Pickpockets in Rome

Thankfully, fewer gypsies roam the streets pesteringly peddling wares, begging and stealingl! The women wear long patterned skirts and have dark hair; their men make them go out on the streets to beg or steal or both!! Most thieves camouflage themselves as tourists or local people, and prey primarily on buses, the Metro and other crowded areas. So what do you do?  Keep most of your valuables in the hotel safe and carry only what you need for the day.  Hide your money, credit cards and copies of passport or ID in secure places. Using money pouches, placing wallets close to the front of your body or in very deep pockets are good strategies. Place handbags under your arm. When sitting or standing, keep bags between your legs or on your lap, never out of sight, even in not-so busy areas. However, don’t shortchange your holiday by avoiding the busy spots or being overly worried, just come prepared. 

Another two handy tips:

• Put your hand over handbag or in the pocket where your personal belongings are if you are in a crowded area.

• If you are not in a hurry take the next less crowded bus or metro.

A good site for information posted by other tourists on scams and thefts is the Graffiti wall on Rick Steve's site: http://www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/graffiti11.html