12 Travel Habits That Attract Thieves

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Travel is an adventure. The last thing you want to mess up an otherwise dream vacation with is getting robbed. There are more than 400,000 daily cases of pickpocketing around the world, as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime reports.

If you’re a foreign traveler exploring a bustling European city or a tropical getaway, you might not know you’re painting a target on your back. The good news? Even some minor changes in habits can dramatically reduce that risk. Read on for 12 common travel mistakes thieves seek and how to avoid them.

Flashing Expensive Items

Travel Habits That Attract Thieves — Image credit: Bruno/pixabay

Carrying fancy jewelry or slinging high-tech gear about in plain sight is scary. You attract thieves. They steal watches, cameras, and necklaces. A pickpocket who knows what he’s doing doesn’t need more than a second to swipe them.

Don’t wear your most valuable and easily stolen possessions, and keep them stowed away and out of sight. Washington Metro Police in London conducted a study showing that carrying them (visible items) increases your chances of being targeted by up to 30%.

Using Open Bags

We all want open-top totes and drawstring backpacks, but they facilitate too many grab-and-go thefts. In these crowded places, pickpockets count on people’s vulnerability to prey. Choose zipped crossbody bags you wear in front of you, keeping a perpetual eye on your belongings.

Overloading Your Wallet or Purse

It would be best not to stuff your wallet with cash, credit cards, and important documents. Thick wallets cause people to notice you, and if they are stolen, you’ll be stranded with no money.

Carry only what you need for the day. Essential documents, such as your passport, should be safely backed up in a hotel room or a travel safe pouch.

Using Your Phone as a Distraction

While walking, looking at your phone may keep you in touch with Google Maps, but it sets you apart from your environment. Distracted people are perfect opportunities for thieves, as they are less likely to see the approaching pickpocket.

Stay alert, and take brief breaks in a safe spot if you have to look at directions. According to an insightful study by the National Safety Council, congestion makes people more vulnerable to phone distraction.

Leaving Bags Unattended

If the only thing separating you from your bag is a bathroom break or the picture you’re trying to snap, it’s an open invitation to thieves.

“Unattended belongings are among the easiest targets for opportunistic criminals,” says Steven L., a former loss prevention specialist. If you must set your bag down, always ensure a strap is looped around a foot or body.

Using Public WiFi Without Caution

Free public WiFi is available at cafes, airports, and hotels, and it is tempting but risky. Cyber thieves on unsecured networks can access your sensitive information.

According to the returns from a Consumer Reports study, 50% of public WiFi users do not take basic precautions when using public WiFi, putting them at risk for identity theft. To protect yourself, a VPN (Virtual Private Network) should always be used when connecting to any public network.

Wearing a Backpack in a Crowd

If you are not constantly watching your backpack, it’s easy enough for a thief to unzip them. Bustling environments are where enough people, the busy nature of the place, and a quick distraction provide pickpockets with only seconds to act.

If you must wear one, put it in front in crowded areas. One reactive option includes anti-theft backpacks with hidden zippers and rigid materials like slash-proofing.

Looking Like a Tourist

Carrying a guidebook, wearing a camera around your neck, or stopping on the sidewalk to map out directions advertises theft.

Thieves target tourists because they’re less experienced in the area and less likely to report theft. Dress like a local and try to blend in, or research routes and destinations before you go.

Broadcasting Your Whereabouts on Social Media

Using Instagram or Facebook to share real-time location updates can tell burglars back home where you are and what part of the world you’re in.

Try not to post too much about your adventures on your social networks until after you are no longer there.

Overpacking and Struggling With Bags

An overstuffed suitcase is a surefire way to look unprepared and preoccupied, which provides pickpockets with opportunities.

Bring little bags and lock up your luggage. There’s simply something about luggage that seems orderly and secured, which may turn away potential thieves with more straightforward targets.

Ignoring Your Instincts

Having an intuition is your secret weapon against theft. Trusting your gut when something is ‘off’—person-wise or location-wise—pays off.

Follow your gut and move to a safer environment. Research shows that we unconsciously process thousands of environmental cues, so those “gut feelings” often carry weight.

Relying Solely on Cash

While using cards for payments has risks, carrying stacks of cash is much more risky. Pickpocketers will quickly notice where you stashed your wallet and make their theft.

Carry a mix of payment methods, and don’t carry much cash on you. You may also keep your funds secure in currency belts or money pouches, which you wear on your clothes.