Pickpockets in Rome?!?!?

Question

Do those "undergarment" pouches really work? I have one that goes under the waistline of the pants and another that hangs from a string around your neck under your shirt. I'd like to have as little as possible in my pockets!

Also, I WILL have to carry a small bag (and i look like a tourist anyway...fat, white, blue eyes), so would little padlocks on the zippers be a good idea? Seems like pickpockets on a train or bus would rather go after someone with an easier bag to get in. Am I right??

Any other ideas that might help??

Answer 1

When I travel in Italy, I use the pouch that hangs around the neck.  It is easy to get into when you need your money.  When I'm carrying a back pack, I do put little combination lock on the zippers.  It is less convenient to get into the bag, but I do feel safer doing that.  If I carry a shoulder bag, I make sure the strap is long enough to go over my head.  Don't carry a bag on just one shoulder.  Someone can just grab the bag.  I don't put locks on the shoulder bag since I can keep my hand on it.  

Good luck!

Answer 2

YES! I won't go into the details of my experience here, but Rome is laden with thievery. The under your clothes waist belt is a MUST! And if anyone gets close to you in any disguise of trying to be helpful or whatever, just say BASTA! The gimmickery they have for trying to get peoples money is highly creative!

Answer 3

Buget your expanses of the day....spread it in different pockets.....use each pocket one by on as the need arise...

Do not open rest of your valuables in public...........extra caution will help.......pickpoketer will always try to divert attention........keep to yourself

May help

Answer 4

I have lived in Rome for many years and still travel there annually. Yes, there are pickpockets in Rome, mostly children who work in pairs. One distracts you and the other steals, or they shove cardboard at you, begging, and slip the other hand under the cardboard and steal. Yelling at them and even threatening to hit them is "allowed" by the police, as they have no tolerance for these kids.

money belts and other ways of keeping your money safe are always a good idea, so is carrying very little of value. Keep it in a safe at the hotel.

If using a purse, try to use one with a strap and keep it in front of you. If you take buses that are crowded, beware.

Otherwise, enjoy the city!

Answer 5

The "money belt" thing always seemed inconvenient to me, so I use the neck pouch.  I keep my passport in it along with an ATM card, cash, and my metro tickets.  When I travel, I wear a loose, short-sleeve, button-down shirt which makes it easy to access the pouch.  The only thing I keep in my pockets might be a map or something of little value.  I love the neck pouch, and I highly recommend it!

Answer 6

You just have to be cautious in Rome..Hang on to your bag and keep your money safe and not in pockets

Answer 7

When we went on our cruise to the Mediterranian and had stops in Rome and some other cities, like Barcelona, we were told to watch for pickpockets.  I had read about them before leaving home and so I got one of those pouches that has an elastic waste band and I would put it down in my drawers.  My wife did the same.  I had my passport and all of my currency in it except what I planned to use immediately that day.  I carried another pouch on a string around my neck, but also completely under my clothes.  I only pulled it out if I was transacting  business and then put it back.

Another pickpocket trick I read about is that one person will spill or spray something on your clothes and then pretend to help you wipe it off.  The best advice is to not let anyone you don't know get near you.  At one stop in Spain the tour guide pointed out a pickpocket who had a camera around his neck and  was trying to  pose as a tourist.  So be very cautious, wary and aware of people you don't know.  My wife uses the little blue plastic zip ties for her bags and backpacks to keep the zippers closed.  You can get those at Brookstones.

The Gypsies will be the worse.  they hang out around the tourists stops with their hands out and trying to play on your sympathies with kids on their hip.