What is pickpocketing?

Answer 1

Pickpocketing is the act of stealing valueables from one's pocket. A pickpocket is a person who pickpockets people. Pickpockting is a crime. It usually occurs in big cities and places with lots of people, such as, but not limited to airports, bus depots, sports games, malls, and amusement parks. Most people get pickpocketed while on holiday. To reduce the chance of being pickpocketed, take the following precautions: -Never keep your wallet or anything valueable in your back pocket. This is the most vulnerable place for pickpocketing -Always store valueables in a front pocket or secret pocket. Make sure that it is not sticking out of your pocket. -Try to avoid walking through large crowds of any kind. Pickpockets can easily blend in and snatch wallets without anyone noticing. -Try to avoid touching/fidding with/rubbing the pocket that you have your wallet/valueable in. This tells a pickpocket where your valueables are. -Avoid taking out your wallet and looking through it (except when you are purchasing something). While you are looking through your wallet, someone could snatch it out of your hands and run away with it. -Never give money to panhandlers, unless you have loose change that you don't mind giving in your pocket. If you take out your wallet in front of a panhandler, he/she may snatch it from you while you are looking at it. -Count your money at home or in a hotel room. Never lay out money and credit cards on a table/phone booth/etc. in a public place, as somebody can snatch it. -When you make purchases with a credit card or debit card, make sure that when the clerk puts the credit card down on the counter, that you put it away right away. Same with ATM's, when you're done with the debit card, put it in your wallet right away. -Remember that pickpockets do not wear disguises! They are normal people and blend in with the scene. Pickpockets can be young and old, male and female, rich and poor. Young children, teens, and even seniors can be pickpockets! -Whenever you are going out to a public place, only take what you need. Leave some money, credit card(s), ID, etc. that you don't need to take behind in the hotel safe. That way, if you do get pickpocketed, you don't lose as much stuff. If you do get pickpocketed, make sure that you cut off your credit card(s) and debit card so that the thief can't spend all your money. -Remember; when travelling, don't take anything that you aren't prepared to lose. You never know what will happen and some things are safer left at home.