Pickpocketing Epidemic in Rome Italy- Our Unfortunate Story.
Вставка
- Опубліковано 7 чер 2024
- Please share this video to help get the word out about the growing problem of pickpocketing in Rome. Over 1000 wallets, purses and suitcases are being stolen in Rome on a busy day and not much is being dome to stop it. Learn about our story and how you can be protected from this happening to you the next time you are in Rome. Rome is an incredible city but you need to know before you go.
Replacing passport took about 3 hours and cost 120 euro. US Embassy is open Monday through Friday starting at 8:30am. Get there early the line builds fast. A few additional tips. If driving a car do not leave bags or anything in the car or you may find your windows smashed and what was in the car gone. Also when eating it is a good idea to put you foot through your bag or pack handles when placing on the ground so nobody can grab it. Also if you foot is in the handle you will not forget it under the table. Do not put your bag on an empty chair when in high traffic tourist areas or someone may grab it and run. Stay safe and please share my video.
Also online I read that the first step is to report the crime to the police. I found this not possible. The police would not file a report unless I had a passport which made no sense to me since my passport was stollen. Well the good news is the US embassy is well staffed to help you and they process lots of stolen passports everyday.
Video Chapters
0:00 Thieves Among us into movie
0:57 1000 pickpockets a day in Rome
1:48 Stupid Song about pickpocket
2:16 Our story of how we were pickpocketed in Rome
4:45 Stories from US Embassy of others that had passport stollen in Italy
6:01 tip 1 to help avoid being pickpocketed in Rome
7:01 tip 2 to help avoid being pickpocketed in Rome
8:41 Tip 3 to help avoid being pickpocketed on the metro in Rome
Where else you can connect with us.
Website
www.RomeTravelGuida.com
Instagram
/ rozierroama
Facebook group
/ romei. .
TikToc
/ rozierroama
Rome Travel Guida -
Back in the day, whenever I strolled through Rome, I had my trusty sidekick: Let's Go Italy guidebook that felt like a key to unlocking every corner of the city. Who would've guessed that one day I'd be the one crafting a guidebook for Rome? Life works in mysterious ways, doesn't it? That's where Rome Travel Guida comes in - our very own Rome Italy guide book so you can also unlock the city or Rome.
You can order Rome Travel Guida now! The guide book is not quite finished yet but we are working everyday on it with new features and lessons added everyday. The cost is 1 time fee of $20 but for a limited time while the guide book is still under construction we are offering Rome Travel Guida for half off. Just $10 and you will get the completed as it is completed in real time. Your purchase will include all future updates. Rome Travel Guida is shaping up to be awesome!
To order a copy visit www.RomeTravelGuida.com.
USE DISCOUNT CODE : GuidaMe for 50% off
My wife was pickpocketed in Paris right aWe left the station not knowing it happened. Within an hour we atarted getting text from the Parisian police that they had it, and tried to call us over the train intercom. Got everything back that night and met the cop that caught them. Lucky ending!
Wow, you were lucky!
We were lucky! My daughter was pickpocketed on the metro. We were exhausted and had all of our luggage. Someone tapped her on the shoulder and handed her her wallet saying she'd dropped it. She thanked them. When we got off the metro, we realized they had taken all of her money, but had given her back her passport. We were much more careful after that. Guess they were a pickpocket with a heart 😂
With half a heart! Good story
If they keep your passport and are caught with it on them - it could serve as evidence of their criminal wrongdoing. Glad to read you got it back though and they didn't ditch it somewhere randomly.
Yes indeed a nice touch
Police can act on a stolen passport, not so much on cash 😆😆
Sometimes they also use kids to give back stuff they don't want like documents
THANK YOU!!! For the FYI & the humor!
Got to add a little humor
I’m an American based in Milan and can attest to this situation. In October 2022 I was waiting for the metro subway at the Centrale station (like Termini in Rome) and I felt a light brush, almost imperceptible. I spun around and saw my wallet in the hands of a stranger. I reached out and grabbed it back and he fled with his accomplice. Keep in mind that this person managed to open my shoulder bag with button closure, get his hand inside, and remove my wallet… all without me feeling a thing, or barely. It is unbelievable how widespread and pervasive this problem has become, almost to the point of representing a kind of perverse profession. Whether in Rome or Milan or any other big city in Italy one must remain aware of their surroundings and keep valuables secured and very close to their person.
Thanks for sharing
new york? no li non ti rapinano. no, go home trump.
You guys are awesome and handled a bad situation like a champ. Thanks for the advice and it means more to me knowing you've learned the hard way.
Unfortunately we did learn the hard way but it was also a good experience in an odd way
Thank you sir!!! I’m going next week and I’m happy I watched your video at the right time
Great. Pickpocketing is a problem but hey tend to target "easy targets" older people, people with luggage and women. Just be attentive on the metro, busses, especially in tourist popular areas.
Good u watched… I regret it today coz I just got pickpocket my wallet..Avoid metro my suggestion
Walk or take a taxi is best advice
Great information thank you! Keep us updated
Just a normal day in Rome!
i used a crossbody fanny pack- i kept all money&passport in front of me with the zipper facing inwards and it worked really great!
Good to hear. The odds of having a problem are very small especially if you are prepared. However there an estimated 100 million tourists a year in Italy and about 1 percent have problems or about 1 million pockets picked.
Spent 3 weeks in Rome, Italy this June. Bought husband the Travelon man over the shoulder pouch. I had a small purse. Both stayed in front of us, both had locks. Whenever we were out our hands were ahold of our pouch/purse the entire time. Took a car service from and to the airport. Rode buses around for 2 weeks which get crowded but again hands were always on our belongings and eyes always on our surroundings and people. Husband’s a big guy and in law enforcement so he was always scanning. Sorry for your experience.
