Tourist Scam Alert: 2008
Tourists are targeted by scam and rip-off artists everywhere in Europe. If you know the games (spilling the mustard, bus 64 in Rome, and so on), you're less likely to be a victim. By sharing the latest scams (and learning from each others' mistakes) we'll all travel more safely.
Remember, pickpocketing attempts throughout Europe can be expected unless you wear a moneybelt under your clothing. Smart travelers leave wallets at home and store their credit cards, passport, paper money and rail ticket(s) in a secure moneybelt. Visit our Travel Store for Rick Steves' recommended moneybelts.
What cons and scams have you encountered?
Read the Distillation: Tourist Scams, 2005
- Please don't post questions here. Use our Travelers Helpline.
Rip-Off Collect Phone Calls
We also encountered the rip-off long distance phone calling at a payphone in Germany. There was a sticker attached to the phone advertising a number to call to make a collect phone call. Stupidly we did it, and the people we called were hit with a $60 5 minute phone call. Hope others can learn from my mistake.
Tim
USA Mon 12/22/2008
ripoff payphones, Milano airport
"Credit card" pay phones are prominent at the Milano Malpensa Airport. My AmEx bill shows that one three-minute call to Germany was billed at $56 and--after that call was dropped--another short call was $45. A quick Google of the company "CALL LD" and the phone number 800-607-9470 makes it clear that this is a widespread scam. Even the AmEx customer service rep knew the company by name and said they take reports all the time. The company may have phones at other Italian airports as well.
Dennis McClendon
Chicago, IL USA Fri 12/19/2008
Kabukicho, Tokyo, Japan and Service Fees
This just happened to a travel companion and myself in Tokyo, Japan. Shinjuku, Tokyo is a busy location with a major train depot and a lot of nearby action. One area, Kabukicho, is infamous for its Yakuza (Japanese gangster) connections. Towards the east side of Kabukicho, there are very small alleyways with narrow bars next to each other. We noticed that some bars would state no service fees or taxes. We stopped into one bar and asked the bartender if there was a service fee, but we didn't speak Japanese and she didn't speak English, so who knows what was said. She did politely show us some written English that did state we would be charged for any items gratuitously offered to us that we choose to consume. It seemed quaint, so we decided to stay and sat down at the bar.
After having a couple beers and whiskeys, we asked for our bill. I thought she made a mistake on the total, because each drink was supposed to be 600 yen, so 2400 in all for the four drinks. The total was 5200 yen. A service fee of 4000 yen (which I think covered the first two drinks) was applied and then two drinks. Being in Kabukicho, we knew it was in our best interest to pay, so we did.
Lesson is stick to the main streets and bars such as the Hub, unless you know exactly what you're getting into. Tokyo is great and a safe spot. We'll go back to Kabukicho, too.
Jon
Kabukicho (Shinjuku), Tokyo Japan Tue 12/09/2008
Ticket
In Algeciras (Spain) we bought ferry tickets to go to Tanger (Morocco) at the train station. Then we went down to the harbor (backpackers, on foot). At the harbor entrance we came across a whole bunch of men in marinesque "uniforms" who wanted to "stamp the ticket". Some of them were screaming "The ferry! The ferry!" trying to make it urgent, as if the ferry was just about to leave and we were going to miss it if we didn't give them the tickets and have them "stamped" ASAP.
Luckily we noticed there was no office or even a guardpost nearby. Since it was highly improbable that something like validation of a ticket would happen outside in the rain, we refused to give them the tickets. When they saw we wouldn't give them the tickets, they backed off and let us pass.
We encountered a similar situations in Morocco during the following week with train tickets, which are actually collected at the gate to the platform, but not at the entrance to the station, mind you, and on the way back in the harbor of Tanger someone tried to pull the same trick on us.
J. Pierau <email>
Munich, n/a Germany Mon 12/08/2008
Double-sca{n,m}
The supermarket closest to me is just around the corner of a (cheap, in most respects) hostel, so there are lots of tourists shopping where I shop. What I've seen a few times now is the cashier hesitating when scanning one of the items, so that the item is logged twice. Then, when people hand over the money, it gets dropped or some other distraction happens. When they get their change back (correctly) most of them (especially non-Euro-citizens who are too busy recognizing and counting the coins) don't check the items on the bill and get double-charged on some minor item. Nothing severe but a nuisance nonetheless. When you pay attention and complain, it's all excuses for the mistake and you get your money back.
J. Pierau <email>
Munich, n/a Germany Mon 12/08/2008
Rome bottled water scam
Near the Colliseum in Rome, my wife and I suffered a scam that cost us only a euro or two, but made my wife ill for the day. We bought bottled water from a vendor, and rather than give us the unopened bottle, he "opened" the seal for us and handed it to my wife. She drank the water and suffered an upset stomach.
Obviously he had put tap water (or who knows what) into an empty plastic bottle and sold it as new. After we figured it out, we always checked the seal on the water we bought.
Mike
Washington, D.C. USA Mon 12/08/2008
D.C. Museum Scam
I see this scam every sunny day, since I work near the Smithsonian Museum. It works like this: the scammers wait at the exit of the Metro (subway). When tourists walk out, they immediately rush forward and welcome you to D.C. and ask what museum or monument you're going to. They are so helpful, they even carry maps to show you the route. Of course, they ask you for a tip for their services, and after all that friendly, good help, how can you say no?
I suggest that visitors to D.C. ignore these guys. Ask a local who is walking by; chances are we work in the area and know the sites. Barring that, know the address of where you're going and ask us directions. We're used to tourists and most of us are happy to help. All we ask in return is that you stand on the right on the Metro escalators, because the left side is for walking.
Mike
Washington, D.C. USA Mon 12/08/2008
Hidden pouch under shirt (cordless)
I haven't tried it yet, but you place a large safety pin on the inside of your shirt, and hang a small clipped pouch from there. When you need to access it, just unclip it from the pin, and you won't have a tempting "cord" in plain site for would be thieves. ...I supposed it could also work on the inside of your waistband, so that no visible "loop" is showing on the belt.
Tex01
Austin, TX USA Wed 12/03/2008
Pickpockets at Sacre Coure
Another "tip" would be to not be so stupid as to put all of your passports, tickets and money in an envelope and carry it around with you. Good grief!
David
Jacksonville, FL USA Tue 12/02/2008
Pickpockets at Sacre Coeur
A few years ago my parents and I spent a week in Paris. On our first day there we used the Metro to travel to Scare Coeur. On the trip there one man fished in my dad's pants pockets for his wallet, while a women with a jacket over her arm grabbed a envelope with all of our passports and tickets and some of our money (couple 100 Euros). She had mostly covered the envelope but one corner stuck out and it being distinctive, my mom noticed. She then yelled "What the Hell do you think you are doing?" and she promptly dropped it and the wallet "fisher" stopped too. I should mentioned this occurred just as we were arriving at the station, so the thieves ran out the doors right past the police patrolling the station.
After talking to the police officers, we learned that these thieves were going up and down the metro line that day, traveling in packs and picking pockets. So watch out in crowded trains, especially for people "carrying" their jacket. Don't be afraid to yell, most pickpockets just want to slip away and NOT be noticed.
One other tip would be to memorize the work for thief in the local language of the place you are traveling. Not only would to deter the thief, it might gain some goodwill from the locals.
Nina <email>
Redmond, WA USA Mon 12/01/2008
Prague-Multiple small Scams
1) Must COUNT change everywhere (even grocery store clerk)
2) If price not posted (esp. on water) DONT PURCHASE IT - especially in the rail station!
3) In Vienna (euro) didn't count change and later discovered in was many (cheap) Cz coins
4) Metropolitan House -immediate ticket office concerts are $50 US. Go to left of stairs and down to gift shop - concerts are 190 koruny (thats about $10) which is a typical "local" concert rate for best seats.
deb
lake forest, iL USA Sun 11/23/2008
www.hotelrentalgroup.com
This website offers hotel-rooms at discount prices. They first charge you a deposit, which is just fine. However, later on you get an e-mail form concerning your creditcard data to fill out. they even have the nerve to ask for your cvv2 code and signature. Because you don't want to lose your deposit, you may be tempted to fill it out as well as you can.
I was actually stupid enough to give my cvv2 code, but an hour or so later realizing what I'd done I blocked my CC. I hope that was in time..
Anyway, these e-mails have phishing written all over them. don't give them your cvv2 or signature over e-mail.
marc
utrecht, nl Wed 11/19/2008
Protect your passport
Always attach a list of each hotel's address and telephone numbers of where you'll be staying and dates in your passport. Of course, your passport should always be in your moneybelt, but if you do lose it and it's found by someone else, it'll better your chances of getting it back before you move on. Make it easy for the finder to contact you! Last year while I was shopping in my own city, a tourist who had been in the store earlier had dropped her passport. One of the sales clerk picked it up, but it was too late as the person had already left. There was no contact information in her passport except the address of her native country. I felt really bad and hoped that she would retrace her steps and eventually return to the store.
Helen
San Francisco, ca USA Wed 11/19/2008
Avoid being targeted at train stations
My family and I recently spent 10 of the most fantastic days of our lives in Italy. After reading all the horror stories about pick pockets at train stations, we decided to go to the train station WITHOUT our luggage the day BEFORE our actual travel so we can familiarize ourselves with the reader boards, ticket machines, boarding platforms, etc. Wow - we were so glad we did that. The next morning, we hauled our kids and luggage to the Termini station, strutted through the station with the confidence of locals! A 45 minute field trip well spent - we used this tactic on all the cities we visited.
Helen
San Francisco, CA USA Tue 11/18/2008
Rome Tour Scams
We had a young lady come to us at the Colosseum asking us if we wanted a tour, she seemed very nice she was from Boston, We all paid 18 euros each which was for a tour and line passing entry. She tok the oney and told us to wait about ten minutes, but she never came back for us, we walked around looking for here and a few more asked us the same thing, We told them what happened but they just didnt care and told us it happens all the time there. Thye said the Roman soldiers are even worse. Imagine that.
J Crown
USA Sun 11/16/2008
Pick pockets in Belgium
On October 31st, 2008 I had my pack "picket" at the Brussels Midi train station. On man got on the same level of the escalator while his partner got behind me and got in my pack. Two days later at 6:30 a.m.at the Brussels Nord train station, I had a man spray a glue like substance on my coat and pants. I didn't take anything off and they didn't get anything. Lock all of your zippers of your backpack with small locks. I had broken a zipper the day before I left for Europe. I only placed a lock on the broken zipper. Thus, my fault. If you are traveling alone, I suggest you avoid Beligum if you have to go through Brussels. I have not received an e-mail from the Belgium Tourist Bureau which I have contacted regarding the problem.
Paul E. Kelly
Brighton, CO USA Sun 11/16/2008
Taxi Ride to the Airport in Rome
Remember, the law in Rome is 40 euros for a taxi trip to the airport. The last one I took, the ride was 54 according to his meter!
Other than that, I didnt run into any scams or tricks in southern Italy (Oct 2008)
chris <email>
Dallas, TX USA Wed 11/05/2008
ATM Debit Card Scam!!!
I just returned from a great trip to Italy last night 10/03/08....wired, I decided to balance my checking account as I had used my ATM card 3 times on my trip. Everyone says using the debit card is the best way to travel! Once in Florence and twice in Venice. To my astonishment, I had 5 ATM withdrawals in Timisoara, Romania! Three on the day I had flown to NY, and two large ones on the same day traveling to Oregon last night. Total loss of $1500.
I didn't even go to Romania! The first two withdrawals that I made went without a hitch, but I recalled trying to use the ATM across from Bepe's (Rick Steves recommended restaurant) in Venice...sitting at Bepe's for lunch, I watched a man trying the ATM machine shortly after I did. He was there about a minute and I was wondering if he was having any luck!
Finishing lunch, we walked by the machine and I noticed that the card slot was now illuminated with green lights (I recalled later that it was light grey on my previous attempt). Not even thinking, I figured that it had been repaired from inside the bank...great, it worked! Idiot!!! I had sat watching the thief make off with my debit card information not even suspecting it!
These theives are getting very sophisticated! This device is fabricated to fit over and look just like a card slot, but the ATM will reject it because it actually blocks the actual machine code reader, arrow and all!!!
My advise... 1. look for the card slot to be illuminated. 2. If your card had worked before, but not when you try, take a real close look at the machine.
This can ruin a real nice vacation quickly!!! Then you get to try to resolve it from the states, and file a crime report....when all you really want to do is look at your pictures and reminisce about the great vacation.....!
Brian <email>
Portland, OR USA Mon 11/03/2008
feelparis.com apartment scam
Avoid feelparis.com We rented an apartment through them for 11 days in Paris recently. We paid the deposit by credit card(actually we wanted to pay the full amount) but we told that we had to pay the balance and Euro 200 security deposit in cash to the representative of the owners of the apartment on arrival. This we did. Charming man called Cedric Lameignere met us there, he had a bottle of wine and a selection of jams for us (very nice gesture). He promised the Euro 200 would be returned on checking out. Unfortunately having been up over 36 hours and travelling 24 of those, we neglected to ask him for a receipt. He went on holiday and his friend Gabriel was to return the security deposit when we departed. Of course on departure Gabriel knew nothing of this. Cedric has ignored all our emails and feelparis.com denies we paid any deposit (Would anyone rent an apartment to strangers without making sure they got a security deposit?) By the same token we were naive not getting a receipt, the only excuse I can offer is we were really tired and were disarmed by the friendly gestures. However, that is our story would be interested to know if anyone else has had the same problem.
We saw several gold ring finders during our time there. One guy from the US told us he only paid Euro 1 for it,so was a cheap souvenir.
Margaret
Gympie, Qld Australia Sun 11/02/2008
Paris Gold Ring Scam
Just back from three days in Paris. Over two days we encountered the gold ring scam no less than 7 times! On the final time, on the banks of the Seine, we saw an elderly couple targetted and called out to warn them that it was a scam. The scammer promptly turned on us and spat at us, and her accomplice, who, unknown to us, was walking behind us started yelling abuse at us - so we took off the Boulevard Sr Germain fairly promptly.
Steve
UK Fri 10/31/2008
Mrs. Helen Brown Scam
Recently I received an email from a Mrs. Helen Brown in the UK who was looking for a tour guide for her daughter Joan and personal Assitant Edward Cole. When asked where they had received my name, they mentioned the Rick Steve's graffiti board, so I felt like they were a legit family. I received a phone call from Edward Cole but have been unable to recontact him. I became immediately suspicious when they wanted to "load" my credit card with money to conduct the tours, make hotel reservations etc. Well, after much time and phone calls planning this 3 week tour, my fear has been confirmed. Per Mrs. Helen Brown, they will post $22500 to my credit card, then I am to withdraw my fees, $12000 and send the balance of the $22500 via Western Union to Edward Cole for him to buy airline tickets and such. Well, if that is not a scam, then I was born yesterday. BEWARE - I didn't think I was a fool but apparently the scam artist are getting better. I even mentioned of my hesitancy to send money via the internet due to scams, and Mrs. Helen Brown was very irate that I would classify her with those "people"
Terri Sinclair <email>
Columbus, in USA Fri 10/31/2008
Mrs. Helen Brown Scam - Again ...
Well, I got the same e-mail. And I dumped it right away.
At least you FINALLY figured it out.
Unsolicited e-mails are SPAMS and SCAMS.
Jacquie <email>
Saint Petersburg, FL USA Fri 10/31/2008
The flattened cardboard box trick
I lived in Italy for nine years so I became a "local" resident but I also still looked like a tourist.
A major trick in Bologna is one by the "zingero" - southern Spanish gypsies according to the Italians. These nomadic tribes teach their kids to target unsuspecting people as they round a corner on any city street. They throw a flattened cardboard box up at your face, while you instinctively raise your hands to block your face or are just wondering what the heck??? These kids - about 6 or 7 years old - have robbed you.....cell phone, keys, wallet....all gone in a heatbeat! My husand is an Italian policeman, and even he got robbed by kids when this first hit the streets!!! They're like magicians. They train and practice to see who can be the best. It's a competition to them.
Holly <email>
Long Beach, CA USA Thu 10/30/2008
SHADY TAXI DRIVERS!!!
