Once, and not while traveling. I think it happened while I was standing on a street corner downtown waiting for the light to change.

The sheer hassle factor of having to cancel and replace credit cards, checking accounts, etc. was the worst part of it. I decided that the most apt punishment for a pickpocket would be to require them to do all the running around and phoning required--for all their victims.

Came within a second of losing my wallet in Italy some years ago, when I had stopped at a rest area on the motorway between Bologna and Florence. A real classic, some guy bumped into me while was in the line to buy some water and snacks. He started to talk to me, and while I was trying to understand what he was saying I felt someone trying to reach into the leg pocket in my pants, where my wallet was. Turned around, shouted loudly (in Swedish, I think...) at him and both of them took off. Never had any problems in a major city, though.

Then again, I did lose a wallet on an airplane once a long time ago. I had put the wallet in the seat pocket and simply forgot about it when we landed. Incredibly stupid, I know, but I was 19 at the time... Noticed it a few minutes after leaving the plane and told an airline employee who called the gate staff. They didn't find it, so I'm guessing someone sitting behind me grabbed it on the way off the plane, since the wallet was clearly visible over the edge of the seat pocket.

While I acknowledge that naivete may result in pickpocketing and theft, it is important to remember that the victim is still the victim, the perpetrator still a criminal, and a location like Barcelona* is lax on petty crime. Perhaps the Barcelona police would be more attentive to this issue if tourists did stop going there because of its reputation as a pickpocket friendly

*Barcelona is being used an example, because it has been mentioned many times on this thread, but you can insert the city of your choice.

When I travel I always bring one of these neck money holders and wear it around my neck and under my shirt.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/ROYAL-TRAVEL.../dp/B002MQLX7E

I am not even sure if they still sell these, but they are fairly unobtrusive and have 2 zippered compartments.

Typically I carry a reasonably small amount of cash in a front pocket, and in the pouch goes additional money, da credit card, an debit card and passport (if I happen to be in a country that requires you to carry your passport on your person).

At the hotel either I store an alternate credit card and debit card. This way even if something is stolen I still have a backup way of getting money quickly.

Never been pickpocketed, even travelling to Barcelona and Paris in the same year, and spending tons of time in Times Square in New York, but I once managed to leave my wallet on the bus in Boston, and managed to leave my entire purse on the train in Boston.

From my own unfortunate personal experience, I add Krakow to the list of places to be aware of pickpockets. I've traveled - multiple times - to most of the cities already posted without incident but I was no match for the gang of thieves who got my wallet in Krakow.

You are "Dah Winnah!" Made a mental note not to travel with you

Too bad to hear this- I have always considered Krakow to be quite safe, and never experienced a problem- another city to not carry the wallet around in!

It was quite traumatic and just happened last month. I was with a friend at the train station... there were at least three or four of them, one of them grabbed my luggage, another knee'd my friend in the crotch while pulling his wallet out of his front pocket. And the police did nothing, even when we pointed out that one of them was still in the area (we immediately realized what was happening and started yelling).

The one who grabbed my luggage was very tall and thin, with short thinning gray hair and I have posted his description on multiple forums so that anyone planning a trip to Krakow reading this will know to be on the lookout for him and be especially careful. As I posted, I have traveled many times to Rome, Barcelona, Paris, Naples, just about all the cities previously posted and I live in New York City and never had a problem - I am not an easy target. But I was a 5'1" woman outnumbered by a gang of very professional thieves with no help from anyone.

Thanks for posting- what a terrible event! Shame the police did nothing- that is extremely upsetting. I will be on the lookout.

I was pickpocketed in Paris on my very first trip to Europe. I had my 3-year old daughter with me, and was traveling with my mother, who was also targeted. We had flown in to CDG, and were still making our way to the hostel (on the Metro). Luckily, we were prepared, and both wearing money belts, which everything important in them. We lost just a few euros, and learned a great lesson.
*The pickpocket was a very well-dressed man (complete with high-end business suit, tie, and briefcase). He spoke excellent English, and was very, very helpful (directing us to the correct area, helping in other ways).
You cannot tell a pickpocket by appearance! I agree with the other poster who said beware of "overly helpful" people.
*He "just happened" to be heading in the same direction that we were, and boarded the metro train with us. This is where the attempted pickpocketing happened. He chatted with my mother about our trip, and then moved close to me and began chatting.
Be cautious of coincidences! Watch your luggage during friendly chats.
*Immediately after he departed, I saw that the zippers for our suitcases and bags were wide open. This could have been devastating to our trip, if we had not been so careful. Always wear a money belt or other device to keep money, cards, and documents safe.

If you travel alot you become much more aware of your surroundings. Shady characters following 10 yards behind you or on the opposite side of the street. Mysterious new friends wanting to buy you a (overpriced or possibly drugged) drink. The mad rush of people towards you on a train car (I call this the "gypsy scenario").

I've heard so many stories about muggings and pickpocketings on the Paris Metro but I've always felt safe riding it, DSLR camera in hand. OTOH, I don't know anyone who's been mugged in Lima, Peru, but I felt unsafe the entire time I was there. After awhile, you just get a feeling in your gut that's usually pretty accurate.

Had my pocket picked in Mendoza, Argentina, seconds before boarding the long distance bus to Buenos Aires. Classic case of getting whacked on the right, and while distracted, getting dipped by a guy from the left. I didn't notice the theft until I was on the bus and rolling for BA. Lost just about all of my cash and my passport .

Back in the Seventies my father was pickpocketed in the Lisbon metro; they got ALL of his cash and credit cards. He described the experience of obtaining a small loan from the US Embassy to get him home (do they still do that?) as one of the most humiliating experiences of his life.

Had my wallet stolen in Chicago on my way to the airport yesterday. Strapped my backpack on getting out of one train, five minutes later when I got on the second train the pocket was unzipped and the wallet gone. I never felt a thing; neither did my husband see anything. I've travelled to over a dozen countries and never been pickpocketed before so I guess I got lazy and complacent; otherwise I would've thought better than to put the wallet somewhere so easily accessable.

In the one hour where I was trying to pass airport security without an ID and trying to cancel all my cards on the phone, close to $2K was charged on two of the cards. All at Bestbuy and Gamestop. If this ever happens again I'm just going to run to the closest electronics store to catch the culprit