29 Changes In Clothing Fashion That Made Stealing Easier Or Harder, As Shared By Former Pickpockets And Magicians Online
Sometimes, you just wish you could have eyes in the back of your head. After all, whether you’re traveling abroad or strolling around in your own crowded area, slick pickpockets may be watching your every move. With larceny-theft cases soaring in many American cities such as San Francisco, Chicago, and NYC, lifting phones and wallets seems to only be getting easier. And not only because tricksters have mastered their sleight of hand movements — our wardrobe choices affect their steals too.
So Redditor Sir_Slamalot decided to learn more about the tips and tricks of the trade to take some precautions. And the people they turned to for guidance? Yup, snatchers and magicians themselves. They reached out to the Ask Reddit community with a question: "Former pickpockets of Reddit, what changes in clothing fashion made your job harder/easier?" And boy, the responses came flying in!
Below, you’ll find some handy and surprising replies Bored Panda has gathered from the thread that made us seriously revisit cargo shorts and fanny packs. So take out your notebooks and grab your pens to ensure that the next pocket that gets picked isn't yours! Continue scrolling, upvote the answers you agree with, and be sure to share your own takes in the comments below. And if you’re in the mood for even more safety tips and tricks, check out our previous post where ex-burglars reveal secrets about protecting yourself against theft.
This post may include affiliate links.
Saw an ex-pickpocket talking about his trade on telly once. (Yes we've reached that point in the barrel!) He said that they would stand near the London Transport posters warning passengers on the tube against pickpockets. The passengers would instinctively pat the pocket their wallet was in to check it was still there. Then the pickpockets would follow them and dip the pocket they'd patted.
Relevant experience. I was getting off the subway in central Athens. In retrospect I was a perfect mark, carrying two bags jetlagged and a bit disoriented. Was walking away from a train and a guy was running to catch the train going the opposite direction. Just bumped into me ever so slightly and it took a few seconds to register that I felt the slightest hint of his hand going into the breast pocket of my suit jacket. By the time it registered I turned around and caught his eye just as the doors to the train were closing. And I grinned. My suit was a special travel jacket (the "Envoy") made by Rohan with zip pockets on the inside and some other nice features. Definitely saved me as that was where my wallet was.
Had a coworker while I was working for an airline in Reno. She had started with the company as a flight attendant, and she had traveled everywhere. She had a special bra with a type of closing pouch inside for her cash. Still got her cash lifted in Madrid. I think some of these people look for a challenge.
Interesting how no one has mentioned wearing a "decoy" wallet. I buy old wallets at garage sales, etc., over the summer, and when I travel, I have a decoy wallet in my back pocket with a "Hey! F**k you!" note in it.
While in Europe and sitting at a restaurant, our waiter warned us that 'tourists' will come up to you with a map and ask for directions. They hold the map out over your table and then take your phone if it's just sitting there on the table.
People being careless with their wallets/phones while sitting can make you an easy target.
I know several magicians who use pickpocket skills in their act, they all agree that the small and shallow pockets common in women's pants make pickpocketing easier.
Not a pickpocket but have a relevant story to share.
I live in Europe and during the summer months the pickpockets come out in full force. One of their "tricks/traps" is to approach you and try to distract you with a football (soccer) ball being dribbled around you, or in my case the dude just straight up came up to me and said he wanted to "dance". So he grabbed my arm (as if to dance), put his other arm on my waist and started swinging me side to side. As I told him to stop and break his grasp, my wife notices his other hand is slowly trying to pull out my wallet from my pocket. So she runs up to him and slaps his hand off of me. (He ran off having been caught red handed)
Problem is I was wearing skinny jeans at the time and my wallet might as well been glued to my pants. Not much room to operate with them on.
At my old school there was a tale of a grade trip to Italy, where one of the group was being pickpocketet. To his unfortune, the perpetrator, running off, did not count on him noticing immediately and being part of a group that was 1st: 30 people, 2nd: all trained runners, and 3rd: accidentally spread to every corner of the plaza. Poor guy did not stand a chance, they got the wallet back in a few minutes.
