Toronto woman loses $4,000 to pickpocket on visit to France
A Toronto teacher said she was looking forward to visiting a friend in France this past July until she became the victim of a pickpocket on the Paris subway system.
"Once I got back to my friend’s place I looked in my backpack and my wallet was gone. It contained about 200 euros and my debit and credit card," said Robyn Selvam.
Selvam said she had used her credit card to buy train tickets and had to enter her PIN into the payment terminal.
“I think someone must have seen me put in my PIN and then stole my wallet and credit card," said Selvam.
Selvam said she called her bank, Scotiabank, but was placed on hold for three hours trying to get through. In that time, thieves were able to rack up $3,932 in purchases and cash advances before the credit card was cancelled.
When Selvam contacted Scotiabank, there was an investigation and she was told in a letter from the claims department that, "we have determined you (or another cardholder on the account) have demonstrated gross negligence in failing to fulfill your obligations in safeguarding your card, account, pin or password.”
Selvam was told she was responsible for the losses.
"It's a huge amount to pay back, especially since I didn't spend any of this," said Selvam.
Travel expert Loren Christine said that when travelling, especially in Europe, you have to be on the lookout for pickpockets who try to spot tourists in popular crowded areas.
“I think you have to be aware of it, hopefully it doesn't darken your vacation too much, but it's something you always have to be aware of to make sure it doesn’t happen to you,” said Christie.
Christie said pickpockets often use distractions to try and steal from people by creating a diversion or working with another person.
“If some stranger is coming up to you and getting close too you that shouldn't be happening, and there is no reason for it to happen. That should be a red flag and you want to keep an eye on your valuables," said Christie.
Christie recommends that when sight seeing in a city, take only what you need for the day, putting your wallet and phone in your front pocket and leaving valuables and your passport in a hotel safe or other safe place.
The 10 worst places for pickpockets in the world according to the website Money.co.uk are the following.
1. Las Ramblas, Barcelona Spain
2. Eiffel Tour, Paris, France
3. Trevi Fountain, Rome, Italy
4. Charles Bridge, Prague, Czech Republic
5. Sacré-Cœur, Paris, France
6. Colosseum, Rome, Italy
7. Old Town Square, Prague, Czech Republic
8. Louvre, Paris, France
9. Notre-Dame de Paris, Paris, France
10. Sagrada Família, Barcelona, Spain
CTV News reached out to Scotiabank on Selvam’s behalf and Manager of Canadian Banking Communications for Scotiabank, Elizabeth McFadden said “Scotiabank cannot comment on specific customer matters for privacy reasons but we take cases of any allegations of fraud very seriously and will continue to work directly with this customer.”
"At Scotiabank, we have strong measures in place to help ensure the security of our customers’ financial transactions and the confidentiality of their information. We also encourage customers to help us prevent fraud on their accounts which includes measures such as setting strong, hard-to-guess passwords, not shoring their passwords with others or writing them down in easy-to-find places, and shielding the keypad, ATM or other devices when entering their PIN or other access information.”
Selvam told CTV News she was contacted yesterday and told the charges run up by the pickpockets would be reimbursed back to her credit card.
“I am so grateful. Almost $4,000 is a lot of money for me so this was a huge relief” said Selvam.
Before taking a trip make a list of everything that's in your wallet and take photos of your credit cards and passport and consider using a money belt or having secret pockets with zippers that aren't easily accessible.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.