Nailed by a pickpocket thief today.

[Vulcan Bob]

Was at my physical therapy today and left my coat with wallet in it hang on the coat rack out front in the lobby, they usually have a receptionist at the window. As I was getting ready to leave I was tipped off that the guy who just left was seen hanging out at the coat rack a bit too long while the receptionist was away from her desk. Checked my coat and the wallet was still there but bereft of about 55 to 60 dollars, everything else was there including my credit card. Called the police and they took my report and got info on the patient/thief. I guess I was a bit too trusting and will have to up my personal security a bit. Don't think he will be back but if legal means fail I would like to see him again!

 

[pharman]

Why?

Why would you leave your wallet in your coat at the coatrack? It's not the receptionist's duty to police it. You are TOO trusting! If you do not want to carry it, why don't you hide it somewhere in your car and lock the car?

 

[tbgunner88]

My wallet never leaves the back pocket of my pants unless I am home, too much important stuff in there to take a chance on losing or being stolen. It might be worth having a new credit card issued, who's to say he couldn't have scribbled down the information from it or even snapped a picture with a cell phone, can't trust a thief.

 

[wyccad915]

Its good to know you plan to secure it better in the future. Hopefully there was a camera or something that can catch him.

 

[pinduck]

In the service we were told to put it in your shorts, at least you should get a thrill when it was stolen.
Glen

 

[PatriotX]

There's a special place in hell for those who take things from the good, hard-working folks among us.

I cannot stand thieves or thievery, whatever the amount.

 

[dougb1946]

I take my hat and coat into the little room with me. No need to entice a crook.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

You know the heck of it is I did think to myself before hand that this is a stupid thing to do! The coat rack is in full view of the receptionist and I must have figured that would be a deterrent. The receptionist apologized to me and I told her it was not her fault but mine for leaving it in a public area as I did. Normally locked in the car would be a good thing but I've had my vehicles window smashed and then looted as well in the past here so I don't leave anything in it anymore. This small town that I grew up in has seemingly has turned a bit seedy and has a rather serious drug problem as well. Oh well, as it turned out it was a cheap reminder as at least the whole wallet didn't disappear and yes security is my resposibility.

 

[Rangerpat]

If you don't want to leave your wallet hidden and locked in your automobile, get a small black fanny pack to wear around your waist.

 

[zzzippper]

You got off very lucky that he only took cash.

 

[brucev]

Sorry to read this. Such petty thieves are the bane of honest men and women. Sad that one must always be constantly on the watch for such people.

 

[shell627]

I would wonder if he took a cell phone picture of the credit card for future use.

 

[Squarebutt]

A couple of years ago I got a call from my wife to come and get her at the nursing home where her church group had been singing Christmas carols. She had driven there, hung her coat in the hall, and at the end of the evening there was a coat similar to hers, but it wasn't hers and didn't contain her car keys. By the time I got there, the elderly lady with a red face had brought back her coat and apologized.
I never leave keys or wallet on a coat rack.

 

[ralph7]

Can't believe you didn't lose your whole wallet.

 

[rwsmith]

Yeah. I lost.....

You got off very lucky that he only took cash.

Yeah, I lost the whole thing. Extreme aggravation.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

My wallet is always in my back pocket. I never leave anything of value in a jacket. And receptionists are often very busy people.

 

[loknload]

My wallet never leaves my pants pocket until I put it on my dresser at night when I go to bed!
Never lost a wallet either!

 

[Warren Sear]

IMHO, locking it in the car is no better than leaving it in your coat on the rack. Locked cars don't mean a thing to a punk.

 

[lonejacklarry]

... get a small black fanny pack to wear around your waist.

Nope, never, won't happen, no way, and heck no! Sixty bucks is not big enough money to wear a fanny pack.

What would the neighbors say? What would the forumites say?

 

[O2Guy]

It cost you $55-$60 for a lesson that you should have already known.