How to AVOID Getting ROBBED by PICKPOCKETS

Paris has its fair share of pickpockets and there's a lot of misinformation on what they look like and how they operate. Over the past three years, we've had four encounters with pickpockets in Paris and we witnessed many more. I wish that someone had told us what we're about to tell you so we didn't have to learn it the hard way. Pickpockets don't have just one profile. It's their behavior that you should be looking for. So in this video, we're going to tell you what behavior to look for, how they'll try to rob you, and what to do if it happens to you. Allez, on y va! One of the first things I do when I get in a metro station or in a high tourist area is I look for someone specific and that is the spotter or the observer. Pickpockets operate in teams and there's usually a spotter looking for an easy target. That person usually stands alone or sometimes there are two of them and they are scanning the crowd. They're looking for people with luggage or who seem uncertain, maybe people who are in a conversation and not paying attention to their surroundings, and of course, tourists who are likely to have good easy stuff to take. If you see one, and sometimes it's obvious, do not engage with them. Just be aware that another accomplice is right around the corner and will be notified when the right target is coming. And if you follow the simple rule of having your bag zipped and having your stuff where you know where it is, they'll look for other easier targets because you look like you're just too much trouble to rob. In our previous video on how to outsmart pickpocket, I said that pickpocketing was a team sport and that's 100% accurate. So here are the typical players that you'll see. The first player is the distractor. Their job is to distract you by any means necessary, being overly friendly and very exuberant in their joy to the point that it may be uncomfortable and wonder what's going on. Or they can act crazy, like talking loudly and make weird movements. Or sometimes they're a little bit overaggressive. That's the distractor and you should keep an eye on them. But they're not your biggest problem. The second player is the problem. And that's the thief. And while you're distracted by the distractor, the thief will make their move and take your stuff. And this happens so fast that even if you see it happening, by the time you react, they may be gone. And that's when the third player comes into play. And that's the enforcer. The enforcer's job is to prevent you from trying to catch the thief by blocking the way or by being super aggressive and in your face, pretending that nothing happened and that you're the one causing trouble. And that's usually the bigger of the three. So now that you know how the game is played, remember to spot all the players and be aware of them. The best way to protect yourself is by not falling for their trick of getting distracted. Now before we move on, I want to be perfectly clear. Paris is a safe place. And you don't need to be nervous or looking over your shoulder. It's just important to know the behaviors to look for and where they're most likely to hang out. As I've said in previous videos, opportunists go where they see opportunity. And the biggest opportunities are in places where you find lots of tourists. It's a good idea to be on alert and know where your bags are and have them zipped when you're near the Eiffel Tower or at a metro station near the Eiffel Tower. The Champs-Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe are hotspots as well. The same is true for the Louvre. The first time we got pickpocketed was buying tickets at a metro station by the Louvre. We were tired and let our guard down, and we didn't even notice until we were seated on the train and saw the zipper of the backpack was open. The second time was in a restaurant when a woman used her coat to hide her hands while digging into my bag sitting on the seat next to Antoine. It was pretty brazen and in a popular tourist area as well. And right here at Sacré-Cœur is another place to pay attention. The other place to be careful is in major train stations like Gare du Nord, Gare Montparnasse, Gare de Lyon. These are definitely places you should be careful as well. But in the quiet neighborhoods away from the touristic areas, you're going to be safe and you're going to feel comfortable. Now the next one is we've seen that behavior more than once, probably because we were able to spot it from far away. Now you may see a group of women, sometimes fairly well-dressed, and they all have something in common. They have an empty canvas bag in front of them or a coat right over their arm. And if you don't know what to look for, it may look like they're out and about shopping. But the bag or the coat is there to hide their sneaky hands trying to get into your backpack or into your bag. And personally, I don't sit near anyone if I cannot see their hands. These women are skilled at letting their fingers do the work without needing to see them. And beware of them. They can be very brazen and will often try to make a scene as a distraction. Avoid them if you can, but if they approach you, remain calm and cold and do not engage in whatever theatrics they may try. And do not turn your back on them. Remember that they work in teams and there may be three or four of them. If you look like too much trouble, they'll move on. They don't want to fight. They just want to steal your stuff. Now you may be noticing a trend here about making a scene because French people won't do that. They're generally very discreet and subtle. You'll notice them reading a book or on their phones, maybe even sleeping, but you won't find them speaking loudly or calling attention to themselves. If you hear a commotion around you, be on alert. It may be a couple, two men or two women, and there'll