When we let our guard down and think we are above this happening is when it happens
3 weeks in one city??
You did not use your time wisely. I spent the entire month of May in Europe and visited 11 countries Spent a solid week in Amsterdam which was my favorite part. Possibly the best thing about Europe is how you are always one train ride away from a new city/country
Traveled 2 weeks BY TRAIN across Europe in May ending in ROME and never had a problem. We had prepared by buying a small crossbody bag and backpack from Pacsafe with lots of antitheft features. Worth every penny.
Same here. Just came back from 3 weeks in Europe. Got myself a PacSafe crossbody also and always keep it in the front on the metro train in Paris and Rome. Never had any issue but there were definitely lots of eyes focusing on us as tourists. Always be aware of your surrounding and practice common sense. You will be ok.
I’ll look into one
Watch out for the Gipsy 👹
agree - my guide in Turkey complimented my sister and I on our Pacsafe gear - said thieves don’t waste their time on them when there are so many easy marks out there with doofus people carrying half open handbags and backpacks that can be grabbed or slashed. I lost track of how many times he asked one woman on our tour to “madam please please zip up your bag and bring it around in front of you - you are making it easy for those who want what you have”.
Yeah, those two are just exagerating for views..
Heres another place to beware. My husband and I were in Roma Termini in April. Many people, including my husband and myself, were gathered around the departures board to see which binario for our train. The board had just updated. My husband felt someone go for his wallet from his front pocket. He yelled and pushed her arm off. I saw her and she was attractive and expensively dressed. My husband never even saw her. Just felt her grab. Not who you would expect. She ran off quickly. Another place to be wary!
Thanks for the additional insight. It is a growing problem that needs to be felt with it isn’t.
Yes , all the zone of Roma termini is a mess
I did a report on pickpocketing in my Criminology class many years ago, and I've had a kind of passionate fascination with it since then, so your video caught my attention....
....of course, I feel bad for Kim, I'm sorry that that happened to her. You can take every precaution you can think of and still be vulnerable in some respects; some of these people have been groomed for thievery since their youth, so they know tricks that conventional attempts at protection might not cover. There is small comfort in hearing about guys like Rick Steeves and Bob Arno getting pickpocketed as well, but not much.
On a lighter note, while watching you and Kim walking and her keeping closeby, I was half expecting her to do a "playful" wallet lift on you, holding your wallet over your shoulder, mischievous smile on her face. 😂 She actually reminds me of a woman I used to work for, who had that particular talent. 😅 Thanks for posting!
Thanks for watching. Yah Kim should that would have been funny. Our biggest lesson learned was well more than one. First do not carry your passport with you when out and about and do not carry more than 1 credit card. If it happens limit your headache. My goal is to get some video of pickpocketing on the subway. I will see what I can come up with.
Yep, pickpocketed January 2023 in the Roman Metro. They got my wallet with all cc and passport card…stupid, stupid, stupid of me…I know better and not a rookie traveler. Got too comfortable and stupid on that trip. Lesson learned, never again!
Sorry to hear. That is when they strike, right when we let our guard down
Just back from Rome , best advice for a bloke is to have a kind of man bag ,I bought a sturdy leather bag from Amazon with heavy straps so they couldn't be cut easy. When on metro I would keep this in front off me,no issues, defo a great purchase.
Great advise
Great video!
Thanks! I APPRECIATE YOU WATCHING
It has gotten bad in the past few years. My husband always wears a belt pouch and keeps our passports in hidden pocket in a small pack across his chest. Make photo copies of passports and DL with you and at home so you have the info to give consulate.
You’re right I think that made it easier for us having my wife having copies of her passport on her phone
RE "no all eggs in one basket": excellent advice! I carry a dummy wallet (and leave my real wallet and passport hidden or locked up in my apartment). The dummy wallet has a photocopy of my driver's license, one credit card and a small amount of cash. If it gets stolen - I only have to cancel one card. Even then, I usually carry the wallet in a zipped pocket in my carry sack - on the front of my body when on public transit. I put the phone in the zip pocket as well.
By the way - the commuter train to the Rome airport is not bad. We got on at Trastevere - it was not too crowded and was fine. We had bags - but with our valuables zipped up in front of our bodies.
Sorry about your loss and thanks for this video.
Great advice thank you for sharing
Gypsy ..they are the guilty one ..( mostly from East Europe )
Just back from Rome.
A young girl tried to pickpocket me on the metro going to the Vatican. Probably only 14/15 yrs old.
She carried a big black tote bag and held me up in the doorway as I was getting on. Using the tote bag as a screen between us she was trying to get her hand into my jean pocket for my wallet, I Realised in time what was happening and jumped away from her, couldn't believe it. Very crafty operator.
Gave her a load of verbal
abuse (in English) and she smiled at me with brown teeth, backed out of the door and got stuck as it was closing. Then managed to hop off and slink away.
Luckily my jeans were pretty tight as I was trying to look Italian, so think she was struggling to get her hand in my pocket.
She would of been a bit upset if she'd succeeded aswell because I only had 5 euros and a bank card in their.
Be vigilant, don't carry a lot with you, Keep backs to walls and hands in pockets where possible on the Metro. If you have to take a backpack put it on your front! My missus had her small handbag under her jumper with her hands on it while riding the metro(they also cut straps on bags)and watch out for the gangs of young girls with tote bags!
Hope this information helps someone.
Don't let it put you off going to Rome, it's a fantastic City!
