When traveling—or just being paranoid—you have reason to worry about a sneaky pickpocket coming to steal your wallet. Even if the chances are slim, getting stranded in a foreign place can be scary and troublesome. How-to illustrator Yumi Sakugawa offers up an info-comic with plenty of helpful suggestions to make your pockets essentially theft-proof.

Take the time to make yourself a decoy wallet. Use your money belt-just be sure not to take out your money belt, which defeats the purpose of having a concealed wallet beneath your clothes. Use basic common sense, such as not advertising your fancy video equipment or leaving things unattended. Last but not least, avoid thumbing through your dog-eared copy of Lonely Planet in crowded public places as much as possible. I know, easier said than done.


If you've been reading Lifehacker for awhile, you've probably noticed a few of these tips before:

A lot of this is a combination of common sense and utilization of clever disguises. It may seems annoying to have to go through a lot of trouble just to avoid the possibility of theft, but try to think of it like you're on a secret agent mission. You're hiding the important things you carry. The fate of the world may not rest on your shoulders, but that might be a good place to hide a credit card or two. For more tips, read our guide on how to avoid getting screwed when you're a tourist.


How to Pickpocket-Proof Yourself from Thieving Hands | Secret Tips from the Yumiverse