My article stems from a close call with a potential purse snatcher. So I researched some practical ways to be on guard and stay safe from purse thieves.
Purse snatching can happen anytime, anywhere- when you least expect it. Recently my friend and I stopped at a local fast food place while doing some errands. We got our food and sat at a table. My friend hung her purse on her chair, but fortunately had part of the purse strap underneath her. A man sat at a table right behind us, with his back to her. My friend felt her purse move, and loudly cried out “My purse!” while grabbing at it. It was then that the man behind her looked back and mumbled an apology- as if he had “accidentally bumped” her purse. Then he immediately got up and quickly left. Suspicious too late, we noticed that he’d been by himself, with no food order or drink. The wanna-be thief had likely been watching expressly for a chance to sit behind someone, snatch their dangling purse, and quickly exit.
Had my friend’s purse been unzipped, he more easily could have just reached inside, and slipped out her wallet. Maybe she’d not have realized it was missing right away. That would have given the thief time to happily use her credit cards at some nearby store for a few immediate big purchases- before she froze her accounts.
My friend thwarted her purse snatcher- and avoided a BIG mess. Everyone knows (and hates) the time-consuming pain and inconvenience of canceling credit and club cards and replacing them, applying for a new driver’s license, replacing the cell phone (losing data and photos!!!), changing passwords on accounts to combat any identity theft- and losing cash you might have been carrying too. Those are the negative results that an encounter with a successful purse snatcher will cause you.
How DO you thwart a purse snatcher?
You must intentionally think like a thief and make yourself a very bad target. Remember that thieves are cruel- taking advantage of your distraction- AND your trust and friendliness. Some thieves work in pairs- one to occupy you with conversation or questions, while their partner helps themselves to your unattended purse or wallet in the shopping cart.
Thieves will target:
Moms preoccupied with their kids. Older people juggling bags and canes. Tourists who look lost. Women walking alone. Those in crowded spaces being jostled. People distractedly paying attention to their cell phones- WHICH IS EVERYONE.
So here are 10 KEY STRATEGIES to foil a purse snatcher:
Always hold your purse close to your body- never let it stick out behind you.
Wear any purse with the strap across your body, diagonally across your chest. If the strap is too short, keep the purse tucked under your arm.
Always keep your purse closed- zippered shut, or if it has a flap closure, keep the flap against your body when walking.
Make sure to keep the purse in FRONT of you as often as possible. This is especially important when you are going through a revolving door, or getting on a bus or train. Don’t become that tempting commuter target that carelessly dangles a purse when boarding. You’ll make your ride- but your purse will stay behind.
In public restrooms, be sure to loop your bag’s strap around the door hook, and keep watching it. Thieves sometime use distraction methods such as dropping change on the floor in the next stall. Don’t get fooled.
Be aware of drive-by purse-snatchers. Walk away from the curb, on the street side against (not with) car traffic. Also be aware of e-bikes and scooters around you.
If you use a backpack, only use it for non-valuables (like maps or water)- since what’s on your back is NOT under your control.
Fanny packs stay closer to your body, but can be opened easily by experienced thieves. A safety pin or paperclip fastened to the zipper pulls can deter them, since it takes longer to open. Thieves prefer the easiest targets.
When sitting in any public spot, keep your bag on your lap- never hanging from a chair. Keeping your purse on the floor between your feet when sitting is not an entirely foolproof option either. If you are not paying close attention, the “kick and swipe” method can be used by a thief that gently kicks your bag away from you, then claims it. Some people swear by devices like “chair lock loops” (https://sherpani.com/blogs/sherpani-lifestyle/the-best-anti-theft-travel-purses-and-bags-for-women) that fix your purse to the chair. Or you can even simply put a chair leg through the purse strap on the floor to anchor it.
Try to always put your wallet at the bottom of your purse- not at the top where it is easily grabbed.
Think like a thief…where would you GO to snag a purse or two?
Shopping areas and malls– Perfect purse picking opportunities are everywhere, as crowds shop and play, without a care. Thieves especially LOVE shoe stores, full of distracting beautiful shoes that people try on, leaving valuables “ripe for the picking.”
Grocery stores– There’s unattended purses in carts everywhere- and especially lots of moms with helpfully distracting children!
Restaurants– These places are filled to the brim with diners focused on visiting and eating, with tantalizing purses hanging on the backs of chairs or sitting on the floor, beckoning for an “ownership transfer.” Outdoor restaurant spaces can be targeted too- it’s easy for a thief to reach between the potted plants or fencing and snatch the belongings of a seated patio guest.
Fast food places- These are wonderful places for thieves since there is no monitoring of who walks in or out (unlike a restaurant that seats its guests).
Concerts– Fans participating in sports or music events are all about having a good time- not wary of theft! Add a bit of alcohol, and their guard is really down.
Public transportation– Jostling crowds, people in a hurry.. heaven for a thief.
Tourist attractions– These sites are all about the perfect photo- not the perfect protection for your backpack or purse.
Thieves are creative- they find purse snatching opportunities everywhere. Targets could be someone at an ATM, people strolling alone, a person walking to the car in a shadowy parking garage, families picnicking in the park, guests checking in or out in hotel lobbies…Some women feel safer by investing in various anti-theft bags and devices (https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/packing/travel-on-anti-theft-travel-bag).
But your best protection is to think like a thief and know what tempts them. Make key choices to protect your belongings from thieves. AWARENESS is your biggest advantage- take a few proactive steps to avoid becoming a victim.
Otherwise you’ll be spending time on the phone stopping all your credit cards, as you stand in the line at the DMV replacing your driver’s license…
Image: ID 326639385 © Sanhanat Pimpa | Dreamstime.com
Catherine M. Shannon
Catherine M. Shannon has discovered that with retirement, dinner is now at 4pm. Since that leaves plenty of time in the evenings, she is writing more. Shannon has a retirement blog (https://www.my-gainfully-unemployed-retirement-blog.net) and is alsodoing freelance copywriting for an internet marketing service.