be arguing or being extra exuberant or they could even act depressed or panicked. Whatever you do, don't get involved. We had a guy once who was talking really loud to himself and acting weird, like he had a few screws loose. But he was sharp enough to reach into Antoine's coat pocket and be indignant when he was caught. And I'm sorry to say that you have to be on the lookout for kids and teens doing this as well. There's a ringleader grooming them to go out and meet their quota. They can be very brazen and aggressive. Don't engage with them. They literally fear nothing. They'll just make a big scene, grab something and run off. Be on alert and take care of yourself. One of the best ways to feel safe around Paris is by having a local guide with you. If this sounds like something you'd want, check out our page with a list of local guides you can hire to visit the top attractions in and around Paris. Some will even pick you up directly from your hotel and bring you back. There's a link in the description below. Check it out and see if it's a good fit for you. The next one took us by surprise. One day we were in a metro station by the machine like these behind, and two British ladies were struggling buying their ticket at the machine. A young man in a white button-down shirt with some kind of lanyard came over to offer help. He looked somewhat official. He didn't look right to me, so I asked the official agent inside the station kiosk about him. She stormed out to chase him and he ran away. Official employees at metro and train stations wear a vest with a RATP or SNCF logo on it. So if someone comes from out of the blue offering help, and they're not wearing an official vest, don't take their help. And there as a matter of fact, right behind me, the guy with the blue hoodie is doing exactly that. What they're trying to do is help you buy a day pass or other high-priced ticket, then switch it with a sleight of hand for a reduced fare ticket. You won't notice it when you enter the metro, but if you try to scan it for a second ride, it will be worthless. And even worse, if you get controlled by an agent asking you to present your ticket, you will end up with a hefty fine for trying to cheat the system. If you need help, go to the kiosk and ask for help. Do not take help from someone like this. Another way pickpockets hide their hands is behind a clipboard. Now that may sound silly, but those people with the clipboards asking you to sign a survey are more than just annoying. They do a couple of more sneaky things. When they get real close to have you sign, the board is covering their hands while they reach into your bag or pinch your phone from your pocket. And if you're feeling kind and just want to give them a couple of euros, what they're happiest about is that you just showed them and their partners where your money is. Please don't engage with them. The signatures and the money are not going to charity. They're just going in their pockets. Take care of yourself. One of the scariest way that people get pickpocketed or robbed in Paris is by an ATM machine like this one, especially the ATM machine near a major tourist attraction. When people go to an ATM to retrieve some money, the thief will wait until you put in your pin code, and that's when they'll strike. You'll get approached by a kid or by a beggar to your right, and they'll ask for directions. Basically, what they're doing is they're trying to distract you. But their partner is watching closely, and they will approach you from the left. And as soon as your money comes out, they'll grab it and run. And this is a very well-oiled scheme. Their timing is impeccable. So this is how you deal with this. Never, ever, ever retrieve money at an ATM machine alone. Always have someone watch your back. And try not to use the ATM machine near a major attraction. Use one near your hotel, away from the crowds. But whatever you do, don't do it alone. Now, we've heard from some of our fans and people in our Facebook group that there are crooks trying to impersonate police officers in Paris. They flash a fake police badge and ask you for your ID papers and if you have any counterfeit bills with you. Now, that's obviously a scam, but it's easy to understand why some people fall for this. They're in a foreign country, not sure what to make of it, so they comply and show their ID and waive whatever bills they have with them. But don't do it. French police will never ask you anything like this. If this happens to you, it's your turn to make a scene and draw as much attention to yourself as possible. Impersonating a police officer in France is a very serious crime. And these guys will not want to be caught doing it. Look, the vast majority of visitors we talk to say, we never encountered a pickpocket when we were in Paris. People often say, I never saw a pickpocket in Paris. I am not sure what the fuss is all about. And they are right. You'll most likely be very safe and not see a thing during your visit. We've been in Paris for the last three years and usually in high tourist areas. We see pickpockets all the time, but we only had to deal with them four times. Twice they got in our bags and didn't get much. And twice we caught them in the act and they stopped it. Now when we're in Paris, I always wear my sling and wear it in front of me in busy areas. And I always wear a money belt. As for Colleen, she either wears her bag across her body and keep her hand on the zipper or have her bag under her jacket when she's in the metro. Don't keep anything in your pants front or back pocket. Keep your valuables always zipped and in front of you. When you're in Paris, be prepared with the right gear and know what to look for and you'll be just fine. If you liked this video on how to spot pickpockets, next I would watch this one on the 10 unspoken rules tourists keep breaking in Paris.