Last year, several groups of pickpocketers profited off oblivious commuters on New York Citys subway system.
I pick people who are distracted.
Back in 2015, French police arrested a group of pickpocketers stealing from tourists visiting the Eiffel Tower.
According toNBC News, they stole roughly $3,000 each week.
This week,Million Mile Secretsprovided tips on decreasing your chances of being preyed on by pickpocketers.
(Well address this shortly.)
In other words, you should avoid any attraction that has reviews that mention crowds and selfie sticks.
OnReddit, u/crushhawk shared a story of a pickpocketer on a train in Madrid, Spain.
While going along, my one friend kept getting bumped into a loud guy behind him, they said.
Suddenly, his camera falls to the floor from its pouch.
[The pickpocketer] reaches down to get it then runs out as we arrive at our stop.
(As oneRedditorsuggests, a fanny pack wouldnt be a bad preventative measure against pickpocketing efforts.)
And in your research, you might one common theme among pickpocketing scams: distraction.
A passerby squirts you with a liquid, condiment or fake bird dropping, theWashington Postoffers as an example.
What were saying is the next time someone throws a baby at you, dont catch it.
Instead, resist the urge to catch, touch or retrieve anything.
Just be conscious of your surroundings.
Dont let suspicious strangers invade your personal space if you could help it, u/hairfarmer suggested on aReddit thread.
For one, always keep your phone and wallet in your front pockets at all times.
AsMillion Mile Secretswrites, dont leave phones sitting on tables or bags strapped to the back of your chair.
And never carry your passport on you.
Instead, leave it in the hotel room safe.
And lastly, avoid opening a map or guidebook in public.
It might only increase the odds that a scammer will venture to take advantage of you.
