Just a warning. We are very seasoned international travelers, and my boyfriend fell victim to a picketpocket on the subway. We believe there was a team of three who watched us purchase our tickets, and, therefore, knew that his wallet was in one of two zipped compartments on his fanny pack which was worn so the compartments were in front, not on his fanny. (I had a fanny pack with 3 zippered compartments. He had a fanny pack with 2 zippered compartments, and he had a backpack with 4 zippered compartments, yet the thieves knew exactly where the money was!) As we boarded the subway car, Thief Number 1 blocked my boyfriend’s path to slow him down. Thief Number 2 grabbed the wallet out of the zipped compartment and fled. When we confronted Thief Number 1, Thief Number 3 came to his defense saying that a gypsy child had stolen the wallet. The thieves were clean cut and in their early twenties—the kind of young men you might ask for help if you were in a jam. Within minutes, they were attempting to withdraw funds from our credit cards and bank accounts.
We will spend tomorrow at the U.S. Embassy getting his passport replaced. What a lousy start for our vacation. I strongly encourage everyone to keep their money and their passport in a money belt worn (and hidden) inside your clothes!
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I am so very sorry to hear about your miserable experience. We are hearing that pickpocketing is at record levels in Prague and your story will really keep us on our guard when we arrive next week. Sorry I don%26#39;t have any helpful advise....but I did want to thank you for sharing your story. Safe travels!
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Sorry to hear about your experience JCM1949, thanks for sharing it. It just shows you have to keep your wits about you at all times. Personally I think those %26#39;fanny packs%26#39; (as you call them) are a magnet for thieves whichever city you happen to be in. My own tips are:
1) Don%26#39;t take your passport out with you, you really won%26#39;t need to show it in Prague and if you want the security of some ID take a photocopy with you
2) You really won%26#39;t need to carry that much cash out there, so take what you need, leave your wallet in the hotel safe, shove the cash into your front trouser pockets, put your hands in your pockets and, if you%26#39;re on the #22 tram stare suspiciously and agressively at anyone who comes within a few feet of you....works for me : )
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JCM1949 which metro station was this at?
Jdian is correct - whilst technically you need to take ID with you, a photocopy of your passport should be good enough
finally, if you see people who are suspicious just don%26#39;t board the metro and wait for the next one to come along - metros come very frequently, or take your camera out and start taking pictures of the people - they will soon disappear
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The blocking technique is common. They often work in teams and they are pros. I%26#39;ve never been hit, but it would be hard to defend against. Almost happened to my step father on the 22 tram with a guy blocking the door, but an alert friend stopped it just in time.
I%26#39;d probably put a big hurt on Thief Number 3 as a lesson to the others (I know, not a good idea). Maybe they sense that and leave me alone.
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JCM1949 Sorry to hear about your bad experinece.
Just spent 10 days in Prague, rode the Metro and trams without a problem (not the 22-23 though) and had no problems at all.
Even so both our private guide and the hotel reception staff warned us to be extremely careful of pickpockets. There are also big stickers on the Metro doors warning -%26quot;Beware of pickpockets%26quot;
They also said that the street from the Charles Bridge to Old Town Square and Astronomical Clock is a very bad area for pickpockets .
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sorry to hear about your problems, it happened to us new years day 2006 as we watched the changing of the guard in the castle, my wife only lifted her arms to take a photo and her purse was gone, she thinks it was a little gypsy girl who kept pushing against her, credit card driving licence and some cash, but it was the thought that her space had been invaded, she wolfed down a brandy to calm her nerves(1st time she ever drank brandy), in the police station there was all nationality reporting thefts,including czechs,
we thought we were street wise, but you can only be so careful
dave
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Final update on the pickpocket experience.
Staff at the American embassy were wonderful. They had a new passport ready in about 5 hours. It helped that we had a photocopy of the stolen passport.
Bank staff and credit card staff also very helpful. They tried using our credit cards within minutes of the theft, but the credit card companies shut them down.
We are currently enjoying the rest of our vacation a bit poorer and much wiser!
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Glad you didn%26#39;t let it spoil your trip. As they say... stuff... happens.
A friend gave me a great quote once:
An adventure is an inconvenience rightly considered.
-G.K. Chesterton
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So glad you got it all sorted hope you enjoyed the rest of your stay.
TORII
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A Fanny Pack is a %26quot;come rob from me%26quot; sign in Eurpoe. Pickpockets know tourists wear this stuff all the time. I always wear a money belt. I take out only enough money, maybe $100.00 worth and stick it in my front pocket. I NEVER carry a purse.
If I need to take out more, I will just go into a rest room and put some more in my pocket.
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