I'm a 23 year old and a magician. I do a bit of pickpocketing and reverse pickpocketing during my routine. Anyone who is wearing tight clothing, or shorts has made it pretty much impossible to steal from or ditch items to. Anyone wearing a hoodie has made it super god damn easy.
UPDATE: Also I should say that if you come up to me wearing a suit, and suit pants I'm going to steal everything you have by the end of my show. It's stupid easy to steal from someone wearing a suit.
As a white girl travelling alone in Manila I was a huge target. Twice I caught children (like under 8) with their hands in my purse.
Luckily I'm a pretty seasoned traveller. The purse is really more for a water bottle, a snack, maybe a map etc. Very small amount of cash in my front pocket ( tight-ish pants) and a money belt with the essentials (more cash, credit card, passport or photocopy, depending on the rules of the particular country)
That said, I once had my wallet picked out of my purse at a bar when I was in my home city. Apparently I'm only cautious when overseas...
I've noticed that. In some cities there will be announcements playing over the transit intercom warning tourists to beware of pickpockets, and as you look around, you can spot a tourist, even without luggage, by the tightly zipped, tucked, clutched bag. Meanwhile, locals are all around with their bags and purses hanging half open.
Obligatory not a pickpocket, but I was told a good method was to wrap your wallet with a rubber band or two. Makes it much harder to pull it out. My brother tried it, and told me he had trouble pulling it out normally.
I had a pair of trousers once that stopped a guy picking my wallet. The pockets had a narrow opening, but were wider on the inside, so I could only pass them through the opening in a certain way. Whenever I put my wallet back in the pocket, I rotated it 90° inside the pocket to prevent (originally only accidental) loss, but this also stopped a boy pickpocket in Berlin from getting successful. He managed to get away, though.
Worked as a magician that did pick pocketing in my act. No one wears watches anymore. Those that do wear stupid plastic fitbits. Those bands are harder to lift. Also, people don't wear their shirts tucked in as often. Harder to lift a wallet with the shirt covering the pocket. It can be done but it's hard to identify where the wallet is in the first place. Finally, those losers (yes,you are a total loser) that wear their pants sagging down and their a*s hanging out, it's super easy to pick a wallet, but it's impossible to see where the wallet is if it's not sticking out. Plus, I am guessing these stars of fashion don't have much in the wallet to begin with.
When I was young, many watches had these expandable metal bands that would pull your arm hairs out and leave painful dents in your skin. I saw many magician acts where they would steal those watches because the expandable band made things easier. And probably the victim was relieved to get the damned thing off.
My aunt wore those kind of watches. Yes they always pulled my arm hairs when I played with them. And they looked like a torture device by how tight they were!
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I wear an inexpensive watch that does not have an expandable band. To the point above, wristwatches are no longer a desirable commodity to a thief. I won't miss mine if it is stolen. It's not worth much money and I can always buy another just like it. I agree that Fitbits are "stupid."
Steal from gen-z, we tuck in our shirts (sometimes depends on the aesthetic)
I understand people hate people who sag there pants but most of us have shorts on under the pants so you don't see our a*s
The guys I've seen like that need to learn some manners then...
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How so? Where did he mention any race?
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In a cracked article by a former pick pocket, apparently skinny jeans are like safes for your wallet.
I sometimes wear long shirt or tunic over jeans. You notice that someone is trying to lift your shirt.
I travelled Europe for 6 weeks last year, I kept my wallet and phone in my back pockets and always carried my bag on my back. I honesty never even thought about my things being stolen. The only time I was aware about pickpockets was in Paris, in the train station. A group of 4 young teenagers, two girls and two boys. They were lingering at the entrance and would watch for unsuspecting travellers. They would line up behind you in the line to get your ticket and try to steal your stuff. Luckily for us the nice lady in front of us, knew what they were trying to do and pointed them out to us. They weren't too impressed about that haha.
