Pickpockets are thieves that specialise in robbing people when they’re not paying attention. Avoiding pickpockets presents a challenge since the thieves do their best to blend in with their environments and go unnoticed.
The best way to prevent falling victim to them is to be just as crafty. Making careful choices about how much money you carry and where you carry it can help deter theft and, failing that, minimize your losses.
Here are the 8 ways to avoid pick pockets:
1. Avoid every form of distraction
Most pickpockets operate within an area they are familiar with. They are usually there before you.
So, ensure you do not get caught or lost in their different gimmicks meant to put you off guard. Look away from any form of drama that is being displayed at the bus stop.
You can decide to move slightly away from the immediate point of the drama.
2. Be protective of your personal effects.
You must guard your belongings jealously when standing at a bus stop. If you are a lady, holding your bag tightly to your chest is your best bet.
For the guys, you can do the same if you have a briefcase or backpack with you. If not, make sure your wallet and phone are inside your side pockets with your hands placed inside your pockets as well.
3. Avoid putting things in your back pocket
The idea that pickpockets can lift valuables out of your back pocket has some truth to it. Many pickpockets tend to come from behind, out of your line of sight. Skilled ones are light-fingered enough to snatch your wallet without your notice, more so if you have big pockets.
4. Minimise your valuables
Keep in mind, a modest traveller is a safe traveller. Unless absolutely necessary, don’t travel with valuables, like your laptop or tablet. You can’t get these items stolen if you don’t take them with you.
Before heading out, make a checklist of what you absolutely need for the day. Do not take any non-essentials. Not only does this minimize the chances of those items being stolen, they also help you travel light.
5. Portion your money
As an addition to wearing more protective clothes, another thing you can do is store your money and valuables in multiple safe spots. In case the worst happens and a pickpocket manages to steal something, at least you’ve partitioned your valuables so you haven’t lost everything.
6. Refrain from showing off your things
One way to mark yourself as a target is to show off your valuables in public. Pickpockets are typically more likely to steal from you if they believe you’re carrying something worth stealing.
Refrain from using your phone or camera while walking around, especially in unfamiliar territory. Leave non-essentials, like jewelry and extra money, behind to avoid losing them. Even if your things aren’t that valuable, pickpockets may see you as a mark anyway. Some thieves can be more daring still and may just take your jewelry (including piercings) and run. Stay alert.
7. Don’t stand too long at the bus stop.
This may sound strange as no sane person would want to stand too long at the bus stop.
It may happen as a result of unforeseen circumstances but ensure you board a bus as soon as possible and leave the bus stop.
8. Avoid drawing attention to your cash.
Whenever possible, refrain from counting it where others can see. When you divide and hide your money before heading out, memorize how much you have. Keep a mental tally from then to minimize the need to recount what you have left as you spend it.
