What could be worst than being thousands of miles away from home and loose your wallet or purse? Think about the logistic nightmare it would cause, to be without your credit cards or even worst your passport, and the effort it would take to rectify the situation. I am sure that calling your credit card company to cancel those missing cards is the last thing you would like to do on your next vacation. For thousands of travelers each year this is a very sobering reality. So how do people end up in such an undesirable predicament? For most it is caused by quick handed pickpockets.
Throughout Europe (especially in the Mediterranean) pickpockets are a serious problem. Unless you travel in extremely sketchy neighborhoods, you will never be mugged, but in crowded situations it is a very realistic possibility to have your valuables liberated. So why do thieves target unsuspecting travelers? Because they are clever and the fact that we happen to carry all kinds of goodies on us. Like big expensive cameras, tons of cash on us since were so far from home, and the most cutting edge smart phones to text our friends and families on. Most thieves are extraordinarily skilled at what they do and getting what they want. Some will use distractions like spilling a cup of coffee on you and removing your wallet while cleaning you off. Others will use misdirection, like showing off thier super cute baby to you and then snag your valuables while your attention is elsewhere. Many thieves work as a team and use accomplices to distract you. I have heard about a scam in Barcelona, where a women will start to undress in a crowd of people. While everyone (especially the guys in the crowd) is distracted by a scantily clad women, her partner will work the crowd and help himself to what he wants. Let's not forget the agile vesspa driver, buzzing by and yanking a purse off of an unsuspecting women's arm.
Now how can someone avoid these types of mishaps. First, do not advertise the fact that your a tourist. when I say this, I mean avoid wearing that expensive camera around your neck in a crowd or do not wear your finest jewelry on a subway. It attracts unwarranted attention to yourself and to your valuables. Next, be cognisant of your surroundings. If you find yourself in a seedy part of town, move on quickly. If your on an over crowded metro, keep your hand on your wallet or loop your purse a couple of times around your arm. Anytime there is a commotion or something out of the ordinary, assume it's a distraction. Wear a money belt! This will make it much more difficult for thieves to get at your valuables. I usually wear a money belt with my cash, cards and important documents inside it. I will also use a wallet to carry a small amount of cash around, just enough to pay for my immediate tasks at hand. I do this in order to avoid getting into my money belt in public and to avoid drawing attention to it. Also, if I do happen to loose my wallet, than I will not be out of any significant amount of money.
If you do loose your valuables, contact your credit card companies immediately to midigate the damages and to get the ball rolling on replacing these items. Always keep a photo copy of your passport as well as contact information in a different local then your wallet. This way if you do loose your wallet, then you will still have the necessary information that you will need to call the credit card companies.
Hopefully, these simple suggestions can help you to avoid a disaster on your next trip.
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