Unfortunately, there are always exceptions, people who give their fellow men a rough time ? in means of public transport, in hotels, in parking lots, on the street, ans in places where people congregate. This is where pickpockets and con artists like to work. Yes, that too exists in Vienna. Luckly, there is less of it than in other large cities. Still you should protect yourself against thieves of all kinds. As suggested by the Vienna Touristboard and the Vienna Police Department:

At the Hotel

Never leave your luggage unattended in front of the hotel or in the hotel lobby, deposit valuables in the hotel safe and always lock your room when you leave.

Never leave your handbag unattended in the breakfast room or the hotel restaurant, even if you are only going to the buffet table.

Walking Through Vienna

Do not take your passport with you on sightseeing excursions. Make a note of the passport number.

Be aware of con artists: they will attempt to distract you (for example: asking for help or ?inadvertently? staining your clothing). Avoid crowds. If you are pushed in a crowed, turn around immediately and find out who pushed you.

Always be aware where your handbag, wallet or purse is: wallets and purses should be kept as close as possible to your body, in an inside pocket which can be closed with a zipper ? never in your handbag right on the top!

Always keep your handbag closed and carry it on the front of your body in a way that it can?t be torn away from you. Never leave your bag unattended (especially in cafés, restaurants, etc.)The same is true for your camera.

If you visit a café or restaurant, take your wallet, camera, cell phone and other valuables with you to your table. Never leave personal items such as passport or keys in your coat on a coatrack.

If you should be approached in the centre of the city by a ?plain clothes detective? for no apparent reason, it could be a crook. In any case, demand to see that person?s identity card and badge.

Money

Never take all of your cash with you on a walk.

If possible, pay by credit card and keep the receipts. Also keep your credit card numbers and credit company phone number, the PIN codes of your ATM or credit cards separate form the cards themselves. Check at regular intervals whether you still have your cards.

Be careful when you use your ATM card: Don?t let anybody watch you type in your PIN. If you notice that somebody is watching you over your shoulder, cancle the transaction and ask the person what he or she wants (if you think it is necessary, call the police at the emergency number 133)

If your card gets stuck in the ATM machine, it may be part of a con game. If this is so, a person may ?come to your aid? and attempt to get your card and PIN code from you ? do not reveal them. If this happens, stay near the ATM and call the police emergency number 133.

Never leave valuables such as briefcases or cell phones in you car. If it is easy to remove your car radio, take it out and store it in a safe place.

Loss or theft

If you have lost documents (passport, driver?s license, car registration) or they have been stolen, file a report at the nearest police station. You will need the police report to obtain copies of your documents at your embassy or consulate as well as for the insurance company.

The loss or theft of all other valuables should be reported to the nearest district office of the city administration (Magistratisches Bezirksamt ? ask at the reception desk of your hotel):Mon-Fri 8.00am to 3.30pm, Thu to 5.30pm You can also track the progress of your case electronically at www.fundamt.gv.at .

If you are missing your credit card, contact the issuers at once and ask them to cancel your card immediately.

Sometimes it is worth inquiring at the Viennese representative of your country (consulate, embassy), whether the lost items have been turned in (adress and phone number: see the Vienna telephone directory).

You can also inquire at the public Lost and Found offices about your lost items:
Fundamt Wien (Lost and Found Office): Bastiengasse 36, 1180 Wien
Vienna Tourist Board: Tel:+43/1/24555

You can inquire for items lost in the underground, streetcar or bus at the Fundservice der Wiener Linien (Lost and Found offices of the Vienna Transportation System): Tel: +43/1/790943500

You can inquire for items lost in a train or a Vienna train station at Lost & Found Sammelstelle Südbahnhof Wiedner Gürtel, Südbahnhof , 1100 Wien

Good to know

If you feel you are in immediate danger, call the police emergency number 133 or the European emergency number 112

Additional emergency numbers:
Fire Department 122
Rescue Services, Ambulance 144
Physician Emergency Services 141
Dentist, night and weekend duty 5122078 (tape)
Pharmacies, nights and Sundays Tel 15 50 (tape)

Emergency car service (around the clock):
ÖAMTC (Austrian automobile, motorcycle and touring club), partner of ADAC, AVD, TCS, ACS, ACI, TCI, MAK, UMAK, AMZS, NAMK, Tel: 120