Watch out for pickpockets

[snopes]

Comment: In an online conversation on an internet forum, a poster claimed
that a common pickpocket strategy is to warn people of potential
pickpocket activity in order to encourage potential targets to check for
their wallet/valuables, unwittingly revealing the location to the thieves.
Several people said they had heard of this happening, a couple of whom
posted links to websites that confirm the technique:

http://www.pickpocket.com/Pickpocket...ntion-Tips.asp

http://lemoney92.blogspot.com/2010/0...kets-work.html

I think this is one of the most hilariously unlikely things I have ever
heard in my life.

[Gin Rickey]

This was a Car Talk Puzzler last week.

[Singing in the Drizzle]

I was watching TV show a few years back on common thieves and con-artist practices use to separate you from your money and other valuables. The check your wallet sign was a well talked about along with valet parking. The latter being you handing your car and keys over to a complete stranger with a sign and coat.

[RealityChuck]

Unlikely? It makes sense that if the pickpocket doesn't have to guess which pocket you keep your money, he's going to be more successful. It means that he gets the right pocket 100% of the time. If he doesn't know, he may pick the wrong pocket.

[videoguy]

Originally Posted by RealityChuck

Unlikely? It makes sense that if the pickpocket doesn't have to guess which pocket you keep your money, he's going to be more successful. It means that he gets the right pocket 100% of the time. If he doesn't know, he may pick the wrong pocket.

At the same time, the warning will make people more aware of pickpockets, which would likely make it more difficult. So, overall, a warning might not be a good idea.

[Troberg]

Originally Posted by RealityChuck

Unlikely? It makes sense that if the pickpocket doesn't have to guess which pocket you keep your money, he's going to be more successful. It means that he gets the right pocket 100% of the time. If he doesn't know, he may pick the wrong pocket.

Or, he could do the easy and safer thing: Pick another target where the wallet is visible, such as someone carrying it in his back pocket. It's not like the thief has to steal a specific wallet, and there are plenty of targets.

[dewey]

Originally Posted by Singing in the Drizzle

I was watching TV show a few years back on common thieves and con-artist practices use to separate you from your money and other valuables. The check your wallet sign was a well talked about along with valet parking. The latter being you handing your car and keys over to a complete stranger with a sign and coat.

Many years ago I was working the front desk of the Parker House in downtown Boston at night. A guy came to the front desk and said that his car had been stolen. Apparently he handed his keys to some guy who asked for them and watched the guy drive away in his car. The guy was not wearing any sort of uniform, he just saw an opportunity and took it.

The other funny part of the story is that it took the police 10 minutes to get there but there was a hook and ladder that arrived in under a minute.

dewey