Warning

[cool]

Hello all ,Just a warning of thiefs operating in Scalea.We fell victim to them on thursday on the way home .We stopped for a coffee in The Playa and parked right outside .When we sat down my young son said a man sitting behind me and facing my son was taking photos on his phone of us. I told him to ignore him and felt very uncomfortable .I even turned and stared at him a couple of times,and we left and went to the car and procedded to Naples.When we arrived a bag belonging to my eldest son and my wifes handbag were stolen.
I figured out that this was a way of distracting our attention or ,as a friend suggested,he could have been showing live video of us to the thief so he knew when we would move.He sat on the first seat on the left as you leave the doorway to go outside and had the camera-phone in his hand.He was very blatend about filming us but it was only when we got to naples and the stuff was gone that we put it all together.Car keys ,house keys ,credit cards ,laser mp3 player ,hand bag all gone. Just a warning to be more alert and watch out.

[Italy4me]

Oh what a dreadful end to your holiday - I am so sorry to hear about this 8-((
Thanks for letting everyone know to be on guard.
It is sad and such a shame that there is a need to be wary in a town that we always feel comfortable and safe in.
Best wishes, Lesley

[brynithel3]

Hi Cool

Sorry to hear about the robbery. These mindless degenerates have no respect, as shown by their unashamedly obvious rouse to distract you. What an appalling end to a holiday. It's a pity we can't mention this to the owners of Bar Playa I'm sure they would be just as upset to think that their premises was being used for this type of operation. Perhaps the staff could be proactive in warning customers of the dangers of leaving valuables in their cars and be more alert to this type of incident occurring especially as it happened inside the bar.

We had an incident during a stopover on the Autostrada just outside of Salerno. We were inside having a coffee and noticed a guy being dropped off by someone in a large four wheel drive. This guy started the wander around the cars and seemed particularly interested in our hire car. I went out and stood by the front of the car and just stared at him until he moved on. I don't think the plastic spoon I held in my hand was much of a deterrent. I supposed I could have stirred it up a bit.

Thanks for the warning. I have experienced the Neapolitan invasion for the first time this year and will not be tempted to spend any time there during August in the future.

I prefer the tranquility of the town during the rest of the year.

Ciao

John

[Italy4me]

I'll mention it to Marilena when we are at Playa next - although we are in hibernation a little for August at the moment.
Lesley

[brynithel3]

Hi Lesley

Hibernation, what from the heat or the crowds?

Ciao

John

[Italy4me]

Originally Posted by brynithel3

Hibernation, what from the heat or the crowds?

From the crowds, John ;-)

[Margaret]

That's awful! A real shame to end a holiday like that. We had something similar happen in reverse. We were staying in London with some relatives over from Naples and we went to eat in the hotel restaurant the first night they arrived. When we sat down the restaurant was almost empty. Then a group of people came in and sat down right behind us which seemed odd with so much space but we thought they'd been directed there. Soon after they started having an argument quite loudly and then soon after left. When we came to go my sister in law found that her purse and other stuff had been taken from her bag which she'd put on the floor by her side and which was easily get-atable by the people behind. Their argument had just been a distraction. It leaves such a bad taste and it's such a hassle - and I felt ashamed for GB! - which I would think the Scaleans would feel like hearing your story. It makes travelling such a bind being permanently on the alert. After I had my passport, cards etc stolen a few years later from a car (in France but the nearest consulate was Geneva and the British Consulate was quite clearly thinking Oh God another idiot tourist managing to get her passport stolen, haven't I got better things to do etc...!) I started wearing one of those little bags you wear round your neck! A relative in Naples has a bag (empty or with 'rubbish' in it) that he leaves openly on display - on the dashboard - in his car when he parks it. Apparently any thieves see it as a message to not bother. Hope you've managed to put the horrible experience behind you. We managed to get compensated both times through our insurance but it's such a hassle and some of the stuff that was pinched wasn't really replaceable - hope you have better luck.

[Lynn]

sorry to read this. where do you think the robbery took place ? In Scalea. at an autogrill or in Naples

[fifi]

Really sorry for you and family Cool.xxxFifi

[cool]

Thank you all very much for your messages.We are over it now and almost all covered by insurance ,,thank God for that.It was all the hassle involved in getting keys cut for my car. It had to be towed to a garage and keys had to come from Germany and be programmed etc,etc .But just be carfull out there.Cool

[brynithel3]

Hi Cool

I'm pleased that you've overcome the difficulties. I know that the money from the insurance in no way recompense for all the hassle but one has to put these things down to experience and move on.

I'm still recovering from my car hire efforts and am being extra cautious about who I hire off next time.

A few people have been in touch and have recommended Holiday Autos. Which my wife wants to try. I would like to get to Scalea and hire locally. Luigi, our Italian Geometra, has advised us to do this. I will talk to him during our next visit and ask him to introduce me to an company that will do it for less. The last time out I asked him about bike hire, within hours he delivered an old mountain bike to my door Gratis. I don't suppose un vecchio macchina will appear this time.

When are you due out next?

Ciao

John

[cool]

HI,, I will hopefully be out again in late September.Just a note on car -hire.I rented from holiday autos this time and they were fantastic.When they heard what had happened to us,they went and got a girl from a shop in the airpoirt who could talk english and she assisted us cancelling the cards .They could not have been more helpful.Also at the start of the holiday we booked a Ford Mondao and it was little tight with all the luggage so they upgraded us to a Fiat Stilo Estate ,Diesel .They said we could have it if we took it before it was cleaned.It was cleaner than the car I use here ,so I was delighted.

[Mrs Teapot]

Oh poor you - the stress of it all is dreadful.

In future, if anyone on here thinks someone is taking photos of them (or filming them) I would advise that you take a photo back in return. Then they won't want to steal your goods (hopefully) or maybe you can use it as evidence (though what can you say apart from you felt uncomfortable - lol).