5 TIPS YOU NEED to AVOID PARIS PICKPOCKETS
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- Опубликовано: 22 май 2024
- Pickpockets are a HUGE problem in Paris. But I'm giving you the 5 top travel tips to stay safe in Paris and outsmart the pickpockets. These petty thieves steal phones, laptops and wallets on a daily basis. And the buses & subways are their primary places where they target people. But the sidewalks are also a prime spot for pick pockets in Paris to rob people.Luckily these crimes are not violent, but you still don't want to be a target. So here are the way you can protect yourself and avoid these pickpocketers while you're in Paris, either as a tourist or resident. All can be robbed if you don't take the necessary precautions.
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My tips:
1) wear a fanny pack under your coat, coat closed.
2) Do not carry multiple bags
3) Be aware of your surroundings
4) No open zippers
5) travel documents in body pouch inside your closed coat.
I keep my handbag inside my coat/cardigan where possible and the police advice is to have a shoulder bag in front of you not at the side. It is rare to go out not wearing a coat or cardigan/jacket in the UK. I have an elderly friend who has her money purse on a long metal chain fixed inside her handbag.
A simple trick I use to slow down & stop a pick pocket is to put a safety pin through my pants pockets with the release for it inside the pocket. The outside pocket is now pined to the actual pants. All the shows from the outside is a very thin metal bar of the safety pin, so it's barely noticeable. This then makes the opening to the pocket much smaller and objects like a phone or wallet can't be taken out. However, I can get my fingers/thumb inside to release the safety pin and remove it, then take objects out of my pocket, return them and re-install the safety pin. For a zipper, I'll pit a safety pin through that so it can't be opened without removing the safety pin first. I've traveled all over the world, 343 cities, and never had a problem with this method.
Use the safety pins for babies instead. They're better and safer with different closing tops.
Great tip! Thank you.
I just bought a travel purse that has clips for all the zippers. It’s a crossbody with ‘no cut’ material. I love it.
Ridiculous and stupid
@@sarahkelsey4287I had planned to do such a thing but never got round to it from being busy with all the other things to consider!
Moved to Paris with my French husband over 28 years ago and never have been pickpocketed. I grew up in a ghetto area near Detroit, so I don't trust anyone.
My husband, who was born and raised in Paris has been pickpocketed, because he trusts everyone to do the right thing.
One thing you didn't mention is that the thieves can be as young as 3 years old. They are with an older sibling or a mother acting distressed and tired. Had one approach me on the Metro and yelled thieves on the train, because she had already unzipped my oblivious vacationing mother's bag. Three of them jumped off at the next station, because everyone was checking their baggage.
I was approached on the narrow pedestrian bridge in Lyon by a woman with a small kid and carrying a scarf. She asked for money and dug her nails in my forearm. Meanwhile her other hand went under the scarf and into my pocket to pull out……a map I’d folded into the shape of a wallet!!!
Don’t let anyone close enough to touch you.
The nine thumbs downs were pickpockets lol
I was robbed on the Metro in Milan in one of the ways you described. So quick and so distressing. Had to cancel all my cards and climb over the barrier to exit to station as my ticket was in my purse! Beware the Metro in all major cities!
I always wore my crossbody bag UNDER my jacket. Helps a lot!
Yep I do that
I've been to Morocco and Vietnam but for some reason I'm really afraid of Paris pickpockets lol
I am Vietnamese and I lost my phone once in Hanoi , even I have lived there since I was born
Oh well.. don’t live in fear
In Vietnam it's not as bad
Don’t be Paris pickpockets don’t really fight back they don’t have nothing to do with u they just go on with their day
Please keep your biases about those countries to yourself.
I love a woman who gives zero shits about how she dresses. Flip flops and socks just got you a new subscriber ❤️🇬🇧
To Lou Lou: Sorry -- but a blocked mentality of unsanitary imagination would make putrid olfactory acceptance for scatology, bringing people like you, to mind.
Looking so ridiculous is one way to mark you as a non Parisian. It's just a red flag. Don't do it! Be an individual in your home country but you should be trying to blend in and not be targets.
@@deborahcurtis1385 yeah it's true
@Deborah Curtis definitely agreed. You don't want to stand out. You want to blend in as much as possible.
