How can I avoid getting mugged in Italy?

How can I avoid getting mugged in Italy?

What do pickpockets do with wallets?

One of the most readily available sources of personal information is your purse or wallet, and a thief can do plenty with the contents. Your credit cards, debit cards, checkbook, and home information can give a criminal valuable material to work with, especially in terms of making a quick buck through account fraud.

Who do pickpockets target in Italy?

Who do pickpockets target? Pickpockets look for distracted and unaware travelers. “That's not to say that anyone can be prey, but if you're engrossed in your phone, you're less attentive to what's going on around you,” said Maria Pasquale, a Rome-based travel journalist and author.

How do you spot a tourist trap in Italy?

Are tote bags easy to pickpocket?

A tote bag, on the other hand, may have thin straps, but it also has two straps, so even if a thief manages to cut one, they won't be able to snatch the whole bag in one go!

Are backpacks safe from pickpockets?

Your bag or backpack is probably the most vulnerable area that pickpockets love to target. Backpacks are especially vulnerable because you can't see if someone is trying to get into it.

Which city has the most pickpockets?

Las Ramblas, Barcelona, Spain How to avoid it: It may sound simple but make sure that all of your valuables are tightly zipped away in a bag or purse when you're in tourist areas. Zips on bags should also face inwards where possible. Las Ramblas is the worst spot in the world for pickpockets.

Are crossbody bags good for pickpockets?

While crossbodies are purses that are hard to pickpocket, make sure to keep them in front of you at all times when you're out and about. That way, you'll be able to see your valuables, no matter where you are!

How not to stand out as a tourist in Italy?

How can tourists avoid pickpockets?

Do pickpockets target tourists?

Your clothes are a dead giveaway. The stereotype is true: American tourists stick out like a sore thumb when they travel, making them prime targets for pickpockets. Instead of throwing on a T-shirt to rep your alma mater, try to dress like the locals.

What is the best type of bag to avoid pickpockets?

The safest and most convenient style of bag is a crossbody bag that you wear from one shoulder to the opposite hip. A thin flexible wire embedded in the strap makes it slash-resistant to thieves who cut bag straps and then run off with the bag.

Is it better to carry cash or card in Italy?

In Italy, cash is still preferred in most restaurants, cafes and other establishments, although credit and debit cards are becoming more widely used throughout Italy and are an increasingly convenient way to pay for things. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, although American Express is not.