Taught by French police themselves: 11 tips to help world travelers avoid pickpockets and scammers

▲ Paris is a top global tourist destination. (Image / from Wikimedia Commons)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Paris, France, is the world’s most popular tourist destination, welcoming over 40 million visitors each year. However, incidents involving thieves and scammers are all too common, often causing great harm to travelers. Recently, French police released a “Paris Travel Safety Guide,” sharing 11 tips to help travelers avoid pickpockets and fraudsters.

% and the video for safety tips has been moved. Originally on YouTube, please excuse us if it has been deleted.

Tip 1: Do not hang your bag or jacket on the back of your chair. (Especially when someone is sitting behind you)
Most people have the habit of hanging their jackets and bags on the back of their chairs while dining, but this could lead to your wallet being stolen unnoticed by a thief sitting behind you; hanging your bag on the chair back also makes it an easy target for criminals, as they can just snatch it and run—leaving you with no chance to chase after.

▲ Don’t leave your phone casually on the table. Image is for illustration only. (Photo / by reporter Hong Shengyi)

Tip 2: Do not leave your phone casually on the table.
Same reason as above.

Tip 3: When using public transport, keep your luggage close at hand
When buying tickets or asking service staff for help, leaving your suitcase unattended behind you—even for just a few seconds—can result in it being snatched by a criminal. The best approach is to keep your luggage beside you and never let it out of your sight.

▲ Don’t let your carry-on luggage out of your sight. (Illustration / by reporter Zhang Yizhong)

Tip 4: Do not go through ticket gates at the same time as others (strangers)
Passing through a gate with someone you don’t know, even for just a few seconds, could allow a thief to steal your wallet from your pocket. So stay alert when going through ticket barriers.

Tip 5: (If taking a long-distance bus) Go to the luggage compartment to retrieve your baggage immediately, and do not let your luggage out of your sight before entering your room.
If you’ve arrived at your destination by long-distance bus, resist the urge to take photos right away—remember to collect your luggage first. Otherwise, thieves might be waiting to snatch it while you’re distracted, and that would be a big loss.

▲ When taking a bus, remember to go to the luggage compartment to get your bags immediately. (Illustration / by reporter Zhou Chen'geng)

Tip 6: When withdrawing money, do not let strangers distract you, and shield your PIN entry
Some travelers may need to withdraw money abroad. When doing so, make sure to shield your PIN, and also avoid being distracted by strangers—this could be part of a group scam where one person diverts your attention while another steals your card after secretly observing your PIN entry.

Tip 7: As mentioned above, after withdrawing money, do not display your cash and avoid carrying large amounts
“Don’t flash your cash” applies everywhere. Remember to put your money away quickly after withdrawing it; also avoid carrying large amounts of cash, as this can make you a target for criminals.

Tip 8: If you encounter street card-guessing games, do not play—they are scams
You will never win.

▲ Remember to wear your bag diagonally across your body, not sideways. (Illustration / by reporter Li Yukang)

Tip 9: Do not wear your bag sideways; try to wear it diagonally in front of you.
Sideways bags are easier to snatch and harder to hold onto.

Tip 10: Do not respond to fake petition signature requests.
This is also one of the tricks thieves use to steal your wallet when you’re not paying attention.

Tip 11: Never put your wallet in your back pocket.
Because it can be easily pulled out, and in crowded places, you might not even notice—by the time you realize it’s gone, it’s too late.

Master these 11 tips, and you can slow down and fully enjoy the beauty of Paris.