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Italian pickpockets are ruthless / Stolen Camera / credit card company requiring police report

I had my camera stolen at the La Spezia train station and by the time I realized it was gone I was four hours south in Rome. The Rome police wouldn't file a police report. My credit card company provides theft protection but without an official police report they say there is nothing they can do. Has anyone had an experience like this before? What can I say to the credit card company so they will submit my claim without a police report? Thanks in advance for any information.

Please protect your valuables, the Italian pickpocket gangs are nothing to take lightly! I was also targeted by two gypsy girls in Rome on Easter morning and luckily was able to realize what was happening before being robbed.

Posted by
16893 posts

In this unfortunate situation, I think the best think to do is to document as thoroughly as possible how you tried to get the police report (when, where, who, response). Did they give you any document at all? This has worked for some travelers with the railpass protection plan, but other insurance carriers will have their own policies.

I hope that you have most of your cash and credit cards in a money belt under your clothes.

Posted by
84 posts

So sorry to hear of your problem. The issue of security concerns me great deal for our upcoming trip for just the reason that you experienced. If you don't mind my asking, what were you carrying your camera in? We just use a day backpack (like a book bag) that straps to your back when we travel in USA, but I've seen ads for packs that you carry in front (cross body) with wires in the straps, etc. so it can't be cut off? Does anyone out there have a comments on how we can safely carry items on day trips in cities in Italy?

Posted by
11613 posts

Sorry to hear about your stolen camera. Since the theft occurred in a different city, that may be why the Roman police would not file a report.

Posted by
11247 posts

Did you report to the Questura di Roma or the Carabinieri? The Carabinieri are national in scope and may be of more help. Jurisdiction overlaps here even more than in the U.S.

Posted by
7737 posts

So sorry to hear about this. Is there a chance it might have been lost rather than stolen? Do you have coverage for lost items, or just stolen? It would be helpful to know the details so others can benefit from your frustrating experience. (I hope you had been backing up your photos to some other device or did you lose those as well?)

Posted by
32173 posts

I've found that most insurance companies absolutely require a police report in order to process a claim for theft. This tends to prevent people from filing false claims. I suspect the police in Rome weren't interested in filing a report, as the theft occurred in La Spezia.

If you think you may have just lost the Camera, you might have a look at your home insurance policy, as they sometimes cover things like that. My policy covers Cameras unless I'm using it in a professional capacity, and in that case they offer an extra-cost rider.

Posted by
4535 posts

@ dwarren - the issue isn't where you sling your daybag, or whether the straps can be cut - it is access inside. If your bag can be locked with a travel lock, that will be enough to prevent someone from accessing it without you noticing. Of course you must always keep it attached to your body - don't set it down next to you or sling it over a chair as someone could then just steal the whole bag.

Posted by
1446 posts

I was also going to suggest, as Ken did, that you check your homeowners policy. My father had his brand new camera stolen out of his hotel room in London once and his homeowners policy covered the replacement cost. You'd have to weigh what your deductible is and whether it's worth it or not but it's just a thought. If you decide to further appeal to your credit card company, I would call back and ask to be transferred to a manager. I often find that the call center people I speak with initially really don't have the power to make exceptions or offer "outside the box" solutions. I had an issue with my credit card last year and I finally asked to speak with a manager and then she transferred me to someone above her who was empowered to offer me more solutions than the first level support folks were able to. Had I simply accepted the "word" from the person I initially spoke with, I would have hung up disappointed. Sorry you had to experience the loss of your camera in Italy!

Posted by
34 posts

I'm a photog too and I recommend Pacsafe products. Best I've seen. I just picked up their camera backpack with steel mesh in the body and steel cable in the straps for our upcoming return trip to Italy. Locking snaps. Been using their products since 2011 and love the peace of mind.

Posted by
1054 posts

I used a Pac Safe side messenger bag for my sony camera and lens. It fit perfectly with my other stuff. I like how the zippers can be locked and the other protection the bag has. While on our trip this past year we were never bothered by any thiefs or gypsies but i did see people on buses in Rome messed with, including a Jamaican traveler who was attempted to be pickpocketed. I was glad I had my bag on the trip..