Beware of taxi drivers in Bologna and Milan. Many times, I have stepped into a taxi and just before the destination, the taxi driver has turned into a back alley.....when I asked him WHERE we were going/ he says "short cut" and then has stopped the car and said "I thought we could kiss a little."
They seem to think all American women are easy. I don't think so! Not this woman, anyway! I complained to the taxi company. I even filed a police report on one guy but I've seen them out at the taxi stands later. They never got fired or probably even reprimanded. It is considerd "normal" Italian male behavior to want to kiss beautiful women.
Jessica
Dallas, Tx USA Thu 10/30/2008
Scams I have witnessed in London
"Upgrading" meals is not a practice that is restricted to Italy. I had a meal at a Pizza express in London and was charged almost double the expected price of the meal. They had brought me a 250mL wine which didn't even exist on the menu (only the 175mL was on the menu), changed the pizza to the "Italiano" style which I didn't ask for and charged me for complimentary olives which were only complimentary when they were brought out. I challenged them and managed to get some of the charges taken off but not all.
I also witnessed a pickpocket in a quiet, almost empty pub which was also in London. I probably wouldn't have noticed him at all had the pub been a more traditional style with dimmer lighting and louder music or more full. He was dressed in a suit and had a briefcase and a mobile phone into which he was talking the whole time. He wandered around the pub, occasionally sitting down in chairs that were back-to-back with other patrons. He would push the chair right back from his table and casually lean back and slip his free hand into the pockets of the other customer's jackets draped over the back of the chairs or into handbags resting next to chairs. He was quite subtle about it so for a while, even though we started watching him, we were still not sure exactly what he was doing. By the time we figured it all out, he was on his way out the door and on to the next pub.
Lastly, I saw this guy almost every day on my way to work in London. He was homeless and possibly a little crazy. Often he would just ask people for 20p on the way out of the tube station or supermarket but most people have an aversion to just giving money to beggars because they don't know how the money is going to be used. Often it is just used to buy alcohol. Later, I saw him getting a little more creative and playing on the psychology of good Samaritans. He got himself a suit from a clothing bin - it was good enough at a glance - and strode around the hospital car park quickly. When he saw someone he would ask them if they had a pound or two pounds. The car park cost three pounds and the impression he gave was that he was a businessman in a big hurry to see someone in the hospital and was short by one pound on paying for his parking. Who wouldn't want to help a busy executive out who was trying to find enough time to visit his sick mother and was about to miss out on the time frame for his visit for the lack of a single pound ?
David Keech
Newcastle, NSW Australia Wed 10/22/2008
Fauz Guides in Tanger, Morocco
I spent a beautiful autumn day in Tanger last week. The city is bustling, the food is good and the weather was great. All you need to get around the city is a map and a pair of feet. The moment you leave the ferry terminal you will be assailed by "guides" with varying forms of "ID."
They are more of a nuisance than anything, except that I noticed they magically disappeared within 10 yards of any policeman, so obviously they aren't on the up and up. A stern "no thank you/no gracias" is most times enough, but ducking into a cafe or making a beeline for a police officer is failsafe to get rid of them.
RJ
Manchester, UK Tue 10/21/2008
Pickpockets & Briefcase switches
I spend a lot of time in Brussels and have several friends who have been the target of these type of crimes in the main shopping area and train stations going to the airport. Generally one distracts asking for help or directions while the other steals (very quickly). Be very careful
Suzanne
France Tue 10/21/2008
Postage stamp scam
I know others have written about this, but I would like to once again warn visitors to Prague of the postage stamp scam. It works this way: you go to the Post to buy stamps for your postcards. The clerk offers to put the stamps on your cards, and, being gullible, you don’t see the harm in letting him/her do that. The harm is that they never put the stamps on the cards and instead pocket the money you gave them. We learned about this scam after our return to the US, and now know why the six cards we mailed to friends never showed up.
John
Rochester, MN USA Sun 10/19/2008
Tourists or locals, it doesn't matter
To Ally: On my last trip to Europe, I was fortunate enough to talk to staff from the U.S. Embassy in three countries, and they all said that it's not just the tourists that are targeted. It's just more of a problem for us because it's difficult to get the paperwork filled out and replace credit cards and IDs while being thousands of miles away.
I was also told that in many cities, you're talking about hundreds or even thousands of theft events in a single day, and everyone is aware that the police just can't go after them so it doesn't matter. In Italy and France, many of the locals are walking designer billboards and have thousands of dollars hanging on their bodies. They make amazing targets, too.
Susan
Atlanta, GA USA Thu 10/16/2008
To Doug: you can blend in and be comfortable!
To Doug - I completely disagree - blending in is very important.
I live in NYC and can spot tourists (especially American tourists) from blocks away. I have never been uncomfortable in Europe, but have also never been the victim of a scam/pick-pocketing, because I make sure to choose clothes (from my normal wardrobe) that blend in. I often have locals ask me questions in native tongues because I don't look like a tourist - and FYI, I usually have a camera (a professional SLR) out in the open which you think would be a give away.
There may be plenty of other people who look like tourists milling about, but at the end of the day, the scammers pick tourists NOT locals - why take the chance? I've seen many pickpocketings on subways - and you know who always gets picked? Not the obviously local girl with the open bag, reading a book with her earphones on. It's the tourists in running shoes, talking loudly about which stop to get off at, cluthing their things tightly - they never even know what hit them!
Ally
New York, NY USA Wed 10/15/2008
Friendship Bracelet Scam
I was in Milan and decided to start site seeing early in the morning while the rest of my group was asleep. This of course was the one day I did not use my money belt, but opted to fold the money as small as I could and put it into the tiny pocket of my jeans. No one will find the money there...Wrong!!! I was doing a self guided tour of the Duomo and walked outside the cathedral with my "self guided ear piece" when two african men came up to me and tied bracelets to my wrist. I told them I was not interested, but they wouldn't stop, so I looked for a euro or two to get rid of them when a third man came over to me. He must have been the one who got the money while I was distracted because when I got back to my hotel all the money in my pocket was gone (about three hundred euros). The worst part about the whole thing was that I was telling everyone else in the group to watch their money and use their money belt, but I was the one who got pick pocketed for being too lazy to use the belt.
Bill <email>
Philadelphia, PA USA Mon 10/13/2008
Safety Tip for Paris Metro
When you get to the platform and are waitng for the train to arrive,never ever stand near the exit tunnel.Move toward the center of the platform. I have witnessed a purse snatch. It occured near the exit. I watched as a man struggled with some turkish looking teenage girls When they ran
by me, the only thing I could do was trip two of the five, and hoped some Parisians would apprehend them, but no one got involved to help their fellow man. The girls were all wearing white T shirts, jeans and tennis shoes, and hair in pony tails.
I believe they were a gang.
Jon
Bend, Oregon USA Sun 10/12/2008
Major Credit Card Scam
My wife and I lived in Nice, France for two months. We ate at a little streetside cafe called La Dolce Vita in the pedestrian area just above the Promenade.
Anyway, a couple days later my wife was reviewing our credit card charges and there was a charge we didn't recognize for about $100.
A day or two later there were more, one for $900 at La Dolce Vita.
We called the credit card company, and they said someone, somewhere probably took our credit card to run it and swiped it in a magnetic card reader of their own, and had a plastic card made with their own name on it, but our magnetic strip on the back. And then they used all around, and since their ID matched what was on the card, they got away with it until we filed a complaint.
The $2,000 or so in charges were reversed, and we now know why many cafes bring out a little handheld credit card swiper to your table. It is so you can not let your card out of your sight for your own peace of mind.
Monitor those transaction logs and try not to let your cards out of your sight.
Don
Salt Lake City, UT USA Thu 10/09/2008
Craigslist Apartment scams
Here is another in addition to what I posted below. After living in Nice for two months my wife and I want to go back for longer. We actually want to move there.
I have looked into apartments again, and have received several replies to a craigslist posting.
They are all starting to look the same. They say it is 750 euros per month and that they are recently married, living with their spouse in their spouses other home country.
They want to hurry and get my info and a deposit right away. Sometimes they say they are in Germany, other times in London.
Be careful, ask for references, and even then you are taking a major leap of faith. The best way is to find a place someone else you know has already rented.
Don
Salt Lake City, UT USA Thu 10/09/2008
Scams and what to wear
Just returned from 2 weeks in Italy,and although we encountered a lot of hawkers of merchandise at every popular site,we never encountered an attempt of pick-pocketing or scams!We were very worried about this before going and realize now that being alert and aware of your surroundings is all that is necessary.One thing though,wear the clothes and shoes you are used to wearing in the states....there are so many tourists in Italy that YOU WILL NOT STAND OUT AS A TARGET!!! I was very uncomfortable because I wore clothes that I thought would allow me to blend in.....wrong! Be comfortable...Italy was beautiful,enjoy.
doug
sini valley, calif USA Tue 10/07/2008
Taxi ride in Croatia
We had several encounters with people asking for money on our recent trip. On the train from Budapest to Zagreb this man apeared in our compartment and lifted our luggage to the top rack and then said that he was the "porter" and wanted money for his help, then he doubled the price since there was another man standing behind him. We had some extra foints so paid him but knew that we were being taken. Our biggest scam happened in Zagreb. I had booked a room (not from Ricks list) that was far enough from the train station that we needed a taxi. The cab driver took us to a remote place and pointed to a run down hotel under a freeway. Of course we did not get out as we would never stay there. Of course he had his cell phone and called a number and said they had room for us at a much better hotel and took us back into town to the Best Western hotel just 3 blocks from the train station. He had a meter in his cab, so thought it was safe and this was our first stop in Croatia so were not totally sure of the exchange rate so paid him 400 kuna ($80.00) for this cab ride. The good news was that the hotel he took us to was great. The location was perfect and we were able to walk around the old town, walk ourselves back to the train depot, plus they had a great dining room so were able to eat dinner and had the best free breakfast we had during the entire trip. The room was only $80.00. Because of this experience we were very shy of cabs everywhere in Croatia. Also don't be surprised if you take a bus in Croatia that the driver will charge you extra to store your luggage under his bus. He will not help you load or unload it. Its just a few kuna but seems to be a common practice.
Kathy <email>
Olympia, Washin USA Fri 10/03/2008
American express check rip off
The biggest rip off we had on our European travel (Sept. 1-Sept 18, 2008) was with Euro travelers checks from American Express! We always had to "find a bank" and then pay for the transaction. We usually received 92 euro for our 100. At the exchange rate of the dollar we lost over $12.00 for each transaction. It's best to use an ATM card as we got a better exchange rate and no transaction fee! We did not see any scams going on and were warned every 15 minutes via intercom about pick pockets at the Napoli metro station.
Lisa <email>
Vassar, KS USA Tue 09/30/2008
2 Euro Coin
Watch your change! I got a Mexican coin that is very similar to 2 Euro coin!
Chris <email>
CC, Az USA Sun 09/14/2008
scams
In Paris square, we were approached twice by individuals showing us a ring that they had found. Luckily I had read about this in Rick's guidebook and yelled at them and they went away. No problems at all in Barcelona although we were warned several times.
Marie Viti
port orange, Florid USA Sat 09/13/2008
Count your money change when you purchase something!
This happened SEVERAL times.
I purchase something and I am not given the correct change in return.
I saw "Sandwich: 1 Euro". I paid with a 2 euro coin and received 70 cents in return. Had I not stood there and counted the money I would have lost.
Second time: I print some papers at an Internet cafe. I print 2 pages. .25 cents each page. (.50 cents total right?) I pay with 1 euro coin but only receive .25 cents back. Naughty sales man! LOL. I tell them, "not enough." And they give me the rest of my change.
This happened many times:
whether it is a mistake on their part or they just are not expecting me, a tourist to stand there, relax, and take my time to count my change I don't know or care.
Take your time and COUNT THE CHANGE to make sure you were not scammed.
:)
Tim
Los Angeles, CA USA Fri 09/12/2008
Paris Ring Scam
My wife and I go to Paris often and have never had any real problems. Our last trip we were on the bridge to the Orsay Museum, a woman approached us with a gold ring asking if we had dropped it. Before we could even think about it, a Frenchman walking in the other direction waved a finger at us and said several times 'take care', 'take care" at which the women took her ring and left.
Rich <email>
Oakland, CA USA Fri 09/12/2008
Scams to watch out for!
Sorry if this has already been addressed, I just got back from a little over 2 months in Europe and am out of date on the graffiti wall, but had to post several scams we saw when we were there.
First, one new one that we saw several times where individuals who would approach people with a camera or cell phone camera and ask to take their picture for them. The phone or camera never seemed to work quite right and when the tourists handed the phone back the scammers would somehow fumble the phone and drop it on the ground. It was rigged to break apart, and they would of course get furious and act upset, and would either ask for money to fix the phone or wait for the tourist to bend over and pick the phone up, at which point an accomplice would snatch their wallet. We saw this mostly in Spain, but also once in Munich. Pretty clever playing on someone’s guilt! Best thing to do was to just walk away or avoid camera phones all together.
The second scam that we had not read about prior to the trip was children or youth approaching us and requesting our signatures for some worthy cause or another. One was for starving orphans, one was for keeping young kids off drugs, obvious societal outrages and things people would be willing to sign for. However, after you sign they have a prefabricated list of signatures showing donation amounts, and they quickly turn the little political empowerment exercise into a scam to grab some cash. They become so forceful that some would just hand over cash, or will pick pocket you in the mess of kids running about. Seemed best just to avoid the petition all together.
In Budapest one of our travel companions got the old switcheroo with some cash and lost over $30. Cheap lesson learned about not handing over large bills without saying out loud what you are paying with.
As always, the golden rings in Paris, the friendship bracelets (or they try to tie them to your finger) in Rome, and pickpockets seemingly everywhere. It was amazing the places we saw people get pick pocketed.
Although we saw these scams, we didn't have any real trouble with thieves. The money belt was absolutely essential, and just paying attention to your surroundings definitely helped. I had a hand in my back pocket in London, but to jet across 13 countries in 2 months and not lose a dime is more of a testament to the fact that Europe is safe and as long as you are mindful you can have an event free vacation.
Hope this helps!
Ryan
Salt Lake City, UT USA Thu 09/11/2008
Pickpockets and thieves in Brussels
My husband was (nearly) victimized twice at Bruxelles Midi, the station where you change trains to and from Bruges. The first time, a well-dressed man came up and "helpfully" grabbed one of my suitcases to lift it onto the train. Meanwhile, his accomplice had his hand in my husband's back pocket (which he foolishly used for his wallet and left unzipped). Fortunately, he was able to retrieve the wallet, but only because he's a cop and knew the scam. He ended up in a screaming fist fight with the perp, and I feared we'd be arrested on our first day (we weren't).
The second incident was in the same place!! This time, wallets were secured, but hubby had wandered off from the pile of suitcases and camera bags (we were on our way to a photo safari in Africa, so had more luggage than normal). I was left to watch everything. A man with a limp walked up to me pointing to his ticket and asking questions in broken English. I tried to ignore him and point him to the information board, but was still distracted momentarily, which was enough for his partner to skillfully pick my husband's camera bag from the pile of luggage and hurry off with it. Fortunately, I turned around quickly enough to see the bag on someone else's arm, and screamed loudly. My husband ran after the guy, who promptly dropped the bag and scurried off. Had I not seen it for another 30 seconds, it would have been gone.
The lessons here are 1) pack lightly; 2) keep everything you value in direct contact with your body at all times; 3) use a security pouch of your choosing; and 4) even though you are jet-lagged, stay alert at all times until you are safely locked inside your sleeping room (and then remain alert).
Linda H.
Ft. Worth, TX USA Sun 09/07/2008
avoiding scams
1. dress like a local. forgive me, but I can spot an American in Europe, South America or Asia immediately: shorts or sweat-pants or jeans, t- shirt or skimpy top, slogans or brands on clothes, ball hats. Look at the locals, they dress much differently.
2. don't let go of money when paying until you state the amount you are paying and the change expected from the (state amount of currency) you are handing over.
3. Don't get into a taxi, until you know how many blocks it is to your destination, you ask what the maximum total charge is, and then say it back, and say this is the total you will not go over.
4. back away from anyone who comes toward you, and say anything, loud. Otherwise, do not attract attention: blend in with the locals, don't be a mark.
