Pickpockets in Austria

Last updated on 22 Nov 2019

Graz, Innsbruck, Salzburg, Vienna

How it works:

Version 1: they work in a gang – one onlooker, one blocks, pushes, distracts, or engages you, one grabs and the final hides the loot under a cover (e.g. jacket/newspaper) and escapes.
Version 2: petition charity scam.

Places to beware:

Graz: Hauptplatz
Innsbruck: The Golden Roof (Goldenes Dachl)
Salzburg: Salzburg Fortress (Festung Hohensalzburg), Salzburger Altstadt, Salzburg Cathedral (Dom), Mozart’s Birthplace
Vienna: Schonbrunn Palace, Historic Center of Vienna, Imperial Palace (Hofburg), Tiergarten Schoenbrunn – Zoo Vienna, Belvedere Museum, State Opera House, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Rathaus, St. Peter’s Church, MuseumsQuartier Wien, Stephansplatz, Prater, Sisi Museum, Museum of Military History, Karlskirche, Stadtpark, Vienna U-Bahn, Vienna Naschmarkt, Christmas Market on Rathausplatz, Schoenbrunn Palace Christmas Market, Wien Hauptbahnhof Sud, Kaerntnerstrasse, Praterstern, Flohmarkt am Naschmarkt, Ring Tram, Westbahnhof, Hauptbahnhof, Meidling, Tram 13A

What to do:

Passport: carry a photocopy instead of the actual one.
Valuables: wallet in front pocket, small valuables in a money belt/hidden pouch, large valuables in an anti-theft bag.
Travel insurance: get a good one that covers theft – check out the various travel insurance comparison platforms to find the best deal that works for you.

Tell us your story

1 user story related to this scam

December 9, 2019, Pickpocket Victim

[email protected] 12 Dec 2019 2 0

We were headed to the main train station. Our hotel called us a cab and instructed the driver to take us to the main train station. Once we left the hotel, the driver pulled over and asked to see our train tickets. Not thinking anything of it, we showed him our tickets.

Once on the train, we were securing our luggage when a man wearing a winter cap reached into my purse, I had an additional small purse in the large one which contained our passports, money, credit cards and two blank checks. The thief stole the smaller purse, I yelled that the man stole my purse with our passports. Everyone just looked at me. My husband ran after him and yelled but our train began to leave so my husband jumped back on the train.

It is frustrating that there was no one who worked for the train that checked tickets before boarding, anyone can board the trains and steal while the passenger is trying to secure their luggage.

This ruined our trip, because this happened on a Saturday, we had to wait until Monday to obtain new temporary passports at the US Embassy. This was expensive and we were told that temporary passports are not accepted in France which was the remaining portion of our trip.

We lost 6 airfares and one hotel which were responsible to pay for.

At the very least, there should be security on the trains.

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Pickpockets in Austria

1 user story related to this scam

December 9, 2019, Pickpocket Victim

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