When you travel, beware of pickpockets

British spelling

My experience with pickpockets

I lived and worked in Prague, the Czech Republic, for three years. Prague is, up to this date, one of my favourite cities in the world.

However, it was in Prague where I had one of the most devastating experiences in my life. It happened one morning while going to work, traveling by tram.

The tram was packed and full of tourists. I stood in front of the doors as I was getting off in just a couple of stops.

My crossbody bag was actually on my back, which was a really stupid idea. Honestly, I don’t know what I was thinking.

It was an open invitation for pickpockets. Of course, someone took the opportunity to open my bag.

I got off the tram and rushed to the metro. When I was sitting, I saw my bag was open. My wallet was gone. I panicked.

My wallet was gone, and with it my full rent for the month in cash (the owner preferred cash); I had just come back from England and I had a good amount of British pounds that I was going to take to the bank later in the day.

This was quite many years ago, before I stopped using cash completely and became fully digital.

In my wallet, there was also my new transport pass for the whole month, which I had just bought that morning. And of course, my bank cards and the new pin for the ATM was there as well.

When I got to the office I was going to, I could hardly speak. Someone called the bank to cancel my bank card. It was too late.

The bank said they cancelled the card but my account was already empty. They worked fast. They went to three different ATMs. They stole all I had.

Beware of pickpockets at all times

Pickpockets are a plague, they are worse than mosquitoes. Pickpockets are parasites.

They are criminals who will steal from you without any remorse, without thinking about the damage that they cause you, which in my case was devastating.

Someone left me literally without a penny. I had no money for my rent, for food, for transport, for anything.

Someone stole all I had in the bank and with me. They left me with an empty account and not even one Czech crown on me. I had to survive the best I could.

My landlord understood and said he would wait until I could pay again. I got paid the next month in advance, so I could buy food and survive.

I learned about pickpockets the hard way.

You must be vigilant at all times. They are everywhere in the world.

Watch out! There is always a pickpocket waiting for a new victim

- When travelling by public transport, keep your backpack and any bag in front of your body, never on your back.

- Wear your crossbody bag in the front of your body and hold it always whilst travelling by public transport.

- In crowded public transport, stay alert at all times. Don’t use your phone, keep it in your bag or front pocket. Focus on what happens around you and watch everyone.

- In crowded public transport, try to find a corner where to stand by a door but never facing the door, try not to have anyone behind you.

- Don’t get distracted talking if someone else is with you. Watch those around you and stay vigilant.

- When sitting at a café or restaurant, never put your bag on the floor or on the chair behind you. If your bag is not a crossbody, keep it on your lap.

- Be mindful of the type of bag you will take with you when you go sightseeing and anywhere crowded.

Stay safe and enjoy your travels!