Thiefs in Italy

Never had a problem. Even on a sardine packed #40 bus. Even traveled on the notorious Naples metro. Just be aware of your surroundings and use your money belt. I have a small purse that I wear cross body style. In it I have a small wallet with my money for the day. Never had a problem. I also carry a cute tote that can be scrunched up and put in my purse. Great for carrying water, guide books, etc. Go and enjoy!

Theft in Europe is a so frequently discussed that it makes the problem appear larger than it is. It can happen if you are unprepared or careless but the probability is low. We have spent nearly a year in Europe over the past 18+ years with no problems. Cannot even claim to have seen a pickpockets or an attempt make on us. Yet there are others who claim to see pickpockets everyday and have been frequently approached. Use a little precaution and you will be fine. My wife has stopped carrying a pursue so we just use one small day bag for the two of us. We tend to dress a bit better than the average tourists so tend to look a little less touristy. The anti-theft bags are over kill. I am sure they work but who wants to test it?

Thanks for the replys. Plan to use the train to travel to several countries so will just keep my eyes open and bag close.

I always have to chuckle when people say "It's never happened to me" as if a study of one is a the end-all statistic or, perhaps, you think you're smarter than a pick-pocket. Not a chance! In my 30+ years of international travel, two of my travel companions have been pick-pocketed. Both times I was aware of my surroundings, took all precautions and still was totally unaware until after the fact. One could hardly say we were unprepared or careless. They are good! But, our valuables were kept safe in a money belt so what was taken was trivial. It does happen, take all the previous advice but it's not something you should have any anxiety over.

Another vote for a cross-body bag or messenger bag. I used to carry a neck pouch but stopped using it. In my opinion, the anti-theft bags may as well have a big arrow on them pointing to your valuables, they are that easy to recognize. I was pickpocketed once in Rome about 30 years ago, for those keeping stats.

The only thefts I've experienced in Italy is the short-change thefts. It happened several times, and was caught twice. I asked for my correct change and was given it. In Pisa, the chatty ticket-seller short-changed me by 10 Eu. I went back and said he hadn't given me the proper change. He nonchallantly picked up a 10 Eu note from under his desk and handed it to me. Twice, in restaurants I was not given the correct change. Just pay attention to the bill amount and calculate how much change you should get back. At home, I seldom do this because I can almost always trust that I will receive the correct change.

I also have to laugh when I see titles like "Thiefs in Italy" as if there are no thieves in New York City or LA or even Knoxville, Tennessee ;-)

Well Otter , you said two of your companions were pickpocketed,, not yourself though, so perhaps they were not as observant or careful as you have been.

I bought a PacSafe cross body bag a few years back and I love it for the security it gives me. I do not travel with a money belt, or any other underclothing pouch. What a pain, and how embarassing to have to reach inside your clothing to access a credit card or money. The PacSafe Metro 200 has been perfect for me. I always take care to lock the zippers and make sure that the small wallet I use is inside another pocket in the bag. I also always carry the bag across my body and in front. I always keep one hand on the bag when in a crowded situation. I personally feel more secure with the zippered pocket locks. The style I chose is just big enough for my compact camera, and items I need during a sightseeing day. I have seen a pickpocket in action on the Metro in Rome. He was going after my husband (standing next to him, and breathing hard in my husbands ear to distract him) while reaching across to a ladies handbag who was standing next to me. I caught him in the act of opening the zipper on her purse that was hanging from her shoulder. My husband had nothing on him. All our important stuff was in my bag, locked, and with my hand on it. I'm sure this guy had already put his hands in all my husbands pockets and found nothing, went for me, but couldn't, so moved on to the lady next to me.

I don't think it's fair to act as if all instances of theft or pickpocketing could be prevented if one took the appropriate measures to prevent it. There's no one method that will be 100% safe, and it's silly to act as if we can all be 100% aware and smart at all times while in huge, crowded, sometimes bewildering and stressful foreign cities. (that said, when people seem to have multiple problems with pickpockets on nearly every trip to a large city, I have to wonder if they are behaving in a way that puts a big ol' target on their back) But at the same time, I do think that in trying to communicate tips to prevent pickpocketing, a lot of fear is stirred up. Anecdotal evidence isn't worth much, but I've never spotted a pickpocket or thief at all in 5 visits to Paris, all of them between April and August. Obviously that doesn't mean that they don't exist, but it does make me think that some of the fear is overblown a bit. I can't speak to Rome. I've heard horror stories, and I've heard people say that it's not bad at all. I'm going to assume the truth is somewhere in the middle. That said, the neck pocket is a good idea, as is situational awareness, and you will probably be fine, so enjoy your trip.

No one is saying that there aren't thieves in New York City, LA or Knoxville Tennessee. This is a European travel board and it makes perfect sense to title it "Thiefs in Italy". It never ceases to amaze me when people have to bring up cities in the United States when they are not part of the question. The only thing that is relevant in all situations is to use due diligence regarding personal safety in all travel locations.

Ar-r-r-gh! This thread has outed me. I'm a retired school teacher, being driven slightly mad by the persistent misspelling. The plural of thief is THIEVES! Now, as to the content, I don't know about comparative crime statistics, but my impression is that pickpocketing is more prevalent in certain European cities than in the U.S, just as violent crime is more common here. For what it's worth, I've never been a victim in Chicago, NYC, Boston, San Francisco, L.A., Portland, Seattle, or D.C. Conversely, my husband and I each had an attempt made on us on the Barcelona metro, a friend foiled an attempt at a bus stop in Madrid, and my daughters fell victim several times in Paris. I think the poster should take the sensible precautions advised by many. In general, I think neophyte American travelers who don't come from big cities may find it a little hard to be as street-smart as they need to be in urban Europe. Anything that helps - - neck pouch, money belt, etc. - - is all to the good.

Rosalyn, Thank goodness you showed up.

I, too, like the PacSafe Metro 200. Have used it for two trips to Europe. I like all of the pockets and side pouches. Guess, I'm overly cautious. I keep my most important things and my wallet in a neck pouch with the strap tied to one of the inside snaps. The long string of the neck pouch make it easy to pull out of the PacSafe to get to my wallet or passport. If a thief wants my wallet, he/she has to get into the PacSAfe, then into the neck pouch inside. I'd hope I could tell something was happening. My wife does wear a money belt, but I don't like the extra bulk under my clothes.

Here's another thought, although it only works in cooler weather- keep your valuables in an internal coat pocket, preferably one that zips or buttons shut. Very secure and you don't draw attention to yourself when you go to retrieve it. I thought of this today when I saw someone lift up multiple layers of clothing to retrieve his wallet from a money belt. (I'm in Helsinki where the weather today is cool enough to require jackets).