5. You absolutely need to know some phrases in the local language. If you don't want to learn them, then don't travel.
6. use money belts and all other methods to hide valuables.
alfred
world Sun 09/07/2008
Credit Card Charges
On a trip to Skagen, Denmark in early August ’08 my husband and I had a very nice and expensive dinner at Pakhuset one of the 2 highly recommended fish restaurants in the harbor area of the city. When the bill arrived and my husband offered his credit card he was told there would be an extra 5% charge to use the card. Apparently, some restaurants in this area charge extra for using a Visa or MasterCard (2.5%) or American Express (5%) for out of country cards! This was an unpleasant surprise at the end of an otherwise lovely evening. Although this restaurant said their main competition down the street had the same policy we went there the next day for a meal and they did not. The restaurant encouraged us to go down the street and use the atm to bring cash back to pay them. We refused and the dispute continues.
Perhaps this has been noted by others and I apologize if I am repeating but we thought Travelers should be aware and watch for this since most of the restaurants post credit cards in their windows indicating they will accept them which is deceptive if they will only accept them under these conditions
sw owens
Brussels, BELGIUM Wed 09/03/2008
Hidden Money Pouch
This may sound drastic but i hope not. I travel a lot and I always always always carry everything I need to get home in a hidden money pouch on my persons at all times. If my luggage gets lost or stolen or rummaged through while I am site seeing? No problem. If I get mugged and they steal my backpack or luggage? No problem.
In my hidden money pouch I carry all I need to get back to the states; passport; $500 US dollars; atm card; eurorail pass; flight ticket/info...euros
my money belt goes with me EVERYWHERE. Downstairs at the hotel for breakfast? Yes...my money pouch goes. If I stay at a hostel and I go down the hall to use the restroom at 3a.m.? The hidden money puch goes with me.
I use Rick Steves money pouch that latches onto my belt and is hidden under my pants trousers.
1 more thing: 22 countries and I have never been robbed or mugged. Stay alert and have fun!
Tim
Los Angeles, CA USA Sun 08/31/2008
Paris Scams
5 scams in Paris:
1. A man or woman appears out of no where and has found a gold ring! They act surprised and try to sell it to you. Tell them to go away
2. A man or woman approach you and try to give you a magazine or newspaper? If you take it from them they want you to buy it. Tell them to go away
3. Young person with a badge wants you to sign a petition to help fight AIDS, SAVE THE WHALES, etc. Once you sign they hound you to give money.
4. Man at Gard Du Nord selling CHEAP metro tickets so you dont pay full price nor do you wait in long line or queue to buy metro ticket. Tickets are bad.
5. Many people find Paris apartment online to rent for vacation. They pay down payment to rent apartment in Paris. Only problem is apartment is non existent. Fake apartment photos and info. Solution? Go with friends proven recommendations
1 more thing: I go to Paris 3 times each year for 5 years. Parisians friendly and I have never had any trouble§ Stay alert and have fun!
Tim
Los Angeles, CA USA Sun 08/31/2008
A Testament to the Moneybelt
Regarding Frank P's comment, I concur about safe travels in Europe. I have been to Europe almost 20 times and have never had any problems (knock on wood). I attribute this mainly to Rick's advice about always wearing a money belt & simply being aware of the surroundings & any potential scams.
I'm also a travel agent & constantly tell clients to be diligent about wearing money belts & what to keep in them (passports, credit/debit cards, large amounts of cash, & train tickets [most airline tickets these days are electronic, so they're not really an issue]).
Only a few of my clients have returned from their travels having been pick-pocketed. And always, always, ALWAYS when I ask what happened, they admitted that they only kept their passports in their money belts & put everything else in a purse or wallet because it was "more convenient" & they figured they would "feel" if anyone was messing with those items.
Columbus Travel Gal <email>
Columbus, OH USA Tue 08/26/2008
We are leaving on our fourth trip to Europe in a couple of weeks (Italy, Slovenia and Bosnia) and this time, as every time before, I have strongly suggested to my husband that we both "re-sensitive" ourselves to the hazardous dark side of travel to the scams that are out there. Fortunately we've been able to avoid being ripped off and MORE IMPORTANTLY we've been able to relax and enjoy our interaction with locals wherever we've been thanks to being confident about our ability to be alert. My advice to all: read through the "Scam Alerts" on this website whenever you are about to travel. This will allow you to re-gain some "street smarts". After this, trust your common sense that will be heightened by your reading here.
That's about as good advice as I can give. Thanks to all who have posted here before me and from whom I have learned a lot.
Susie in Sacramento
USA Thu 08/21/2008
Traveling safe!
I totally agree with what Susie posted. In addition, I would encourage travelers to check out the PacSafe products. I use an older version of the day back pack and have both the (fanny packs) StashSafe 100 and 200.
PacSafe products are slashproof, tamper proof and snatchproof. Personally, I would not travel without them.
This way you will always know your valuables are truly safe. And no...I have no vested interest in PacSafe.
JB
Antioch, CA USA Thu 08/21/2008
PacSafe Link
Here is the link for PacSafe Products.
http://www.pacsafe.com/www/index.php?_room=3
JB
Antioch, CA USA Thu 08/21/2008
Not Everyone Is a Target
I do think it is necessary from time to time to remind travelers that most people do not have problems. This sites lists problem after problem after problem but only those who have had problems post their stories. How do you post a story about no problems? An Interpol report several years ago suggestion that about 1 and 4 Americans had theft problems. Which means that 3 in 4 do not. We have concluded from our experience of 300+days of travel that the chances of theft is even lower if you take some reasonable precautions. We have had three friends who were pickpocketed. In all three cases, they admitted, with hindsight, that they made some stupid moves that set themselves up as targets. Just a few precautions which are constantly repeated on this site will keep you from the Interpol report.
Frank P <email>
Centennial, CO USA Wed 08/20/2008
Scams
Regarding the stolen purse in Barcelona....WEAR A MONEYBELT!! How many times as does this have to be said. Use your purse or backpack for water, tissues, and anything that you wouldn't miss if stolen!
C.
Pleasanton, CA USA Sun 08/17/2008
Portable Guard-dog
Fortunately, in my many, many trips to Europe I have never been a victim of a crime or a scam. The worst that ever happened was that i was overcharged for a taxi in Vienna.Maybe because I travel alone, with my dog, and tend to dress very inconspicuously I blend in, and don't stand out as a tourist. I have trained my dog, a miniature dachshund, to be watchful and guard my belongings, which he's very good at, and as small as he is he's fairly fierce-looking, and no one has ever crept up on us unawares! Also, I very rarely visit cities, prefering the countryside, where I feel very safe and welcomed. I have never, ever had cause to suspect the owners of the B&Bs where I usually stay to be dishonest in any way.
karen <email>
chicago, il USA Sat 08/16/2008
Theft from Hotel Rooms.....Alert!
THEFT ALERT - HOTEL ROOMS: It is important that everyone understands theft does not just occur on the streets of Europe.....It occurs within hotels. For the first time in my many travels to Europe, I was hit by two subjects in Rome who "pretended" to be members of the hotel staff and entered my room. My wife let them in after asking my permission. One held a clipboard to "inspect" the room while the other waited out in the hallway out of sight. During a delay tactic by the 1st subject, the 2nd subject entered outside of our range of vision and grabbed my moneybelt off the bureau. Every item, from money to cards to my passport, was gone in a flash. This was not noticed until after the 1st subject "suddenly" left the room. Because I had photocopied ALL my documents before departure and had a European cell phone I had purchased, I was able to obtain all my documents via the US Embassy and cancelled my cards within minutes via my banks. I have traveled thousands of miles in Europe, met Rick Steves' three times and read Rick Steves' Scam Alerts hundreds of times......Yet I was hit in a location I never thought they would approach: My hotel room. Considering I am 6'4" tall, 285 pounds with a serious Scottish temper, my wife stated I would have ended up in a Rome jail had I caught them in time. She was right. The point she made is that even with me in the room, these subjects took a great chance and followed their plan. Never, under any conditions, allow anyone into your room for any reason. Meet them in the hallway. Leave nothing outside of your luggage in plain view. Check with staff by phone if anyone comes to your door. Be alert and be assertive.
JM
San Diego, CA USA Fri 08/15/2008
This is how they got our bag.
Just returned from a week in Lisbon and a week in Barcelona. On our last day in Barcelona, our bag was stolen in the blink of an eye.
***BE AWARE OF THIS***.
Five of us sat oustde for dinner at one of the many outdoor tapas cafes in Barcelona. We were sat at a table along the sidewalk. My wife put her bag on her chair between her leg and the arm of the chair. A man at the next table appeared to be talking on the phone. A few moments later another man sat with him, in very close proximity to my wife. He kept crowding her. She zipped her bag and put it on the ground at her feet. He put two shopping bags on the ground. Our dinner came and someones meal wasn't right. We called over the waiter, and apparantly we were distracted just enough for the thieves to snatch my wifes bag. Our camera, credit cards, travel journal and jewelry were gone. We did not actually see them take the bag, but it was literally 30 seconds after they got up and left that she noticed it was gone. By that time, they were lost in the crowd. We did file a police report.
So... 1. If eating at an outdoor cafe, avoid the first row of tables along the sidewalk. If you can get a table "deeper" in, they can't get away so fast.
2. Clip your bag to the chair, or place the leg of the chair through the handles of the bag.
3. Be very aware of you surroundings at all times. If something doesn't feel right, it probably isn't.
Anthony
NJ USA Fri 08/15/2008
Marco Polo Glass Factory, Murano
I have travelled throughout Europe for many years, and while I’ve only been pickpocketed once – at the Trevi fountain because I was lazy and didn’t put my credit card back into my money pouch after dinner – I consider most of Europe tourist-friendly and relatively safe for an aware traveller. Unfortunately…
Last year, I took my parents on a vacation to several cities in Europe, including Venice. While staying at the Pensione La Calcina in Venice (my third trip to Venice, but my first at the La Calcina), my parents and I asked the front desk about the best way to get to Murano. They said that I could take a complementary water taxi that leaves from the canal next to the La Calcina and docks at the Marco Polo glass factory. The trip to Murano was wonderful, with the driver cruising the back canals to the northern part of Venice before heading to Murano. After landing at Marco Polo’s private dock, we saw a short glass blowing demonstration and then walked through their gallery, where I saw several pieces that I purchased. After eating lunch and going through several shops nearby, we took the boat back to Venice, and upon boarding, put our packages on the benches inside and went outside to look at the scenery. In addition to my parents and me, there was another American couple on the boat, and we engaged in conversation during the trip back. This time, the boatman dropped us off on the northern side of the island. We all gathered our packages and got off the boat. As the boat was just about to leave, I noticed that I didn’t have the package with the large items I purchased at Marco Polo. I asked the boatman to stop so I could look, but he said that the cabin was empty and told me to get off his boat so he could leave. After a heated exchange, I climbed aboard to look for myself, but couldn’t find the package. The boat then left.
After a couple of minutes trying to figure out what could have happened, I felt that the water taxi driver was trying to rip me off. I then jogged to the vaporetto stop serving Murano, and managed to get to the stop just before it left. After arriving at the Marco Polo factory (and noticing that the factory’s boat had not made it back yet), I told the manager what happened, and he offered to let me look around the shop in case I left the bag there before the trip back. Not finding anything, I waited quietly (and in the shadows) next to the door leading from the dock for the boat to return. A few minutes later, the boat did return, and the boatman came ambling up the ramp carrying my bag. After seeing me, he muttered something about it falling behind the door leading to the cabin (where I had looked earlier) and handed the bag back to me.
Bottom line: Beware of the Marco Polo. I believe that they deliberately stole my package in order to put the expensive items back on sale.
Steve <email>
Alexandria, VA USA Wed 08/13/2008
pick-pocketed
I was getting off the train in La Spezia, Italy and got pick-pocketed.
I was climbing down the stairs from the train and had to hold my bag with both hands. When I got to the bottom of the platform, I checked my pocket and my wallet was gone! I looked up and there were two gypsies standing on the train platform. I looked at them and asked them to return my wallet. They acted very cool, calm, and collected. They seemed confused at what I wanted. I really have to admire their skill. I felt nothing. I have to admit I learned my leason. Its not worth being paranoid. I was constantly checking my pockets throughout my trip and it only took a few seconds for me to get pick-pocketed. Wear the money belt.
Charlie Malley <email>
Fort Collins, Co USA Sun 08/10/2008
Moneybelts/ Neckpouches/ Airport securiy/ Etc
I would like to point out that the importance of PRACTICE before you venture onto your trip with moneybelts, etc. You don't want to get to the airport and forget where you put your ID is or something. That doesn't really help matters. Take a few days and use that stuff before you ever take your trip. Use the dummy wallet for small purchases, and the hidden pouch for other stuff (if only for the practice).
You will need your ID at the checkin counter, and again at the security checkpoint. I find it's best to use a good travel shirt with buttoned pockets on the day of travel. You never know when you might need to hand over your moneybelt for checking, and your shirt pocket makes a good place to store that valuables for a while. You can also keep your ID there until you don't need to show it anymore. (Just don't use the shirt for carrying all your stuff all day. I've seen guys who do that and it's really obvious.)
Also, consider the durability of the cord on the moneybelt. Personally I don't like them (all respect to Rick Steves) because the little stretchy belts are too flimsy, which gives me no peace of mind. Seirus makes a good sturdy neck pouch, but it's standard nylon, not the soft silky stuff. I think it was one of the first makers for those.
If you are going to use your trouser belt for anything (like hanging a hidden pocket) consider investing in a travel belt with plastic buckle. I wish I had done so after my last trip because I almost left my belt in the security area on the floor.
One last thing, if you have to take anything off your body or out of your pockets in the checkpoint, make sure all of it can fit into your carryon bag and just put everything inside of that before you go through.
Tex01
Austin, TX USA Sat 08/09/2008
Scams
My husband and I visited Paris on the last weekend of June 2008. Within the first 3 hours, the ring scam was tried on us on Pont Neuf. I was so glad that I had read up on the different scams through this site because I recognized them immediately! We were polite to the young woman and the gypsy girls at Notre Dame and just told them "No, Merci." But my husband had to actually yell at the aggressive bracelet guys at Sacre Couer. We purchased the 3-day visitor Paris Metro/RER passes at Waterloo Station before boarding Eurostar, and were glad we did that. It was convenient and easy.
Kelly Engler
Rockford, IL USA Sat 08/09/2008
I was in Rome walking with my wife from our hotel to the Termini (4 blocks). We had some wine and cheese we just purchased for the train ride. As we started to walk, a gypsy with an infant in her arm approached, speaking loudly. I know a scam was approaching so I watched her eyes to see where she was going to go. I kept staring at her eyes and felt her fingers slip into my left pocket. I quickly grabbed her fingers and bent them backwards (very painful). I then pondered whether to break the wine bottle over her head or run her head into the corner of the building (I weigh 220 and she weighed about 100) when my wife said 'stop, if you kill her, we'll miss the train'. The 'infant' was a fake with a fake arm and she had her real right arm free to pick a pocket, plus she had lifted her blouse to expose her left breast (my wife noticed, I didn't as I was in defend and disable mode). While bending her fingers backwards to her wrist, I reminded her not to f**k with the Americans. When I let go of her hand she disappeared faster than a poltergeist.
I love watching scams and am well versed in self-defense. In 10 trips to Europe I’ve only had the one problem, I always look for possible problems and escape routes. And remember many things can be used as a weapon; there are 17 ways to disable a man with a BIC pen. Most thieves don’t want that kind of trouble and will run if challenged. An easy snatch and grab is much preferred to a broken bone. Use zip ties to lock your luggage and a cable alarm if you don’t have it in visual sight on a train. Not everyone is out to get you; the fun is finding the ones who are. Watch their eyes and look for what’s different. Be vigilant, know what's around you, look in windows to see if someone is following you, walk across the street if you don't like the looks of someone or a group in front of you. If you think soneone's following you make a sudden and abrupt u-turn and walk quickly.
Colonel Kurtz
Las Vegas, NV USA Fri 08/08/2008
Colonel Kurtz, you are a true American hero.
USA Fri 08/08/2008
Pickpockets
Train stations are notorious for pickpockets. I always use the neck pouch. In addition, all zippers on day back packs and luggage are locked.
So sorry for what happened to your friend....but locks are very inexpensive and seem to deter pick pockets.
