Still losing your lunch money? You’re all grown up and still you’re losing some cash; this time to a new kind of bullies – pickpockets. If you’ve see the movie Oliver (okay, this is old old school), you must have realized that pickpockets rule the streets. They’re everywhere, ready to snatch everything you hold dear and your entire allowance.

If you don’t know kung fu, then defense is the only way you can avoid being a victim. How? Try these suggestions.

Be alert. Constant vigilance! The easiest targets are those who seem to be lost and are spacing out. Pickpockets know if you’re a new character in town, and they also know if you’re nervous. If you find yourself in an unfamiliar place, do not look helpless. Don’t lose your cool and ask persons with authority like a sheriff or a shopkeeper for directions. Clutch your things to yourself and be aware of your bags. Just do not be too obvious in clutching, because you might draw their attention to your belongings. Just make sure you know that your wallet is hidden somewhere safe.

Don’t fall for cheap pranks. There have been lots of times when a victim of a pickpocket tells that there was some sort of distraction before they got robbed. These criminals are all pro on different theatrics, so make sure to you know very well that they know all sorts of ploys to distract you. If you don’t pay attention, your wallet will go byebye in just a matter of seconds.