How To Protect Yourself From Pickpockets When Traveling

5 Smart tips to help keep you safe from theft when traveling around the world!

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As with anything else in life, when you travel you have to take the bad with the good.

There are so many things I love about traveling, but the unfortunate truth is that being a victim of pickpockets is a real possibility for anyone visiting tourist destinations throughout the world.

I have had many experiences seeing pickpockets approaching other tourists and it is always upsetting.

I want all of you to travel safely and go home full of wonderful memories having had the time of your lives!

Pickpockets are practiced at being able to pick out easy targets. Generally it is people who are distracted, overwhelmed, or just clueless about what is going on.

Keeping an eye out for the people you are traveling with, having a plan when you head out for the day, and avoiding distractions – like staring at your phone – can be your best first defense. That said, even when you are doing your best to be aware, there is still always a chance something might happen.

Luckily there are many things you can do to keep yourself, your travel companions, and all your stuff safe!

Tip #1: Carry Duplicates

When you’re planning a trip, I recommend you make a packet for each person in your group to make sure that in case of emergency, you have each other’s backs.

I suggest that each person get two sets of these packets, one for their carryon and one for their checked luggage. That way, if anything happens to either piece of luggage, there’s always a backup.

This packet can include:

• Copies of passports and/or IDs
• Copies of your itinerary and food plan
• Emergency numbers and contact information
• Travel Insurance documents

Doing this is a sort of “insurance policy” for your whole group. While it might be unlikely that it will be necessary, for the few extra minutes it takes to make copies it is well worth the effort.

No one ever plans for something bad to happen! Remember the saying: hope for the best, plan for the worst!

The peace of mind that comes from being appropriately prepared for whatever may come your way can help you feel more comfortable throughout your travels.

Tip #2: Leave Irreplaceable Items At Home

It goes without saying – if you don’t have an item with you, you won’t have to worry about it being stolen! Anything you don’t absolutely need should be left at home. That includes extra credit cards, a checkbook, unnecessary electronics and more.

I also recommend leaving expensive or flashy jewelry at home.

Jewelry can often make you a target as it can be a sign to pickpockets of what else you might have on you.

Make sure to only bring jewelry items with you that you are okay with potentially losing.

If your finger would feel too naked without a ring on it – don’t worry! There are plenty of great alternatives to consider.

1 – Column Stackable Silicone Ring, 2 – Rinfit Designed Silicone Wedding Ring, 3 –  Silicone Wedding Ring for Men, 4 – Stackable Braided Silicone Wedding Bands, 5 – Silicone Wedding Rings Elegance Timeless Collection, 6 – Silicone Wedding Ring for Men

I personally really like silicone rings! They are super cost-effective (in case you do misplace them) and are also comfortable to wear when doing activities.

They come in a huge variety of styles from the look of real wedding bands, to trendy stackable combinations.

Tip #3: Keep Things Hidden

Keeping money, passports, and other items hidden is an important way to keep them out of the hands of pickpockets.

Many people love classic around the neck or around the waist money belts that have been sold for decades. Although these are still great options if you love them, they aren’t my first choice.

I personally prefer a spandex travel belt that lays flat against the body.

They have many pockets to store items, and can double as a way to hold a phone, money, and more during active outings when it isn’t convenient to carry a purse.

My usual travel companion prefers to use a clip on holder for ID. He believes it is the simplest way for him to carry credit cards and money.

While it is not large enough to hold a passport, he finds it a more comfortable option than others he has tried. He also liked that it is easier to access than a classic style money belt.

Tip #4: Lock Up What You Don’t Need

As soon as I get to my hotel, I always go directly to the in-room safe and lock up anything and everything I don’t absolutely need to carry with me.

This includes my passport, extra credit cards and cash, medications, jewelry or watches, iPads, computers or other electronics – anything that could potentially be stolen.

Removing all the unnecessary items from myself and the bags I am carrying with me helps to put my mind at ease and allows me to feel more comfortable walking around.

Of course, there may be times when you may need to bring a passport with you in order to get a discount on tax when shopping, when picking up tickets for a tour, etc. If this is the case, make sure to note the requirements for carrying your passport when you create your daily itinerary so you will know whether or not to bring it with you when you head out for the day.

Tip #5: Choose The Right Bags

What works for you at home or work may not be the best option for a bag when traveling. This is especially true if you want to deter pickpockets.

When it comes to purses for traveling, I prefer crossbody bags. I feel like they are generally more secure than a typical shoulder bag. They are also worn hands-free so you have one less thing to juggle, or be distracted by, when walking around.

Along with a crossbody design, I prefer purses that have zippered pockets -bonus points if they have hidden zippered pockets!

If the purse has straps that can be easily clipped or unclipped, that’s a problem! I have found that the cheapest and easiest solution is to add zip ties for added security.

While it isn’t “fancy”, it has saved me from having my purse stolen.

On more than one occasion after getting back to my hotel at the end of the day, I realized someone had unclipped my strap. That meant the zip tie was the only thing that kept my purse on my body!

1 – Double Compartment Large Flapover Crossbody Bag, 2 – Triple Zip Pocket Large Crossbody Bag, 3 – Crossbody Bag With Adjustable Strap, 4 – Kinley Small Crossbody Bag

Beyond purses, there are definitely other bags that are more desirable for traveling than others.

In general, bags or backpacks that are worn behind you tend to be a bad idea. The biggest reason is because it is very easy for someone else to access them without you noticing.

The exception to that would be bags with locking zippers!

If you’re planning to travel with a laptop, or maybe you prefer a backpack-style bag, there are options for you. Consider getting a lightweight laptop bag with locking zippers or a locking zipper backpack.

They offer additional features that will protect your items from sneaking into your bag when you aren’t looking!

Conclusion

Don’t let pickpockets ruin your vacation! Plan ahead and stay aware of your surroundings. Most importantly, make sure to only bring things with you that you are okay with losing. There are many products out there than can help to safeguard your stuff and put your mind at ease.

With all that said, there’s one more thing I want to mention before you go. If something does happen, you will want to be prepared. There’s an app from my list that has the local police numbers available at the tap of a finger. It will even direct them to your exact location. It is a no-brainer!

Now I want to hear from you! What has been your experience with pickpockets? What methods do you you swear by to keep your stuff safe when traveling?

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