Do Thieves Watch Security?
 

Hi,

Fairly basic question. Has anybody heard of a thief targeting people (ie pickpocketing) based on what they have at security. If I were a thief, and saw somebody with a fat wallet in the tray, I might take advantage of them?

I've seen people hanging around security, but I've never been concerned. I assume they were waiting for other people, but should I be concerned? Has anybody been the victim of a post-security pickpocket, who selected their target based on what they're putting through the scanner?

CK

Yes.Happens hundreds, if not thousands of times per year.Yes, they certainly do...You should have an extreme level of concern and vigilance. Keep your wallets locked up in your carry-ons. NEVER put anything in the trays. The victims move in a constant stream past them. They are herded, harried, hurried-up, and pretty much forced into a position to part with their valuables.Ohhh, you're talking about POST-checkpoint bad guys? Nah, hardly ever.

I'm talking about the TSO checkpoint staff themselves.

Well-known organized rings of thieves at the checkpoints and down below in the baggage screening areas. THERE'S your risk factor.

Yes, I was referring to post-security thieves. I understand there are risks to displaying a lot of cash at the checkpoint, but I'm wondering if one of these risks is to get your wallet, briefcase or laptop lifted. I can just imagine being casually followed by somebody who has booked a ticket specifically for the purpose of stealing things.

I've been in airports where you can go from the waiting area, to the general part of the airport (before security) without anybody noticing. It would be theoretically to steal, pass the item onto a willing companion who is in the general area and go back through security, looking for a mark. I've actually gone from post-security to pre-security multiple times on the same flight, because I was supposed to fly out with somebody and they were late. I actually ended up boarding the plane and my buddy showed up with a few minutes to spare.

TSA does so frequently. "Hanging around" at "security" is the perfect job description for TSA.

When I go through TSA I insist on holding my wallet in my hand when going through the scanner. Some airports said it is against their regulations (for example MKE). When they do that I file a complaint (ask the TSA supervisor they have a form for it).

I have precheck, and now that they've expanded the program it isn't really an issue for me.

Bottom line - don't let the TSA let you get separated from your wallet. If they insist on it - complain.

More often than not, the thieves ARE "security."

More often than not, the thieves ARE "security."

That was America's knee jerk reaction to crimefighting post 911.
Hell, at least the bad guys aren't doing it.

This.

Welcome to FT

This really isn't an airport security issue these days because you have to have a gate pass or boarding pass to get past the person who checks driver's licenses.

When I don' t have precheck, I just take my little plastic bag of toilet articles out and put my wallet, keys, watch etc. where the little plastic bag
was and then reverse the process at the other end of the line where the police are.

Now it may be a different story if you take your wallet out when you're buying something at a store.

Bob H

I don't look at this as an airport-specific issue, or even as a "going through a checkpoint" issue. This is an issue basic, everyday caution against pickpockets and sneak theives.

It doesn't matter whether I'm stripping down for a TSA checkpoint or paying for a double-layup-with-a-two-and-a-half-twist latte at Farbucks - I don't display my cash in public. I keep it neatly folded, with the smaller-denominations on the outside, and when I pull it out of my pocket to look at it, I do so discreetly and keep it close to the vest, as it were.

With other valuables, I am equally cautious. I carry my Kindle with me to many public places, including restaurants. Number One precaution: NEVER get up from the table to go to the bathroom or to get another plate of food at a buffet or anywhere else and leave my Kindle (or my phone, laptop, tablet, wallet, keys, or anything else of value) sitting on the table unattended. If I'm carrying a bag of any kind, the bag is never left unattended.

In an airport context, you're typically carrying carry-on luggage along with all of your regular EDC items, so you need to be careful to never let those items out of your control except when they go through the x-ray scanner, and never let them out of your sight, and always keep them locked. The best practice when transiting a c/p is to place all of your pocket items into your carry-on in advance, and lock it closed. This makes it much more difficult for a would-be thief to quickly pick up your wallet, phone, or iPad, and walk off with it casually.

Wherever you are, never get more than about 6' (2m) from your bag. Any more than 6' invites thieves to grab whatever they can from it and walk off, during any second or two that your attention is diverted by a conversation, a vending machine, a trash can, a flight status board, a TSO, or anything else.

The only real special issue at an airport is generally that you're carrying more, and you have to take everything out of your pockets at one point. But, as I said, take it out of your pockets in advance and LOCK it in your carryon, and any thieves who might be watching at security won't even see your stuff.

I don't see much of an issue. A "fat" wallet doesn't necessarily indicate that there is anything of value in it. It might be filled with coupons, supermarket loyalty cards and $1 bills. People carrying large amounts of cash are more likely to have it in a purse or handbag.

If you are worried, just put your wallet in your carry-on before you get to the security checkpoint. You could make it a habit of doing so as soon as you exit your car or pay for the shuttle/taxi.

That's a foolish attitude. Thieves never think, "It might NOT have any money in it," they think, "It PROBABLY has some money in it!" Doesn't matter if it's $1000 or $2, if they steal it, they've made a profit.

I'm by no means paranoid, but I am practical enough to admit that theives and pickpockets DO exist, and they typically look for the EASIEST targets of opportunity, not the RICHEST targets. They won't pass up easy pickings just because it's unlikely to contain LARGE amounts of cash; as long as it's likely to contain ANY cash - a criterion which every wallet and purse meets - then a thief will steal it if he sees an opportunity.

Wallets, whether fat, skinny, leather, nylon/velcro, or aluminum, are a small, easilly-grabbed, easilly-concealed item, and are most likely to contain at least some money. Purses are also targets, because while they are less concealable, they're still small, portable, and easilly-grabbed and most likely to contain at least some money. Portable electronics are also targets, because they also fit these criteria and can be worth up to a few hundred dollars.

Anyone who fails to secure their small, valuable items is taking a foolish risk.