10 Simple Pickpocket Tips in Paris
Pickpockets are a concern in Paris, especially in crowded areas and on public transport. The stories travelers share show both how creative thieves can be and how much trouble losing your essentials can cause.
Here’s a quick guide built from real experiences to help you avoid common mistakes and stay prepared if something goes wrong.
1. Don’t Use a Phone Case Wallet
Carrying your phone and your cards together makes you an obvious target. Thieves see an expensive phone with credit cards attached and know they can score big in one move.
A slim wallet or a single card tucked away is safer than a bulky case that advertises your valuables.
2. Keep a Backup Card Hidden
Losing all your cards can ruin your trip. One smart move is to keep a backup card separate from your wallet. Hide it deep in your suitcase or lock it in your hotel safe.
If someone gets your wallet, you still have a way to pay for food, transport, or emergencies.
3. Keep Your Passport Safe (Carry Copies)
Don’t carry your passport around Paris unless you need it for something specific like VAT refunds. Leave it locked in your hotel safe or hidden securely in your luggage.
Instead, carry a photocopy or a photo on your phone. Many shops and ticket offices accept a copy, though big department stores sometimes insist on the real thing when issuing VAT refund forms.
For extra backup, a layered approach – copy at the hotel, photo on your phone, and one stored in your email – covers you in most situations.
4. Pickpocket Tactics to Watch Out For
Pickpockets in Paris often work in groups and use distractions. For example, a traveler is carrying everything in a fanny pack when a woman with a baby asks for help.
As he bends to lift her bag, someone slices the pack open with a box cutter while kids snatch everything that falls out.
This shows how fast and coordinated thieves can be, especially in crowded places.
5. Secure Your Bag and Phone
Crossbody bags with locking zippers and phone tethers make theft harder. Some argue this feels excessive, but losing your cards, passport, or phone sometimes means losing access to your money, travel tickets, and accommodation information.
Some travelers wear specially designed clothing with hidden zippers and compartments, like pickpocket-proof pants. While not essential, these can make it much harder for thieves to grab anything without you noticing.
6. Stay Alert When You’re Tired
Tourists often get targeted when they’re exhausted. Long days of walking and sightseeing make it easy to relax your guard, especially on the metro back to the hotel.
Keeping your bag in front of you and one hand on it in crowded areas helps protect you when your attention slips.
7. Carry Only What You Need Each Day
You don’t need to take every card or large sums of cash when exploring. You can carry just a single card and enough cash for the day, leaving the rest secured at the hotel. If the card is stolen, you can rely on a backup left behind.
8. Plan for Worst-Case Scenarios
In case you lose your passport, the local consulate can issue a replacement. Some people also leave copies of their passport and card numbers with a trusted family member back home, who can cancel cards or fax documents if needed.
American Express has a reputation for quickly issuing replacements for both credit cards and traveler’s checks. Be aware that airlines may less cooperative if you’ve lost tickets bought with a cancelled card.
9. Use a Second Device for Backup
Carrying a second device, like an iPad kept locked in your hotel safe, is also a good idea. If your phone is stolen, you can use the backup device to wipe it remotely, block stolen cards, and access your travel accounts.
10. Common Sense Still Works
Despite the horror stories, many people carry their passports and valuables in Paris without issues. They stay aware in crowded places, keep their bags in front, and avoid distractions.
Paris is not exceptionally dangerous compared to other big cities, but losing your essentials abroad is stressful enough to make prevention worth the effort.