I always take taxis in Rome I would never ride the Metro or the buses. It’s bad enough t dealing with most Rome taxi drivers that try to rip you off but they back down when you call them out for overcharging. After leaving Rome I went to Tuscany where taxis drivers were a different breed and they were honest and polite such a relief
In Rome you have to take an official taxi and you will likely have no problems. You get scammed when getting into an unofficial taxi. They charge whatever they feel like
@@RozierRoma oh yes. I used to stay just a short taxi ride out of the Centre of Rome and let the hotel ring a cab. I knew how much was the flag fall price so before I got in the taxi I asked to see what’s on the meter. The price should’ve been just a few euros but some read €10 already. So I sent them away. One day it was 5 different companies the hotel called for me till I found one taxi with the correct amount on the meter. The hotel clerk was not happily about helping me in till the manageress arrived and she said the lady is right to insist. Then one time I arrived back in Rome and entered the taxi the hotel had called before I checked the meter. As we drove off I glanced at it and yelled stop the car. He turned around and looked at me said Oh you are same woman as before. Fancy finding the same driver twice and he was still up to his old tricks. I exited the taxi and he got nothing
I go to Rome several times a year, it’s maddening but please don’t let this problem effect your love of this great city!
Even though I always stay near Termini and use the metro daily I havent ever had a problem ( I have seen it) Here is my strategy:
Termini is the main problem and getting on and off the metro. I arrive by train or plane and always go straight to hotel, no stopping for a cafe or panino!
I keep money / passport in bra or money belt until I get to hotel.
After I leave my things in my hotel I go out with some cash, my phone and one credit card.
I take the metro everywhere, but
If I buy anything large or expensive or my hands are full, ( I am an art/ antique buyer so this happens often ) I take a taxi back to my hotel.
I keep copies of my credit cards and passport in my luggage and in my phone
I have never taken bus 64 - goes to main sites, you dont need it anyway
Good advice….the dreaded 64
The real moral to this story is go to Tokyo instead, great city, lots to see and do, great people, no pickpockets, courteous and polite people...
That is a good work around. I have been wanting to go and also Thailand.
totally agree. European cities are very unsafe.
In To,kyo will rob your wallet for high exagerated prices for nothing
@@boytiti5446 when a dumb tourist forks over, willingly, loads of money for nothing, that is not theft. it's stupidity.
@@boytiti5446 Went there a few years ago and that was not my experience. I found it cheaper than a lot of places in Europe. Yes, you can make it expensive but it does not have to be that way. What was your experience there?
Sorry it happened to you, I was traveling to Rome & Naples and i never put all my money, CC, Passports with me, only a little cash, no passport on me, no cc at all and wore the body cross bag, on on the belt under my clothings! Again so sorry for your bad experience!
I have traveled in Italy for a few year and never had a problem until recently. I let my guard down as I felt it would not happen to me. As I get older I become more of a target.
Napoli makes Roma look like a playground. Little boys are genius at stealing, there are tons of gypsies,and the last 20 years or so gangs of Nigerians who spend all day sceaming on touristi !!
Planning for a trip to Rome, where I was thinking of taking a train to Sulmona for a day or two then return to take a cruise. I don’t want to carry everything with me if I have to worry about thieves. Should I go directly to the hotel and stay inside instead of taking a trip to Sulmona? I certainly don’t want to pay for a hotel room in Rome just for my valuables while I travel around outside of the region.
Chances of having a problem is small. Just do not take the metro or bus in Rome with your luggage. Take a taxi instead but use only the official taxis. They all say taxi on them and have the flat rates to airport advertising on the door. You get them in the front of the train station in the long line of taxis
Great video! Me and my daughter went on a Rick Steves tour and they explained all money should be kept in a money belt and passports at the hotel safe. Were you guys not staying at your hotel or it did not have a safe? Just curious as we are arriving into Naples which I heard is pretty rough however I plan to hide it in a hidden compartment in my luggage. I do have a backpack with a tea lock on it that you attach the zipper to it and pick-pocketers cannot open it. Not sure which one I am taking yet.
If someone grabs your backpack, they could pull it off your arm(s) pretty easily, or if you only have it in your hand and/or in your lap when coming and going.
with a backpack try not to carry anything of too much value. I had girls on a Vespa try to grab mine but it caught my elbow and I was able to pull back and she let go and rode off
We have a safe in our apartment but my wife had her passport on her for some reason. She now leaves her passport in the safe. Naples has a bad rap. I have spent a lot of tie there and so far no problems. I love Naples!
Well that’s good to know I do know that after watching your video I’m sure not gonna take luggage on a train. I’m gonna go ahead and get the taxi and coming back from Sorrento to Naples. I’ll probably pay the same guy to bring me back I was just gonna go on the ferry but I just figured if I keep everything inside of a hidden compartment in the luggage and not in a backpack, we should be good and usually I carry my credit cards and money in my money belt but you never know these people are smart
🎉😂..Thank you ❤..
You are so welcome
Get info and education for traveling to Italy. Great video!!
Thanks
❤ Kim and Scott, kudos on your positive and unbiassed attitude! Your advice sounds really sensible to me. Another thing I learnt is that even if they seem to be on their own they always work in groups. Often one is dressed in a distinguishable gipsy way (sorry, no racist here but in this case it is them we are talking about) while the others look like tourists. So, while you keep your eyes on the gipsy-looking one... the others pickpocket you. One last thing: you don't look and are not old. My opinion is that they target people whom they think are wealthy. Their axiom being: the older, the wealthier.
I appreciate the comment. To be honest, we were getting a little bit complacent and not taking the precautions that we should have or normally do.
@@RozierRoma I see. Who can keep his/her guard up all the time, after all? They are trained to take you when you are off guard. That's their job. But I'm glad you enjoyed your holiday all the same and didn't allow this incident to spoil it which is what I detest the most. That's why and having observed their techniques, more than once I thwarted their attempts to pickpocket tourists on public transportation. Tourists from all over the world, at your service! 😁
You are right to make these things known... unfortunately it is a practice that has been happening for some years now both in Rome and in Milan and often to the detriment of unsuspecting tourists, there are many videos on YT that denounce this thing but unfortunately our rules do not allow the arrest of these people who in fact possess a European passport and often take advantage of particular situations (pregnant women, minors, etc.) to commit their pickpocketing and therefore cannot be arrested by the police... I am truly sorry and I say this on behalf of All the Italians.