On the Metro in Paris, two guys got on at one of the stops and sat almost directly behind us (two tourists and one local, although not actually from Paris). We were just chatting, and I adopted my usual public transport mode: sitting with my bag around my body and on my lap, with my arms across it. The two guys got off at the next stop. Our local friend said crooks would get on, sit near to obvious tourists and scope them out to look for shopping bags, handbags, etc on seats, then grab them as soon as they were by the next stop and run away. Ha, they didn't come near us. We're South African, baby - we're hyper-vigilant at all times and keep a tight grip on all our belongings, whether at home or overseas!
Not a pick pocketer , but have lived in pretty bad pickpocketing capitals (NYC and Paris) and never had a problem. Also a woman, so that makes things easier fashion-wise.
Keep your purse in front of you. If it's to the side, at least keep the zipper in front of you. Ideally keep your hand over the zipper/opening. Strap across the body if possible
Use coats with interior pockets. No one can get to them unless your coat is open.
If you're on a bus or subway, pay extra attention/keep a good grip on your stuff while the doors are open. Not exactly pick pocketing but someone can rip your phone from your hands and run off the subway just as the doors are closing.
Don't trust anyone approaching you on the street. I'd rather be rude than have something bad happen to me.
tl;dr don't put s**t where someone can just reach in and grab it and your s**t won't get taken
Last week i went to Rome by myself (as a woman) never got pickpocketed but i didn't gave them a chance. I put my id and mastercard in my bra, had a small handbag with little cashmoney and then a big totebag with zipper. in busy places or on the bus i hold the straps and always had the zippers where i could see them
I live in Nottingham, Shottingham, there are gang pickpockets that go to clubs after phones.
Never happened to me but heard a lot about it. They wait until you're drunk and in a crowded part of the club, bump into you and slip it out.
So being sober or wearing clothes that make you look more sober I'd say.
Ha! Shottingham. Is fun crime there really that bad for it to have earned that moniker?
A skirt. Sew a pouch on the inside all around the waist band, as soon as you grab something drop it in, and so one will even be able to tell that it's there.
We were in Europe earlier this fall. I wore pants that had zippers on the pockets where I kept my wallet, they would tug at the pants so I would easily notice. My credit cards, extra cash and passport were in a money belt under my shirt. I never thought about my watch being taken, a cheap Timex.
We noticed people wearing their backpacks on their chest, not on their backs, mostly in Paris.
One trick is for a group of kids to rush up, one slices your backpack open with a razor, each one would grab what they could and they would run of in all directions. I bought a wire mesh pack cover and so was not worried. I was followed by a group for a block until they figured out what it was. "You're a smart man"
Chains... tough guys who like to wear chains are great targets! They're normally too cocky to pay attention to anyone other then who they are talking to and their chain is normally connected to a wallet. In a club setting with so many people (and distractions) it is remarkably easy to bump into someone while lifting their wallets free from their back pockets and having your spotter come in for the snatch and grab. 75% of the time they won't notice until you're already gone and the rest of the time you have a perfect exit strategy.
Had family with a legally questionable definition of fun
The fanny pack made things very difficult for a while, thankfully it's not very fashionable anymore. Doesn't mean I don't wear one...
Wait ! It’s not fashionable? No one told me 😂 I gave up purses years ago
Leggings have made it impossible.
Baggy jackets and shirts inspired by hipsters on the other hand, has made my job a lot easier. Sadly, they only usually have roll up tobacco on them, so it's not worth it.
Cargo shorts made it soooo easy to snag phones and wallets from my friends. I'd always do it as a party gag.
all u would find in mine is random stuff and it would be hard to actually find anything in there. u would have to rummage to find stuff
I store important things like my phone and cash in my bra. Best pocket ever, since women don't get pockets on their pants. Plus I figure I would notice a hand down my shirt.