Lip skin central- need to extract
These tips are spot on but I'd also recommend those interested in the subject to watch RUclips videos of actual pickpockets in action. That will give you more perspective and the things she says will make more sense. There are many of those videos here on YT. Real examples are the best way to learn from.
When my son and I went to Paris many years ago, I told him before we left home not to go to Paris and Rome wearing the gold chain he always wore around his neck…so of course, when we were on the Metro, two guys waited for the door to almost close when they reached out to steal something…Sean put his hand over his gold chain as they reached out and over his head to grab a baseball hat off another person…moral of that story (other than listen to your Mom😉) is to never sit on the seats right next to the doors!!! Makes “grab and run” too easy!
Good advice! You know it seems to me the local authorities should have an aggressive anti-pickpocket campaign. Set a vulnerable person up to look like a likely victim in a busy area, but have people nearby watching and waiting so that they can catch the thief. . . .
Sound advice!
Pick-pocketing happens practically in all capital and major cities of Europe. Pickpockets are where the tourists are. I remember once waiting for a friend at the bottom of the stairs down inside the Metro station in Rome, I was watching a young group of three already targeting their "would be victim" as people go down the escalator.
My daughter, nearly fell victim too as I walked behind her while looking for my ticket in my bag to go through the ticket machine and looked up just in time to see what was actually happening....three young girls, one on her left, one on her right and another in front of her trying to slow her down while the 2 squeezing her on both sides. I rushed quickly to push one girl. Upon checking, her bag's zipper was already opened but nothing taken. Thank God for their mission unaccomplished.
One other tip: With company, look after each other (watching each other especially in crowded areas). We tend to enjoy or be engrossed in things and places we see the first time and forget what or who else is around us....just don't forget to be wary as well!!!
Nina Nina: My husband was the American wearing the expensive REI zipper convertible pants, had his wallet in his front pocket, and took his hand out of his pocket to grab the pole in the Rome metro. The young girl stepped behind him, put her hand in his pocket…. Which he felt and grabbed her wrist and stepped back off the metro. This retired Marine and retired jail deputy dragged her up the escalator. He demanded of security to watch the security camera and call the police to arrest her. Long story, my husband kept his wallet and has a nice Italian police report for a souvenir. The young girl probably had bruises on her wrist for weeks. She already had a record and was in police computers. My poor sister was absolutely traumatized. I wasn’t because I had read the Rick Steves book explaining it’s just economics. Americans worry about pickpockets and Europeans worry about being killed in a mass shooting in the good ole USA. Crazy world.
Except in Switzerland
You're so right! When we were in Paris a while back on the subway I witnessed two pickpockets hand off the wallet one had lifted by passing under a coat on the other's arm. Freaked me out! Both were dressed respectably and you would never think that they were pickpockets! I hope everyone listens to your tips. I try to be very careful while traveling. Enjoyed your video.
When I was in Paris, I wore a cross body bag and almost got robbed in the metro. I couldn’t believe he managed to get the clasp to my purse open and the zipper unzipped. When I realized what was happening, I yelled out, and that scared him away.
After that. I always wore a fanny pack across my chest with my jacket on top.
💯 likes
Omg I’m scared now😭 I have a cross body purse I plan to go to Paris with next month. But I’m not the public transport type of person. I don’t even use public transportation in my own country. I’ll take an Uber everywhere I go.
@@nenelatri933 I was there in June I did not get robbed good luck to you
A lock and key work in that situation.
Bro how? You must've had headphones on or not paying attention at all. Idk about you but when I'm out I have surrounding awareness. Pickpockets will push you or make a distraction to get your attention away from your belongings and that's the perfect opportunity for them to grab what they want. That's why you should always be aware of your surroundings, be aware of your belongings and have your hands on them. Try not to be on your phone a lot or listen to music
Hi Roman! All of your tips are absolutely spot on... the pickpocket problem in Paris is HUGE! I can think of many tips, here's two: when you get into a crowded metro and if you are carrying a bag, be very careful, there are pickpockets who wait for this moment when the doors start closing and then they RUSH, snatch your bag and run away. I have seen this happening before my very eyes and heard of this story through others. And one more thing: As much as you can, DON'T carry bags! Yes, I don't! I make sure I have a jacket or coat with zippered pockets where I keep my money and phone. I enjoyed seeing you xx! (There's a lot of windy noises in Paris!)
