Rick Steves' Advice On What To Do If You've Been Pickpocketed While Visiting Europe

If you've ever been pick-pocketed, you know the panicked feeling that washes over you the second you start patting your pockets, frantically searching for your phone or wallet. It's not a nice feeling — and can create a dark cloud over the rest of the trip. Thankfully, aside from the sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach that might take a while to subside, there are steps you can take in order to ensure you don't fall victim to this classic travel blunder again.

Travel expert Rick Steves has an interesting take on how to process being the target of a pick-pocketing incident, which is, in not so many words, to get over it and move on with your life. According to Steves, "If it happens to you, it's best to get over it quickly. You're rich, and thieves aren't. You let your guard down, and they grabbed your camera. It ruins your day, and you have to buy a new one, while they sell it for a week's wages on their scale. It's wise to keep a material loss in perspective."

While this is certainly one perspective to consider, for some people, having their money, cards, or phone stolen can seem like the end of the world and be hard to just "get over". The following bit of advice from Steves may seem a bit more understanding and useful, in which he states, "If you exercise adequate discretion, stay aware of your belongings, and avoid putting yourself into risky situations ... your travels should be about as dangerous as hometown grocery shopping. Don't travel fearfully — travel carefully." While there are those who like to live the "YOLO" mentality, traveling carefully is what every traveler should aim for, and Steves has other tips to keep in mind to stay safe.

In today's world, there are many preventative measures one can take to make sure their personal effects stay safe, and to avoid becoming the target of theft. As someone who lived in Europe for five years, the only thing that was ever stolen from me was a cell phone — and that was during a large festival with many people around.

According to Steves, travelers should "be aware of the possible pitfalls of traveling, but relax and have fun. Limit your vulnerability rather than your travels." So, how can travelers ensure they don't fall victim? As Scar from "The Lion King" sings — "Be prepared". While you probably have 100 million other things running through your mind, it's important to stay alert during your travels. Steves recommends taking "steps to minimize your loss in case of theft". This includes making copies of important documents, getting theft insurance for expensive electronics, leaving expensive jewelry and luggage at home, setting up the "find my phone" app, and backing up your phone's data in case it does get stolen. 

It's also a good idea to leave valuables behind in your hotel room, either in a hotel safe or locked in your luggage while you're out. If you have a travel day, bring an extra bag to store your important documents and electronics, and keep it with you at all times (vs storing it underneath the bus or on the luggage rack). Steves has some good suggestions, including looping your bag around your leg or chair leg while at a restaurant, clipping your bag to your seat, luggage rack, or yourself on public transport, and even clipping your zippers together with a paper clip. In Steves words, "the point isn't to make your bag impenetrable, but harder to get into than the next guy's." 

I cannot tell you the number of times I've told someone they should take their phone or wallet off the table while sitting in a busy area in Europe. It's basically like having a sign on your forehead that says, "Come run past and swipe my stuff!." If nothing else, keep your phone and wallet in your front pockets — that way you'll at least be able to see or feel someone reaching for it.

If you opt for a money belt or putting things in a more secure pocket, Steves recommends being as "circumspect as possible (as) thieves can identify the easiest mark — most likely the person with the bulging back pocket or the traveler who keeps patting a day bag to check that the money is still there." For phones, you can attach a lanyard or even use a hair-tie to loop around it and secure to your wrist. 

Last but not least, and perhaps most importantly, stay on alert when you enter a busy area! This includes places like festivals, any commotion, public transport, flea markets, or literally anywhere with loads of people. Steves suggests keeping an eye on your personal effects at all times, and taking turns "watching the bags with your travel partner." Wear your smaller backpack with valuables inside on your chest, make sure your purse is in front of you (again, you can use a hair-tie and loop it through the zippers for extra protection), and make sure wallets and phones are in your front pocket. Staying alert while traveling doesn't mean you can't have a good time — but trust me when I say that your time abroad will be even better if your purse or backpack remains in your care.