We love Italy, Rome and the Italians. Thanks for your comments
Am in Rome right now and my 3rd time solo in Italy without being robbed. We are vulnerable so my tricks: little cross body bag (pack-safe copy) so even less for them to grab and I do hold on to the strap. When possible ride with my back to the wall, i move away from crowds when possible (i use stairs to go down to metro). This time, i am using a regular cloth bag for my water bottle.. less touristy. Finally, I am an older woman with grey hair so I put on my grandmother look on public transit😂. At Termini, just a grand mother off to see her grand kids (maybe I am deluding myself)...anyway, Rome is absolutely beautiful.
I appreciate the comment. Odds are small but it happens more than people realize. Being prepared as you are help a lot.
I do blame Italy. Its cities suffer from horrendous crime and most of those committing the crime are imported, migrants from all over the place.
Very true most of the crime being committed, is petty theft, and most of it, but not all, is being committed by immigrants. The good news is the chance of something worse happening to you than being robbed is very small.
Italy does not have "tremendous" crime, just check the statistics and the crime there is not of a violent personal kind as you find in the U.S.A.! The majority of the crime there is by 3rd world untnrmenchen !
The good news was how efficient they were at the Embassy to get you a new passport . a lot of practice apparently . kept your cool without going 'Rambo mode'. cheers
Yah they are very helpful
Thank you for your advice, we’re looking forward to going to Italy and my husband he’s telling me he’s money will be in front packets and I’m concerned about that.
He doesn’t believe he can be robbed but never knows.
The chance of being pickpocketed is small. However, hundreds of people do get pickpocket in Rome every day. Just be attentive and tell him to keep his hand near his front pocket when he’s in crowded areas and he should be fine. Don’t worry too much. Just have fun.
The pickpockets work in teams and will have at least one partner. The worst part for my husband who had €100 note taken from his shorts pocket was as the train doors closed the thief eyeballed him and that’s when he knew. He told me that the thief was working with a woman who wore a low cut top.
I saw similar.
Thanks for bringing awareness,
Can we now leave the passport in the hotel?
We still need an ID
Thanks
You do not need original you can carry a copy or photo on phone
Definitely use that little safe in your hotel bedroom if there's one.
All good advice and…. I put zippers on my front pants pockets, and also can use velcro buttons. Putting a rubber band around the wallet makes it very hard to boost. Use a front pouch hanging around your neck, and under layer of tucked in shirts, to carry extra money and passport. Use a money clip with only the amount of money you need for the day. Anything in a pack and the pack have nothing that is valuable or consequence if lost. The taxi idea for luggage movements was good. Dress like a local in Europe. Even then, s… happens
Thanks for the added tips but one question. What does the rubber band do?
@@RozierRoma try it. The rubber band sticks to pocket material so wallet will not just slide out easily. Use a ban about 1/8 to 1/4 inch wide. If you try to push the wallet out, it will jam with the pocket lining.
Use locks on bags, bag worn to front, minimal cash, anti card reader cards among your card, travel with minimal valuables, take copies of important documents, don’t travel with good watch/jewellery. FYI I’ve stuck out as a tourist around Europe twice but never been stollen from. The best time was on metro or underground train to Madrid airport…a pack of about 6 Romanian teens were eager but they couldn’t find any pockets bcs I had none hahaha it really baffled them. As I needed to have my passport, I had it in a pocket belt worn on reverse with zip on my skin and right up under my bust. Anyways happy travels from Australia
Great advice
We just returned from a trip to Italy (including 3 days in Rome). Before we left, we bought a Pacsafe sling for me and purse for my wife. They aren't cheap, and they can bit a little bit of a hassle to open and close, but we felt much safer. And, we weren't pickpocketed.
Nice! Now you just have to keep the pacsafe safe
@rozierroama pacsafe bags are made with mesh lining and steel cords in straps to make it harder to slash and grab and lots of lock features to slow them down if they try to get into them.
I’m definitely going to look into buying one
I been to rome many times and Florence. Money belts tucked under pants work. I only take taxis in Rome. Florence I took public bus stayed at Star hotel. Never had a problem. But i only would take what i needed that day. I never had anything of value in my bag I carried over my shoulders. Do not even bring a purse or wallet. My wife is pretty sloppy so I am betting she will lose her 1500 dollar phone. I'll just laugh if she does. I will be in charge of the passports. Just lock them up in safe. Rick Steves must be getting sloppy. His videos I learned what not to do. Thanks for sharing!
Always carry passport and money in a common little pouch you can put around your neck and under your shirt/blouse. You can always feel that it is there and secure. Simple.
good idea, I just leave mine in the safe and keep a copy on. my phone
@@RozierRoma I am old fashioned about some things and my "smart" phone has let me down a couple of times.
What if my rental apartment does not have a lock box? Should I be con or should I just walk around with my passport?
You can, I just think the passport will be safer in the hotel than on you. Just my opinion.
Sorry for your spoilt trip! Best hang all safe on neck and inside underware! All blessing on your way back to your bold country. At certain age, better thinking for guided journey, I guess. Got to sucrify freedom! 🌅 💐 🎴 🌌 🌟 😍 🙏
we got a little complacent and let our guard down. We learned a lot!
My bag was stolen in Times Square, NYC while I was eating at Mc Donald's. The police did nothing and the staff at Mc Donald's said they had no cameras running inside the restaurant.
Yah this happens too often everywhere. Thanks for watching.
Once saw gypsies pickpocket in Florence. The vigili urbani ( local cops) stripped the kids naked on the street, found the wallets, returned them to the victim, and let the gypsy kids go. Could the cops respond like this today?
