The Tale of the Purse That Got Away (or 10 Ways to Protect Your Purse & Thwart a Thief)

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. But he then immediately got up and quickly left. Suspicious too late, we noticed that he was 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.?

If my friend’s purse had been unzipped, he more easily could have just reached inside it, slipped her wallet out, and left. Maybe she might not have realized her purse or wallet was missing right away. That would have given a thief time to happily use her credit cards at some nearby store for a few immediate large purchases- before the accounts were frozen.?

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. That is the sort of negative result that an encounter with a successful purse snatcher will cause you.?

There are many ways to intentionally protect your purse and foil a thief. You have to think like a thief, and make yourself a very bad target. Remember that thieves are cruel. They will take advantage of your distraction- AND your trust and friendliness. Thieves target moms preoccupied with their kids, older people juggling bags and canes, tourists who look lost, women? walking alone, and those in crowded spaces being jostled. People distractedly paying attention to their cell phones- WHICH IS EVERYONE- are also favorite targets. Some thieves work in pairs- one to occupy you with conversation or questions, while their partner helps themselves to your unattended purse in the shopping cart.?

Here are 10 key strategies to thwart a purse snatcher:

1. Always hold your purse close to your body- never let it stick out behind you. And never let it remain open.

2. Wear any purse with the strap across your body, diagonally across your chest. If the strap is shorter, keep the purse tucked under your arm.

3. Keep the purse closed- zippered shut, or if it has a flap closure, keep the flap against your body when walking.?

4. 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 be that tempting commuter target that carelessly dangles a purse when boarding a train. You’ll make your ride at the expense of losing your wallet.?

5. 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.?

6. Be aware of drive-by purse-snatching. Walk away from the curb, on the street side against (not with) car traffic. Also be aware of e-bikes and scooters around you.

7. Use backpacks only for non-valuables- since what’s on your back is NOT under your control.?

8. Fanny packs are closer to your body, but can be opened easily by experienced thieves. A safety pin or paperclip fastened to the zipper pulls can deter a thief, since it takes longer to open. They may just move on to an easier target. ?

9. 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. If you are not paying close attention, the “kick and swipe” method can be used by a thief. They will gently kick your bag away from you, close enough for them to discreetly bend over, pick it up, and depart. 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 even simply putting the chair leg through the purse strap on the floor to anchor it).?

10. Try to always put your wallet at the bottom of your purse- not at the top where it is easily accessed.?

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 targets too- it’s easy for a thief to reach the belongings of a seated patio guest between the potted plants or fencing.?

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.. this is 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 dark parking garage, families picnicking in the park, guests checking in or out in hotel lobbies…

Some women feel better by investing in various anti-theft bags and devices (https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/packing/travel-on-anti-theft-travel-bag). But knowledge about thieves and their preferences is the ultimate power. So thwart any potential purse snatcher, and make key choices to protect your belongings. Awareness is your biggest advantage- take proactive steps to avoid becoming a potential victim.?