Agreed! That moment just before the door closes is a prime time for thieves to snatch something and dart away.
Why not put a small padlock on the zipper tabs or zip tie them and use nail clippers as an extra step?
Thank you so much for the tips I'm gonna tell it to my mom and dad
What about the bags with a cross shoulder strap? I’m planning to go to Paris next month
Watch out for the gypsy kids pickpocketing operation
Roman, u are absolutely right. I'm from Hong Kong. Last summer Me and my father had such an experience in Louvre Museum station. Three young girls in a group formation, try to rob my Dad's backpack. They did it in a split seconds once the train doors going to close. It was luck enough for my Dad to stop them and they just ran off.By theway, I must say thanks to a kind French lady that she warned us well before it happen. I think she must heard the girls' conversation.
One more important thing you left out ... When you hear that 'beware of pickpockets' recording, DON'T put your hand on your wallet to make sure its still there. If you do, you have just told the pickpockets where your wallet is. (Sometimes I think its the pickpockets who play those 'beware of pickpockets' messages.) Instead, just keep your wallet in an inside zippered or velcro pocket ... with velcro strong enough that you'll feel it if someone tries to pull it open.
I had my wallet stolen from a zippered pocket getting on the metro in Barcelona. Distracting pressure on the other side of your body and you won’t even feel it taken, Velcro or not. Don’t underestimate the skill of pickpockets.
I wear an undershirt which has multiple lockable pockets (containing my valuables) upon my chest. Over these, I always wear both a jumper/sweater, plus a jacket like yours, always zipped up, over the jumper/sweater. It goes without saying that I do not visit in Summer.
Thanks for the tips! I bought an anti theft backpack for my upcoming trip to Europe worried about the pickpocketing craze. Nice to see someone like yourself proving that with common sense and being aware of your surroundings, that you can make any old bag safe for street wandering. 👌🏾
I buy those little locks for my backpacks, I also have a theftproof cross over bag
as you say, be aware everywhere. was in Geneva at a small grocery with a friend getting some snacks and fruit-when we went to pay she realized the bottom of her nice leather bag had been slit along bottom outside edge and her wallet had been taken out-she never felt a thing sadly and was distracted picking the fruit she wanted. i now always use a slash proof bag with wire mesh in it, lockable zippers and still have passport and extra money and cards in a waist pouch under my pants waistband. better safe than sorry
It had to have been a plastic purse
.
Thanks hun you're the best it really helps what you say and believe me had you not said that I would have been the next victim of a pickpocket so whatever little help you got passed down really makes me feel better not because you're helping me but you're helping a lot of other people God bless you
I'm 54 and went to Mexico when I was 15 with my Girl Scout troop. Even back then, we were warn abt pickpockets when touring Mexico City, especially the museums, restaurants etc. I have a tour of Paris and Venice planned for next April. Thanks for this great video.
My husband & I were in the Metro & suddenly I heard husband screaming loudly (in English) to a man who tried to lift his wallet. The guy just took off. So, don't be afraid to get seriously verbal when u see or feel something. As u said, these guys (or females) just want to move along to their next victim.
Yes, I heard that being vocal can unhinge the pickpockets. We’ll done hubby.
Yes, I was in Barcelona, Rome & Paris last year and got this exact same advice; kept my pockets empty and my travel pack in the front. 😀
My flight is in a couple of hours, I find your videos really useful. Thank you sharing your experiences to benefit others🙏
I wonder what she was thinking at 0.16? For a split second, I thought she was going to get pickpocketed by the guy who was way too close.
Just today my boyfriend was saying he wanted to get a small money clip to keep in his pocket for our up coming trip to Italy. I told him no. Then showed him some videos of people getting things stolen from their front pocket. Then I showed him your suggestions too. Thanks!
Thanks Roman! As a first time student to Paris, your tips are awesome.
When I went to Italy I sew a pocket in my bra and put my card, ID and money in there. Always ketp aware of my surroundings, always pretending I knew where I was going even if I didn't. Always giving rude looks to people who got too close to me. Yeah, sometimes I get paranoid. They really don't like confrontation and target peope who are distracted and lost.The trip went just fine.
