I read that when there was a crowd in (I think) London, perhaps early 20th Century, someone would get up and state loudly “Gentlemen be careful of your wallets” which of course induced said gentlemen to immediately pat their pocket where the wallet was. Duly noted by pickpockets, who then knew exactly where to filch the wallet from on the gentlemen’s jackets.
Years ago I bought a photographer’s vest that I wear on pleasure trips. It has multiple pockets inside and out. Some with zippers; some with velcro snaps. Passport, charge card, money all go in inside pockets — American cash in one and the country’s cash in another. Outside pockets hold the phone/camera, water bottles, tissue, sun glasses, etc. This leaves both hands free so I can take pictures, shop, use a cane [very handy to have if only to lean on while standing in line], etc.
I carry a dummy wallet in my back pocket, with a couple of bucks in it and some mock credit cards ( old Blockbuster, Winn-Dixie, Sears store cards without my name on them ). I keep my real cash and necessary i.d. and debit/credit cards in a special money clip/ card holder where it would be much harder for a pickpocket to see and get at.
In the two instances when I’ve had my pocket picked by thieves, they’ve gone for the bait.
A note to the ladies – NEVER put your car keys in your purse! Thieves will have both your car keys and your house key.
Even at home, I keep my keys on a hook, which served me well when somebody threw a stone through the window in the middle of the night and grabbed my purse. They’d already propped open the storm door and obviously planned on cleaning out the house.
I saw “beware of pickpockets” signs on vacation. I was told pickpockets post those signs, watching you instinctively feel you pocket for your wallet. Now they know where it is.
Don’t even need to leave home. Twice I’ve had text messages: “ALERT ! Your account has been compromised, and now frozen.” With instructions to go to a web site to straighten this out.Didn’t what account with whom…..
Those coin-operated parking meters are the worst. A robber in an upstairs window nearby can guess how long he will have to mess with your car. Lost an old camera that way.
Sometimes when I turn on the radio in my car a message pops up on the touchscreen about the dangers of driving while distracted — and I have to tap the “accept” space on the screen to make it go away. What genius came up with a distracted driver warning THAT CAUSES THE DRIVER TO NOT PAY ATTENTION TO THE ROAD??
Sanspareil over 1 year ago
AdVenture capitalism at its finest!
AllishaDawn over 1 year ago
I keep my purse under my armpit when I’m in line at the pharmacy.
Grandma Lea over 1 year ago
Keeping your purse there will not stop the robbery at the pharmacy counter
Ermine Notyours over 1 year ago
Where are the moped-riding headphone thieves?
keenanthelibrarian over 1 year ago
I read that when there was a crowd in (I think) London, perhaps early 20th Century, someone would get up and state loudly “Gentlemen be careful of your wallets” which of course induced said gentlemen to immediately pat their pocket where the wallet was. Duly noted by pickpockets, who then knew exactly where to filch the wallet from on the gentlemen’s jackets.
YourFriendlyNeighborhoodAmoeba over 1 year ago
Consumer advisory for all commercial media. Usually heeded as shown.
Doug K over 1 year ago
Don’t you just hate it when they put up signs on the sidewalk like this?
They’re so annoying and distracting.
Chris over 1 year ago
brilliant strategy.
Lenavid over 1 year ago
Congress has perfected this method.
daveoverpar over 1 year ago
Shouldn’t that sign be in front of the United States Capital?
[Traveler] Premium Member over 1 year ago
I got complacent in Rome and was pickpocketed. But they only took my cash and left my credit cards and passport. How nice of them.
HOTLOTUS1 over 1 year ago
good to know. what pharmacy is that?
GreenT267 over 1 year ago
Years ago I bought a photographer’s vest that I wear on pleasure trips. It has multiple pockets inside and out. Some with zippers; some with velcro snaps. Passport, charge card, money all go in inside pockets — American cash in one and the country’s cash in another. Outside pockets hold the phone/camera, water bottles, tissue, sun glasses, etc. This leaves both hands free so I can take pictures, shop, use a cane [very handy to have if only to lean on while standing in line], etc.
Linguist over 1 year ago
I carry a dummy wallet in my back pocket, with a couple of bucks in it and some mock credit cards ( old Blockbuster, Winn-Dixie, Sears store cards without my name on them ). I keep my real cash and necessary i.d. and debit/credit cards in a special money clip/ card holder where it would be much harder for a pickpocket to see and get at.
In the two instances when I’ve had my pocket picked by thieves, they’ve gone for the bait.
Drag0nr1der over 1 year ago
The Mean streets of ……….
Dani Rice over 1 year ago
A note to the ladies – NEVER put your car keys in your purse! Thieves will have both your car keys and your house key.
Even at home, I keep my keys on a hook, which served me well when somebody threw a stone through the window in the middle of the night and grabbed my purse. They’d already propped open the storm door and obviously planned on cleaning out the house.
ladykat over 1 year ago
I wear a cross body purse and keep the purse part on my front with my hand on it.
SofaKing over 1 year ago
I saw “beware of pickpockets” signs on vacation. I was told pickpockets post those signs, watching you instinctively feel you pocket for your wallet. Now they know where it is.
Holden Awn over 1 year ago
What is not shown is that the building is City Hall, and those two thieves are employees just doing their jobs.
christelisbetty over 1 year ago
Don’t even need to leave home. Twice I’ve had text messages: “ALERT ! Your account has been compromised, and now frozen.” With instructions to go to a web site to straighten this out.Didn’t what account with whom…..
mistercatworks over 1 year ago
Those coin-operated parking meters are the worst. A robber in an upstairs window nearby can guess how long he will have to mess with your car. Lost an old camera that way.
KEA over 1 year ago
gotta try that
unfair.de over 1 year ago
I’m sure this is an allegory for politics somehow.
198.23.5.11 over 1 year ago
There’s always a sign in restaurants—“Not responsible for theft of your hat and coat”—-or some such.
Well,if they’re not,who the freak IS!!
gary.eddings4157 Premium Member over 1 year ago
Mental application to Social Media
Chained Magician over 1 year ago
Based on a true story…
monya_43 over 1 year ago
They have been taking lessons from the Wiley bears.
6turtle9 over 1 year ago
Finally, an honest scam!
T... over 1 year ago
Your pocket is picked with all these high food prices…
scpandich over 1 year ago
Sometimes when I turn on the radio in my car a message pops up on the touchscreen about the dangers of driving while distracted — and I have to tap the “accept” space on the screen to make it go away. What genius came up with a distracted driver warning THAT CAUSES THE DRIVER TO NOT PAY ATTENTION TO THE ROAD??
Laurie Stoker Premium Member over 1 year ago
This is the hoodie-wearing human version of the Wiley Bears!!!