Always be cautious in train stations and getting on and off trains. Also be on guard when someone bumps you and distractions.
JB
Antioch, CA USA Thu 08/07/2008
Metro Ticket Scam?
Another (possible) Parisian scam - I was there briefly in July, just trying to change stations to catch a train. All the Metro ticket machines were out of service, but they weren't marked as such, so everybody was trying to use them and then walking away. There was a guy selling single tickets near one of the machines, and the people in front of me almost bought them. Twenty years ago, during our first trip to Paris, a friend of mine fell for the "I'll help you buy a Metro ticket" scam, so my warning bells went off like crazy! I cleared my throat and shook my head when I got their attention, and they said "no" and walked away. Then the guy tried to sell them to me! Maybe he was harmless... but a few minutes later I saw him tearing up the tickets and tossing them out. I'd bet 20 Euros they were used and worthless.
Lisa K.
NY State, by way of Istanbul, Turkey Thu 08/07/2008
Pickpocketed in Bruges
I spent all of this past July in Belgium and one Sunday went to Bruges with a group of friends. One of my friends had been there 6 times in as many years and felt comfortable going off to shop on her own and then returning to the train station earlier than the rest of us. That afternoon, she called one of my friends and said that she had just been pickpocketed. She found her backpack zipper open and her wallet was missing; she had 175 euro in it for spending money and grocery shopping, which she planned to do when she got back to the town where all of us were staying. We met her at the train station and took the train home together. She had to cancel all her credit cards, have her parents wire her money, get a new health insurance card, driver's license, etc. Her passport and camera were still there but she spent the rest of our stay in Belgium understandably upset about what had happened. She wasn't wearing a moneybelt. I am a strong advocate of the moneybelt! If you want to use a backpack for daily use, DO NOT put anything of value in it. I wear a moneybelt religiously and if I take a backpack for day trips, I put replaceable items in there like sunscreen and Kleenex. Pickpockets are free to go through my backpack and take whatever they want. As a female traveler who has traveled alone, I am not trying to scare people into staying in groups. If you are in a group or alone, you should always look out for yourself. No matter how many times you have been to a city, you can always get pickpocketed. Be smart!
Sarah W.
St. Louis, MO USA Wed 08/06/2008
Metro
My advice in Paris is to use the Metro. We only used a taxi because we were slightly intimidated by the French, but the Metro is incredibly easy and cheap to use. Its not only Italy and France that you get scammed though - an old Greek woman in Rhodes switched labels on me because I quite clearly wasn't paying enough attention - ended up paying 20 euros for a 10 euro item. Don't lower your guard just because they're elderly, I find them more tricksy than some of the younger people!
Vicky
Kent, UK Fri 08/01/2008
Say no to bread and help with luggage
During early June my husband and I visited Rome, Florence and Venice for our honeymoon. After reading this blog and several guide books offering tips on scams to beware of and how to lessen one's chances of being targeted , we were much more watchful of our surroundings and personal belongings than some other tourists around us. Thoug we weren't out right pick pocketed we were duped and taken advantage of a couple times in more subtle, and in one case a perfectly legal way. For example, say no when in Italy to those baskets of hard bread rolls that are brought over to your table--unlike in the States--the bread isn't free; we were charged 3 euro for two nasty and hard rolls. Don't accept help as we did by porters or other seemingly legit train workers with bags. As we were boarding the 1st class train in Rome to Florence, my husband was preparing to lift our heavier suite case onboard. A worker grciously took over and lifted it up for him and stored in it a closet. Then they helpfully asked to see our ticket and lead us to our seats..which really weren't our seats.. I tipped him a euro. At that point he asked for 5 euro saying that there was a charge for storing luggage. I asked him was he serious or just trying to scam us and he insisted he was. Not knowing any differnt I paid him and then later during the ride asked other passengers if they paid to store their bags, and all said they hadn't. While in Venice I was saddened and amazed that one of the many replica purse pushers in Venice told another honeymooning couple it would be 6 euro for him to give directions back to their hotel, despite one of his friends asking him to help them out since he couldn't leave his post.
Kenchetta <email>
Baton Rouge, La USA Thu 07/31/2008
Pickpocketed and learned a lesson
I purchased a moneybelt for my husband after reading Rick's suggestions and warnings. However, he insisted that if anyone attempted to "mess around" with him, he would "take care of him". Well, he was pickpocketed by two teenage girls in the subway of Paris. This was AFTER he felt something and immediately put his hand down and felt for his wallet, finding it, and then because the train took off, he grabbed for the nearby handholds to steady himself. He then felt for the wallet again, and it was gone! He then decided that it wasn't worth making any fuss, because of possible dangers of someone carrying a knife or gun, etc. Three hours and many phonecalls to the banks in the US later, he admitted the moneybelt was the way to go!
Mary
Duluth, MN USA Wed 07/30/2008
Taxi driver scam
My family and I just returned from Italy last week. I fell victim to the "Euro Switch" with my Rome taxi driver. The fare was 42 Euro from the Termini to a couple of blocks north of Vatican City walls (seemed about double what I had expected but there were four of us with baggage). When I handed the driver a 50 Euro bill he took the bill and made a quick move and turned his body away from me. When he turned back to face me he was holding a 10 Euro bill and told me I had not given him enough. I was caught in the moment and after a hair raising whisking from the train station to our hotel, I didn't even question him. Fortunately this was the only experience of that kind during 10 otherwise wonderful days in Italy.
Gary
IL USA Tue 07/29/2008
Much cheaper
The subway would have been 4E for this trip.
Bob <email>
Gettysburg, PA USA Tue 07/29/2008
Police???
We got caught by the bracelet scam outside the Louvre. I realise now we should have haggled with him, but we were stupid enough to hand over 10 Euros each to the guy for a tatty bracelet we didn't really like. Also, there was a gang of 30 or so men selling crappy trinkets for the Eiffel tower. Since they don't have permits, the police are tough with them and will arrest them. We saw the French police come down on them like a ton of bricks. Our French taxi driver was nuts as well, and charged us 5 Euros extra for carrying our luggage. Got some filthy looks off the gypsy girls for refusing to give them money as well. If you're at a loss for something to do in France, stand at the base of the Eiffel tower, we didn't get bored there, watching the police at work.
Vicky
Kent, UK Sat 07/26/2008
Napoli/Sorrento/Circumvesuviana Train
Beware the Circumvesuviana train in Napoli! I was targeted by a team of very aggressive pickpockets, including a couple with a baby who acted as a distraction. Within one hour they were able to hit my debit card for just over $6,000 and my credit card for about $2,000. The person that I contacted at the US Consulate in Napoli said that I was the second theft that had been reported to him within an hour! I highly recommend that all travelers to Sorrento use the much safer boats (about 10 euros) that can be reached via a short cab ride from either the train station or the airport - just be sure to agree on the cost of the cab ride before leaving the station or terminal.
Jim <email>
Houston, TX USA Thu 07/24/2008
Circumvesuviana
I'm sure you were keeping your debit and credit cards in your moneybelt, right??? Did the pickpockets drop your drawers and find your moneybelt...or did you keep them in a back pocket wallet?
Thieves are everywhere - get yourself a moneybelt and some education before you truck off to Europe!
Tim
USA Thu 07/24/2008
Barcelona and Madrid -- No Problems!
We just got back from Spain. We went all over. We landed in Madrid, took the train to Barcelona, rented a car, drove to the Geary hotel in the wine country, then north to San Sebastian, then west to Gijon, then to Santiago de Compostela, then down to Porto in Portugal, then to Lisbon, then flew back to Madrid. What a trip!
Having been all over, I can say without hesitation that all of the statements about Barcelona, and Spain in general, are overblown. We’ve been all over Europe, I’ve been there over 20 times. I take this board seriously, and I have never seen so many negative things about one place – Barcelona. By the time we got there, I had read so much and was so keyed up and defensive, I was walking down the street like Charles Bronson in Death Wish – I was anxiously waiting for someone to mess with me. It didn’t happen.
All we met were nice people, we had great food, saw wonderful Gaudi buildings, including the impressive Sagrada Familia, we took the Metro which was clean, cheap, and air-conditioned, went to the Picasso and the Miro museums, and, everywhere, the women were beautiful. All over Spain, it was the same, including Madrid. I did not see one single act of thievery, trickery, or violence.
Lesson learned. If you go to a European city looking like a tourist, acting like a tourist, inattentive and distracted, you might have a problem, somewhere. But you can say that about any European or even a lot of American cities.
E.C. <email>
Beverly Hills, CA USA Mon 07/21/2008
Ring Thing In Paris
I saw that ring scam thing(trick), twice on the same day in Paris in mid-June, luckily I read this board before my trip.
Both times it happened to us on the left bank heading towards the Eiffel tower. The first time it was so obvious that the girl dropped the ring that we just laughed and kept on walking. Five minutes later it happened a second time, same pattern, gypsy girl walks towards us, bends toward the floor drops the ring. Once again we giggled and we just ignored her. In both instances the person with the ring was a Gypsy teenage girl, roughly 15-20 years old. We did not see other scammers or pickpocketers. We almost always used a money belt, and we always tried to keep the old eyes in scan mode. Although one tends to get tired on vacations, once needs to stay alert. Happy Safe Travels Everyone ...
GC
Montreal, Canada Fri 07/18/2008
Dishonest shopkeeper in Sicily
Luckily, I didn't encounter any pickpockets in Sicily, but I did encounter one dishonest businessman who took my 20 Euro bill, dropped it in the register, and gave me change for a 10. He ignored me when I demanded the balance- until I think he realized I was about to come over the counter, and then gave me the rest of my change. On the way out, I warned the rest of my group (and anyone within hearing) to watch the guy very carefully as he was trying to short-change people. He didn't stiff any of my group.
I was told that if they put the bill in the till before giving you your change, watch out!
The rest of the Sicilian people I met were strictly honest and decent folks, and I liked being there.
Bob
Lakeland, Fl USA Fri 07/18/2008
Check your gas gage.
I rented a car from Hertz at the Milan airport and after carefully checking the outside for damage, I started it up. Noticing that the gas tank was only 3/4 full, I walked to the attendant and told him, he checked and wrote on my rental ticket that it was 6/8 full instead of the 8/8 that the ticket stated, and initialed the change. I asked him why he did not fill it and he clearly said "no problem, just return it 6/8 full." I was leary of this and so I checked with the other young man at the rental booth adjacent to the lot and he assured me that this was customary. Ten days later, I returned the car to the same guys, mentioned the indication on the ticket, which they keep, and once again he said he remembered the circumstances, and there would be "no problem" since the car had just over 6/8 of a tank full. Now, after being back in the states for two weeks I get and additional charge for $25 worth of gas to fill the tank. Fortunately, I responded to my suspicions by taking a picture of the ticket before turning it in when I returned the car. I have just sent the information to Hertz, including the ticket picture and I will update their response in the future. No doubt, I am not the only tourist finding an unwarranted charge from the friendly Milanese rental yard, so beware, and make them fill your tank!
Ken Andrews <email>
Penfield, New Yo USA Wed 07/16/2008
Car Insurance
About a year ago I returned a car to Budget that I had checked before I took it and when I took it back. Months later they tried to charge me for $3000 damage to a fender. I contested the charge but to no avail. I called my insurance company and they took it over and asked Budget for the proof. Seems they could not find the papers but insisted it was perfectly legitimate. My agent told them, No proof, no pay. They eventually wrote a letter saying they were cancelling all charges, INCLUDING LEGAL FEES FOR THE ATTORNEY THEY HAD HIRED. WHAT?
Charles M. Luther
USA Wed 07/16/2008
Spain theft
I will never return to Spain. Nice architecture, but the pickpockets and petty theft is so bad you can't relax and enjoy the visit. Barcelona was the worst - go someplace else and have fun.
We also went to Germany this trip, and never had a minute's worry there.
Vicki
Salt Lake City , UT USA Tue 07/15/2008
Ring Scam
I just returned from Paris July 2008 and the ring scam happened twice to us: once, walking over the seine (a young woman approached my husband, who can't speak French and waved her off) and again by the Concorde metro station (a man this time--I told him I didn't want a ring). the first time we didn't know it was a scam but figured it out the second. We never gave them anything. Frankly, I was a bit paranoid in Paris and hung on to my carryon for dear life, because it felt like at every turn there was someone waiting to grab something. There are a lot of tourists in the summer, and more tourists bring out more pickpockets and undesireables.
Madeline
Washington, DC USA Mon 07/14/2008
Scams in Paris
Thanks to the tips in Rick's book on Paris, my daughter and I encountered the ring scam twice directed towards us, and once towards some other tourists. We just politely kept walking and didn't respond to the people. We also had young girls approach us 3 times asking if we spoke English. Again, a simple "no" from us and we kept walking was all it took to get rid of them. It's just common sense to wear a money belt and just keep walking when someone approaches you with these scams. On the flip side, I don't know how many people offered to help us on the street while we were struggling with a street map. They didn't ask for anything from us, just a simple "au revoir" when they were done helping us.
Somis, CA USA Mon 07/14/2008
Paris scams
My friend and I were just in Paris and people tried to scam us about 3 times. The first was the ring scam when we were walking over a bridge, however the woman was not very good, as she was in front of us like we had thrown the ring while we were walking, and we almost stopped for it but at the exact same time both of us realized it was a scam and started laughing and walked away. A little while later another man tried to do the same thing, and was better at it as he was behind us, but since the other woman had just done it we started laughing and walked away. We also encountered the bracelet scam at the Sacre Coeur but I stopped it by yelling at my friend, "watch your arms" as it was the only thing I could think of, which seemed to throw them off enough to let us pass. Our new code for seeing a scam has become Rick Steves as that is how we both became aware of most of the scams! We also had some crazy french man come up and start screaming at us in Gare du Nord, but I think he was just crazy.
Brittany
Raleigh, NC USA Fri 07/11/2008
Paris Ring Scam
I just arrived home from Paris on July 2nd and can report the ring scam is "alive and well" and I fell for it! My daughter and I were standing beside the Seine River taking pictures (obvious tourists!) when a young lady came over and said "Did you lose this ring?" I said "no" and she replied "well it's your lucky day - this looks like real gold - there's a stamp on it...see? I can't wear jewellery myself so you take it!"
I said thank you and as she started to walk away, she turned and said "would you mind giving me a bit of money for it? For sandwich and a coffee?" I gave her 5 Euros... I gave the ring to my husband and within hours his finger had turned green! :)
Valerie
Toronto, Canada Thu 07/10/2008
Taxis in Rome
Sat in Termini Station in Rome and read Rick's guidebook about taxis in Rome
and what we could expect to pay. When we left the station the taxi queue was extremely long. Ignored the first driver who approached us. Asked the second are you an official taxi? Yes. He had a sign on the door and a light on the roof. As we drove off I said how much to Campo di Fiori as I had just read in THE book 5 to 6 euros. 25 euros he replied and proceeded to shower us with leaflets
apparently supporting this ripoff. No way we said and offered 10 still well above the going rate but saving us the trouble of getting back to the station. He refused this so there was nothing for it but to retrieve our cases and return to the station and start again. For his trouble he got nothing!
Denise <email>
Adelaide, S A USA Wed 07/09/2008
Theft in 5 star Roman Hotel
Just last week our expensive Nikon camera was stolen from inside our locked room in 5 star hotel on the Via Veneto in Rome while we were at dinner. Restaurant recommendation came from hotel staff. Door not broken into, must have been inside job. Camera too large to put in very small room safe. Beware, your locked room may not be safe for larger personl articles.
Margaret
St. Louis, MO USA Sun 07/06/2008
Gold ring scam in Paris
Nice lady saw me coming a mile away ! Even had her accomplis take our picture I thought she was so nice. She did not even get to ask me for money. I offered yes 20Euro so she could have lunch... all day long... Saw it happen like 10 times x3 of them me, but I showed them the ring and they tried to take it from me !!!! Guess I was lucky I did not give more. trusting American... heh...
sucker
knoxville, tn USA Fri 07/04/2008
More rings than Elizabeth Taylor
In late May, we spent a week in Paris and witnessed the "ring drop" seven times. It was attempted on us 6 times and we interrupted another in progress on a native Parisian. It seems that these scammers like the National Monument spots, like the place de la Concorde, and work in groups, including a main "bag lady" who consults with underlings after each attempt. By the end of the week, when a person bent over, within our vicinity, we automatically held out our stop sign palm and started laughing at them!