You can wear your backpack on your back, but make sure the only items you have in it are a few spring mousetraps.
It's good to invest in anti theft bags and backpacks like Arden Cove, Pacsafe and Travelon. Great video.
Really really useful! And well explained as well. Thanks!
Awesome simple tips, thanks for sharing.
Your husband..... I've been watching you for awhile & never heard you mention a husband. Congrats, so happy for you!
Yes, congratulations! Love, love, love your videos.
@@linwoodlong3966 Yeah I really love her videos too!
Thank you! Yes, it's fairly recent. I share a bit about it here haha ruclips.net/video/9ylOvYCfXCY/видео.html
Thank you!
Thanks so much for great advice!!
* To add
1. Beware in some places taxi drivers are working with criminals and can take you to a place to be rob or have you abducted (its big in Mexico)
2 Some taxi drivers can slip you counterfit money or expire money that has no value.
3.Beware some taxi drivers are scammers and might try to extort you for more money than what you agree upon
(As Nora said Good to take photo of cab number and license)
1. Beware some police forces are corrupt and are involve with Taxi drivers in abductions (esp. in Mexico)
Some places (Spain. Italy, Czech Republic, eastern Europe) police dont really care if a tourist is a victim of a crime. Watch out for scammers and pickpocketers.
See RUclips for all the types of scams and dangers when you travel.
Take only what you are willing to lose.
Thanks for sharing! Appreciate the tips
I always bring clasps with me, you can attace every zipper to another that moves in another direction. It’s a hassle to undo, but it really works!
Thanks for this video. Great information.
I always ALWAYS wear a cross body sling bag UNDER my shirt and jacket for my cellphone, ID, cash and cards. the ONLY thing I keep in an upper shirt or jacket pocket is my metro pass so I can access it easily over and over. if it gets swiped or I drop it no problem, just buy another day pass. I never take my items out of my sling-bag on the street, I step into a shop, get out what I need, and put it back OFF THE STREET and NEVER in the metro. And I agree, never put anything in your pant pockets, I learned this in Rome when I was felt up at Termini train station by a woman of Romani background while I was buying a subway ticket, she moved right up to me talking to me in one ear while I felt her hand go into my back pocket, when that happened I GOT LOUD AND LOUD AND LOUD and she ran away. DONT BE AFRAID TO GET LOUD, pick pockets and scam artists get freaked out from having eyes drawn to their activities. Travel like you are a local, the bare-minimum of items that you will need while out and about, NEVER wear jewelry or watches, NEVER wear a camera around your neck, Make yourself a small target with nothing for people to see on your body and never walk around with big-name shopping bags! If you are doing some shopping you either go straight back to the hotel and put it in your room OR have the shop hold your items until you are ready to back to your hotel and THEN go straight back, but don't wander around with them aimlessly on the streets. GOOD VIDEO! happy you didn't get your camera stolen while talking! LOL.
I like using a Scottevest, which has inside pockets. I also own a scarf that has a hidden compartment.
Oh that's amazing. I have pants with hidden pockets but I don't really like wearing them lol. A vest sounds better. And the scarf seems like spy-wear. I love it!
I need this. Thanks for sharing
Love this advice! Thanks for the great tips. It's a shame that this is such a common problem in big cities.
Great tips. Thank you!
This is so helpful ! Thank you 🙏
Thanks for your tips girl 💗💗
Thank You So Much! I finally Learn that ❤
Excellent. In large European cities I wear my valuables around my neck under my shirt, the male version of the bra purse.
Rule #2. Avoid busses and metro if you can. Cabs more expensive but no pickpockets. I plan my day and start by cabbing to the farthest point and work my way back on foot . Healthy, too.
We were in Rome (my favorite city) and our portiere warned us not to take the bus to St. Peter’s. And leave our valuables with him. We were dumb. We get on the bus. Very crowded. About halfway there my friend says he thinks he was pickpocketed. Two stops later everyone gets off and there at my friend’s feet was a cloth pouch he had had safety pinned inside his front pocket! He had a considerable amount of cash in it. He was better dressed than us with a sportcoat. We were in jeans. Many pickpockets are pros. Not easy to defend against them. But follow all this woman’s tips and it’ll help.