We did not get pickpocketed, but 2 people gave it their best shot. We were in Rome at the Piazza Navona (beautiful place btw), when a young man approached my husband and stood just a few inches from him, face to face, asking him some stupid meaningless question, which added to the confusion. He was speaking in English, so he knew that we were Americans. Must have been checking us out from a distance. I will add that the pickpocket had an eastern European accent. He was not a native Italian (Italians do get a bad rap and it isn't fair). My husband and adult children were looking at the man, trying to understand what he wanted. I had done a lot of research on the signs to look out for regarding thieves, so this was an immediate red flag. I was on high alert. That's when I saw the other man approach my husband from behind. He had a lot of scarves draped over both arms, and he got right up to my husband, the scarves concealing his hands. At this point, I quickly pushed my husband out of the way and yelled in a VERY LOUD voice -- PICKPOKETS, LADRI!!! This alerted my whole family and hopefully others in the piazza. We were never bothered again. I always wear a money belt around my waist when I travel. I wear it inside my pants. No one's getting that! These secure money belts are great. Even though they can be sweaty, I would rather keep my money and cards safe. My husband and 2 of my 3 kids did not want to wear their money belts (too sweaty) so I had to be extra vigilant. All worked out. :) Buon Viaggio!
Way to go! Yeah, I think a lot of people in that boat, including myself I do not like wearing a money belt because it’s too sweaty.
I'm glad you had your husband's back. Now tell him to grow a set and get a clue... Lol
I'm Italian and when I travel I'm very careful, even in my city, I know people's faces and I understand where they come from, it's not racism but unfortunately in Italy in recent years we have had many immigrants from North Africa, the East, etc. and also there are naturalized Italian gypsies ... unfortunately I saw and yelled at two thieves on public transport. but years ago in a group they hit me too..since then I've been very careful..
Great insight, thanks
🎯 👌....but I 'm become Racist !...Better be nasty or a punch bag !
Facts aren't racist
I have been to many cities in Italy, never had any problems. I was vigilant at all times, took only one credit card with me and not much cash.
Odds of having a problem is relatively low but even lower if you are prepared.
Quick question, im traveling europe right now and have hit a couple "danger zone areas" like barcelona paris and madrid, and will be in rome soo as well, i never go on my phone on the metros but just stare every single person down and have all my valuable items in my backpack with a padlock on it and have been all good so far, what would happen if you notice someone pickpocketing or taking something of yours and you just swing with a good night hammer fist and lay them out haha i feel like that would be my first reaction 😅 but me andy girlfriend when in the metro have our bags on our chest and empty pockets and face each other all the time so i can see whats happening behind her and vice versa.
Sounds good but I hope you Bo not have much of value in the pack because if they get the whole pack you’re out of luck
The "danger zone areas" are inventions of the sensationalist Anglo-saxon gutter press. Yes in Rome, Paris and Barcelone there is pretty crime on public transit which is mostly caused by East-European or Balkanic family gangs exploiting underage thieves from their group. I live in Paris, use the metro every day, I am reasonably watchful and I have never been pickpocketted.
Using a padlock on your bag/case gives the impression of valuables being inside so makes it a target to be stolen.
Great video. Pity i found it too late... My wallet was gone last week Thursday when boarding crowded train at Termini station. I kept it in the front jeans pocket thinking it should be ok but then just before doors closed the crowd started unusually moving and pushing from one side to another which i think someone did on purpose. I felt someone taking the wallet but before i realized who did it the door closed and two guys run away (or maybe it was the guy or lady standing next to me in the train... who knows).
I reported it to the police but it felt like nothing special for them and I never used metro again... It is a shame that there is no information in the metro or more security on the platforms. It feels like it is silently approved to rob the tourists if you can get away with it. Anyway - i am never coming back to Rome...
Yah it certainly is a problem here and when it happens it kinda ruins your perception of Rome. I’m just thankful that’s the only real problem here. There’s no mugging, stabbings shootings for the most part. It’s a safe city.
I watched thieves board an almost empty metro car walk to the front, grab a backpack laying on a suitcase and run out the door. Even when you think you are alone, never let your guard down. They sneak up from behind.
Wow that is good to know
My grandson was warned but he was running around Rome wearing his Ray Ban sunglasses and designer clothes of course he was a target and Inside the Sistine Chapel at Vatican City. They were unsuccessful because he had a code lock on his backpack but they damaged it so that even he could not open it.
lock on your pack is a good idea
I have an Apple Air Tag in my wallet , Air Tag passport holder, and back pack. This will at least possibly give me notification these items are not with me. I also wear a belt that has a hidden pocket to hold cash. The belt is a regular belt you would wear with your pants so not an additional thing to wear around your waist.
I have thought about air tags. I like the belt
I highly reccomend putting any valuable thing in a hidden pocket inside the jacket in the winter, and keeping the phone in one of those top pockets at chest height. in the summer use those hidden belts with a pocket to hide beneath your t shirt. concerning backpacks, never leave valuable in those easy to open pockets, choose instead the most internal ones very hard or impossibile to open without you noticing it. and finally never bring with you more than what you need, one credit card is fine, and you don't need hundreds of euros with you all the times, leave most valuable in the hotel's safe.
Good advice
I’ll be there in April. I’m going to put a couple of old style rat traps in my pockets and see if I can catch one 😅😅😅
The odds of having a problem is low about maybe 1% but considering almost 100 million tourists a year in Italy that is about 1 million pickpockets. Best to be prepared but you will likely not have a problem.
Going in 2 weeks. If my phone gets stolen I'm doomed. Usually I walk with it in my hand for Google maps directions. As for passport I guess I will leave it in my room?
