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BTP warn public about scams including ticket barrier scam

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142094

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Do many people keep their wallet in their back pocket these days? Always keep mine in a side pocket.
 

Urban Gateline

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Do many people keep their wallet in their back pocket these days? Always keep mine in a side pocket.

Also the fact that most people keep their Oyster card inside their wallet/purse so they put that on the reader, which leaves nothing in their back pocket to be stolen! :lol:
 

michael769

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Do many people keep their wallet in their back pocket these days? Always keep mine in a side pocket.

It always surprises me how many I see poking out if pockets and bags. Just last night a girl sat next to me (and the aisle) with her purse lying on the edge of table where someone could have lifted it as they passed to get off the train.

Just as well I am an honest person!
 

142094

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If people are stupid enough to leave them on show, then pickpockets will be quick to take advantage.

Must be 000s of posters warning of pickpockets and most coats these days have a security pocket.
 

SS4

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Must be 000s of posters warning of pickpockets and most coats these days have a security pocket.

Partially laziness has to do with it. It can be an awful lot of trouble to get your wallet out of such a secure pocket for whatever reason when the chances of anything happening are still remote.

I personally keep my oyster card separate from my wallet and have even been known to leave my wallet at home to reduce weight and take the essentials
 

pemma

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I think the highest risk is in the Summer not the Winter. In Winter people tend to wear jackets and coats with zipped, buttoned or inside pockets which is harder for something to be taken out of. In Summer when it's too hot to wear a jacket/coat men have a lot of things to fit in not many pockets when they have their wallet, mobile, keys etc.

I don't usually use back pockets for anything either.
 

michael769

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I think the highest risk is in the Summer not the Winter. In Winter people tend to wear jackets and coats with zipped, buttoned or inside pockets which is harder for something to be taken out of. In Summer when it's too hot to wear a jacket/coat men have a lot of things to fit in not many pockets when they have their wallet, mobile, keys etc.

The other thing that comes into play in summer is tourists which I understand are often viewed as easy targets by criminals.
 

pemma

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I personally keep my oyster card separate from my wallet

It's common sense to do that anyway whether it's an oyster card or a rail ticket. Even without pickpockets the chance of losing your wallet is not 0% so keeping them separate allows you to get back home without any problems if you lose your wallet.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
The other thing that comes into play in summer is tourists which I understand are often viewed as easy targets by criminals.

Especially the tourists who leave expensive cameras exposed even when they aren't using them.
 

chris89

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Do many people keep their wallet in their back pocket these days? Always keep mine in a side pocket.

A lot of people seem to of my age to look 'trendy' im guessing. The amount that could be easily gotten is stupid.

Myself tickets kept in the wallet like most, also in said pocket i usally have my mp3 player or keys to add more weight to that pocket and frequent check etc, for bags i mostly keep to my front. Which my shoulder bag the opening flap kept inwards.

Chris
 

amcluesent

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The 'chip' from an Oyster card could easily be implanted under the skin of the hand to make it easy to pass through barrier.
 

LexyBoy

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I do quite often keep my wallet in my back pocket, though generally it's in my man bag. Ticket wallet lives in my (other) back pocket, to the extent that I have a micropanic whenever I can't feel it there.

Not been pickpocketed, but I did lose it once after a late night train journey - it must have fallen out when I was sitting and I didn't notice it or check for it due to being sleepy. More careful now!

The 'chip' from an Oyster card could easily be implanted under the skin of the hand to make it easy to pass through barrier.

It can be done, but it's rather larger than just a chip - the antenna takes up a sizeable proportion of the card's size. Also it's against the T&Cs so you'd get in trouble sooner or later.
 

michael769

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It can be done, but it's rather larger than just a chip - the antenna takes up a sizeable proportion of the card's size. Also it's against the T&Cs so you'd get in trouble sooner or later.

It turns out that the human body is a very effective antenna! Just try trying an FM radio so it is just out of tune and then touch the aerial and you will see what I mean.

Not that I'd fancy such an implant convenience or not. Just imagine how useful it would be if Britain was ever invaded by a foreign power!
 
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bb21

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The 'chip' from an Oyster card could easily be implanted under the skin of the hand to make it easy to pass through barrier.

Ooh, ah, no, thank you. Not for me, and I would imagine the same answer from most people.
run.gif
 

ralphchadkirk

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The 'chip' from an Oyster card could easily be implanted under the skin of the hand to make it easy to pass through barrier.

"Excuse me sir, I'm afraid you're using that card fraudulently. I will have to confiscate it. Just hold still whilst Keith goes and fetches a saw."
 

pemma

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Ooh, ah, no, thank you. Not for me, and I would imagine the same answer from most people.
run.gif

Yes it's sounds more like something a court would propose for fare evaders then the conductor walks up and down the train with a metal detector like device that peeps when he/she walks past a previous fare evader.
 

Lrd

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There is a video on YouTube with someone dressed as Harry Potter with the Oyster chip at the tip of a "magic wand" using the wand to board a bus. Shall have to find the video later.
 

OxtedL

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I do love it when they give the general public instructions on how to pickpocket... :o
 

district

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There is a video on YouTube with someone dressed as Harry Potter with the Oyster chip at the tip of a "magic wand" using the wand to board a bus. Shall have to find the video later.

Young Harry will get caught soon and get sent to Azkaban...



... I'll get my coat.
 

SS4

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Young Harry will get caught soon and get sent to Azkaban...



... I'll get my coat.

Accio Coat!

It would be quite interesting to see although not as interesting to see him try and get to platform 9¾ at KGX

Back on topic I'm not surprised that such tricks are tried, especially at barriers but I wonder how much is due to lack of vigilance that could be sorted by asking passengers/customers* to be vigilant with their belongings.

* Delete as appopriate
 

Badger

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I have deep pockets and also a (conveniently) broken zip on my wallet, so always carry a coin purse which sits on top of my wallet. At least then if I'm pickpocketed/mugged I only lose... £3.50 in coppers.
 

Lrd

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It would be quite interesting to see although not as interesting to see him try and get to platform 9¾ at KGX

This isn't the video that I remember, but it still shows what I was describing, not really a "wand" though.

Here it is.
 

Bungle73

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The last place I'd keep my wallet is in my back pocket. That's just asking for it to get nicked.

Accio Coat!

It would be quite interesting to see although not as interesting to see him try and get to platform 9¾ at KGX
You can go to Platform 9 3/4 at KGX.

Back on topic I'm not surprised that such tricks are tried, especially at barriers but I wonder how much is due to lack of vigilance that could be sorted by asking passengers/customers* to be vigilant with their belongings.

* Delete as appopriate

Why do they have to be told? Surely it should be obvious.
 

142094

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Why do they have to be told? Surely it should be obvious.

Some people think if you repeat the same instruction over and over again people take note and change their behaviour. However, people normally stop hearing that announcement after x amount of times and forget, letting their guard down.

For a lot of things, direct enforcement is expensive and announcements/signs are a cheap way of looking like you are doing something about it. For example escalators - signs say you shouldn't take certain things on them but it would be unrealistic to have a member of staff checking everyone going on one - however if you put a sign up them technically you've done something about it.
 
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