Thank you for this video!
Really great tips. No need to worry about being pickpocketed as long as we take these logical precautions. Just bought a thin over the shoulder bag that I can adjust the straps to sit under my arm. And under my jacket. Your tips are invaluable l. Cheers from 🇦🇺
I often use a stretchy, drawstring glasses pouch on a cord under my shirt. I can put my wallet, phone and passport in there on transport/crowds and it expands to hold everything. A small purse with a spring clip for shopping cash goes inside my waistband.
Thank you for this information!! ❤️
You're welcome
The first time when I was in Paris l was pickpocket by gang of gypsies in Paris metro. Theywere surrounded my bag as I was walking out off the station. I lost 500 Francs which was also my money for my entire trip..... that was 34 years ago!!!
Ahhg! So sorry, how upsetting!! Take care, bye!!
Some stupid man lost teeth when it nearly happened to me in 2018 Paris is great but pick pickpockets are bad
How do you know actually they were Roma people? There’s a lot of dangerous racist stereotypes in Europe.
That would have been about $82 USD.
I'm Japanese, but I didn't expect to hear Japanese announcements on the European subway 😳
Why not, u helped us when we were outnumbered, u deserved it
It's because Japanese people are likely to get targeted. They're not aware of the danger and they tend to carry cash and other valuables
Because they know Japan is so safe and people there are not used to pick pockets 😂
After Corona stay alert at the fleamarkets too!😊
I watched this video before my paris trip earlier this month and I"m so glad I did because I stayed vigilant in the metro and had my hand in my pocket the whole time I was in the train. I also got an "undercover hidden pocket" from eaglecreek for $14 with loops through which I put my belt and I kept my ccard and id in there and felt safer. I noticed the buses were a lot less crowded than the metro so I began using them more since I wasn't in any hurry.
I think that there needs to be sting operations in areas of high theft where the scammers start getting scammed.
The problem and the reason why these things happen are because of the laws. You have to be caught with something in your hand to get in trouble, and most of the time it's not a big penalty. That and you have to have enough police around and most of the time, especially in heavily populated places, there aren't.
Thank you, for your insights bc I will be in Paris in a few weeks.
thank you very much, good ideas for thought
I had a good laugh watching you put the backpack on the front, haha! Silly but will save your things.
New sub and thank you for the Advice and bless you
Very common at all capital cities in Europe!... For instance, in Madrid, down "El Prado Museum", boy! Careful! Above all in that path between "Calle Sol and El Prado"..
👀❗❗❗As our friend here sais, the type of bag, or purse helps a lot. For example, those tiny cute backpacks, wearing them on your chest, are the best, 'cause it allows you to keep control of it at all times. Then avoid crowds, and usual tourist routes.. This is it!! Thanks so much for your video, very useful!! Take care!!!
This video was so good. thanks x
Nice lady, tak8ng time to care for others, stay safe.
I have seen several types of bags that you can clip the zipper shut. Some of them even look like it is still just hanging there. I also have a friend who has a fake wallet in his pocket and the real one elsewhere on his body. His fake ID is the typical Mclovin Hawaii drivers liscense.
One thing I like to do as a extra precaution is use a wallet that has a key ring or a hole in the corner to clip it with a beamer clip to the inside of my bags. That way they have to literally stop and take time to unclip it. Gives me a higher likely hood of catching them and stopping it.
yes. I used to carry a fake wallet when I traveled, but after a couple of years with no use I gave it up haha. but I love all of your extra precautions. A clip is a great thing to have!
@@romanlillie my friend has had it come in handy more than once. He was even threatened with a knife by a guy.
One tip I also have is that for those using money belts don't keep using it. Leave only emergency stuff in it like a credit card and ID Thieves see that if you keep getting it out
The McLovin ID lmaooooo that's fucking gold 😂 Imagine the look on their faces when they see the ID card
Yeah I carry a toss wallet too. Paid off once when I was being followed (not in Paris). These three guys wanted to rob me, so I threw my toss wallet in their direction and got away. I use old wallets that are a bit worn out, plus put in some junk cards, including a business card from my local Police Credit Union.
