It’s a terrible feeling: you reach for your wallet or phone, and it’s not there. Panic starts to set in. In a foreign country, this experience can feel even more stressful. But knowing a few simple Spanish phrases can help you take control of the situation quickly and calmly. This guide is not just about words; it’s about action. Learning how to say 'I lost my...' or 'Someone stole my...' is one of the most practical skills a traveler can have. It allows you to get help immediately, whether you're at a hotel, in a restaurant, or need to find a police station. This is your first step to canceling credit cards, filing a report for insurance, and getting new documents. With these phrases, you can turn a moment of crisis into a problem you can solve.
Help, please!
Use this to get immediate attention in an emergency, like right after you realize you've been robbed.
Excuse me, I need help.
A calmer way to approach someone for assistance, like a police officer, hotel employee, or security guard.
I lost my...
Use this when you believe you have misplaced something, not necessarily that it was stolen. Follow it with the name of the item.
They stole my...
Use this to state clearly that you were the victim of a theft. Follow it with the name of the item.
...my wallet / my purse.
The specific item you lost. 'Cartera' is very common for a wallet or small purse in many Latin American countries.
...my cell phone.
This is the most common word for a mobile phone in Latin America.
Where is the police station?
The essential question to ask when you need to file an official report.
I need to file a report.
This is the key phrase for the official process at a police station. A 'denuncia' is the formal police report you'll need for insurance.
It was here.
Use this to show the location where the incident happened.
I don't know where.
A simple and honest response if you are unsure where you lost the item or where it was stolen.
It was an hour ago.
Use this to give an approximate time of the incident. You can also say 'hace diez minutos' (ten minutes ago) or 'esta mañana' (this morning).
It had my documents and credit cards.
Use this to describe the important contents of your lost or stolen wallet or bag.
What do I need to do now?
Ask this to understand the next steps, whether you're talking to hotel staff or the police.
A traveler, looking distressed, approaches the front desk of their hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Buenas tardes. Disculpe, necesito ayuda.
Good afternoon. Excuse me, I need help.
Buenas tardes. Claro, dígame, ¿qué pasó?
Good afternoon. Of course, tell me, what happened?
Creo que me robaron mi mochila.
I think they stole my backpack.
¡Uy, qué terrible! ¿Dónde fue?
Oh, that's terrible! Where was it?
En el subte. En la línea D. Fue hace media hora.
On the subway. On the D line. It was half an hour ago.
Entiendo. ¿Qué tenía en la mochila?
I understand. What did you have in the backpack?
Mi billetera con mis tarjetas de crédito y mi pasaporte. ¡Todo!
My wallet with my credit cards and my passport. Everything!
Tranquilo, tranquilo. Primero, necesita llamar para cancelar sus tarjetas. Después, tiene que hacer la denuncia en la comisaría.
Calm down, calm down. First, you need to call to cancel your cards. After, you have to file a report at the police station.
Sí, sí. ¿Dónde está la estación de policía?
Yes, yes. Where is the police station?
La comisaría más cercana está a tres cuadras. Le escribo la dirección. Es muy importante que haga la denuncia por el pasaporte.
The nearest station is three blocks away. I'll write down the address for you. It's very important to file the report because of the passport.
Muchas gracias por su ayuda.
Thank you very much for your help.
The 'denuncia' (police report) is your most important document after a theft. You will almost certainly not get your items back, but this official paper is essential for insurance claims and, most importantly, for getting a replacement passport from your embassy. View the trip to the police station as a bureaucratic step, not a recovery mission. Stay patient and polite, as the process can sometimes be slow.
In Colombia, there is a famous expression: 'No dar papaya' (literally, 'Don't give papaya'). It means don't make yourself an easy target for thieves. This translates to practical advice: don't flash expensive jewelry or electronics, keep your phone out of sight on public transport, and always be aware of your surroundings. If a local tells you 'diste papaya,' they mean you were being a bit careless.
When reporting a theft, manage your expectations. Police in many parts of Latin America are under-resourced. They will likely be sympathetic and help you file the report, but they may not have the resources to investigate petty theft. Your goal is the paperwork. Being polite and calm will make the process much smoother than showing frustration.
Before you travel, take photos of your passport, driver's license, and the front and back of your credit cards. Store these securely in a cloud service (like Google Drive or Dropbox) or email them to yourself. If your wallet is stolen, having these images and the international numbers to call to cancel your cards is incredibly helpful.
Emergency numbers vary. While 911 is becoming more common in countries like Mexico and Argentina, it's not universal. It's wise to look up the specific local police ('policía'), ambulance ('ambulancia'), and fire ('bomberos') numbers for the country you're visiting and save them in your phone.
In Mexico, you'll file a 'denuncia' at an 'Agencia del Ministerio Público' (MP). The word for thief can be 'ladrón' or, more colloquially, 'ratero'. 'Cartera' is the common word for a wallet.
In Spain, you will hear 'móvil' for a cell phone, not 'celular'. They use both 'cartera' and 'billetera' for a wallet. You 'pones una denuncia' (file a report) at the 'comisaría'. Be aware that police are divided into 'Policía Nacional' (for cities) and 'Guardia Civil' (for rural areas and highways).
In Colombia, 'billetera' is more common than 'cartera' for a man's wallet. The cultural concept of 'no dar papaya' (see cultural tips) is extremely important here. The police report is also called a 'denuncia'.
In Argentina, 'billetera' is the standard word for a wallet. You 'haces la denuncia' at the 'comisaría'. A common slang word for a thief is 'chorro'. In Buenos Aires, be especially mindful on the 'subte' (subway) and in crowded tourist areas like La Boca.
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...my passport.
The essential word for your most important travel document.
...my backpack / my bag.
Use 'mochila' for a backpack and 'bolso' for a handbag or shoulder bag.
It's black.
A simple way to describe the item. You can replace 'negro' with other colors like 'rojo' (red), 'azul' (blue), or 'marrón' (brown).