Information Sheet
Pickpockets
Some areas are very tempting for pickpockets, so you should be especially careful when you are in the following places:
- Outdoor activities and shows
- Public markets
- Waiting lines
- Traffic lights
- Escalators
- Rush hour in public transit
- Food courts
- Major public parking lots
With a little vigilance, you can use the public transit system to take full advantage of activities in Montréal, without having anyone rob you…of your fun.
- Always carry your purse or backpack close to your body and in front
- Make sure all of the pockets on your bag are completely closed
- Never leave your personal effects on the bench next to you; you could fall asleep and it would be easy to snatch them
- Keep your money in a hard-to-reach place, separate from your credit cards
- Prepare your money in advance before you get on the bus or enter the subway, so you can avoid opening your purse or wallet in public
- Carry only the documents you need with you (for example, if you won’t be driving, don’t bring your driver’s licence)
- If you are robbed, contact your financial institution immediately to report the theft of your cards; then ask a Police Officer to write up a report so you will not be subject to more fraud
- Be especially careful with your valuables (MP3 player, iPod, cell phone, etc.)
- Don't use your iPod in places where you might be vulnerable. Just seeing the earphones can encourage thieves to act.
- Listening to loud music can prevent you from sensing danger. Keep the volume low enough that you can hear what is going on around you.
- Engrave your iPod with a driver's licence number, so we can trace it back to you more easily
- Report the theft. It is important for us to have as much information as possible about the suspect(s), including a physical description and the direction they ran.
- If you are travelling alone, choose a car where there are already several people
- When you leave the station, use well-lit streets; avoid alleys
- If you are a woman, use the STM’s Between Stops service
- In a crowd, pay attention when someone is standing very close to you or when you are jostled
