How to Avoid Pickpockets in Spain

Although Madrid and Barcelona are both wonderful, touristic cities to visit, they are both listed within the 10 worst cities for pickpocketing. Here are a few tips to follow in order to avoid pickpockets ruining your holiday full of fun and sun in Spain.

1) One popular scam in Spain is pickpockets masquerading as undercover policemen. They are known to approach you on the street and ask for your wallet. One thing you must keep in mind is policemen are unlikely to approach you unless your behaviour seems suspicious; and even so they certainly are wouldn’t ask to go through your wallet without showing you a police badge of his own.

2) Avoid ‘tourists’. If a random person comes up to you asking for directions, you are most likely going to try and help them out. As nice as this seems, you must be aware that the ‘tourist’ might have an accomplice using the distraction to pickpocket you.

3) Don’t get caught in a people sandwich. If you find yourself sandwiched between two people on the street, an escalator, or public transport, be aware that while the person in front may be blocking your way, the person behind you picks your pocket or backpack. In order to avoid theft, always wear your backpack in front of you and avoid keeping valuables in your pockets.

4) Don’t fall for the fake petition trick. Pickpockets will often approach people on the streets with a fake petition to sign. Whether you choose to sign it or not, they will ask you to donate to a ‘charity’ as a way of extorting money. Moreover, while the person holding the petition sign distracts you, pickpocket is focused on stealing your belongings. Therefore, it’s best to avoid strangers approaching you on the streets and asking for donations; don’t be fooled into thinking the money goes to a good cause.

5) Lastly, as fun as they may seem, avoid impromptu roadside games. While strolling down the street, you may come across a few people playing a card game on the footpath. No matter how enticing it is, refuse their invitation to join the game. One, they will cheat to make sure you will lose your money. Two, while you are busy playing the game, pickpockets may be enticed to steal your belongings.

Avoiding pickpockets on the Mexico Subway

In order to fully explore the huge dimensions of Mexico City, one must use public transport. Here are a few tips to avoid your trip being ruined by pickpockets in such a busy city.

1)     Avoid travelling on a very congested metro especially at peak times as pickpockets take advantage of the closeness to people’s belongings. Over crowded transport is where an anti theft bag comes in necessary.

2)     Do NOT keep any wallets, phones or money in your front or back pockets as they are easily accessible. Keep your belongings in a safe bag, kept close to you.

3)     Unless an anti theft bag, wear your bag in front rather on the back in order to avoid anyone opening and stealing your belongings.

4)     Have a lock on the zips in order to be extra secure and avoid anyone attempting to open your bag.

5)     Carry as little as possible, i.e the essentials. It is unnecessary to carry all your cash on you, especially in a city where not a lot of money is necessary in order to get around.

Nicole Fernandez

How to Avoid Being a Victim of Theft in Greece

While Greece may currently have economic troubles, it remains as one of the most popular holiday destinations. Here are a few tips on how to avoid pickpockets in Greece.

1)    Remember not to hang your belongings, including your handbag on the back side of the chair in restaurants, especially ones near the beach as they tend to be really crowded and the perfect spot for pickpockets to act.

2)    When sightseeing and taking photos, make sure not to get too distracted from your surroundings. Make sure to keep your belongings close to you in order to avoid anyone taking advantage of your hands being busy.

3)    Avoid leaving your belongings on the beach without constantly keeping an eye on them. Pickpockets love going to the beach in summer due to the high volume of tourists and therefore things to steal.  Do not leave them in sight, try and hide them under your towel or clothes.

4)   As many tourists enjoy renting a car when travelling around Greece, if you are one of them do NOT leave your bag on the seat next to you when the window is down as a pickpocket may stick their hand in when you are stationary.

5)   Lastly, beware of any scooter or bike noises coming up behind you as they may ride as your side and attempt to steal your bag or belongings. Furthermore, they may even snatch the whole bag if they are travelling at a high speed.

Safe travels!

Nicole Fernandez Medina