5 Types Of Bags Pickpocketers Are Most Likely To Steal From
By Cheryl Kochenderfer
VACATIONS
Open-Top Tote
These bags are easy to pickpocket due to the open-top, one-shoulder design. The open top leaves just enough room for a pickpocketer to slide a hand inside.
Since these bags are loose, you might not even feel the pickpocketer putting a hand in it. Save the tote bags for low-risk destinations, or pack them with non-valuable items.
Shoulder Bag
This bag hangs loosely by your side, so you won’t notice when someone messes with it. An experienced thief can get around the closed-top by unzipping or lifting flaps.
Also, people generally use the side pockets for cell phones and wallets, but this makes them easy to snatch. A bold thief might even pull the bag off your shoulder and run.
Backpacks
Since a backpack is worn on your back, it is vulnerable to pickpockets, who can mess with it discreetly. The mesh pockets are also very easy to snatch items out of.
Since backpacks are bulkier, you also need to take them off to sit down, and a thief could pull a grab-and-go in seconds. To avoid this, put the strap through a chair leg.