Among all of the thrilling and captivating moments that travel can offer, pickpocketing is not one of them. Pickpocketing is among the top concerns of travelers and is, unfortunately, a harsh reality of travel. Our team has experienced pickpocket theft first-hand and heard countless stories about it from our community. However, pickpocketing should never stop you from booking that flight—with the right research and preparation, it can be avoided entirely. So, continue reading to discover six safe travel tips for how to prevent pickpockets. Because needing to outsmart a pickpocket attempt is not a question of if—but when.
One: Be Vigilant in Crowded Places
This applies to all travel, even when you're going off the beaten path. True, you probably won't encounter a pickpocket while backpacking through the remote wilderness of Patagonia, but you are likely to cross paths with one while making your way there. Transportation hubs like airports and train stations are extremely common areas for pickpockets. They rely on the distracting hustle and bustle to carry out their schemes. Other crowded places include:
● City centers
● Public transportation
● Markets
● Events like concerts or festivals.
Whenever you're in a crowded place, pay attention. Keep your head up and stay alert. Avoid staring at your phone, looking lost, and wearing headphones. In other words, don't advertise that you might be distracted. Active focus is only one part of staying vigilant; it's equally important to prepare by keeping your valuables in hard-to-reach places.
On pants, front pockets are a much safer holding place than back pockets—this is a pickpocket's specialty. Regarding bags, a shoulder bag isn't going to be as safe as a crossbody purse. Wear your bag in front of you and keep it close; you can protect it further by wearing it underneath your jacket.
Two: Invest in Anti-Theft Bags
When you're preparing to outsmart pickpockets, it's key to advertise that you would make a difficult target. Carrying an anti-theft bag is a great way to achieve this. There are plenty of anti-theft bags on the market that can protect your stuff, but often, a bag built for security is lacking in comfort and style. Sherpani's Anti-Theft Collection offers the best of both worlds: chic, lightweight travel bags with state-of-the-art security features.
Investing in an anti-theft bag will protect not only your stuff but also your sanity. The value of a trusty travel bag is doubled by the peace of mind it provides. Carrying an anti-theft bag allows you to travel with confidence and embrace your adventure.
Sherpani's anti-theft designs offer zipper locks to deter pickpockets, allowing you to focus on other priorities during your travels. Each bag features lockable exterior pockets and a clip lock for the main compartment. Extra security measures include slash-proof fabric, a chair lock loop, and built-in RFID protection.
Three: Use a Money Belt to Safeguard Valuables
Your passport and credit cards are your most important travel commodities. Never set these valuables down in a public space, not on a coffee counter, a patio table, or the surface of an airport kiosk. Keeping them on your person at all times is essential, and the closer, the better! We suggest storing your passport, cards, cash, and other high-value items in a money belt that can be worn discretely under your clothes.
Spreading out your valuables is a smart travel tactic; avoid having all your money in one location. Divide your cash into smaller amounts, keeping some in your wallet, leaving some at the hotel, and carrying some on your person.
Four: Research Common Pickpocket Scams
Pickpocketing is rarely a random or impulsive act. Most often, it is a calculated play, and it can be pretty involved. Knowing how pickpockets operate can help you determine what to watch out for.
Remember that pickpockets…
● Can be anybody! Pickpockets come in all shapes and sizes, they can be any age or gender and may even use a disguise. The uniformed "security guard" who wants to inspect your bag or the "fellow tourist" who stops you for directions could very well be working an angle. Watch out for shady characters and trust your intuition.
● Often work together. It's incredibly common for pickpockets to work in pairs. One will initiate a distraction, while the other uses nimble fingers to lift your wallet from your purse.
● Rely on diversions. Pickpockets thrive on commotion, and most have a vast playbook to draw from. They might cause a scene by falling, yelling, or knocking something over. They also might engage you directly by bumping into you, striking up a conversation, or offering to take your picture.
● Look for easy targets. Slight-of-hand isn't a pickpocket's only skill, they are also expert people-watchers. They can recognize a confused tourist in a flash and often keep track of who has had a few drinks. Generally speaking, pickpockets won't waste their time targeting someone who is fully alert, especially if they have taken observable safety measures.
If your destination has a reputation as a pickpocket hotspot, we suggest you read about pickpocket encounters that have happened in that specific location. Blogs and forums are teeming with tips and hacks, and you can learn how to prevent petty theft directly from folks who have already been through it.
Five: Embrace Technology
The world is becoming an increasingly cashless place, which you can use to your advantage. Embracing mobile payment methods will reduce the amount of cash you need to keep on hand and, therefore, the risk of losing it to a pickpocket. However, unlike pickpocketing, some thefts don't require physical contact.
Unauthorized scanning is a potential drawback of cashless payments. Cyber thieves use RFID scanners, but this can be prevented with RFID-blocking technology. Sherpani bags come with RFID protection, and we also offer RFID travel wallets and guards for your passport and credit cards.
Six: Leave Valuables Locked in Your Hotel
Every morning, before heading out from your hotel for the day, assess what you truly need. You don't have to carry your passport, all your cash, or every credit card every day of your trip. Only pack your purse with essentials and leave the rest behind. Any valuables not needed for the day should be stored in your hotel safe.
Exercise caution with other valuables such as watches, fine jewelry, and electronics. Exposing these on vacation can attract a pickpocket's attention. Consider leaving these items at home or embracing alternatives for your trip; many women even opt to travel with a fake wedding ring!
Outsmarting Pickpockets is Not Impossible
We hope you now feel you have plenty of travel tips and hacks to use on your next vacation. Let us be clear: this post is intended to inform, not intimidate. With preparation and awareness, safe travel is very achievable. You've already minimized your risk of being pickpocketed just by reading this article—knowledge is power!
It can be easy to fixate on what can go wrong, but it's important to remember that so much can go right! The world is full of beautiful places and kind people who call them home. There is so much to be gained from getting out there and seeing the world. At Sherpani, we work hard so women can travel with confidence, by arming them with information and outfitting them with the best anti-theft bags around.
We trust that you now feel confident and prepared to embark on your upcoming vacation with boundless excitement. With proper preparation and awareness, safe travel is completely achievable and, typically, the norm.
Remember: this post is meant to educate, not intimidate! While it's easy to focus on potential mishaps, it's important to remember that even more can go right—and there is much to gain from exploring the world. At Sherpani, we strive to empower women to travel confidently by providing them with essential information and equipping them with the best-in-class anti-theft bags available.
Here's to safer, happier travels!
Discover More from the Sherpani Travel Blog
Learn more about travel safety tips in Solo Travel Safety: A Women's Guide to Peace of Mind
Ready to pack for a quick getaway? Check out Everything to Look for in a Weekender Bag
Get the details on our Anti-Theft Collection in Why Wireless? How Sherpani Anti-Theft Technology is Different