Where I work there is a sign by the till. "No boob or sock money will be accepted". I love that sign.
Late to the thread but the number of high-schoolers that just leave their phones and wallets on tables and walk away from them to get food is absurd. Also the lanyard out the pocket thing is basically asking for someone to tug it out.
I always have my lanyard hanging out of my pocket, but my keys and one key chain is pretty bulky so good luck trying to grab it and me not notice.
The button on the back pocket for guys. Like in cargo short or something similar. It's still just as easy to get stuff out of their front pockets, but if you were going for the wallet... Well just don't. (Velcro is super simple, buttons are a b***h). Also, no i didn't steal from people. I learned how to pick pocket on my friends because I'm a bit of a prankster. Nothing is more fun than watching your friends at the bar pull out each others wallet from their back pockets when they go to pay the tab.
Surely the iPhone jammed into the shallow back pocket of girls jeans so the top half is just right there on display must be the biggest invitation? Hell, I've been tempted to have a go just to see how easy it is.
Women's pants where it looks like they have pockets but don't, it just becomes me randomly feeling the side of a women's leg
I can pick a watch, but with the advent of cel phones, nobody really wears watches anymore...
The same is true for cigarette tricks, not nearly as many smokers as there used to be.
The wallet chain.
But only cause how cool and hardcore it looks, would never pickpocket such a badass, scared they might kick my a*s if I got caught.
Plus, jnco pockets are really deep, just not practical for pickpocketing.
Won't give specifics, but joggers.
Joggers.
Joggers have crazy leg room, and most people with joggers are teens with rich parents, meaning if there's a wallet it has 400 at least, if there's a phone its usually an expensive one. Vape pens are commonly seized as well
My Dad, before I was born, was out for dinner with my Mum. He left his wallet in his jacket draped over the back of his chair. Some ahole stole it. He was so angry at himself for leaving it there but really it's the dirty thief that's fully to blame, imo. The sad thing is, it was his dear grandads wallet (there's a story to it). Ever since, no one is allowed to buy him a nice wallet or watch as gifts because he a) doesn't want to be reminded of the stolen wallet b) doesn't want to risk having something sentimental robbed again. If you find an empty wallet laying around outside, hand it in to the police station if you can - that wallet/photographs etc are often times worth more to someone than the cash and cards.
Carry a dummy wallet. Maybe $10 or $20 or whatever. A few expired things without your name on 'em. The pix the wallet came with. Gift cards without any money left on 'em add nice "bulk". There are a few stick-up/pickpockets out there who have, over the years, cursed me out good, and I just figure... I am the instrument of Karma.
https://www.instructables.com/Glitter-Bomb-Audio-Decoy-Wallet/
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I have a satchel that goes on my thigh, it has both a zipper and a button (it's a b***h of one too) it's looks badass and is super functional since I have to carry a puffer and 2 EpiPens everywhere I go
People who think they are safe with skinny jeans or think they would notice an attempt while traveling surprise me. It might me harder to take stuff, but with the right distraction strategy it's not impossible. I'm extremely paranoid while traveling. Don't want to be stranded in a foreign country with no access to money, ID and phone.
My father always had some wide rubber bands around his wallet, just to thwart pickpockets. Never had an issue. Saw a pickpocket in London caught in the act once. Guy was very well dressed. Perhaps too much so. A keen observer grabbed him and made him return his prize.
The title said "fashion changes". These aren't fashion changes. They are just stories of how to keep from getting robbed.
Just bring back jncos, guaranteed that you will know if someone is trying to pick your pockets. Their arms will be past the elbow trying to reach the bottom where your wallet is.
