| Pickpockets and Purse-Snatchers tips posted by real travelers and Rome locals. • 37 Photos
• 163 Reviews
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 beware in crowds by sue_stone
We were on a crowded bus and witnessed a pickpocket in action - the person standing next to us was silly enought to have their wallet in their back pocket and if we hadn't yelled out, they would have lost it!
Just be sensible and alert. Leave a Comment
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Just received the following note from a friend who was here in Rome and returned to Florence.
Well we journeyed to Firenze and arrived intact. Only 5 gypsies approached us at the Rome termini. The last two helped us put our luggage on the train and while Pat was asking me if she should give a tip the one gal had her hand in Pat's purse!!!!!!!!!! Pat yelled at her and I not knowing what was up gave the gal 2 euros. Pat was still is shock trying to explain and I didn't comprehend until I had already given her the euros. She proceeded down the aisle of the train talking to folks until she approached a priest and he started in with a lecture and the two of them emgaged a major debate!!!! So we vowed after this experience that we would, no matter how difficult the task with the luggage, that we would assist "ourselves" and need not outside aid. BUT as soon as we started to unload at the Firenze termani, a young man asked to help and we said YES!!!! hahaha!!! He was a passenger on the train. I personally thought the two that helped us in Rome were passengers......no.......gypsies........
Well - Ms Gypsy, if you see me and a bear in a phone booth - help the bear!
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Although most of Rome is no more dangerous than any other major city, there are a few areas in which local thieves like to prey. Be careful at the main train station (Stazione Termini), the Via dei Fori Imperiali (the road between the Collisseum and Piazza Venezia), and similar places that are very crowded with tourists in summer (such as Piazza di Spagna).
Thieves are looking for tourists who are not aware of their surroundings. So before you go out, put your money and credit cards either in a money belt or in a deep front pocket, empty any bags of anything other than what you need today, and in general, make it hard for someone to take something off your person without you knowing it. Then, when you go out, avoid the crowds and look around from time to time, just as you might in any big city.
As I like to say, put on your "New York" face...note that people from large urban settings such as New York normally don't have a problem in Italy. Leave a Comment
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 The money belt I use by Lacristina
Many people who will tell you that they didn't have a problem with pickpockets or other scam artists during their visit to Rome. I'm sure they didn't. But do 100 per cent of tourists have to be ripped off before you believe there's a threat?
Obviously, you could ignore advice about keeping your money and credit cards in a safe place, and not have a problem. But.....
On a recent trip to Rome, and our last morning there, we heard an American couple tell their tale of woe at breakfast. They took the crowded Metro, and before the husband knew what happened to him, pickpockets had taken his wallet out of his pants pocket, took the $400 in it, and put the wallet back in his pocket! Later, on the same train, two other con artists tried the same thing!
Just that morning, the couple had discussed whether or not he should use the money belt.
It's the same old story; you never think it could happen to you. So, bring your money belt and use it!
Here's a photo of the one I use. It's very thin and comfortable (the part that touches your skin feels great even in hot sticky weather). I put most of my money, my credit cards and bank card in it, and it's virtually invisible under my clothes.
If you carry a purse, best to shorten the strap and hold it UNDER your arm. (You'll see most Italian woman walking with their purse this way.) Keep all zippers closed and in front. Leave a Comment
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 we should all watch this
before travelling by mapakettle
Don't think you will notice someone putting their hand in your purse or hip pocket, this is what they do, they train hard, the're good. Take precautions.
You will be distracted by one person, while another person will take liberties with your belongings, then pass it along to someone else, and if you make accusations, they won't have it in their possession any longer. Then you could feel threatened, and ......
Just remember, pickpockets are much better at their craft then we are at defending ourselves against their craft. Leave a Comment
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 Gypsy with nice hands by maritoni
We were also warned that they work as teams - sometimes a whole family (with children) and beware of men carrying folded newspapers or men PRETENDING to be blind and walking with canes... The "blind man" is just looking at the bags to target....
Also, if you have a soft heart and see some gypsies begging - check out their hands. - before giving them a euro or 2. They are usually young women with no wrinkles in their hands - nor are hunchback after their racket. They cover their faces with scarves - you will hardly see a face - but the hands do not lie the age of a person... I saw plump, non calloused, & wrinkle-free hands of these beggars. Leave a Comment
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As is the case in most big cities, crime is an issue in Rome. Unlike many cities, violent crime is not a great danger. But there are extremely proficient pickpockets, both individuals and groups, that operate near the train station and the usual tourist areas. Here's what you can do to make yourself as difficult a target as possible:
- Try to call as little attention to yourself as possible; e.g. don't talk loudly in a foreign language (such as English) or wear distinctive clothing
- Don't flash cash or reach for your wallet in a public place
- Keep focus: assume any commotion is a diversion, and any contact by strangers might be a pickpocketing attempt
- Carry as few valuables as possible in your wallet. Leave most of your cash, credit cards, passport, and other critical items in a money belt, or in your hotel safe
The bottom line: while there's no reason to be paranoid, realize that you're a target as a tourist because (1) you're likely to be carrying lots of goodies, and (2) you're likely to be distracted. Enjoy yourself, but "Occhi agli Portofogli" (keep your eyes on your wallet).
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 by AlexDJ
Gipsy children, normally in groups of 4 nr 5, are expert criminals. While one of them tries to divert your attention by showing you something, even a piece of cardboard, the other pick your pocket. Try to avoid them if you see them coming. If you are forced to walk by them, just let them see that you know what they have in mind and they will leave you alone. However the children can be easily spotted. More threatening are the pic-pockets that operate on the buses. Be especially careful on number 64 (Termini-Vatican) and on the Underground which are used mostly by the tourists. Leave a Comment
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I was afraid of them before the travel to Rome although it was no problem with them there. I could see them, they are mainly near the most famous places in Rome like the Spanish Steps or the Fountain di Trevi and you easily can see them. So if you are careful and take your money for example in the bag in front of you you can be sure everything will be ok.
I suppose they also are in the underground but in my opinion the underground there is so crowded that even the pickpockets have the problem to steal something:) Leave a Comment
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Apparently one of the worst pickpocketing buses in Rome - and I managed to get my purse lifted by someone while the bus was loading passengers at the station, before the driver had even arrived! When I noticed I had lost my purse, probably in seconds of it going missing, I asked people around me what had they seen, and everyone just shrugged, including two young men who were closest to me. The Driver refused to get the police, saying "what the heck can I do about it?" when asked, and the thief/thieves stayed on the bus for several stops as no-one near me had moved!! That is the bare faced cheek of them I guess. I lost my last days spending money, credit cards and bus tickets, but luckily the warmth and friendliness of people I had met there meant I was not put off and my friend and I are going back for New Year- my money will be in a money belt from now on though! Leave a Comment
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