Barbara Glavish didn't have to worry about the safety of her belongings on a recent trip to Kuala Lumpur because she carried a slash-resistant handbag, “which made her less worried about getting robbed,” she says.
So when Glavish stopped at a shopping mall in the Malaysian capital, she attached the high-security handbag to the post of the heavy bench.
And of course, someone took the bait.
“A few minutes later, two young men came running around the corner and one of them grabbed my purse,” recalled Glavish, a retired occupational therapist from Incline Village, Nev. “He almost got pulled off his feet because the purse wouldn’t release. Thank God!”
Personal security becomes a real issue
There are more and more travelers like Glavish, experts say. Pickpockets have been on the lookout in popular tourist destinations this summer.
“I’ve heard of many people who have had their cell phone or wallet stolen while they were traveling,” says Kendra Kroll, CEO of Undercover Solutions, which created the PortaPocket, a modular security system for travelers. “With the cost of living rising for all of us, some people may be in desperate need of help and are resorting to theft as a way to get by.”
She is right. As a consumer advocateI also get complaints about pickpockets and thieves. And this year, they mainly concern Europe.
It turns out that Europe’s most popular tourist destinations are a hotbed of pickpocket activity. Last year, in Amsterdam, the number of pickpocket complaints nearly doubled compared to 2022. The Dutch capital is among the top pickpocket hotspots, according to a recent survey by a British travel insurance company. Other problem countries are Italy, France and Spain.
There are strategies to avoid becoming a target and proven tools to prevent your valuables from being stolen while you travel. But if you're like most travelers, there may be only one proven method to protect your belongings while you're on vacation.
Here's how not to become a target
The trick to staying safe isn't necessarily carrying a high-security handbag, although that can certainly help. It's more about not looking like a target.
Glavish is a good example. Leaving a handbag on a bench in Kuala Lumpur is practically an invitation to the bad guys. Good thing she had one of those handbags, otherwise she would have lost her belongings. It's not the only place that marks you out as a target.
“Putting anything in your back pocket is an invitation to pickpockets,” says security expert Robert Siciliano, CEO of ProtectNowLLC.com.
Unfortunately, tourists are easy prey.
“The most common mistake travelers make is exposing their wealth,” says Jeremy Murchland, president of travel insurance company Seven corners“We must play the discretion card.”
Nothing to see here
The best way to avoid being picked on is to pretend you have nothing of value. Wear something discreet. Forget the cap and sneakers. Get a discreet phone case that won't attract attention.
And, on a related note, look around before pulling out your phone to check messages or take a photo. (When I lived in São Paulo, locals advised me to keep my phone in my pocket in some neighborhoods. Thieves on bicycles pass tourists and try to steal their phones.)
This means not wearing expensive watches, bracelets and rings.
“Only take what you really need on your trip,” advises Frank Harrison, regional director of security for the Americas at Worldwide Travel Protection“Leave expensive jewelry and unnecessary electronics at home.”
This also means not dressing like a target. Americans stand out by wearing flashy clothing like varsity sweatshirts or logo t-shirts and designer sneakers. That, combined with going to a popular tourist destination and speaking loud English, can put you in the spotlight.
“Don’t make yourself a target,” says John Rose, chief risk and security officer at ALTOUR“It is equally important not to become a target. Flashy clothing, jewelry, handbags or other accessories can attract the attention of malicious individuals.”
Proven Strategies to Protect Your Valuables
That said, there are ways to protect your valuables.
- A money belt. One of my favorites is the PortaPocket portable objectsa travel-friendly system with interchangeable, modular pockets you can wear anywhere. PortaPocket adjusts to you, so you can wrap the belt around your arm, leg, or waist. And the modular pockets let you add anything from a wallet to a phone case.
- Travel clothes. Travel clothing brands like Clothing arts These pants allow you to stash your valuables, like credit cards and phones, in your pants pocket, behind multiple layers of protective zippers and buttons. I’ve spoken to many travelers who have told me that these discreet travel clothes have saved them from disaster while on the road. And I can attest to this: I’ve worn Clothing Arts pants for the past year and have never been the victim of a pickpocket. Not even on a Saturday morning while battling the crowds in Quito, Ecuador.
- An external solution. There are other ways to secure your belongings, such as the anti-cut handbag used by Glavish. One example is the FlexSafe by a company called Aquavault. The inventor, Jonathan Kinas, came up with the idea after having his valuables stolen while swimming at a resort. It's a cut-resistant, water-resistant pouch that allows you to secure it with a three-digit combination lock.
Oh, and one more thing: you actually have to use these methods if you want to stay safe. Guys, I'm talking to you. A recent survey conducted by World Rescue A study found that more than twice as many men surveyed as women said they use no method to protect their valuables. One in four men surveyed (25%) have no method to preserve their valuables, compared to less than 10% of women.
Harding Bush, associate director of security operations at Global Rescue, recommends another tip: Separate your valuables.
“This way, if a thief steals your shoulder bag or a pickpocket steals your wallet, you still have access to some of your cash, credit cards and duplicates of other important documents,” she says.
Here's the reality of the security situation when you travel
Let’s be honest. Security is often the last thing on travelers’ minds, if they think about it at all. They mindlessly tuck their passport and wallet into their back pocket and assume they’ll be there when they need them. Sometimes, they’re not.
Of course, separating your valuables is a real headache, because it is difficult to know where the valuables are. And who wants to change their entire wardrobe just for security reasons?
If you are one of these people, don't tempt fate. Leave your valuables in a hotel safe or entrust them to the responsible adult in your group. Because pickpockets are out there and they are watching you, whether you realize it or not. And having your valuables stolen is far more inconvenient than taking a few steps to secure them.
