How to AVOID Becoming a PICKPOCKET VICTIM (10 Tips)

10 mistakes tourists keep making with pickpockets in the Paris Metro + how to outsmart them

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[lachie]

To add to the advice of not confronting a pick pocket too physically when identified, teams of female pick pockets will also often have male protection in the carriage ready to intervene if need be and it won’t be obvious who is ready to step out of the crowd to back them up. We just finished a year living in Paris and saw first hand on a few occasions how it plays out. Take care people and thanks for another great video Antoine and Colleen!

[Vanessab_]

Just came back from a family week trip in Paris. We were fully aware 100% of the time in the metro and luckily did not encounter any problems.
However, we did see those groups of young girls with the big bags and stayed far away from them ! Your videos had us prepared ! Stay safe everyone and enjoy your trip ! :)

[heleneg]

"Antoine and I stand face to face and watch each other's backs." Too funny.

[ysbel]

Good advice. Best advice I was given was to avoid big crowds but also avoid areas totally absent of people. Tourists have a big advantage in the metro because they can usually avoid the morning and evening rush hours when it’s most crowded but the locals can’t. I do sit near the door but I’ve found that I can protect my crossbody with my arms keeping my elbows firmly at my side and shove my big bags under the seat between my legs. I do take my passport in my crossbody bag because being a New Yorker I don’t have a drivers license but it’s in a locked compartment in my crossbody bag that never leaves my stomach.

I also have a big backpack with an extra sweater and my water bottle and trash bag to act as a decoy and I don’t mind if it gets stolen but it never has.

One piece of advice. You can use the pickpockets’ strategy and hang a coat over your arm or your lap if you want to hide what you don’t want stolen.

[jghamann]

I was a victim at the subway in Paris many years ago. Two guys simulated a discussion, one pushed the other, the pushed one bumped into me. My wallet was gone. It all happened the moment the doors of the car opened, I went inside and they stayed on the plataform "arguing". I had about 100 euros and a credit card, they did $10.000 shopping on it in about 15 minutes before I could report the CC operator. Thank God insurance covered it.

[marthawilson]

Great tips! The only thing I would add is that my Parisian girlfriends carry (cloth) totes instead of purses to deter pickpockets. The reason this works is that pickpockets do not want to have to dig deeply into a big bag and rummage around to find things. You will see women carrying totes everywhere. During my two-month stays in Paris every year, I always carry a tote and have it over my shoulder; then when I’m on the metro, I move it in front of me and look pretty fierce. I have never had any problems (over the decades) on the Paris Metro.

[tonguepiercing]

After hundreds of cities visited in 4 continents, I can confirm the solid risk of pickpockets. Not just based on my own experience but also plenty of travelling family members, friends and colleagues, some places are more dangerous then others. As said in the video, put Barcelona and Rome high on the list of risky places. Paris is just a small step down, and don’t forget New York.
I avoid cash completely, except for 3 or 4 coins in case of a toilet that has no electronic gate yet. I also avoid credit cards, and I only use a debit card linked to Apple pay. I then keep my wallet and phone hidden and only use my Aplle watch. I have 2 iPhones and 2 Apple watches: the newer ones at home, and the older ones for travel. This requires some synchronisation efforts, but I found that Apple made it quite easy.
I still prefer backpacks, but I go for a small one and it will contain some rainprotection or foldable umbrella, a guidebook, a small powerbank, hand sanitation gel, some tissues, basic medication in case of pain, cramps or diarrhea, a pen and paper. A phone charging cable, some sunscreen or other cream, a comb, a spare folded plastic bag, a simple replacement shoelace, sunglasses, small nailscissors, … are in there too. The trick is to give every item its exact fixed place, so of you need something you dont need to ‘unload’ other things, or sit around with your bag open for a prolonged time. And after use I put the item back at its fixed place.
I know that modern phones are sophisticated camera with plenty of functions, and ofcourse GPS location of where the photo was made. But this requires getting the phone out way too often.
So I prefer a small very portable camera, like the Canon Poweshot G7x, that I attach to my wrist with a cord. It makes beautifull photos, it is water and dust resistant, and in my opinion thiefs are not so much interested in cameras. The camera is black but with some nail polish I gave it a used and weathered look, so it seems even less interesting for thieves.
A last tip: when travelling with a friend it is ofcourse nice to walk together and talk. But in a busy metro it is easier to find a place to sit if you accept single places. So we sit apart for short trips, and then we keep an eye on eachothers surroundings. We ofcourse decided before exactly where to get of, eliminating discussions or getting out maps or guidebooks.

