Semester safety Abroad suggestions...

The biggest thing is to use common sense.

1. He shouldn't walk around holding his phone out in the open, or leave his phone sitting on a table, or have anything in a back pocket or even a front pocket that's accessible.

2. He should pay attention to his surroundings. Tell him not to be distracted by things going on around him and avoid someone who comes up and offers to help if he didn't ask for it.

3. Have him leave his passport in a secure place where he lives instead of carrying it everywhere. Instead he can make a photocopy of the passport in case he's ever asked for it.

Here is an article by Rick Steves that has some very good tips on pickpockets and safety: https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/theft-scams/outsmarting-pickpockets

An interior pocket is much better than an external pocket. There are lots of people (mostly male) who think a front pocket or a cargo pocket is a safe place for a wallet right up until they realize their wallet has been stolen.

You can buy hidden pockets that attach to belts or belt loops and then hang inside slacks; check on Amazon for starters. They seem like a solid solution for holding something like a wallet. Other options are money belts (absolutely must be worn inside clothes) or--for folks who wear collared shirts--neck pouches.

Phones are tougher; I think the phone solution needs to take into consideration how the phone will be used. I use my phone constantly for taking pictures and keeping track of where I'm walking. It's a Samsung, so not as attractive a theft target as an iPhone. I wear the phone on a lanyard around my neck, which has the advantage of preventing damaging drops. It's not a perfect solution, because if a thief didn't see the lanyard and grabbed the phone, I could end up falling to the ground and being injured.

Edited to add:

Rick's tips on avoiding thefts and scams are linked here: https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/theft-scams

Rick's tips on handling money can be found here: https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/money

I'm not sure that material is as up to date as some of the information on this forum. The key money tip is to conduct all transactions (purchases as well as ATM withdrawals) in the local currency. Choosing US dollars will increase the cost of everything, because it allows the merchant or bank to use whatever exchange rate it wants to use, and that rate will always be bad for the customer.

The other thing to consider is ATM fees. They may be charged by the owner of the ATM (these can vary by ATM and will be announced on the screen during the transaction) as well as by the issuer of the ATM card (these fees will only show up on the monthly bank statement). These days credit cards can be used for most purchases in western Europe, so there's much less need to get money from ATMs.

Some credit cards charge fees for overseas use. Your son should check on his credit card's policy as well as his ATM card's policy. It's only prudent to know how much extra things will cost, depending on the payment method.

It is very useful to have more than one credit card, because loss or theft is possible, but I realize for young people that may not be practical.

Google "pickpocket proof pants" and you'll come up with a lot of options. This is one that I know of clothing arts

once he's there, have him talk to his fellow students and learn from them what locals do.

Thank you for your suggestions! I will look on pick pocket proof pants page on this forum!
Stan, the Clothing Arts pants are great but sadly out of stock until after my son leaves :(

mhgogo, here are two other options I'm familiar with: craighoppers (on Amazon) and Aviator aviator for men

{added} also the retailer Travelsmith should have some options.

Your college age son is going to look so cool wearing pickpocket pants! Trust me, he won't wear them. He just needs to wear common sense. I've lived in Europe for a combined 20 years and never been pick pocketed. My college age son who is a student in the Uk and travels all over Europe just wear jeans and keeps his wallet in his front pocket. His phone is usually in his hand. No isses. Europe is not the scary place you think it is...

There really is no need for special pickpocket and/or travel trousers.
What your son wears at home will be absolutely fine in Spain.

Obviously pickpocketing and thefts do happen but the risks really are overblown on this site.

As he is studying I’m guessing he will be carrying a bag most of the time.He should keep his wallet in that rather than a pocket. The passport can be safely left at home and a copy or another less ‘important’ type of ID be carried. The sensible thing to do is also keep the phone in a bag but let’s be honest that is unlikely to happen! Just tell him not to wave it around and if he needs to use it step away from the curb and other areas where it could easily be snatched.

I agree with the last few posters. Your son will never wear those kind of pick-pocket proof trousers. If you aren't sure, ask him, show him photos. Don't waste your money.

Better is some sort of hip, cross-body satchel that young men all around many countries in Europe wear. Let him pick it out. He is an adult now.

A money belt worn under the shirt might be ok for travel days, for bank cards and passport.

I wouldn't worry about it.

• You don't need to carry your passport everywhere you go. An American driver's license works as photo ID.
• There aren't "pickpocketers" everywhere in Madrid or Spain in general. It's overhyped as a problem.
• The most important thing is avoiding getting drunk or otherwise impaired.
• If you're actually paying attention and you're not an obviously easy target, the risk is very low to the point of being irrelevant.

All great advice.. thank you ! Obviously him being aware is key. Didn't mean to imply that this area is so full of crime.
Probably listened to too many students that studied abroad and their experiences.
Good point that he can use his US drivers license for ID when going out at night, not needing to carry his passport
My thought is more about when out at night with friends... not being so aware. but he will learn :)

He shouldn't put anything of value in a backpack that he wears on his back. My French husband and our sons wear little crossbody sacs for their valuables. Men's pants are fitted closer to the body in France, so the sacs are needed. https://lesacbandouliere.fr/collections/sac-bandouliere-homme?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22674137704&gclid=Cj0KCQiAi9rJBhCYARIsALyPDtuM35uDeqD89sQMKpgenhh4d6VTAe6pK8tcu9Stu2e4LFZ8-04CPxMaAtSgEALw_wcB

I use a neck wallet (put it on under my shirt and wallet under my arm), or use a money belt.

It would probably be a good idea for him to be especially vigilant in tourist areas which are favorite targets for pickpockets.

May I ask where you live (city/town)? Your answer is important towards the advice you might be given.

@plectrude

You don't need to carry your passport everywhere you go. An American driver's license works as photo ID.

Certainly not... see my reply here https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/spain/name-requirements-on-tickets-to-spanish-attractions

When my son was at university he studied abroad in Italy. What he used was something similar to what @Elizabeth suggested (which he still uses today) and he would also--at times--keep his wallet/phone in his front pocket. As others have said, your son will most likely not wear 'travel pants'. As he's there he will become very travel savvy, learning tips and tricks from his new friends and fellow travelers. My son did take his passport with him when he traveled on weekends (in the previously mentioned crossbody bag) but did not carry his passport on him while in school. Your son is going to have the best experience! And hopefully you will get to visit him.

Thank you again to all ! I will have him buy a belt bag, have him carry US Drivers license on him and a copy of his passport with him while staying in Madrid, actual passport when traveling ....and hope he stays aware .

and thank you again Stan... Craighoppers and the Aviator website are great suggestions!

My daughter studied for a semester in Barcelona. Many of her friends lost phones, wallets etc while out partying late at night when their guard was down. She used a crossbody PacSafe purse that has slash resistant material and locked zipper closures. Pacsafe and Travelon have many theft resistant crossbody choices for both men and women. When my husband and I travel we wear ScottEvests that have great interior pockets with RFID protection. That might not be a younger man's style but I'm pretty sure they have jackets, shirts and pants with hidden interior pockets. We don't wear them all the time but always on travel days or on public transportation. Check out their website. Not cheap, but definitely worth it.