words for the thief. We hopped off the train as it was our stop. The pick pocket criminals did not. They stayed on the Metro as we each breathed a huge sigh of relief at our good fortune. IN PUBLIC PLACES BE EXTRA VIGILANT ABOUT WALLETS, PURSES, PHONES, CAMERA, & JEWELRY!
We quickly gathered ourselves on the platform and took a quick inventory to make sure nothing else was missing. Thank goodness all of our phones, money and credit cards were accounted for. We were all three shaken at what a close call we had just had with the thieves. We found a policeman inside our exit station and relayed the information to him. Unfortunately, the story foiling the pick pockets and of our narrow escape, got little more than a shrug of the shoulders from the policman. We were very, very lucky.
We did make our way to the Acropolis which was breathtaking with its ancient history, panoramic views and storied culture was everything we had hoped for. The rest of the day, we were hyper-vigilant after having had such a close call with pick pockets.
The next evening, we were scheduled to meet some friends, who were also travelling in Greece, for dinner at a seaside restaurant. They had arrived from the US the day before. Over dinner they recounted how they had traveled on the Metro on the way into their hotel from the airport. Not only had the husband had his wallet stolen from his pocket, 15 minutes later on the same journey, the wife had her wallet lifted from her purse. Her purse was only secured with a single button across the top – not ideal to foil pick pockets. They had lost about $800 US plus debit and credit cards. It took the better part of a day out of their vacation to deal with cancelling credit and debit cards, to order in replacements with express shipping, and file reports. It also changed their ferry and hotel reservations! IN PUBLIC PLACES BE EXTRA VIGILANT ABOUT WALLETS, PURSES, PHONES, CAMERA, & JEWELRY!
1. Always have a photocopy of the front and back of passports, debit and credit cards. We usually tuck this paper printout in between the lining of our luggage and the outside. This way it is very unobtrusive. It is important to have the information on the back of the cards because this is where the phone numbers are should you need to call customer service for a replacement.
2. As an extra step we take these same photocopies and email a copy of each to ourselves at our own email, so if you loose luggage and wallet, you can go to the internet and from your email get copies of Passport, ID’s, Credit Cards and most importantly Toll free numbers from the country you are traveling in.
3. We also have photos on our phones of the same information. However, if phone is in purse, and purse is stolen, it is important to have a paper copy backup back at the hotel. Do not rely solely on a photo on your phone. Have a well hidden paper backup copy
4. Don’t carry all money in one place. Find a couple of good hiding places in your luggage and toiletries and only take as much cash as you need for that particular day.
5. Purses always go cross body with the purse on front of body (not side body). If using a backpack on public transportation, carry the pack in the front. If it’s in the back, many pick pockets are so good they can unzip backpack and help themselves without you ever feeling it.
6. Guys consider a money belt that goes inside waistband of pants, or a money pocket you wear around your neck inside your shirt, necklace style. Both of these inexpensive items are available on Amazon or at a travel store. Both methods of keeping your valuables close on your person are a bit cumbersome when the time comes to pay, but well worth it to foil the pickpockets. Would you rather take an extra 30 seconds to pay, or lose your wallet?
7. When making your way to a destination, consult the maps, and have a good idea where you are headed, then put maps away. Nothing screams tourist, and puts a bullseye on you for the criminals, like looking and pointing. Stop at a café to check map or ask a shopkeeper. The idea is to blend in so as not to make yourself a target.
Stay safe and aware and enjoy your travels.
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