Theft Prevention: The Drop Wallet

The Drop Wallet.

The drop wallet is an anti theft measure you can implement to help protect yourself from criminals, muggers and pickpockets. This tactic mainly applies to those who carry wallets in their pockets or in their purses. The concept involves obtaining a cheap, though not necessarily crappy, wallet and using it as a decoy or throw away wallet. This trick is especially great for travelers and urban city dwellers.

First, obtain a cheap wallet. A cheap velcro wallet will work fine. I prefer to use a chain wallet. Even though the wallet is expendable, the chain may make a criminal think that there is something there he/she may really want, plus I don't like losing my wallet, even if it is a throw away.

       
Drop Wallet

Second, Fill the wallet with some business cards, maybe a dollar, and return wallet to your pocket or purse. Now if you are ever mugged or pick pocketed, you simply hand over the decoy or drop wallet and then get away. Now, if you are in situation were your life is threatened, the drop wallet may give you an extra second to formulate a plan, be it, self-defense or running. Usually, the robber will only want the wallet and will run away himself after they have relieved it from you. Make sure you do not put anything valuable in the wallet, including ID's with your address on it, also be sure to get a good description of the suspect for the police.

   
 Real Wallet

Personally, instead of keeping my drop wallet relatively empty, I have put together a small first aid kit inside instead. Just some gloves, some sterile wipes, band aids, ointment, a CPR mouth guard and some emergency medications. It's nice to have for small emergencies and it doesn't feel like I'm carrying around a waste of space. The first aid kit isn't worth much so if a criminal gets his hands on it, who cares. Maybe he can use for the emergency he's going to have if I ever see him again.

Lastly, I recommend keeping your valuables on a lanyard around your neck. It is easily concealed  here, making it difficult to steal. Neck wallets are great, or even just an ID holder should fit your ID, credit cards and some cash. Remember to be discrete when pulling anything out from your now concealed wallet and make sure the lanyard material or chain is sturdy enough to take some pulling and tugging, so it does not fall off.   

Don't let petty theft get you down, protect yourself from burglars.