We recently had a lovely holiday in Sa Coma, the only downside was I had my pocket picked whilst on a trip to the Saturday market at Cala Ratjada.
I considered myself to be pretty streetwise, and at 6'3" and 17 stone, not exactly a "soft target", but I was nobbled nevertheless.
It happened in a queue for the buses on the way back to Sa Coma / Cala Millor / Cala Bona from Cala Ratjada, it was a bit of a rugby scrum to get on, obviously there was a team of "pros" working that day, as they undid the 2 buttons on the front pocket of my cargo pants and I didn't feel or see a damn thing.
So, don't let it happen to you, keep your wallets and purses well zipped away, and never pat your pocket to check that it's still there, (I reckon that's how I was singled out).
Some practical advice to minimise your losses if you are dipped:
1. Remove anything from your wallet that you won't need on holiday and leave it at home before you leave the UK, i.e, Driving licence, Store Cards, Fuel Card.
2. Make sure you store the telephone numbers of the "Lost & Stolen Cards" from your card providers on your mobile, phone them immediately you realise your cards have gone AWOL.
3. Keep a slip of paper in your wallet with some bogus PIN numbers written down, that way the dippers will think they've struck gold, because their tactics are to use the cards as soon as they're stolen, I did this and fortunately they got nothing from me as the false PIN numbers alerted the card provider, who blocked the cards straight away.
4. Never keep your passports in your wallet whilst out and about, always use the safe deposit boxes in your hotel, OK, it may cost you 10 - 15 Euro's a week, but it's worth that to avoid the hassle.
Have a great Holiday, wish I was back in Majorca..!!
Rob.
I have been to Sa Coma many time in the last few years and always thought that it was a safe place to stay, but obviously not.
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Edited by
suzanne petts
2008-09-03 20:31:11
I was there a couple of years ago and we were warned that there had been a series of bag snatches by motorbikes. A driver would pull up with a pillion passenger close to the kerb. As a person holding a bag walked past, the pillion would make a grab for the bag and speed off. It was a couple of years ago but please be warned.
Yep, take great care in supermarkets. Couple of days ago I was leaving an Eroski in Alcudia and an elderly gentleman was trying to pursue someone he thought had dipped him. I and a rather large English tourist went after the guy but he had no wallet on him. May have been mistaken identity or he'd slipped the wallet to an accomplice. Robbie's advice is very sound, or try and not even take a wallet out with you.
I'm just trying to make people a bit more aware of the potential problems that could arise, so that everyone can be a bit more careful.
I thought "It could never happen to me", but I was wrong, be aware folks and don't let it spoil your holiday.
Rob.
myself and my mother in law were stopped by a couple of african woman in can a pickfort a couple of years ago wanting an english penny for luck when holding my purse i was looking for one and she tried to hold my hand my husband was trying to give her a penny but she say's no and walked away went to the shop and the euro's were missing out of the back of our purses they were so quick it was so easy done . now if i see any approaching i make sure i walk quickly away
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