Phenomenal feasible Paris traveling information Roman. Superb tips.
Thanks. Gotta stay safe out here...
Great tips ❤
thank u for the tips ❤️
Lol when she showed the flip flops I cried 😂😂 I love your video though keep up the good work
HAHAHAHA Flipflops are sooo comfortable. And the socks...well...they keep my toes so nice and warm!
Thanks for the tips.
Happy to help.
Good tips!
This happened to me in Ny, I must say they are clever indeed I plan to visit France next year. Thank you darling for you informative video 🤗
Excellent video 👍🎊💯
Great video. Very informative. New subscriber.
As a woman I put always my valuable things like cash card, passport and money in a little pocket that is secured at my bra. I bought it a few years ago on Amazon. Will be wearing this again on my next trip to paris.
Great Video.
Your pocket contents can go into a vest covered by a jacket. Some companies also make a pouch that is basically half a vest, they sit on your left side under your jacket without the warmth of a full vest. Great video, thank you!
These are great tips for visiting many larger cities. Good stuff as usual!
Thanks Kellie. And yeah, this applies to more than just Paris.
These are great tips
Great video
Hello.. Thank you. You won another channel subscriber!!!
I wear an infinity scarf with a zipper for money, passport, etc. To be extra safe, I would wear it under my coat zipped up for extra security. For a purse, worn cross body, not only does it have a zipper for the main part, but small compartment zippers for valuables. Very good video!
I like the end with that guy and his dog singing
Thank You... I knowI would have been robbed in Paris if I didn’t watch your video.... I’m a fan... Subscribing !
I love the flip flops and socks!
great video!
Good advice video 👍🙏
Thanks!
Thank you
hi thanks for the tips
Cute ending with the guy singing, and his dog on his shoulder.
Paris Pickpocketing theft starts right from Airport Roissy CDG. Crowded elevators in airport terminals are too having pickpocket. The CDGVAL shuttle train between terminals does have pickpocket as these have easy halts at parking stations. When you arrived tired, distracted with signages, conversation, enquiry at counters and busy hands with luggage, your smaller belongings (cash, mobiles, passports) may be targeted. Don't forget to make a complaint to get an FIR filed at police building near one of parking stations of Roissy CDG terminals immediately before going to Consulate or Embassy (in City) to apply for fresh passport (if it's stolen). That is required by most embassies to reissue urgent passport.
Thanks so much for these tips🤝
Oh man ! The dog on the last part had me subscribe !
Good video. INFORMATIVE.
Thank you!
Thanks for the tips. We all leave our phones on the table - better think twice.
Oh yes, be careful with that one.
In my experience the worst place for pickpockets and bag snatching is *Barcelona*
Nice video! The pocket thing is true but as a guy living in America, we are so accustomed to putting this in pockets.
change your habit then !! the thieves & gangs in All major cities in Europe focus on tourists mostly. They know they are carrying useful marjetable items like money, credit cards, passports. Repeat wear secure travel bag under your clothes and try not to look like a tourist. Americans are amongst the worst culprits
Whatever you do, don’t try to chase down the pickpocket. Let it go.
They often work in teams and what was stolen has likely been passed off to someone else. And don’t trust anyone that suddenly volunteers to “help”. If you DO catch the thief, a small knife may suddenly make itself known. Not worth it.
All of what you say is spot on. Was travelling on a bus in Venice when we got robbed. The bus was crowded when we boarded and after paying the fare, it was my intention to put my purse in my backpack that was positioned in the front. Then suddenly the pushing and shoving started as soon as the bus was in motion and when my friend lost her balance, I leaned forward to assist and that was when my purse was stolen. Pushing and shoving is the oldest trick in the book and we fell for it. Two other couples on the bus were also robbed even with their handbag held tightly in front of them, yet the pickpockets still managed to unzip them. The sad part is that the other two couples in their sixties and seventies wasted much time trying to contact their bank and lost a significant sum of money in the interim. I was able to cancel my credit cards in an instant on my iPhone. All the pickpockets jumped off at a bus stop before we realised what had happened and when the rest of us jumped off at the next stop about ten minutes away, money was already being cashed on their credit cards. They operate very quickly.
What year was this? Do all credit cards need pin numbers nowadays?