Ken Andrews <email>
Penfield, New Yo USA Thu 07/03/2008
Scams in Paris
Thanks to all the people who warned us about the scams in Paris. While waiting for the rest of my group at the Eiffel Tower, I watched a man use hand signals to direct his group of gypsy girls. They had the card to hand to those people who spoke English. I encountered the ring scam as I was walking along the Seine between the Louvre and Notre Dame. I looked the girl right in the face and said "no" in a loud, firm voice. She backed away immediately. Thanks again for the warnings!
Ellen <email>
Anderson, IN USA Mon 06/30/2008
Gelato Scam
Ice Cream, or gelato Scam in Rome. Beware of this one, it got me. You walk up to a gelato stand for a dip or two, they tell you can pick 3 flavors. You are handed back a fancy cone with sprinkels, flags, umbrells stuck on it that you did not ask for. They invite you sit down outside the cafe to enjoy the treat and the view. When you get the bill it is 18 Euro for the cone. If you ask to see where on the menu they have a cone for 18 euro they will show you in small print " Grande cone". This happened to me right across from the National Monument of Italy.
Watch out for the fancy basket of bread at the table, it could be 2-3 euro per person charge. At another restaurant in Rome we were billed 4.50 euro to have Parm cheese sprinkled on the spaggetti. Also, if you ask for butter for the bread be prepared to spend 4-6 euro for butter.
Fleeced in italy
Chambersburg, pa USA Sat 06/28/2008
Tourist Scam in Umag, Croatia
There is a vacation rental in Umag, Croatia that provides completely false photos of the surrounding area and the apartment. The apartments are offered through InterChalet and the owner Antonella DeGrassi.
Please steer clear! This place is a construction site (in May 2008) and looks nothing like the photos they provide online. Via the InterChalet site and other sites, the apartmetns are variously called "Antonella", or UMA100 and UMA101. The main way to recognize the apartments is the photo -- an extremely photoshop-ed image of the clear blue view from a balcony.
The real view can be seen here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/milk-run/2609694055/ .
So many people have been taken in by Antonella DeGrassi and her fake photos, including me, and once you are there, you'll have no way to get your money back.
You can also check my reviews of these apartments on Virtual Tourist.com and TripAdvisor.com.
Thanks and good luck!
So beware!
Maria <email>
Elmont, NY USA Thu 06/26/2008
Madrid Metro pickpockets
Seen on the very crowded Madrid Metro line coming from the airport: "Tourist Guy" (dressed in obvious tourist outfit of T-shirt saying "Amsterdam" and big orange "Holland" hat)loudly confronts Seedy Guy in English, accusing him of stealing his wallet. Many Metro passengers, hearing the commotion, pat their pockets, checking on their own wallets. Tourist Guy and Seedy Guy both get off at the next stop.
Call me cynical, but I couldn't help wondering if the whole thing was a ruse designed to show remaining accomplices exactly where other folks were carrying their goodies. Tourist Guy had no luggage--despite boarding at the airport. The argument was conducted loudly in English. And they both got out at the next stop, not a stop where many tourists would have needed to exit.
So...watch out in the Metro, especially from the airport. Wear your money belt, at least when in pickpocket-intensive locations. And never, ever check for your wallet, however surreptitious you think you are, when a commotion breaks out. You're only saving the bad guys the trouble of guessing where you keep your valuables.
JER
USA Wed 06/25/2008
Re: Paris Scams
Andy, take a look at the messages on this board. A lot of them describe the ring scam and the guys at Sacre Coeur.
Sarah W.
St. Louis, MO USA Fri 06/20/2008
Paris Scams
I have never had problems in Europe until my most recent trip. We spent two weeks in London and Paris. London was no problem but in Paris, for the first time, we encountered the string bracelet people and saw 4 people pick up rings at various times! How does the fake ring trick work? I have read the warnings but I'm not clear on how it works. Any help? FYI, the string bracelet guys were at Sacre Couer and the ring people were all along the Seine.
Andy Perry <email>
Louisville, KY USA Thu 06/19/2008
Nothing but talk
I got conned by a guy on the street in London who did it purely with talk. I knew I was being conned from the first second. But he was such a smooth talker that I couldn't say no (which I am usually quite capable of doing). I ended up paying 20 pounds ($30) for a mediocre snapshot he took of my daughter and me. And my daughter will never let me forget it.
J. Sinclair
Vallejo, CA USA Thu 06/19/2008
Warning fro the Danish Police/Triick theives in copenhagen
The danish police are warning tourists about trick theives who come to Copenhagen in the summer months- they mainly operate on the walking street and at the main copenhagen station.
The Danish police cannot get rid of them simply because the are EU citizens.They get a small fine of 1000 kr. and thats that for the operation..
be on your guard.
Steffen Lissing <email>
Copenhagen Denmark, - Denmark Tue 06/17/2008
Be careful in Prague
Last month while on a weekend trip to Prague, my son and his Dutch University friends, were jumped by a group of guys with brass knuckles. One friend was beaten so severely that he was in a coma for 10 days. Thankfully he will be ok and several were arrested and are facing serious charges
Several years ago my daughter knew friends attending school in Italy and also visiting Prague who were robbed and threatened by guys with knives. Prague is such a mecca for young people but they should take care and be aware of the dangers there.
Rita
Los Altos, Ca. USA Mon 06/16/2008
Pickpockets
To have a pleasant and safe pickpocketing experience it is always best to hold on to your valuables wherever you have them hidden on your person. That way the pickpocket can easily see where they are and not have to trouble with searching all over your body. I makes his/her job so much easier and therefore, for you, faster and more efficient.
Charles M. Luther
USA Sun 06/15/2008
German man in Paris
Reply to Sarah W. and the German man in Nord du Gare Paris - my sister and I ran into the same man this spring there! He was wearing a beige trenth coat and sunglasses - and had really bad teeth! He asked if anyone spoke English, and silly me, I was thrown off given his appearance and said that I did. He asked to money and I declined, lying that I had none. He walked away. He ended up loitering for quite a while - most of the group that we were sitting with had obviously seen him over and over again throughout the last hour. What a skeeze.
Leanna
Calgary, AB Canada Sat 06/14/2008
Typo!
That would be Gare du Nord, duh. Sorry for the typo.
Leanna
Calgary, AB Canada Sat 06/14/2008
Knock wood, I've come back from 4 European trips with all my personal possessions in tact, and I thank alot of your tips for that! Mainly in Paris- I needed all the info you guys supplied. Thanks!
I saw the Gypsies and Junk trinket folks at the Eiffel tower as expected. I thought it was helpful when the Gypsies approached me and asked "Do you speak English?" to reply "Non!" in a French accent rather than "No" in an American accent, and just keep walking. Could be in my head but it sounded better.
Also, taking the Metro back to my hotel one night from Trocadero, the car was SO crowded, so unbelievably crowded, I didn't even need to hold onto a rail, we were packed so tightly in. (personal space was NOT an option!) This was the only time I really worried for my purse/wallet.
However, I had sewn 2 inside pockets into my jacket and put my wallet and camera in them and zipped my jacket up. So all that was in my purse was gum and a water bottle. So I had one hand in my outer pockets, where I could feel my wallet and camera, and one hand on my purse, just in case. I emerged with everything in tact!
Those inside pockets gave me peace of mind!
Lisa Q
Oakand, CA USA Fri 06/13/2008
Postcard Scam
On a May, 2008 trip through E. Europe I encountered postcard mailing scams twice. At our Kracow hotel, reception offered to get stamps and mail our postcards if we gave them money for stamps. The cards never showed up. The same thing happened at a downtown post office in Prague. Instead of giving me the stamps I paid for, the postal clerk took the cards and said she would stamp and mail them. Again, the cards never showed up. Don't trust people to mail your postcards.
Clark
San Bernardino, CA USA Fri 06/13/2008
Italian scams
I was in Italy in 2001 and encountered two of the scams mentioned on Rick's "Tourist Scams" page. The first occurred when my two friends and I got off the train at the Termini station in Rome. A group of people walked up to us carrying a baby. We had heard about the baby scam from our Italian teacher and immediately backed away from the group. One of my friends made a commotion and yelled "Go away!" at the group, attracting exactly the kind of attention they didn't want. They left us alone and I've kept that in mind ever since. If you suspect that you're about to be scammed, attract attention to yourself like my friend did and see what happens.
Sarah W.
St. Louis, MO USA Fri 06/13/2008
Scammed in Rome, part II
In Rome, one of my friends and I wanted to see the Spanish Steps so we went to the train station where there was always a line of cabs waiting. One driver asked where we wanted to go and we told him. He said, "80,000 lire" (this was in 2001) and we said no, that was too high. He brought the fare down to 60,000 ($30) and we said okay. The "cab" had no sign on top and no meter, which we didn't notice at the time. The driver talked animatedly for the whole drive--he said he wanted to go to California and told us about his family. When we got to where we thought the Spanish Steps would be, we all got out of the car and I paid him. I gave him a 10,000 bill and a 50,000 bill. I saw him put the 50,000 bill in his pocket and take out a 5,000 bill. He pretended that I had given him the 5,000 bill and asked for more money. I didn't know enough Italian to argue in it, but I started arguing in English and told him that I gave him 50,000. He took the 50,000 out of his pocket, acknowledging what I said, and my friend and I went on our way. We quickly discovered that we were in the Piazza del Popolo, not the Piazza di Spagna. The Spanish Steps were a 20-minute walk from the Piazza del Popolo so we just walked there. When we got there, we saw cabs driving right by Bernini's fountain. We were stupid for getting in a car that was not a taxi, but at least I didn't let the driver con me into shelling out even more money.
Sarah W.
St. Louis, MO USA Fri 06/13/2008
Paris - attempted con?
In Paris, my friend and I were walked to the Metro stop from our hotel when an old woman came up to us and asked my friend for help crossing the street. My friend took the old lady's arm and we started to walk. The lady was standing way too close to my friend for my comfort, and it was obvious that we were foreigners; why wouldn't the lady ask a fellow Parisian for help? It was mid-morning and a lot of people were out. I was immediately suspicious and said to my friend, in a loud, slow voice, "Watch your stuff." I don't know if the lady spoke English or if she was just able to get the gist of what I meant, but she started to yell at me in French and pointed her finger at the sky. She also said things to my friend, in French, that were obviously directed at me. We crossed the street and finally parted ways with the lady. My friend was mad at me for saying that and I was embarrassed, but I didn't know if she was a con artist. She could have been a really good actor who, as soon as she knew that I was on to her, pretended to be outraged that I thought she was a thief. She didn't take anything from my friend but that doesn't necessarily mean anything. At any rate, if a local asks you for help in a situation like this and you are suspicious, it's better to listen to your suspicions and walk away than try to help and get robbed.
Sarah W.
St. Louis, MO USA Fri 06/13/2008
Conned in Gare du Nord
Gare du Nord, Paris - my friend and I were standing in line to buy train tickets for Amsterdam when a man came up to us asking for money. He had a German accent and spoke English. He wanted 3 euros to make a phone call and sounded really upset. I knew about tourist scams and usually had my eyes and ears open, but I was having a bad day and felt sorry for him so I gave him 3 euros. Right after he left, this American in front of us in line told us that he had seen that guy in the train station the day before, doing the same thing. If he had realized what was going on, he would have said something to us. I fell for the scam because the guy was not what you would expect. His accent threw me - I was a foreigner too and sympathized with him - and he wore a suit. From this I have learned not to give money to anyone. If he really was in dire need of making a phone call, he had other resources besides begging people in line - he was in a crowded train station in the middle of Paris. As my father said, it isn't like we were in the desert and he was dying of thirst and I was the only one with water.
Sarah W.
St. Louis, MO USA Fri 06/13/2008
Manchester cabbies...don't be fooled!
Manchester airport, England - my friend and I were leaving the airport, where we had just arrived by train. We had all our luggage and went into the parking garage, following the signs to where cabs were parked. As soon as we entered the garage, a lone taxi driver came up to us and asked if we needed a cab. Pleased that a driver miraculously appeared exactly when we needed him, we said yes and told him where we were going (Stockport, the next town). He was very friendly and we asked about the fare when we got in the cab. He said, "24 pounds." That was actually cheaper than we thought, since we had asked to go to the next town after all. When we got there, my friend and I split the fare and tipped him and we thought we got a pretty good deal. When we checked into the hotel, we asked the clerk to book us a cab ride the next morning back to the airport because we were returning to the States the next day. She told us that the fare would be 12 pounds. I told her that our driver had charged us 24 and she said that the hotel had a contract with cabs going to and from the airport - the fare was always 12 pounds. So...if something is too good to be true (i.e. a taxi driver appearing exactly when you need him), it is; and call your hotel in advance and ask about cab rates to and from the airport or train station. Those 12 extra pounds we paid (not including the tip) from Manchester to Stockport came out to $24 American.
Sarah W.
St. Louis, MO USA Fri 06/13/2008
Warning for anyone considering US Airways
I had a terrible experience with US Airways last year. My friend and I were flying from Chicago to Manchester, UK via Philadelphia. Our plane was late to Philadelphia and we had to run for the flight going to Manchester, along with 3 other people. When we got to Manchester, the 5 of us waited for our checked bags to arrive in baggage claim, but they never did. We all filled out claim forms at the counter and went our separate ways. My friend and I were in Paris for 3 days and wasted half our time there on the phone with US Airways, trying to find out where our baggage was. On Aug. 3, the person we talked to said it would be there the next day, but it wasn't. On Aug. 4, another person told us that our file was closed and the bags should have reached us by now. After Paris, we were in Amsterdam for 3 days and the night that we were leaving Amsterdam for Germany, US Airways told us that our bags were at the Schiphol airport, 30 mins. from Amsterdam. We didn't have time to go out there and get them because we had to get on a bus to go to Germany in a couple hours and couldn't chance missing the bus. In short, we got the runaround and didn't get our bags back until the night before we returned to the States. After I got home, I sent receipts and credit card statements to US Airways with a claim form asking to be reimbursed--we had to buy new clothes and toiletries; we missed our train in England because we were dealing with the baggage and had to pay another 47 pounds each for new tickets, and we missed our Easyjet flight to Paris and each had to pay a 35-pound transfer fee. The lost bags cost us nearly $200 in transportation costs alone. Needless to say, the company gave me another runaround about getting reimbursed and I stopped trying to get my money back. I wish I had gotten the names and phone numbers of the 3 people who also lost their bags - maybe together, we all would have had a chance of getting our money back.
Before I took the trip, I read over Rick Steves' packing list. He said put all your money, credit cards, passport, etc. in your money belt. Even if you lose all your stuff, the trip can still go on because you have money and your passport. When I read it, I thought, Yeah right! But then it happened to me and he was right!
P.S. - our flight from Manchester to Philadelphia was late and we had to run for the plane to Chicago. Our bags were lost again and it took US Airways 5 days to get my suitcase back to me, from Philadelphia to St. Louis. Ridiculous. I'm never flying them again.
Sarah W.
St. Louis, MO USA Fri 06/13/2008
RE: Taxix in Bergen
There are several taxi companies in Bergen. Only one, the smallest one operate with fixed prices. You encpunter ONE taxi driver from ONE company and conclude all taxi drivers in Bergen are bandits. shame on you
Mojtaba Talaian <email>
Bergen, Norway Thu 06/12/2008
I think it should be said that its not europe thats dangerous, but places where a lot of tourists are. im from switzerland but live in paris and new york for work and i can say that its about the same: taxi drivers try to rip you off you as soon as they hear an accent and things have been lifted from me and my friends on both continents.
most people just dont go to tourist attractions or look like visitors in their own city, so they assume its safer at home.
just be reasonably careful and you'll be fine! don't be scared to have a little chat with locals and make some great experiences!
nora-nora
zürich, Switzerland Tue 06/10/2008
Cops in Gare Du Nord
I was in Paris in March taking the TGV to Amsterdam with 3 buddies. As we walked down the platform to the traincar we were approached by four men. They said they were police, had badges and asked to see our passports. None of us had anything missing. They seemed like plain-clothes officers to me. I still wonder if these guys were real?
