Pick pocketing

Welcome to the RS forums!
Just a start... :O)
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/tourist-scams/pickpockets-and-keeping-your-stuff-safe
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/tourist-scams/another-question-about-money-belts

My husband uses a dark leather one like this;
Our son visiting from the States unloaded his heavy backpack and bought a similar bag but for only 10euros at Decathalon Sporting Goods store.

I have also have a travelon cross body purse. I always wear it cross body and keep my hand on it in crowded places. I had a woman ask me what time it was as we were departing a crowded metro in Rome. I just shook my head no. There was no reason for her to ask me so seemed like a ploy to get me to take my hand off my purse.

My solution is to not carry a purse. Haven’t done so in over 50 years of travel.

Be sure your phone is secured inside a zipped pocket of your bag when in big crowd of people, like standing in line or on subway or vaporetto. I made mistake of tucking phone in pocket of cross body but not fastening it as I had it in and out a lot, and it was pickpocketed without me feeling a thing, right from under my nose. They are good.

It also depends where you are going. If I was in Rome or other large cities, I would take precautions, but in eights visits to the country, I have been in smaller towns and villages and never given it much thought.

For your husband: I am a guy, and I wear a neck wallet under my shirt to hold valuables like credit cards, money, and passport. Your husband should not keep his wallet in his back pocket under any circumstances. If he insists on carrying a wallet (I don't), put it in a front pocket, preferably one with a zippered closure. Same with phone, keep in front pocket, preferably zippered closure. And never carry any valuables in a backpack, particularly not in the outer pockets, even if zippered...our backsides are extremely vulnerable to pickpockets in crowded situations (getting on and off subway cars and busses, in crowded tourist sites).

...for men and women...

Both should, in my opinion, use a money belt (properly) for deep storage of extra cash, credit cards, and such. Men and women can both can keep a very small wallet with day money and one credit card in a button or zipper shirt pocket. There are many companies that have attractive travel shirts with pockets that have a zipper pocket underneath a button flap. Ladies can carry a purse without fear if it only contains items it would not hurt to loose. Men can do the same with a small day bag, or use a vest. Many vests are available that have a multitude of pockets. And it doesn't have to be a really expensive one either. A google search should turn up a number of sources for any of the above.

Many vests are available that have a multitude of pockets.

Good point, my wife wears a vest (Scott E Vest) and loves it. She does not carry a purse, or crossbody bag, or a backpack.

Those vests are handy going through security at airports, too. Simply put it on the conveyor...

Use a military grade telephone holster. Smartphones are the number one target, not wallets or anything else.
https://a.co/d/5xlx4hR
Also don’t use your phone somewhere where someone can grab it from your hands and run away and don’t leave it on top of the table at a side walk cafe while you sip your coffee or cappuccino. Sometimes a passerby might grab it and run away with it.

In a cashless age like nowadays, a smartphone is, by far, the most valuable thing we carry on us.

Limit the use of public transportation. And be careful at crowded markets. The Italian police warns that 90% of pickpockets occur on buses, trains, subways, markets.

Don’t keep wallets in a purse that can be snatched away or easily opened on a bus. Also the safest pockets are the ones on you chest not the ones on your rear end. Don’t put valuables on your back pockets.

Passports always in money belts. Nobody is interested in passports but if you keep it in a purse they might steal the whole thing and you lose your passport too.

I agree with Valadelphia. I just don't go to those places (crowded tourist sites in big cities) where pickpockets work. On the few occasions when I have to ride crowded public transit, I hold my cross-body bag up where my breasts used to be, mainly so it's not making my body any wider.

Also don’t use your phone somewhere where someone can grab it from your hands and run away and don’t leave it on top of the table at a side walk cafe while you sip your coffee or cappuccino. Sometimes a passerby might grab it and run away with it.

I witnessed a theft like this a few months ago in Paris, on a busy street, phone was picked off a sidewalk cafe tabletop...it happens very quickly, the victim and her friends ran after the thief, but they could not catch up to him...quite the spectacle. It happens.

Roberto touched on a key defense: awareness. Stay aware of your surroundings and exercise care with your belongings at all times. Don’t leave your phone out. Attach bags to the chair you’re sitting on. Busy public transportation, like very popular bus routes that mostly service tourists are natural targets. They’re looking for vulnerabilities. Act like you know what you’re doing, where you’re going. If you’re a little disoriented getting off a bus or something, just walk a minute to a quiet spot away from the crowd, get your bearings and regroup. Acting confident makes you confident.

”I just don't go to those places (crowded tourist sites in big cities) where pickpockets work.”

Well, they are also in other places. My husband was pick pocketed by a lone woman in an empty street in Bologna while I was concentrating on taking a photo of a unique sign on a building. We didn’t realize what was happening until right after it happened. Luckily he only had €10 Euro leftover from lunch that he had placed in a front pocket. Everything of value was safe in his money belt under his clothing. We joked afterwards at home that he enjoyed telling the crazy story about “my €10 Euro photo”.