Just take a picture of it on your phone
We are all doomed without our phones
It also happened to me when I was using Metro. Some Italian couple told me that my bag was half opened. Those stealers are really profi. Please always keep an eye on your personal items 24/7.
sorry to hear
Best Rome video ever!!!! At the Rome temple visitors center we had a family whose grandma was holding her passport in her hand on the metro-easily taken-missed their flights the next day. No overnight or Sunday passport replacements. Expensive lesson.
It happens way too often in Rome
even in this video he makes her hold her brand new emergency passport out for a photo right where a guy is walking past, after they were already robbed! Bizarre!
When you're in public & on your cellphone, you're telling criminals that you're not aware of your surroundings. An easier target than someone who is observing who's around them.
Yah, but it is hard to always be o high alert
@rozierroama I'm all the time. I'm never on my cell phone when out in public. That can wait till I get home. I've never been a victim of a crime, while criminals are watching me. I'm a lookout for them, as well.
I don't carry a wallet around town when i travel. I'll have a bit of cash in one pocket, and the one card i need in another pocket. Never carry my passport unless I'm leaving and need it. And yes, i take a taxi to and from the airport. Its worth it for sure, and the taxi line at Fiumicino airport is very efficient.
OH, and i never take the metro. I ride scooters or ebikes around when its too far to walk. Maybe not for everyone, but it sure is a great way to get around Rome.
Sounds like you know what you’re doing
I need to try the scooter sometime
@@RozierRoma scooters are best for small pedestrian streets. The e-bikes are great for longer distances or shopping as they have a basket
In Toronto we have a serious problem with people getting stabbed on the metro.
That’s much worse!
I don't use subway when I travel,same thing happens in Madrid.
I personally like the subway for the most part but a little less now
It just happened to us days ago. It's not scaremongering it's really happening and it's shocking when it happens to you! We were on a metro platform and there a few guys down the platform from us, when the busy train pulled up, before we could decide whether to get on or not we were rushed and pushed really aggressively onto the carriage by the guys who stayed on for seconds and jumped off again.... having managed to get into my bfs pockets and get his phone :/ We had spent 7 days in Italy being so careful and they targeted us when we had our suitcases etc and used force to overwhelm us. So scary and we feel so annoyed at ourselves for letting anyone into our personal space after a week of being so careful. Worst thing is the police don't seem to care that we said they'd clearly see the guys on the cctv or that they physically forced us. There is literally no consequences for them it seems :/ Hopefully our travel insurance will replace phone as we made sure to cover gadgets going to Italy to be on safe side but never expected to really need it. We've also rly pressed to get the imei numbers blocked so whatever scum is buying a stolen phone off the other scum... it won't be much use to them as no network should support a blacklisted handset. Hopefully they get their karma 👀 Just please people be careful not to let anyone into your personal space and maybe even use a small padlock on your zips. We've survived Barcelona, Berlin, Paris, Rome previously and this was a first to get robbed. They are determined, it's their full time job. This was 8.20am. Please be careful 😢
There are lots of tourist here and most have no problem but there are still hundreds of pickpockets every day in Rome, sometimes more than 1000 in a single day. Thanks for sharing!
i feel u, i survived amsterdam, paris, barcelona, rome but i got pickpocketed in milan, i just put my phone for a while on the table then suddenly a kid putting map on the table and took my phone.
just be aware everyone and if u can dont sit on the table next to street, lesson learned
What nationality are these pick pockets?
It was an Eastern European that tried this
On me on the metro!
Most tend to be from Romania
Tell you what happened to my parents friends about 4 decades ago. The couple are Italian born like my mother. We live in Australia. The decided to go on holiday back to Italy, when they got to Rome they got a taxi and told the driver to go to hotel but instead he drove them out to the country, stop the told them to get out and then made them to strip down to they underwear got back in the taxi and drove off. They were left semi naked losing everything . That includes passport, money and any documents. Lucky they managed to get hold of some relatives.
That sounds like something out of the movies
This video is getting a lot of views. Great job! It could go to the moon. It’s doing well because it provides value to everyone. It will continue to do well most likely because it is evergreen. Keep it up. Try more videos about tips to travelers to Rome. When one topic does well you should double down and do at least two more videos on the subject. How about interviewing people telling their pickpocket stories.
Well I thought that would be interesting as everyday at the Embassy there are several stories but we just left Rome for 6 weeks but I will be back in late August. I have some videos I am still working on now that I will be uploading while in Utah. When I head back I will have improved sound and back at it.
A money belt should hold the passport or an anti theft cross body purse when traveling to the air port in case luggage is stolen
I need one
That what I used,only keep very little currency at hand and make copy of passport .No subway for me.
I sewed a 1.5 inch length of velcro into my son’s front right pockets when he went to study abroad one summer. He never had a problem.
50% velcro and 50% young man
Smart
Same for us as everyone above; however, today is a Friday holiday! Embassy is closed until Monday! We were supposed to leave this morning. Now, we'll have three more days to learn from our mistakes😂. Too cold to explore Rome in our underwear. They could probably figure a way to steal those too😅. We'll see how Monday goes.
So sorry to hear. If you get there when they open Monday, you should have your passport in a couple of hours. Hopefully you have more than just underwear.
Do you have a place to stay?
So What happened? Was it on the Metro or did they steal your bag? If I can help let me know.
Is that my friend Ivano at 2:06 ?
YES!
Easy advice: Don't be dumb.
Always be aware of your situation.
Don't burry your eyes into your smartphone but watch out.
Always keep body contact to your bag, best is, sitting in a restaurant or whereever, to wrap the strap around your leg or neck (shoulder is not enough), don't lay it on the table or the next chair: "They" will be faster than you.
Better take your way close to the house walls than on the street side of the sidewalk (cycling thiefs!).
Avoid crowds of people, don't walk through them but around, in a queue it helps to have your hand inconspicuously on / in your pocket with your wallet or (ladies) to hold your purse tightly.