Mike <email>
Royal Oak, mi USA Sat 06/07/2008
scam artists methods to scare them off
one way to get rid of these scam artisits....is to bring attention to you.... you may look odd doing it but it will bring attention to you that the scam artists would not want...
one way is to scream out like crazy..saying..." POLICE.. SCAM ARTISTS....HELP"
wave your arms and hands like crazy and point your hands at the scam targets....
it should work as people will start looking at you and see the scam artists...
i really dont know why police is not present at the known places..like in Paris, Sacre Coeur or Eiffle Tower...
im sure police know there is scams going on...
are they just ignorant or dont care if tourists gets scam....
boblee
new york, ny USA Fri 06/06/2008
Stripe tease scam -- part 2
Just got back from a guided tour of Britain where I met a couple who visited Italy prior to joining our tour. They were in Pisa and witnessed the stripe tease scam first hand. The new twist was that the "street vendor" was arguing with SEVERAL young women -- more women striping gave their partners-in-crime more time to pick pockets. Fortunately, their tour director immediately told them to get back on the bus, so no one from their group was victimized. Apparently, tour directors are now aware of this scam.
York
Piedmont, CA USA Thu 06/05/2008
Tourist Scams Paris Bercy
My family and I got off the Venice to Paris train- 14hr due to a 2hr delay in the Swiss border. When we got to the station, no one could get a taxi. So, everyone went to the metro and waited in line to get tickets on the electronic dispenser. There was an African guy, dressed in a smart suit helping people to buy their tickets. since the line was so long, and we were spent, I did not pay much attention to the fact that he was not wearing any ID- in fact it seemed to me rather odd that he would be helping everyone. But in any case, I went against my instintcts and let him asssist me with buying a multi day ticket- which worked just once-I thiink he switched the tickets with some old ones- which means he ripped me off for the other days. ```i think the same thing happened with all the other people- so don't let any one help you with buying anything.
Ray Majors
San `juan, PR , pr USA Wed 06/04/2008
Taxis in Bergen, Norway
At the end of our Rick Steves tour to Scandinavia last week, we planned to share a taxi with another couple from the hotel downtown to the airport. The taxi company advertises a fixed rate of 295 NOK for up to 4 people plus an additional 50 NOK at night and on weekends. Our hotel had the taxi company's business cards with these prices on them on the front desk and that was recommended to us. We were told that the regular meter rate to the airport is about 800 NOK. We made a reservation for an early pickup with the hotel, but when the taxi driver arrived he would not accept the fixed rate. He demanded the meter rate, and he had already started the meter running at 190 NOK. We refused to pay that rate and showed him their business card, but he refused to take us to the airport for the fixed rate so we rode the airport bus (80 NOK per person). Luckily, we caught the airport bus just before it left or we would have missed our flight. The same thing also happened to another couple in our group. They even called the taxi company supervisor, who confirmed the fixed rate on the phone with them and the driver, but the driver still would not take them to the airport for that price. Conclusion: taxi drivers in Bergen are bandits; take the airport bus.
Mark
Houston, TX USA Tue 06/03/2008
Paris pickpockets
We were in Barcelona, Marseille and Paris for two weeks total. I never felt unsafe with my wallet in my front pocket and had a hand on it most of the time until two days before the end of our trip. After hours of walking the Louvre and Musee d'Orsay in Paris, I was weary and ready to head back to the hotel for some rest. While on the metro (Chatelet station), a man came out of nowhere and asked me what direction the train was going in another language other than French. He spoke very hurriedly and was very animated. I tried to help but realized after I got off at the next stop that my wallet was gone. My passport, cell-phone and camera were still on me at least. Also, when the train left, I noticed the man asking directions never boarded the train. He was standing on the platform as I took off on the train. By then it was too late. The doors had shut and the train was off. Fortunately, I travelled only with two days worth of cash at a time(lost 120 Euros). I lost my driver's license and two credit cards, which I promptly cancelled a few minutes later at the hotel. I should have worn my money belt, which was back at the hotel. Lesson learned.
Definitely be careful of big stations, like Chatelet, especially during rush hour. I did really well ignoring the gypsies and the Sacre-Couer scam artists but fell victim to a pickpocket when my guard was down. The tired look on my face might have well have been a red bullseye.
John <email>
Denver, CO USA Sat 05/31/2008
Paris Scams
Last fall in Paris, we watched the gypsies scam many people while we ate our picnic lunch sitting on the planter ledge in front of Notre-Dame. When we were aggressively accosted by the bracelet scam Africans at Sacre-Coeur I said loudly "STEP BACK!". They replied "ooohhh, tough guy", but they did step back. Ignoring, or replying "nein", kept the gypsies away at the Eiffel Tower, and we were delighted to watch the camo-dressed, automatic-weapon toting army guys run them off the premises!
Lee
Portland, OR USA Fri 05/30/2008
Be aware and be safe
It's nice to know that googling "Paris gold ring scam" brings me right to such a great resource! We were just accosted by several women trying to pull this scam. From the start it felt like a scam to us. I watched the second attempt transpire when the woman bent down to an empty walkway and the ring suddenly appeared in her fingers. The funny one was when we were behind one woman and I pointed out the palmed gold ring to my travel companion. Amazingly, the woman slowed down to let us pass her and suddenly found a ring we had just 'walked past'.
The absolute best thing to do is to stay aware. It's great to look at the sights, but always keep an eye on the people around you. Make it clear that you are watching them! If my companion wants to take a picture, I keep an eye out. When I open the map to orient us and decide which way to go, she keeps watch. Staying a few feet apart helps each other see a clear field.
We had one well dressed man come up while I was looking at the map. He wanted to look at the map as well to 'find where he needed to go'. I handed him the map and took a step back (and my companion was closely watching us). He could not find what he was looking for (whether it was a location or my wallet) he handed the map back to me. Whether this was a scam or someone who was really lost, I don't know. I do know that I still have my wallet, cash and other items in my pockets (always front...especially the hard to see zipped one).
Daniel
Centennial, CO USA Wed 05/28/2008
Bracelet scam
Just got back from Paris and London. In Paris, the bracelet scam is still very much alive and well, primarily in front of the Sacre Coeur. Luckily, our tour guide warned us about this and our group got by without incident, mainly by most all of us sticking our hands in our pockets. Did have one guy approach me, I loudly said no and kept walking. He never tried pursuing me.
In London, took a taxi from hotel to Paddington station because I had luggage and heading to airport. The taxi driver tried telling me there were issues with trains to airport because of the bank holiday that day, and offered to take me to the airport for 40 pounds. Luckily I was aware of the scam, and went on to Paddington. There was no problems whatsoever. Be aware.
Kelly <email>
Plano, Texas USA Tue 05/27/2008
Pickpockets in Paris Metro Stations
I went to Europe in April of 2007. Because I am a HUGE Rick Steves's follower, I naturally purchased a neckwallet and faithfully kept my passport, airline tickets, credit card, and money safely tucked away, only carrying enough money for one day in a small coin purse.
My travelling companion (a man who has been in and out of Europe, and especially Paris, for over 20 years) and I were going up the escalator from the train at the Les Invalides Metro station on a Saturday afternoon. As I stepped off the escalator, I turned to wait for my friend, and I saw a man step in front of him and "drop" his metro ticket. I saw another man rapidly climbing the escalator steps behind my friend.
Before the first man's metro ticket had even hit the ground, I was shouting "It's a scam - your wallet!" and then I pushed the first man out of the way, as my friend was getting hung up on the escalator steps.
The second man had, yes, lifted my friend's wallet. My friend turned around and punched him in the chest. The second man vaulted off the escalator and began running down the stairs, and his fellow-thief also began running down another set of stairs. We gave chase, shouting "Police! Gendarmes!" over and over again.
At the bottom of the stairs, they threw down his wallet and continued to run. We looked in the wallet, and everything was intact, except for the cash.
My friend said, "They don't really want passports or credit cards, because if they get caught with them, it's a much stiffer jail sentence."
For the rest of the trip, I kept my friend's passport, credit cards, tickets, etc., safe in my neck wallet.
Now, I DO NOT advocate violence of any form - we acted out of instinct because we felt threatened. But please, folks, WEAR A NECK OR WAIST WALLET. My friend believes the only reason they picked on us was because we were isolated from other people in the Metro station, and we looked like "dumb Americans."
Not so dumb - thanks to Rick.
Rae Wooten <email>
Springtown, TX USA Sat 05/24/2008
Front pocket isn't good enough
I've heard plenty of debate over whether or not keeping a wallet in your front pocket is secure enough. I was always of the mindset that it was--I'd traveled a lot, with my wallet in my front pocket, and never had any issues. That changed yesterday. On the way to the airport in Madrid, I got in a crowded Metro train. Although I had my hand in my pocket, with my wallet, for most of the journey, I took it out briefly to move my bag. That was enough time for someone who had been scoping me to snatch it and get off the train. I lost my passport, driver's license, and debit card. I've already reported the loss and luckily I was able to make it home on my original flight as planned (thanks to a man from US immigration working at the Madrid airport, who is now my hero), but it's still a bit of a pain. I've learned my lesson, and will now be keeping everything in my money belt next time I travel
Nick
Salt Lake City, UT USA Fri 05/23/2008
Use Common Sense
I have been traveling around the world for the past 30 years and only was robbed once-in Ecuador, because of a stupid thing I did. There are scammers and thieves in every corner of the world. Just use common sense and the guidelines Rick puts forth, and you will be all right. Do something dumb and you will pay for it, whether it Los Angeles or Lyon. Europe is fantastic and you should in no way not visit because you are worried about being robbed.
Craig Camarra
Westminster, Calif USA Thu 05/22/2008
Moscow grocery
One more "beware"...went into a grocery in Moscow for a bottle of water. My friend had the right change, but I didn't. After laughing a lot(at me?),the girl refused to give me change (16-17 E)and gave me HubbaBubba gum instead! Not knowing enough Russian to argue, I now possess a pack of gum with a Russian label. Nice souvenir, I guess, but pretty expensive. Lesson learned: always have small bills with me!
Barbara <email>
texas USA Sun 05/18/2008
An ounce of prevention
Like many people on a first or second European trip, I was worried about the level of crime and prevalent scams that are reported on travel sites. We took some basic precautions and had a fantastic time with no crime-related problems. 1) Wear a money belt. Really. They work. 2) Don't carry a wallet. Even in your front pocket - a good pickpocket can get it just as easily in a crowded situation. I just keep a small amount of loose cash in my pocket. If a pickpocket can't see the outline of a wallet, they're much less likely to target you. If they do, there's simply nothing to steal. 3) If you don't have to, don't carry a backpack or purse. Do you really need to lug all that stuff around all day? After getting a day pack stolen right from under me in Barcelona restaurant, I've never carried anything since, and can't tell you how liberating it is! Rip a few pages from your guidebook if you need them, plus a small map, and keep them in your pocket. Not carrying a giant bag will also help you blend in, and gives thieves one less thing to lust over. 4) Relax and enjoy! I've had so many positive experiences all over Europe, and have met so many wonderful people there. If you are too guarded and defensive, you can miss out on that.
RB
Seattle, WA USA Fri 05/16/2008
Just want to second what Joseph from Harlingen, TX says. We returned on 4/30 from two week trip to Rome, Florence and many hill towns in Tuscany and Umbria. I, too, was apprehensive after reading this site, but we wore our money belts and no jewellery and had absolutely no problems in crowds or on metro. Got lost twice during our travels and everyone was eager to help. Thanks to Rick Steeves Italy 2008 and the packing list for women on this site.
Joan and John
Vancouver, Canada Fri 05/09/2008
Don't worry
For those who have written saying they are now scared of their safety in Europe, don't be! I am a young female studying abroad, and spent a week traveling alone in Spain and two weeks through as much of Western Europe as I could. I had absolutely no problems, even though I spoke none of the languages of the countries I was in and usually arrived in cities after dark. In fact, I only saw one scam- the ever-present robed sellers of fake tickets in Vienna. Boy were they mad when I went up to them and explained, in front of the people who were about to buy one of their tickets, how wonderful the standing-room-only line was that was just aroudn the corner. They pretended to not know what I was talking about, until I mentioned I had done it just the night before. Bottom line- if you are aware of your surroundings, you will be fine. Really.
Sarah
Leonardtown, MD USA Wed 05/07/2008
Dummy wallet with credit cards
I have never had any real problems with theives on my travels. Waiters etc. often try to scam me out of a few euros. I like to keep a menu with me to look at for fun as well as keeping the prices straight. Anyway, I keep the fake, worthless plastic or paper credit cards that come in the mail (credit card offers) and put them in my "dummy" wallet with a little daily spending money. If I am ever forced to produce it, the theives should think they have the "good" and leave me (and my money belt) alone. There is no need to be frightened, just use your head and a moneybelt.
Neil
Mukilteo, WA USA Wed 05/07/2008
Bird Droppings
My husband and I were visiting Parc Gruel in Barcelona one morning. We entered through a side entrance which is less crowded than the front. We were walking toward the crosses at the top of the park, when we were generously sprayed with what we thought was bird poop. A helpful couple appeared with water and tissues and helped us to clean up. It was a half hour later when we realized that my husband's wallet had been cleaned, as well. Apparently they had sprayed us with some foul smelling goop before offering assistance.
Ironically, as we were returning to our hotel after coffee the next morning, my husband was sprayed again. This time we didn't hesitate, but went right to the hotel. I wonder if this is the latest Barcelona scam.
Europe Travelers
Three Rivers, CA USA Mon 05/05/2008
Beware of Lost People
My boyfriend and I were in Bari Gothic of Barcelona walking down a quiet alley. Two women approached us saying they are lost and stupid me stopped to help them look at their map. While one held the map the other went into my purse to take my wallet using the map to block my vision. I immediately noticed my wallet was gone and accused them of stealing it. My boyfriend blocked their escape so they couldn't leave. They insisted they didn't take anything and opened their purses to show that they didn't have my wallet. My Boyfriend snatched their purse so I could search their pockets. The one who took the wallet had passed it to the one with the map. It was hidden under the map in her hand. We saw it and knocked it out of her hand. We wouldn't let them go until I had checked my wallet to make sure all the money was there. They immediately ran away after we let them pass. If someone asks you for directions just WALK AWAY! Better to be rude than be robbed. If you do get in a situation like this don't let them try to confuse you and don't be embarrassed to fight back. Oh and next time I will be leaving my wallet at home and wearing a moneybelt.
Mindy
New York , NY USA Mon 05/05/2008
Milan Metro: Guys in Suits
This past week a man on a crowded Milan metro car was robbed by 6 very well dressed men (suits and ties). They surrounded him and then one of them appeared to "drop something" which they all stooped to look for. They then grabbed his legs so he couldn't move and emptied his pockets before jumping off the train at the next stop.
Lesson: Any "incident" should be regarded with suspicion, no matter how wealthy the people involved appear to be.
Jonathan
Framingham, MA USA Wed 04/30/2008
Safety tips
Always lock your valuables in your room safe, or take them with you whenever you use the bathroom. On a business trip, my brother had his wallet stolen inside his room. Apparently, dishonest hotel staff heard the water-running and knew he was taking a shower and entered his room to steal his wallet which was on the nightstand.
While traveling, I always wear a money-belt under a tucked-in shirt. I then wear a belt on my pants/jeans which makes it virtually impossible for anyone to reach for the money-belt without my awareness. I do carry some small bills in my wallet for small purchases. But I place my wallet in the FRONT pocket of my pants, never the back. When in crowded places, I put my hand inside my pocket over the wallet.
Also, walk briskly and never slow down or stop to chat with strangers. So far, my precautions have worked well even in notorious pick-pocket places in Barcelona, Rome, Venice, Florence, Paris, Nice, Istanbul, and Athens.
York <email>
Piedmont, CA USA Tue 04/29/2008
Strip tease scam
Read about this scam recently: While visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa, a group of tourists were attracted by a loud argument between a vendor and a shapely young lady. The vendor accused the lady of shoplifting and demanded her to return the merchandize. The lady vehemently denied it. As the argument grew more loud and heated, a crowd gethered to take a closer look. To prove her innocence, the lady began to strip off her clothing -- very, very slowly. The crowd gawked and jostled. After the lady striped down to her underwear and showed she had nothing on her, the vendor apologized and she left. When the tourists returned to their bus, (you guessed it) most of the men discovered that their wallets were gone.