[babsr]

All good tips. I once caught a pickpocket in an elevator in Galleries Lafayette trying to reach his hand in a couple's Chanel shopping bag.

[renferal]

I always travel alone and I am very fortunate that I have not been pick pocketed so far. I sadly this last time in Paris got scammed by a fake cab. He charged me 150 euros to go 3-4 miles. I told him I didn't have it. He got 100 out of me and thankfully I got my luggage back . He was in taxi stand so I sadly assumed he was real. Very good video and excellent advise.

[sophiebrissaud]

It may be useful to mention that there are lots of pickpockets in Paris buses too, especially on some lines at peak hours. Line 47 for instance is a mess and has frequent thieves. They often operate when you're just about to exit the bus.

[peterh]

Excellent advice all round & as you say we have exactly the same issues in the UK in our smaller cities & some large towns even, not only London. As you suggest I have had scanned copies of my passport & driver's licence etc. on my phone for many years & even if I lose that it's on the cloud. As we visit mainly in the autumn my wife always puts her bag under her coat when we are on the Metro.

[MikeOBrien]

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…you two make the best damn videos…period. I just wish more people would view them and take your sage advice. Please keep making these informative videos. Thanks 🥂
PS: Since 1972, I’m 4 and 0 against pickpockets.

[VivienneAiyela]

Pickpockets ARE EVERY WHERE including all Major Cities across the world! I always find it fascinating when I see posts on travel forums saying "I feel safer to carry my passport with me than to leave it in the hotel safe" . In Europe you don't need to show your passport to gain entry into museums etc

[kevwwong]

Slings are great. I use one in my everyday life and it's where my wallet goes now instead of my pants pocket. The key elements - strong zippers, a strap that is hard to detach, and a zipper pouch that goes up against your body.

[charlottelanvin]

I live in Paris. I had a gf from NYC. We disagreed on how to navigate public transport. In Paris I'm eyes up, looking around; if you think someone is sketchy, look them in the eyes - they're less likely to act if you think you've clocked them. She was more eyes down, going from A to B, make no eye contact. I'm aware that she is a girl and I'm a guy, but in Paris I recommend tourists to be discreet, have a plan for your trip and even if you're lost just look like you know where you're going.

[JimVeNard]

A huge thank you. We took our bucket list Europe trip last month. We watched your videos before we left. We took the Eurostar to Paris and transfered to Lazare and onto Caen. We did it like locals! We had all the apps required to buy tickets and get rental cars etc. Thanks for the education

[KalaVeritates]

Great video and great advice even when just traveling in one's own country. ❤❤👏👏

[DeltaLimaActual-to]

Wife and I were on foot in Rome near the Coliseum wearing backpacks (20 years ago). Suddenly the group of 5-6 children came up from behind us shouting & laughing but they mobbed us asking for change. Our instincts kicked in and we ran, out running them. When we stopped, my wife's back pack had the zipper pulled open. They didn't get anything, but it was close. Lesson learned.

[carolmartin]

You always have great recommendations and give great advise!

[Cindypisces]

Great video. Ill be honest ive been traveling to Europe for the past 2 years and i just came back from paris last month. And yes i can say thats my worst fear. So far ive been successful against pickpockets. But all the tips you both laid ive been practicing forever!! I never ever carry my passport with me its always in the safe in my hotel. Also i never ever carry all my cash. I personally dont understand why people continue to do this. Especially when you have a safe available to you at the hotel. Its so risky. Thank you for continuing to spread the word on how to keep safe.