Never ever let your luggage unattended, not for one second. One can stand waiting in the queue for a gelato while the other has his hands on the luggage.
It is very dumb to let your baggage alone in your car, visible for everyone... it could be stolen already you on board, waiting for the traffic lights.
Big luggage takes its way straight from the airport to the hotel and back. Never mind being too early for checkin, they will love to keep your luggage before checkin or after checkout as long as you need.
Don't take more with you than you need that day.
Better use the ATM inside the bank building than one attached to a kiosk or in the railroad station.
At least, pickpocket are usually not armed, or pull their knife only if you seriously fight back, but as I said, they are experienced and are much quicker gone than you may react.
This is valid in all touristy spots worldwide, not only in Rome (where I always felt quite safe), and even outside of a touristy spot or in a "safe" country, you don't want to provoke any theft or other crime.
Thanks for the tips. I have been to Rome several times over the past 40 years and I never felt I was a target but now that I am getting older I have become one. The pickpocketer do not usually go after young males. But if you are older you need to be aware. Hard to stay away from crowds when you are a tourist in Rome.
I ran into Rick Steves in Munich. He's such a nice person in person. 😉
Nice to hear
Thanks for posting this. I will check Rome off of my bucket list destinations. Why can’t people just be nice and civil?
Rome is great and safe. Just be sensible and you will love it 🙂
Rome is really a fun city to visit. If you are really worried just avoid public transportation or better yet don't carry anything with you that if lost won't ruin your trip.
All major cities have the same issue. Do your research and be mindful if travel :-) I got anti theft/anti slash purse and backpacks, locks for our carryon, lanyards for our phones, moneybelts for our passports and cards
You had then better cross the majority of European cities off your list to not visit ! Try the New York City subway or any other American city's subway or busies not only will you be robbed but a good chance at being murdered !
I like the video with the exception of not carrying your passport. You are required by law to carry your American passport as foreigners are required by law to carry their passport in the US. I am officially freaked out about the Metro
You are not required to carry your original passport with you it can be a copy and I should have clarified that in the video
@rozierroama yeah I've heard that as well. I would leave it locked up in the hotel safe if they had one with the manager but in the rooms I'm not even sure about that. I loved your wife great attitude after she had her passport stolen and everything else I would have been so upset
You DO look tough ! I wouldn’t mess with you
Nice someone thinks so
Great video Scott sorry it had to be so personal 😢
Just adds to the adventure! Thanks for the comment
This can be a NYC subway car 0:12 . I know the actual car differs a little and the signs are in Italian. But the people have the same expressions on their faces: like in NYC. The style of clothes in the subway is the same in NYC and Rome. Americans slightly more obese.
Interesting observation. People are people and nobody really wants to be in the metro
Globalization is destroy the culture of the WEST ! 😬
Need info on prevention
Never carry your original passport with you when exploring a city only a copy. When you have luggage always use taxi. When explaining a city only Cary 1 credit card and limited cash. Well that is the basics.
We were in Rome 2022 and on the first day we were pickpocketed on the metro luckily they only got money and a bankcard which we could disable, I then put my stuff in a money belt and after a while I put my hand on the money belt just to check only to find another hand there, it was a pregnant woman who said it was just a mistake, she got nothing and left the metro at the next station.
We travelled to Naples a few days later and took a bus from the railway station to our hotel unbelievable the same thing happened on the bus a hand on my money belt, they got nothing too.
If in Rome avoid packed buses and the metro and try not to look like a tourist.
Keep your valuables separated.
Theft is a bigger issue in Rome than most people realize. On the bright side other crimes are very low. Rome is a safe city to walk around even late at night.
My husband had a cell phone lifted in 2014, after having his wallet stolen on a train in Cinqua Terra. That was my first and last trip to Italy. We are starting our year 2024 in Calabria for a month. I'm hoping for a better trip.
Glad to hear you are coming back. It may happen again just do your best to limit your loss if it does.
Im going to Rome October I’m ready to punch or slap pick pocketers
Rome is a great city just remember not to take your luggage onto metro
these are good tips .... we as Americans are very trusting and want to be polite to strangers, but I'm afraid you need to condition yourself a bit to be wary of people in tourist areas and, sadly, not be afraid to push them away. They often use small children or women for these roles, as you will be more hesitant to do exactly this. And, carry as little as possible, no passport, spread stuff out, secure crossbody bag, decoy wallet, etc....
Great advice thanks!
I'm going out everything in a secured pouch and put a lock on it
That should work and long as the do not get the whore bag.
At least in the Rome subway you don't take the risk of finding yourself in the middle of a shooting with 29 injured as happened in the New York subway in 2022
So true. Violent crime in Italy is very low.
You should walk with your backpack in front of your belly. I had this problem years ago, in 1993, inside the hotel. I had to go to register in the Police Department, it is important if someone uses your passport for transport drugs. Well, as a. Brazilian the Cop told me my passport is like a gold. They sell around $5000 dollars. Fortunately, I have traveled after and I never had problems with Boarding control.
I do not carry anything of value in my pack.
Today I doubt they have much value pretty easy to detect a stolen passport
We carry a paper copy of our passport.
The passport is left in the safe.
Money in ...shhhh
good advise
Crime might be everywhere but it's out of control there. And you said exactly why in the beginning. There are no consequences. Go to San Francisco and you will experience the same thing.
Start holding these thugs accountable and it will stop
Yah makes too much sense for that to work
I meant to say TSA lock.
Thanks
wish they told us what happened exactly, like where she had things and how they were taken
I guess I kinda left it out of that video. Basically my wife put our credit cards and her passport in one of her zippers closest to her back in her backpack. On the metro, someone unzipped her backpack and took the contents. We did not notice that they had done it until afterwards, but she just used her credit card shortly before it happened so we’re 99% confident it took place while on the metro heading to the terminator station.