York
Piedmont, USA Tue 04/29/2008
Bread charge
Not a scam, but definitely a rip-off. In the U.S. and most western European countries, bread is free with the meal. Not so in Greece and Spain. When waiters bring bread to your table, be sure to ask if the bread is free with the meal. If not, tell them to take it back (unless, of course, you want it). In Athens, my friend was charged 3 Euros for pita bread that he did not order or eat. And in Barcelona, I was charged 4 Euros for 2 small rolls -- also left uneaten.
Eli
San Francisco, CA USA Tue 04/29/2008
safety of Europe?
I have purchased many items from Rick Steves for my upcoming 30 day trip to England, France, Germany and Italy that I am taking with my two daughters 10 and 12 this summer and thought I would look at this section of the website.
First of all I have to say I have traveled to Europe 5 times (the girls and I went to croatia last year) and consider myself to be very aware, prepared and careful. As a single mom traveling with my two daughters reading this section has me scared to death, has something happened to Europe since I was there last? I am starting to wonder if I am putting my daughters at risk on this trip. Any comments regarding the safety of travel the summer of 2008 I would greatly appreciate it.
Beth
appleton, wi USA Sun 04/27/2008
RE: safety of Europe?
Hi, Beth. I just spent a week in Rome so let me share my experience. I read this website EXTENSIVELY before my trip and I also began to believe that there was a pickpocket around every corner in Rome. Nothing could have been further from the truth.
Everyone was VERY friendly and although I did see a couple of shady people, I felt more safe in Rome than my entire 4 1/2 years living in Houston. Just use Rick's products (I did! Moneybelt, change purse, and Rome 2008 guidebook) and be aware of your surroundings, and you will have a great time with your family. STOP WORRYING! :-)
Joseph
Harlingen, TX USA Sun 04/27/2008
Paris - Montmartre/Basilique du Sacré-Cœur Scammers
My husband and I took a week vacation to Paris. We encountered the begging gypsies and the aggressive souvenir selling street people around the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame areas. The biggest scam was at Montmartre/Basilique du Sacré-Cœur. If you haven't been there, the basilica is located on a huge hill, where there are two sets of stairs or you can pay/use a Metro ticket to take the funicular. We took the stairs as it really wasn't that many. On both sets of stairs there was a gang of thieves (African) attempting the bracelet scam – a big thank you to the Rick Steves website because we knew what they were doing. When we went up, there was a small crowd of people with us in the back, so thieves were busy with them and we made it through, on the way down we were the only people going down at the time, so we kept our hands in our pockets so we wouldn’t be grabbed and have the bracelet slipped on, and when the guy got in my face trying to talk and purposely bumped my husband, I looked at him confused and said “nein” and we continued to walk, which threw him off thinking we were German and not American and he clearly could not speak German to us to scam us just saying “ah, Deutschland” and backed off.
Kate
MI USA Wed 04/23/2008
scam - ticket scam?
I was recently in Milan, actually just 2 days ago, and i didn't witness any pickpocketing (probably because i wasn't the victim) however at Duomo i was approached by men trying to give away free strings and the gypsies with their feed-the-bird corns (which i actually did and had to pay 1 euro). The string guys weren't that pushy, they only said 'here its free', put it on my shoulder and said it was for good luck. I just said i rather have bad luck and shrugged it off my shoulder and walked away.
One thing though, and I'm not sure if this is a scam or not but i would like to know: my wife is Asian and at the central station she was approached several times by Chinese men with tickets in their hands trying to talk to her in Chinese, she looks Chinese but is not, so we never knew what it was all about. There was a lot of Chinese tourists in Milan so maybe it was a potential scam for Chinese people? Or just people being lost?
John
Gothenburg, Sweden Fri 04/18/2008
Rome Taxis and Bracelets
The bracelet scam is alive and well at the Piazza Navona in Rome. I was approached by a young (about 35) Italian man who spoke English and asked questions about where I was from, etc. After a short conversation, he offered to tie a bracelet around my wrist since we were now "friends." After I said no several times he smiled and walked away. I did see two tourists fall for the scam by two other Italian men. Elsewhere, an elderly woman, and a young couple on their honeymoon, told me they had been overcharged by Rome taxi drivers on several occasions.
Joseph
Harlingen, TX USA Fri 04/18/2008
Luggage kidnapped for ransom
Not all the scammers are in Europe. When I was leaving Hawaii, I had to get a cab from the airport to my hotel (was already checked out) and return to the airport to fly to NZ. I knew the round fare was $US55 and I had $US63 - so I was ready to tip. When we got back to the airport (I had 35 minutes to make my flight by then, that's another story), I got out of the back seat - the driver automatically locked all the doors and said "That's $US80.00, thanks". I explained I had only $US63 and that was more than the proper fare. The response I got was that there was an ATM downstairs and she would drive around the block. With my luggage kidnapped, I had no option but to get another $US20 from the ATM, ransom my luggage and fly away. Not too impressed! Especially since it was after twelve o'clock at night and I had a long flight back to NZ in front of me.
Lesley Dewar <email>
Perth, WA Australia Sun 04/13/2008
Taxis in Prague!
You will be ripped off unless you are with a Czech language speaker. Every time I have been (always in a work group) people get fleeced.
Paris pickpockets: an elbow in the villain's face can sort the trouble out, I have found. Very satisfying!
matt
uk Sat 04/12/2008
Budapest subway ticket scam
I bought a "day" subway ticket upon arrival. I asked the ticket seller if it just good until midnight or for 24 hours? He said "All day tomorrow."
There are numerous ticket checker in the Budapest subway and Ie asked 3 others when our "day" ticket expired. All said "Tomorrow night."
The next day, getting off the subway, a female in the checkers uniform, dark blue jacket with an official looking wrist band, said "Ticket please." I gave her my ticket and she said "Expired yesterday. 6,000 HUF fine". I argued to no avail and finally said I'd just pay the fine but I didn't have that much cash on me.
She said she'd walk me to an ATM. Just before we started up the escalator, she very slyly took off her wrist band. I said, "Call the police" and when she wouldn't, I took off.
Something to watch out for.
Tom Waring <email>
Roanoke Rapids, NC USA Tue 04/08/2008
Another view to Jer's another view
Jer, the problem isn't really testifying against the thief, if caught, when you live thousands of miles away, it's just getting the paperwork done that's a nightmare.
Yes, crimes happen in America, but the police here aren't usually a pain to deal with when it comes to doing the reports for insurance claims and such, and they don't seem to be nearly as worried about their crime stats as their European counterparts.
You shouldn't have to pull teeth to get some simple paperwork done for your insurance company, and since tourism matters so much in Europe's dreary economies, they should be more helpful to tourists that have been robbed or attacked on their streets.
SusanG
Atlanta, GA USA Sun 04/06/2008
Piazza Navona; be vigilant!
Beware in the Piazza Navona for slick Africans who make you a bracelet without your permission, put it on your hand (forcefully) and then demand money for it! I refused and two more men came up to me, and forcefully found my money belt and took 50 Euros! Don't let it happen to you!
Anders
Helsinki, Finland Sat 04/05/2008
Travel in Roma
I'm sorry you had such an unpleasant experience in Italy and since I go there every year or so I know most of what you say is true. But some of your complaints are just "business as usual" in all tourist locations everywhere in the world. The cereal boxes in the US are made much bigger than necessary to give them wider shelf space, etc.
I have three rules for travel in Roma (or anywhere). Wear a concealed moneybelt. Be alert. Relax and enjoy yourself. Being alert means, among other things, being more careful about the places you buy your gelato (only visit the top places that Rick recommends for example), where you shop and the attention they see you paying to transactions. You need to relax and enjoy yourself. Ifs you miss Roma, you didn't see Italy.
Charles M. Luther
USA Wed 04/02/2008
Scams in Rome
When my wife and I returned, last fall, from a lovely Italian trip which ended with three very unpleasant days in Rome, I emailed an angry posting to this site referring to Rome as a "City of Thieves". I've read other's postings since, and I think I understand our experience a little better. Clearly, everyone in Rome is not a thief, just as Barcelona or Paris are not populated entirely by thieves. What does exist, though, is a belief that tourists are there to be separated from as much of their money as possible, in any way possible. We experienced only one outright robbery attempt (on the Metro), but we were cheated nearly everywhere we went, in restaurants, by cab drivers, even by gelato vendors with their false bottomed cups. Elsewhere, in our two weeks in Northern Italy, we felt nothing but welcomed and valued (except for one overcharging incident in Florence). It was only in Rome that we felt like prey, needing to be on our guard constantly. I doubt we'll ever return. There are simply too many other places that allow travelers to relax and enjoy their stay.
So, my advice to those who feel they must see Rome is, follow all the precautions you've read here, and then head out of town to areas that are less predatory. I loved Italy, and can't wait to go back, but I sure as hell didn't throw a coin in that fountain. I was too busy watching my back.
John Brownson <email>
Oakland, CA USA Sun 03/30/2008
Friends still at Sacre Coeur
I just returned from a multi-country spring break trip to Europe that included Paris, Amsterdam, Munich and Frankfurt.
Of significant note is that our friends at the bottom of the hill leading to the Basilique du Sacre Coeur are still there. There were about 10 of them harassing tourists on the day I went. Some were lazy and only harassed a few, but others physically blocked your path and physically grabbed you.
As has been said many times on this board, give them a strong No! with fire in your eyes. This'll usually be enough, if not, give 'em and elbow and get yourself free.
Also, near the Eiffel tower, you will also have to deal with the gypsies. The best way to deal with one of these women who comes up to you with a scribbled piece of paper is to respond in German. When they come up to you and ask if you speak english, just respond "Nein, leider nichts" (No, unfortunately not). The first time I tried this, the gypsie just looked at me once and then immediately walked on. She didn't give me a second glance.
In Amsterdam, be wary of pickpockets in near the RLD. They weren't as skillful as those in Paris, Rome or Barcelona, but remember to look for the guys standing in the crowd who are watching the other people (and not the RDL).
Last, and this is the most important thing I learned in this trip, YOU ARE NOT BETTER, FASTER, OR MORE ADEPT THAN THE PICKPOCKETS. At first, I thought there weren't any pickpockets around. This is a huge mistake, they're there and they are far better than you. So be cautious, stay guarded and wear the money belt.
Brian
STL, USA Mon 03/24/2008
I had an issue in the wee hours at the bus/train terminal in Stockholm back in 2002, police asked if I wanted to press charges, I didn't want to, they still filed some sort of claim apparently.
Months later I was notified by email they wanted me to testify, a conference call was arranged and I testified, so I think it depends on the country.
Minerva
PR USA Sat 03/22/2008
It's true--very aggressive pickpockets in Madrid.
We are are quite street-smart and live in a dodgy urban neighborhood, but were still suprised by the artfullness of the Madrid pickpockets. I caught a woman with her hand in my husband's backpack, in the middle of crossing the street a couple of blocks from Puerta del Sol. She was so fast and didn't even react. (We later saw her again with a friend near the Prado). Yep, we were wearing moneybelts, so no harm done. Beware!
Matti
Chicago, USA Sat 03/22/2008
Official response to pickpocket claims--another view
From time to time, this section sees complaints that, having been pickpocketed in a European city, the official response seems lackadaisical--limited to taking a report for the victim's insurance company. I assure you, this isn't because they don't care about the crime. It's just that, in order to prosecute a pickpocket, they need the testimony of the victim at the time of trial. Are you willing to fly back to Lisbon or Rome or whereever several months from now to testify, at your own expense? Not many people are. So, because it isn't important enough for you to turn up for trial, they can't get a conviction.
By the way, the exact same thing happens in the US with visitors from far away who become victims of crime. The taxpayers of the tourist city are understandably not willing to pay the expenses of property crime victims to return to the city to testify, so police and prosecutors know that they can't convict even those they catch. Bottom line--prevention is the only answer here. Wear your money belt and keep a close eye on your things.
JER
USA Fri 03/21/2008
We experienced the Parisian "Found Ring" scam (described below) on Saturday, March 1, 2008 on the bridge crossing the Seine near the Musee D'Orsay. A very sweet, poorly dressed woman found a man's wedding band right in front of me. she even pointed out the mark "proving" it was pure gold. She insisted on giving the ring to me saying "It's your lucky day!" When she asked for money for food I slipped it on her finger and ran!
"The found ring (From Tourist Scams)
An innocent-looking person picks up a ring on the ground in front of you, and asks if you dropped it. When you say no, the person examines the ring more closely, then shows you a mark "proving" that it's pure gold. He offers to sell it to you for a good price — which is several times more than he paid for it before dropping it on the sidewalk."
MSB
USA Fri 03/21/2008
Eiffel Tower Pick-Pocket Scams
Watch out for pick-pockets in the Eiffel Tower line and elevator! While waiting for over 45 minutes in a crowded line for the top of the Eiffel Tower on Friday, February 29th, the overly affectionate couple behind my husband keep bumping into his day pack. You know, the one with all those attractive zippers. It was a long cold wait in the crowded line & each time my husband looked back at them, they would enter into a tight "lip lock" embrace avoiding his stare. At the top of the Tower a woman alerted him to the fact that his day pack was zipped open. The loving couple had taken the opportunity to unzip it & try to steal from him. Fortunately, they didn't get anything. We were even standing below the "Beware of pick-pockets" sign and had commented on it!
Be sure to use that money belt & hold your day pack to your chest in crowds. When you're in exciting places you forget that you're such an easy target for thieves. In two days in Paris we came across two tourist scams (see previous MSB message). Scams are alive and well!
"Eiffel Something in My Pocket (from Cautionary Tales from Travelers)
While in Paris the only problem with pickpockets we encountered was during a very crowded elevator ride to the top of the Eiffel Tower. A group of young men was horsing around a bit, one of them pushed another, causing him to bump into my husband (giving him the opportunity to get his hand in the pocket where he expected the wallet to be).
Fortunately for us, the "day wallet" was deep in the front pocket, and most of our money and credit cards were in our moneybelts.
— Jill, Minneapolis MN"
MSB
USA Fri 03/21/2008
Pickpockets in Lisbon
Just a comment to remind readers that the warnings in most guide books about pickpockets in Lisbon are for REAL. But I also want to call attention to the apparent indifference of local authorities. In lisbon teams of professional criminals prey primarily on tourists not local citizens providing little incentive for local authorities to address the problem. Teams of pickpockets frequent busy bus and tram lines, creating distractions and crowded "pinch points" as tourists board or depart buses and trams. My wallet was recently stolen in such a situation.
I immediately realized my wallet was missing and called it to the attention of the uniformed conductor who refused to call police or seal the doors. Language was not a problem, as my daughter who was with us speaks Portuguese. We were between the stop where we boarded and the next tram stops when I realized my wallet was missing and that the thief(s) and my wallet still had to be on board the tram. The response of the tram conductors was a shrug of their shoulders. In fact it was an argument between the thieves and the conductor that created the distraction and crowded pinch point that made it possible for my wallet to be stolen. One might wonder if the conductor and thieves were accomplices?
After cancelling stolen credit cards we were directed to go to a police station, conveniently located directly adjacent to the tourist office, to file a report. The police station, apparently a special sub station set up to mollify tourists was staffed by pleasant and sympathetic multilingual officers sitting behind workstations ready to produce a neatly typed police report for the insurance companies of tourist victims. In the time we were in the police station other victims were providing information on their loss. Apparently this is a very common event in Lisbon. The official attitude in Lisbon seems be that it is more expedient to create neatly typed police reports than to catch criminals and address the underlying problem.
While otherwise we had a most enjoyable vacation, the indifference of the local government and the mechanisms they have put in place to treat the result not the cause suggests that potential visitors to Lisbon should vote with their feet and spend their Euros somewhere else.
Sam <email>
Chapel Hill, NC USA Thu 03/20/2008
Theft From Hotel Rooms - Rome
HOTEL ROOM THEFT: I wish to remind everyone that pickpockets are not the only concern in Europe. I have traveled thousands of miles in Europe and never had anyone come near my moneybelt. They DID, however, enter my hotel room in Rome pretending to be hotel staff and stole my moneybelt laying on the furniture. While one subject steered my wife and I to a restroom "pointing out a problem", the other came into the room and took everything I had, including ID, money, credit cards and Passport. This took no more than 50 seconds. I soon learned these suspects had been seen in the lobby watching groups arrive and then followed us to our room, waiting just long enough for us to put our items down before knocking on the door. Again.....DO NOT allow anyone, including staff, into your room for any reason. If you do so, make sure you secure your items and NEVER leave the presence of your luggage or items for any reason, no matter what they tell you. After 25 years of travel without an incident as the result of being careful, this theft will stay with me for the rest of my travel days.
