Pickpocketing is the number one crime in most cities.  Losing your wallet or other personal belongings while you’re miles from home can cause quite a large headache.

If you are careful you can avoid them.

Here are a few tips:

• Be on the lookout especially in crowded places. Pickpockets often work in pairs: one may bump you or cut you off, while the other picks your pocket.
• Be careful of noisy people arguing or causing a commotion. Group pickpockets will stage a distraction while others come up from behind to steal your valuables.
• Avoid crowded buses and train.
• Don’t pull out large bills in public. Keep large bills in one place and smaller ones in another.
• If you can, avoid wearing expensive jewelry.
• Men should carry wallets in an inside pocket, under a coat or sweater and cash in front pants pocket.
• Women wearing a purse should wear it in the front as much as possible. Use a purse that is harder to open with zippers, fasteners etc.
• Keep your keys somewhere other than a purse, if a pickpocket snatches your purse, your keys at least will be safe.
• When sitting, make sure to keep your belongings in your lab, on your arm or between your feet. Don’t leave them under the table, under your seat or on an empty seat.