Was in Rome in May, no issues at all, used the bus, used the metro.Took precautions so we wouldn't get robbed.The morale is keep everything in a secure place close to your body out of sight.Rome was awesome! Florence was awesome, Venice was awesome! If you have never been there and you can go do it, it is amazing,! Go in May or September great weather and it is busy but not like the summer months.
The odds of having an issue are small maybe 1% but that still means that close to 1 million pickpockets in italy each year. Also if you are male and younger the adds really go down. Glad you had no problem. Thanks for the comment.
So sorry that happened to Kim!!😮😵 At least you got a good video out of it.! So tell us more.... Exactly how , when and where did this happen? I take it they stole her cool backpack on the metro while she was standing near the door? What could she have done differently?
I guess I forgot that part. With Kim they got her while on the Metro but not exactly sure when, When we got to the train station after getting off the Metro she went to get our tickets for the train and that is when she noticed her bag was unzipped and wallet stolen. So she did not loose her bag just the wallet, passport, cash and credit cards. Many people we talked to felt and saw the thief but could not do anything about it.
It happened on Saturday and we went to the US Embassy on Monday
@@RozierRoma Oh Wow! At least she wasn't alone.....
@@RozierRoma Was she using an anti theft purse with a small lock?
People in Finland will give you back your wallet if it falls out
We all need to learn from Finland!
Don’t look like a tourist. leave large backpacks at the hotel. Don’t wear Tshirts with logos or pricey white sneakers..and ball caps backwards , etc.
You’re the second person mentioned not to wear hat backwards. I wear it that way, so I don’t have a shadow on my face when I’m filming. The fact that I’m filming probably is a dead giveaway. I saw on Italian lady get pickpocket they open the purse and grab stuff out of it is not just tourist taken advantage of. Well, OK 95% are tourists.
my wife was pickpocketed in Rome in 2014. We were on a bus, not many people. A well dressed man was standing near us. He got off just before us. We got off and my wife realised her bag was open and wallet/purse was gone.
What happened to you I see happening way too often, the easy purse unzip
Watch out for young ladies with babies tied to their fronts. Their hands are hidden by baby blankets as they pick your pockets or open the zipper of your waist bag.
Thanks I'll keep an eye out
They aren't Italians !Are Gipsy easy to spot ,mostly are deformed ,shorts plump with large but flat low back side 🍩 ( arse /bam ?)
Few hundred 💵💵💵 - hey that’s a lot!
Yah it is. Others we talked to at embassy lost quite a bit more
I was at the Atocha train station in Madrid and, unfortunately, you have no choice but to use the machines to buy tickets to the airport. Half of them barely worked. I was warned by a stranger walking past "Watch your card" when I was trying to give my card to a friend to use since his wasn't working. The thieves there are notorious for grabbing phones or cards right out of your hands. Outside the terminal I saw a man following two older Spanish women and looking at their suitcases. I stopped them and warned them that they were being followed. I was probably being followed myself! 😅 I am heading to Rome in 9 days so I am getting nervous about the pickpockets. 😢
90% of avoiding pickpockets in Rome is just being aware of it. Don’t take luggage onto Metro or buses and then just be attentive. They’re looking for people that are easy targets so try not to be an easy target by looking lost and helpless. The next bit of advice would be just don’t carry too much cash or credit cards with you, when you’re out touring the city. One credit card and a small amount of cash will do just fine and don’t tour the city with your passport. Remember almost 1,000,000 people ride the subway every day and there are a lot of pig pockets the odds of being pickpocket are still very small.
Got back from Rome and it all went well, except for a taxi driver who wanted to charge €38 for a €20 ride from near the Vatican to the other side of the Colosseum. I said "no thanks, I'll walk" and did. 😅 I took enough cash for the €50 x 2 to and from the airport to my hotel and avoided the Metro. Everything went well. 😊
ATTENZIONEEE PICKPOCKETTT
Si!
“Attenzione borseggiatrici pickpockets”!
Attenzione!
If you are pickpocketed outside of Rome you have to travel to Rome to get another one.
to get you passport replaced to need to go to the US embassy. There is one in Rome but I am not sure where else but you make a good point you may have to make added travel to get a new one that you were not planning on.
Keep your passport and money in a linen bag pinned to your trousers inside front on your belly !! Small flat bag !
keep your passport in the safe and carry only a copy or photo
Why would you be carrying all your valuable's/ passport etc with you , rather than taken out the bare minim each day for what you need leaving rest at hotel safe etc?
Sometimes you get lazy. other times you need all your stuff when leaving one area for another.
@@RozierRoma Its great you our honest with this but a very stupid mistake with lack of thinking.
5:59 italy needs to do better in protecting tourists from local italian theives. Im only hearing of this happening in italy mostly. Tourists will avoid a country if they lack safety and hospitality for their guests. Italian government needs to deal with poverty too because these are grown local adults caught doing this
It is also as common in Paris and parts of Spain
We are travelling there next week ….My stomach already feels funny about this
Don’t stress. It’s really not that big a deal. Just be attentive and just remember they can’t pickpocket what you don’t have on you. Only one credit card and enough cash for the day. The good news is you don’t have to worry about getting stabbed or shot or assaulted People in Rome very nice
@@RozierRoma Just said this in one of my comments take out only what you need for that day only.
It's normally Romanians that do this just watch out for them if they are near. Best is carry an Uzi and they steer clear of you.
A Romanian had their hand in my pocket! You may have other problems if you carry an uzi but that would do the trick for sure.
What's an Uzi?
@@RozierRoma Depending on your or their gender you can always cut the pocket out of your trousers, can be more pleasure.
Same in Paris. Usually underage thieves exploited by East-European family groupe.