Be aware of your surroundings - especially in crowded places.

Be aware of bumps, commotions, agressive people

Sometimes a person will fall down, drop something or look ill and we rush in to help. That's great and I recommend it, but be aware that it may be a diversion. You need to stay alert! Be aware that on streets, in malls, bus terminals, traveling on a bus, train or plane, it is extremely important to be aware of your suroundings.

Signs that read "Pickpockets About" or someone yelling "There's a pickpocket in the crowd" are not always what they seem - It can be a ploy by the pickpockets to locate your valuables. The first thing I need to do in my show is locate the people with watches, etc. If I bring 5 people on stage and none are wearing watches or have anything in their pockets, well, there goes the show. So ... I scope out the people in my audiences and see where the valuables are.

Pickpockets do the same thing - the signs are put up by the pickpockets. and the person yelling may be one of the "gang".

I know the first thing most of you will do. I've seen it at my shows. When you learn that I can pick pockets, the men will check for their wallets and the women will check for their jewelry...in the order of value. They check the most expensive item first and then the next most expensive, etc.

That action points out to me exactly where the wallets and valuable jewelry are located. A man in a business suit had 4 pants pockets and 6-8 pockets in the jacket. The wallet, cash and credit cards could be in any one of 10 or more pockets. A pickpocket doesn't usually have time to search all 10, but when they see you purchase something and replace the wallet or check to see if it's there when you see the sign, they now have the exact location. It saves a lot of time.

If you think there are pickpockets around or you see a sign, don't be obvious about checking for your wallet or valuables. Also be aware that pickpockets are about.

While I was entertaining at the Flamingo Hilton Casino, a gentleman flashed a roll of bills towards me and stated, "I only have $ 2,000, I need to go home and get more." I was dressed in a tuxedo and looked like one of the casino personnel, but the point is that everyone around could have seen and heard that he had $ 2,000 cash. And if they observed him replacing the money in his pocket...well....

Anyone can reach into a backpack without you seeing or feeling. Fanny packs, if worn, should only be worn in front. Keep in mind that will not protect you from a thief undoing it or slashing the belt and getting away with it. If you do have a fanny pack, make sure the buckle is near the pouch in front so a pickpocket would have a more difficult time getting to the latch without your knowledge.

Don't wear or carry expensive jewelry if you are going to be in a crowd or an unfamiliar place. Wear a money belt.

Split your cash up onto several pockets - (if a man has 10 pockets and divides $ 200 into each, the pickpocket may only get to 1 or 2 pockets and thus only get $ 20-40 of the $ 200. Don't carry large sums of cash with you - and if you must, then always keep most of it in a money belt under your clothing.

Use credit cards or Travelers Checks.

This information courtesy of pickpockets.com