How to Protect Yourself From Pickpockets on Your Holiday
After all the effort you put into planning your holiday to ensure it all runs smoothly, nothing can put a spanner it the works like having your wallet or passport stolen. So here are a few top tips to prevent your special trip being ruined by pickpockets.
Leave your most precious items at home. If you have any special jewellery that you couldn’t bear to lose, don’t bring it. It’s not worth the risk.
Travel as light as possible. It’s much easy to keep an eye on one bag than several and with fewer items, it’s easier to keep track of what you have and haven’t got.
Never leave your bags unattended.
Try to blend in. The more you look like a tourist, the more likely you are to be targeted by thieves.
Before you leave home make copies of all important documents such as your passport and traveler’s cheques. Leave one copy at home with a friend or family member and take the other copy with you, keeping it separate from the actual documents.
Do not keep all of your valuables together. Even if you do become a victim of pickpockets, if your money is stored in different places, you will at least still have some.
Avoid carrying large sums of money. Carry only what you need for the day in your wallet and change traveler’s cheques as and when you need to. When paying for something never pull a large wad of cash out of your wallet. This only advertises to would-be pickpockets what you’ve got.
Do not carry your wallet in your back pocket. Keep it in the front pocket or in an inside jacket pocket if possible. Never pat it to check the wallet is still there. This shows pickpockets where it is.
Ladies, avoid carrying open tote bags. A pickpocket could easily slip a hand for a cross body bag with zips and a flap if possible.
Gentlemen, why not try a shoulder holster for your wallet, phone and passport. These are a great solution for keeping all your personal items safely tucked away.