My daughter had her purse unzipped by a woman trying to block us at an entrance to the Rome metro. Nothing taken; everything of value was in her money belt under her clothing.

I don't use a Travelon or similar purse as the straps seem so heavy. I just use a regular Baggallini BUT on the advice of a forum friend (Lynn from Boise) I have "installed" a couple of split rings in the bottom inside of my purse as well as in the bottom of the zipper pocket of my purse. I use a coiled tether to attach my wallet inside the zipper pocket as well as another coiled tether to fasten my small toiletry pouch to the bottom.

I also have small carabiners I use on the outside zipper and have it set up for use on the inside pocket too.

When I am in a crowded situation I take the advice from my first Rick Steves guide, Trina, and cover the zipper end of my purse with my hand.

BTW, I was pickpocketed in Paris several years ago. I felt no one even near me, not sure where it happened, just glanced down in a Metro station and saw my purse was unzipped. I quickly looked and saw my toiletry pouch missing but was afraid to look too deeply into the zipper pocket with my wallet/card case. When I got back to the privacy of my hotel room I realized they'd snatched only the pouch so got my chapstick, nail clippers and good hand cream, hahaha! All easily replaceable. They did not get my CC and small amount of money I had in the zipper pocket. All other cards/cash/passport were in my money belt in deep storage under my clothes.

Split rings are easily available at Michaels in the jewelry section. Coiled tethers are available many places.

You are doing your due diligence ahead of time instead of after so that is good. With the advice from this thread you can enjoy yourself knowing you've got your stuff protected.

We like the neck wallets. Comfortable, easy to access and ample to hold the few things we carry.

I too have been concern with pick-pocketing and general all around theft which can all be done at an airport, airplane, train station, on or off a bus or in any crowed public place. I have invested in a bra pocket safe, as well as other items mentioned here on this site. Do not let your guard down while out in public. I have invested in private transportation picking us up at the airport, knowing we will have been traveling 24 hours and exhausted upon arrival. Always place money in multiple places and carry more than two credit cards (not located in the same place) that will not incur extra fees. Keep records of everything valuable with photos you are traveling with for insurance purposes, but not color copies. I understand from my travel agent the color copies will help who ever takes your paper copy to steal from you and your identity. When traveling have each other in your group keep an eye on each other and the people around you. I have had some stranger use a sharp knife to my purse, but only got away with a small item. I placed wire along my purse that prevented anyone other than me to unzip, otherwise I could be alerted. Also I found a manly hand on my purse when in a RS group while in Paris on a walking tour that wasn't mine. I find the best time to travel is when I can wear a coat and gloves in the cooler weather. Makes it a little harder for anyone to get too close to me and the prices more reasonable to travel. Do not forget to get those Rifd safety envelops for your credit cards, drivers license and passport. If you are traveling with others, eliminate carrying extra weight and share the shampoo and other items like toothpaste. Invest in air tags not just for your bag, but also sewn into your jacket and purse. Do not flaunt your money, jewelry and wear brand new expensive items. Believe it or not, there are people judging you on whether or not you are worth being robbed in every country of the world. Just don't give them a reason to bother you enough to ruin your vacation. I have worn old clothes and shoes and dropped them in the trash to lighten my bags for items purchased. When traveling who cares what you wear, it is the experience of traveling that matters most!

Wear a money belt or a neck wallet. Keep your phone on a lanyard around your neck and tuck it inside your shirt except when you’re using it. Keep your crossbody bag close to your body and in front of you at all times. Most importantly act confident and pay attention to your surroundings. Even if you don’t know exactly where you are act like you do. If you’re really stuck go into a cafe and get an espresso while you figure out where you need to go. Men should never carry anything in their back pockets.

I’ll add my two cents, and 25+ years of experience traveling to and living in Italy and input from Italian family and friends.

1) Be aware of your surroundings but don’t make it obvious that you’re staying aware of it.
2) as others have said never keep anything in one’s back pocket. Keep some scrap paper there with a nasty note on it.
3) if you absolutely must carry your wallet on your person (pants pockets) try to remember that an experienced pickpocket can even pick front pockets unless they’re the travel type pants that have hidden pockets. Personally I did it that way for years but I’ve found that I’m more comfortable with my valuables in a manpurse, like one bellroy sells, and I keep the strap long and wrapped around my upper arm beneath my shirt or jacket.
3) stay away, if at all possible, from extremely crowded areas. If know, high season in Italy can be overwhelming, but do your darndest to avoid it. Remaining vigilant is key.
Good luck in your travels.
P. S.: I’ve never been pickpocketed in Italy.