This article mostly focused on pickpocketing and travel tips is great! Along with the additional comments from readers at large. Thank you! But, it amazes me why people just don't consider a "neck wallet". Run an informal survey: ask a handful of males for their wallets. Take note on how they wear it (overwhelming majority wears it in back pocket). Then measure how thick the wallet is (usually a couple of inches). Then for an added bonus ask them to empty out the wallet and spread the contents: there will usually be many useless items like old business cards, to do lists, store cards etc. Here's the deal: if you keep wearing your wallet like that, your hips/backbone will be misaligned and eventually cause you "lower back pain" discomfort. Spending long hours sitting on that lump will be uncomfortable quick enough. So my advise to you: get a neck wallet that you are comfortable with, simplify the contents to the bare minimum and keep your back pockets empty. Your back will thank you.
Decoy wallet. Add expired cards if you have em and maybe 10-20 dollars in cash. Also put in some expired gift cards or coupons or something to make it look more real. When they check the wallet they will hurry away and just see the cards and money
See, everone hates the no pockets/tiny pockets/ tight pockets thing!
These people talking about their vacation in Rome like they've survived a journey through Syria makes me cringe. I'vee travelled a lot, so did my family, and I've never heard of a relative or a friend being pickpocketed. I think you just have to be aware of your surroundings. It's common sense, really. Keep your important stuff in hidden or zipped places. Don't keep all your money in the same place, especially in your wallet. Don't go around flashing expensive stuff nor looking like a "pray" (don't act like a tourist, basically). It's not that difficult. And I'm not surprised people get pickpocketed in European big cities. Pickpocketers are not idiots: they "work" where there's a lot of people (preferably people who are on vacation, so they're more carefree and don't pay much attention) and where they can easily get away with it: ergo European countries full of tourists. Surely you won't get pickpocketed in an empty Walmart packing lot in your small town in Vermont!
90% of these are European based. Imagine if all these assholes had a f*****g gun! I’m talking to you America!
People with guns are muggers, not pickpockets. The difference is subtlety
Load More Replies... Relevant joke: Over the last month I have become a victim of a clever 'Eastern European' scam whilst out shopping. Here's how the scam works: Two very good-looking 20-21 year-old girls come over to your car as you're packing your shopping into the boot. They both start cleaning your windscreen, parts almost falling out of their skimpy T- shirts. When you thank them and offer them a tip, they'll say 'No' and instead they ask you for a lift to another supermarket. You agree and they both get in the back seat. On the way there, they start undressing, until both are completely naked. Then, when you pull over to remonstrate, one of them climbs over into the front seat and starts crawling all over your lap, kissing you, touching you intimately and thrusting herself against you, while the other one steals your wallet! (cont.)
(cont.) I had my wallet stolen on September 4th, 9th,10th, twice on the 15th, 17th, 20th, 24th and 29th. Also on October 1st, 4th, 6th, 9th and 10th and twice yesterday. So please warn all the older men you know to be on the lookout for this scam. The best times seem to be just before lunch and about 4:30 in the afternoon.
Load More Replies... My Dad, before I was born, was out for dinner with my Mum. He left his wallet in his jacket draped over the back of his chair. Some ahole stole it. He was so angry at himself for leaving it there but really it's the dirty thief that's fully to blame, imo. The sad thing is, it was his dear grandads wallet (there's a story to it). Ever since, no one is allowed to buy him a nice wallet or watch as gifts because he a) doesn't want to be reminded of the stolen wallet b) doesn't want to risk having something sentimental robbed again. If you find an empty wallet laying around outside, hand it in to the police station if you can - that wallet/photographs etc are often times worth more to someone than the cash and cards.
Carry a dummy wallet. Maybe $10 or $20 or whatever. A few expired things without your name on 'em. The pix the wallet came with. Gift cards without any money left on 'em add nice "bulk". There are a few stick-up/pickpockets out there who have, over the years, cursed me out good, and I just figure... I am the instrument of Karma.
https://www.instructables.com/Glitter-Bomb-Audio-Decoy-Wallet/
Load More Replies... I have a satchel that goes on my thigh, it has both a zipper and a button (it's a b***h of one too) it's looks badass and is super functional since I have to carry a puffer and 2 EpiPens everywhere I go
People who think they are safe with skinny jeans or think they would notice an attempt while traveling surprise me. It might me harder to take stuff, but with the right distraction strategy it's not impossible. I'm extremely paranoid while traveling. Don't want to be stranded in a foreign country with no access to money, ID and phone.
