Kleptophobia: The Fear of Stealing

Kleptophobia is the abnormal and persistent fear of stealing. It can also mean the abnormal and persistent fear of being robbed which is also known as Harpaxophobia. These phobias often occur together.

Kleptophobia is often caused by a negative or traumatic experience. Recovering thieves may develop this phobia because they are afraid they will fall back into their old ways. They may become almost paranoid that they are going to steal something. As with the fear of being robbed. If a person has been robbed before they become extremely fearful that it will happen again and this fear eventually turns into a phobia.

If you suffer from Kleptophobia or Harpaxophobia please share your story. What triggered it and how do you cope with it?