Scam in AustriaTheft
Theft of jackets and other belongings in Austria
How it works
Personal belongings, including jackets, go missing. This kind of petty theft often goes unreported.
Warning signs
- Your jacket or bag is outside your view.
- Valuables are left inside a jacket you have taken off.
How to avoid it
- Keep your belongings within sight and reach.
- Remove your phone, wallet and documents from a jacket before taking it off.
- Check that you have everything before leaving.
If it happens to you
Ask staff whether the item has been handed in. If it was stolen, report it to the police and block any missing cards.
- Move to a safe place. Do not chase a thief or argue with a group.
- Block missing payment cards through your card issuer. Secure your phone and accounts if your phone was stolen.
- Write down what happened, where and when. Save receipts, messages and transaction details.
- Report the scam or theft to the police. Call 133 if you need urgent police help.
- Contact your embassy or consulate if your passport was stolen. Tell any rental company if rented property is missing.
- Contact your bank and travel insurer about recovery or a claim. Keep the police report and other evidence.
What travellers report
Posts about this scam on other sites, summarised in our words. Open one to read the original.
- Redditr/travel2024Money stolen from my hotel room in ViennaA traveller reported money disappearing from a backpack left in their Vienna hotel room.Read on Reddit
- Government advice2014Wien-Innere Stadt: Bargeldbehebung mit gestohlenen BankkartenVienna police reported a wallet stolen from a man's jacket during a restaurant visit, followed by withdrawals using his stolen bank cards.Read on Government advice
Questions
What is the theft of jackets and other belongings scam in Austria?
Personal belongings, including jackets, go missing. This kind of petty theft often goes unreported.
How can I spot it early?
Your jacket or bag is outside your view. Valuables are left inside a jacket you have taken off.
How do I avoid theft of jackets and other belongings in Austria?
Keep your belongings within sight and reach. Remove your phone, wallet and documents from a jacket before taking it off. Check that you have everything before leaving.
What should I do if it happens to me?
Ask staff whether the item has been handed in. If it was stolen, report it to the police and block any missing cards.
Where in Austria does this happen?
Vienna; no specific venue is identified. It has been reported in Vienna.
How common is this scam in Austria?
Common. Austria is generally very safe, but theft and street scams can still catch visitors out. Watch your belongings in crowds, lock bicycles carefully, and be cautious of street gambling, unwanted gifts and people claiming to be police.
Are there similar scams in Austria?
Yes: bicycle theft, pickpocketing and grab-and-run theft.
Who can I report it to?
Federal police — Polizei: report scams and theft at a police station. Call 133 for urgent police help. For a serious crime report in Vienna, ask for an English-speaking officer if needed. Police station at Karlsplatz U-Bahn station: if someone claiming to be police approaches you around Karlsplatz, ask to continue the check at this station. Card issuer: use your issuer's official app or phone number to block stolen cards and report disputed transactions. PayLife: the listed number for blocking lost or stolen credit cards is 05 990 645 00. You can also contact your own card issuer directly. Embassy or consulate: contact your country's embassy or consulate through its official contact details if your passport is lost or stolen. Travel insurer: contact your insurer through its official claims channel. Keep receipts, evidence and your police report.
What number do I call in an emergency in Austria?
Police: 133, Ambulance / rescue: 144, Fire department: 122, PayLife lost or stolen credit-card blocking: 05 990 645 00.
Reviewed by @snuck