My father always had some wide rubber bands around his wallet, just to thwart pickpockets. Never had an issue. Saw a pickpocket in London caught in the act once. Guy was very well dressed. Perhaps too much so. A keen observer grabbed him and made him return his prize.
The title said "fashion changes". These aren't fashion changes. They are just stories of how to keep from getting robbed.
Just bring back jncos, guaranteed that you will know if someone is trying to pick your pockets. Their arms will be past the elbow trying to reach the bottom where your wallet is.
This article mostly focused on pickpocketing and travel tips is great! Along with the additional comments from readers at large. Thank you! But, it amazes me why people just don't consider a "neck wallet". Run an informal survey: ask a handful of males for their wallets. Take note on how they wear it (overwhelming majority wears it in back pocket). Then measure how thick the wallet is (usually a couple of inches). Then for an added bonus ask them to empty out the wallet and spread the contents: there will usually be many useless items like old business cards, to do lists, store cards etc. Here's the deal: if you keep wearing your wallet like that, your hips/backbone will be misaligned and eventually cause you "lower back pain" discomfort. Spending long hours sitting on that lump will be uncomfortable quick enough. So my advise to you: get a neck wallet that you are comfortable with, simplify the contents to the bare minimum and keep your back pockets empty. Your back will thank you.
Decoy wallet. Add expired cards if you have em and maybe 10-20 dollars in cash. Also put in some expired gift cards or coupons or something to make it look more real. When they check the wallet they will hurry away and just see the cards and money
See, everone hates the no pockets/tiny pockets/ tight pockets thing!
These people talking about their vacation in Rome like they've survived a journey through Syria makes me cringe. I'vee travelled a lot, so did my family, and I've never heard of a relative or a friend being pickpocketed. I think you just have to be aware of your surroundings. It's common sense, really. Keep your important stuff in hidden or zipped places. Don't keep all your money in the same place, especially in your wallet. Don't go around flashing expensive stuff nor looking like a "pray" (don't act like a tourist, basically). It's not that difficult. And I'm not surprised people get pickpocketed in European big cities. Pickpocketers are not idiots: they "work" where there's a lot of people (preferably people who are on vacation, so they're more carefree and don't pay much attention) and where they can easily get away with it: ergo European countries full of tourists. Surely you won't get pickpocketed in an empty Walmart packing lot in your small town in Vermont!
90% of these are European based. Imagine if all these assholes had a f*****g gun! I’m talking to you America!
People with guns are muggers, not pickpockets. The difference is subtlety
Load More Replies... Relevant joke: Over the last month I have become a victim of a clever 'Eastern European' scam whilst out shopping. Here's how the scam works: Two very good-looking 20-21 year-old girls come over to your car as you're packing your shopping into the boot. They both start cleaning your windscreen, parts almost falling out of their skimpy T- shirts. When you thank them and offer them a tip, they'll say 'No' and instead they ask you for a lift to another supermarket. You agree and they both get in the back seat. On the way there, they start undressing, until both are completely naked. Then, when you pull over to remonstrate, one of them climbs over into the front seat and starts crawling all over your lap, kissing you, touching you intimately and thrusting herself against you, while the other one steals your wallet! (cont.)
(cont.) I had my wallet stolen on September 4th, 9th,10th, twice on the 15th, 17th, 20th, 24th and 29th. Also on October 1st, 4th, 6th, 9th and 10th and twice yesterday. So please warn all the older men you know to be on the lookout for this scam. The best times seem to be just before lunch and about 4:30 in the afternoon.
Load More Replies...