TM
San Diego, CA USA Thu 03/20/2008
Theft while on tour......
It was not the argument between the "thief" and the police that caused you to be in a situation/place where your wallet could be stolen. It was your refusal to wear a moneybelt with your cards and important documents IN THE MONEYBELT. The number one reason that pickpockets succeed is because tourists continue to deliver theft opportunities directly into their theiving hands. Wear the damn (0pps!!!)darn belt!!!
Hartman
Big Island, Hawaii USA Thu 03/20/2008
RE: Pickpockets in Lisbon
Sorry, Sam, but you won't get any sympathy from me or MANY people who frequent this website. Where was your moneybelt? Oh? You didn't USE one? In that case, you have only YOURSELf to blame for the pickpockets having their way with you and your wallet. Blaming government officials for the theft, and stating that you will NEVER travel in cities where you can not get away with not taking personal responsibility, amounts to whining. The bottom line is this, folks: Use a moneybelt.
Mike
Chapel Hill, NC USA Thu 03/20/2008
Pickpockets
Erik, makes a good point. After reading all of the travel sites, especially this one, you will believe that there is a pickpocket behind every door and under every bus seat. A travel magazine recently report that about 1 in 4 Americans are theft victims (don't know the basis of their stats) so that means three out of four have no problems. Using some reasonable precautions, your odds probably move in the range of 9 in 10 or better. We have traveled 300+ days over the past 15 years in some of the reported great pickpocket capitols of the world with no problems. I, too, have never seen a pickpocket BUT I am not sure I would recognize one either unless he/She ?? had a hand in my pocket. The threat is there -- just not sure how great it is.
Frank P <email>
Centennial, CO USA Mon 03/17/2008
Pickpockets in Spain and Italy
I just returned from an 11-day late winter trip (early March 2008) to Barcelona and several Italian cities, including Milan, Florence, and Rome. I was almost "disappointed" to notice the total and complete absence of pickpocket activity, and never once encountered any questionable behavior of this nature, whether on Las Ramblas in Barcelona or on the perennially crowded 64 bus in Rome. Maybe these people only work in the summers? And maybe winter clothes, with coats and other layers containing zippered inner pockets, make pickpocketing less successful?
Erik
Elk Grove, CA USA Sun 03/16/2008
Scams In Paris
When I was in Paris this past summer for a study abroad program we were told about two different scams. One was at Sacre Coeur there are people out in front of the stairs who will try to put something like a string around your wrists, and then when you come back down will charge you to have it cut off. The best thing that you can do when walking around in that area is to hold your arms folded across your chest so that they can't put anything on your wrists. The second is when we were at the Eiffel Tour, there were groups of gypsys around who would ask if you spoke English. Do not talk to them, they will hand you a note saying something to the effect of they are stranded in Paris and can't speak any French and need your money, but this is just another scam. Also just be aware of your surroundings, when we were in Lille (France) there would be people who would sit in front of the ATM's to try to beg for money, I'm not sure if this was part of a scam, or just people who were trying to get you to give them money.
Brittany
Raleigh, NC USA Sun 03/16/2008
taxi and restaurant scams
I recommend that you tell the driver the denomination when you hand over the cash - dicci Euros, dix euros or whatever. If you have no clue about language, point to the number on the bill and repeat in English - ten Euros- when you give it to the driver. Less likely to scam you with the "mistake." Also works in restaurants and such.
Also, in Italy it is usual for a sit down restaurant or café to have a cover charge - bread, napkin, utsensils, etc. for about 2 euros. If you sit down you are expected to pay it. The amount should be listed on the menu - usually on the back with drinks and misc. items. Also, errors on the bill are considered a sport amongst waiters and restauranteurs in many places in Italy. Misadditons, added items, etc. pricing errors etc. are quite common. Check your bill every time. It is usually amended with many scuzis. You win, they lose!!
sandi
vancouver, canada Wed 03/12/2008
Theft in Paris hotel reception area
This alert bears repeating. When my husband and I arrived at our Paris hotel
(pre-paid through our travel agent) we were told that we were being moved to a "much nicer hotel" just a few blocks away. A desk clerk walked us over. We arrived to a very small reception area.
After signing the register, we discover- ed that my husband's carry-on bag was missing. It was the one that the clerk carried for us from the first hotel. So what happened to it??? Since no one entered the reception area of the second hotel, I think the desk clerk from the first hotel took it with him when he left!!!! We immediately reported this to the police dept. so we could file a claim with the insurance company. Everything was replaced except our camera and the photos in the Alps.
E. L. Westfall
Arlington Heights, IL USA Tue 03/11/2008
Gold Ring scam in Paris
Back in September 07, a young girl stopped me as I approached the Paris Sewer Museum. She 'found' this gold ring at my feet and gave it to me saying 'lucky, lucky.' I recognized the 'ring' as a highly pollished compression ring used in joining copper tubing. Trying not to laugh and keeping her at arms length, I returned the treasure to her and backed away. After reading the entries below, I should have thanked her and walked away with a unique Paris souvernier. Oh well, I'm still the only guy in Florida with a Paris Sewer Museum T-shirt!
Bill <email>
Boynton Beach, FL USA Mon 03/10/2008
Italian scammers.
I have first hand knowledge of pickpocketing in Rome. This is an observation from travels since then. I watched as Italian tourists took delight in scamming merchants that were selling items to those on our tour ship. The merchants were on shore and tossing items to tourists on board. Telling the tourists to place the sale price into a can and throw the can back to the merchant. The Italians would place five dollars in the can and keep a fifty dollar item. It's not just the Italian cabbies and service people that enjoy scamming others.
Bob
South Houston, Texas USA Sun 03/09/2008
Money Belts & Wallets
In addition to a money belt, I had a “tri fold wallet”. My wife and I used our money belts for our passports, Eurail Passes, photo copies, and debit cards. Money was kept in the wallet. I placed the tri fold wallet around my belt with the Velcro folds on the backside of the belt, near the buckle. Not having your shirt tucked- in hides the wallet. It was hard to get the wallet off the belt, but it was safe.
Charlie
Fishers, IN USA Tue 03/04/2008
Ring scam in Paris alive and well
We saw the "ring scam" pulled right in front of us to an English-speaking woman walking right next to us yesterday along the Rue des Invalides. She didn't fall for it. If anyone picks up something and presents it to you, just say "no" and keep moving. We are now in Florence and ran into two Californians who encountered the ring scam twice this week in Paris...the first time by the Eiffel Tower...and figured out by the second time to keep walking.
WandaBWild
Seattle, WA USA Tue 03/04/2008
The best bags and backpacks for your travel...
If you're worried about being pick-pocketed or having your backpack rummaged through without you knowing, but the pacsafe products. My husband and I have both the backpack and an over-the-shoulder bag and they are pretty much inpenetrable. They were a very good investment.
WandaBWild
Seattle, WA USA Tue 03/04/2008
Rome - theives and pickpockets
I lived in Rome for 2 years and can only count on one hand the number of times I either heard about or saw of a theft. Yes, do be careful at Termini - most potential theives are located there...Get directions online so you know how far your hotel is, most likely it is close by, establish the rate before you get into a taxi, if the driver cannot speak English, wait for another one who can. Gypsy children do occasionally roam about on the subways and buses, just be careful and use common sense - keep wallets, money, phones, and other valuables secure (in a zipped bag or pocket). Other than those minor inconveniences, it is a safe city - I walked home every night (2am) and never felt threatened.
Rebecca
Brooklyn, NY USA Sun 03/02/2008
counterfeit money scam
We had this situation twice in Paris. Two people approach us and (in broken English) ask if we would make a purchase for them using our credit card--don't remember what store or item--they flash a fist full of euros (may have been francs as this was in 2001) at us indicating they will reimburse us in cash. We just said no and walked on. It was several years later that we learned the money most likely was counterfeit. There is no need to waste valuable travel time talking to strangers--ignore and walk away is the best idea.
Susan <email>
Atlanta, USA Sat 03/01/2008
Breakfast bandit in Vienna
Watch out at breakfast! (Or any other hotel meal for that matter.)
Just returned from a trip to Vienna, Austria where one of the guests at the hotel we stayed at was robbed at breakfast. She had left her purse at her table (she was alone) and gone up to the buffet bar. He, sat at a nearby table, smartly dressed in a suit, with a laptop/briefcase - by looks beyond suspicion, had picked up her purse (I assume it was a clutch bag in fact). His mobile rang (he made it ring of course!) and he rushed off with the phone stuck to his ear. It was easy for him to make his escape, although the hotel was situated at the end of a cul-de-sac.
Don't keep all your valuables in one place. Do deposit them in a safe or at the desk.
ALso watch out for the young scammers who come up to you askng if you speak English - "Oh thank heavens, my flight was delayed and I have no money ...." You picked the wrong couple mate! Our flight was delayed by two days and we were in no mood for larks! By the way if you are that guy, we would like to trade our 7 yr old 2 Mpixel camera for the $2000 you seemed to think it was worth when we refused to give you any money!
Susan <email>
Vienna, Austria Wed 02/27/2008
Rome Taxi Scam
Me and my wife took a taxi from the Rome train station to the hotel, which was just around the corner. We had a lot of luggage so could not walk to the hotel with it.
When it came to the hotel, I asked how much? Taxi driver said 19 euroes.
I had several different bills with me and looked for the 20 Euro bill and handed it too him. Almost like a street magician he had changed the 20 bill I gave him to a 5 bill within a fraction of a second (holding the 5 Euro bill it out to me gesturing I needed to pay more, but without saying anything). I told him that I noticed that he was obviously pulling a scam and that he had switched the bills. I said I gave him 20 and the 1 euro was his tip and the 20 euros was already ridiculously expensive for 2 minute ride.
He did not dispute it one bit when I accused him of the scam, however he said I need to pay 5 euros more for the luggage. He stuck to it that I needed to pay 5 euroes more even though he had originally said the fair was 19 euros. I told him I would not pay that as he was already trying to scam me. Then he said no he was just showing me the 5 as he expected to change it for a ten! He persisted and I told him I would speak to the hotel to check if the price was normal. He followed me to the hotel door as my wife stood with my luggage.
The hotel staff did not want to get involved so I paid him the 5 Euros more as I did not know if it was right to pay 24 euros or not. I found this very unusual which is why I checked the internet for “Rome taxi scams” and came to this page. I was a sucker to pay him and not sticking to my guns. I should have asked for the police. The problem is you can not prove he is pulling a scam as it is your word against his. However a 24 Euro fee for 2 minutes is a scam and the police would probably do something about that.
Anyway just be careful and stick to your guns!
Johnson
Rome, Italy Tue 02/26/2008
RE: Money Belt Concerns
I recently purchased a neck wallet (AKA, moneybelt) here on Rick's website and the cord is not cut proof, and I'm fine with that! Folks, the neck wallet is meant to be worn UNDER your collar and shirt. How is a thief going to CUT the neck wallet from around your neck if it's UNDER your clothing? Just remember the old saying, "Out of Sight, Out of Mind." If you love your wallet and refuse to use a moneybelt, despite the advice from Rick, you probably deserve to get robbed. If you wear your moneybelt outside of your clothing like a fanny pack or your gold bling, THEN you have to worry about getting it cut from around your neck.
Joseph
Harlingen, TX USA Fri 02/15/2008
Using Money Belts
From the tone of several of the prior posts, a lot of people don't have a clue as to the proper use of a money belt. I laugh at the billfold suggestions. A friend of mine could have written the billfold posts. He was absolutely convinced beyond any argument that a rubber band around a front pocket billfold was pickpocket proof. Why ?? -- because he had been to Europe four times and never had a problem. He thought we were silly to use an inconvenient, waist money belt. At the beginning of his fifth trip while boarding a train in the Paris his proof disappeared along with two passports, all credit cards, all cash, and his train tickets just as the train started to pull out of the station. He now wears a money belt and we DO NOT discuss his prior experiences. But privately we smile a bit at the price he paid for his lesson.
Frank P <email>
Centennial, CO USA Fri 02/15/2008
Money Belt Concerns
It seems to me that with all the money belt talk here, that would be the first place a pickpocket would expect to find the goodies. I still think that the belts featuring a cut-proof cable are the safest way to go as long as you remember not to load them up until after passing through airport security.
Linda
MI USA Thu 02/14/2008
Keep your Wallet
some one told me a trick to keep your wallet from getting picked.
Take a comb and place it tooth side UP inside your wallet fold,(comb should stick out both sides of your wallet, not be completely inside the wallet) then place the wallet in your back pocket.The comb will help keep the wallet from being picked...the teeth get caught on your pocket...it's very difficult for fingers to get the comb/wallet out smoothly.
Try it at home, but don't blame me if this doesn't work...but it sounds like it would.
Bottom line...leave your wallet at home, and use a money belt, but if you insist on traveling with a wallet, this might keep yours in your pocket!
USA Wed 02/13/2008
how not to be a pickpocketee
- If you're not wearing a moneybelt, put your wallet sideways into your back pocket. It's uncomfortable, but is supposed to be picketpocket-proof.
- In a crowded place, always be wary of the person going against the grain (i.e. someone walking towards and through crowds getting off public transport)
Zack
MD USA Tue 02/12/2008
Re: Asian Couple Scam in Paris
This is not a scam. Louis Vuitton only sells a limited number of bags to individuals. Because the bags are much more expensive in Japan, many Japanese try to buy several bags in France and resell them in Japan at a profit. The couple were not trying to rip YOU off, they were trying to rip L.V. off.
USA Sat 02/09/2008
Rome Taxi Scam
Caught a taxi from Termini station to hotel. Very nice driver - but fare was high (25 euro). Handed him a 50 (I thought) - he dipped in front of the passenger seat and produced a 10 note telling me I hadn't given him enough. Unfortunatly tired and it being dark didn't realise he had exchanged the notes - both are yellow and not dissimilar in size. Lost 40 euro on top of a high fare.
Alex
London, UK Wed 02/06/2008
turkish 1 Lira & @2 Euro coin
Turkish 1 Lira coin and 2 Euro coin--be aware--the two coins look alike and are the same size--but different value. Happened to me in Italy last fall. Was very slick!
Jerry Galiger <email>
winston salem, nc USA Sat 01/26/2008
Beware Roma taxis
We spent 16 nights in Venice, Florence, and Rome over Christmas and New Years holiday. Only had one scam worked on us and one other possible where we were charged for a whole bottle of wine 20 euros when we asked for just one glass. We disputed and they altered the bill. The actual scam was in Rome. Taxi from the termini to apartment near Piazza Navona. Made the mistake of admitting that it was our first time in Rome. I had researched scams and taxi costs, the confusion of Rome threw me off. What should have been a 10-14 euro trip came to 23 before adding the 3 euro charge for luggage. The driver kept messing with the radio which was near the meter and I guess he was jacking up the meter as we were gawking at the sights in Rome. He couldn't find the apartment and kept stopping to run into businesses to ask directions that added time and money to the fair. The driver asked for 25 euros. I gave him a 20 and 5 euro note. He went around the car as we gathered our luggage then returned holding two fives saying that I had made a mistake. (both notes are blue). I double checked my wallet and was sure that I had given him a twenty so I told him he had already taken more then he deserved. (we were not at the apartment as he said the road was too small to get to.) He gave up asking for another twenty and left. Thanks to nice shop owners we eventually found the apartment a couple of blocks away. There were cars parked right out front. Later we took a ride back to the termini with a driver who had a GPS unit. It cost less then 9 euros. Two of 8 cab drivers had GPS units. If you are going to a hard location the first time in Rome I recommend holding out for one of these GPS Taxis.
M. Bartlett <email>
Port Orchard, WA USA Sat 01/19/2008
Rome Tours Scam
We signed up for a tour with our hotel, it was for the Colosseum and Ancient Rome. The guide took 15euros from each of us and then walked us by the Roman Forum, pointing things out from the road, then she stood in front of the Colosseum and gave a 20 minute leacture. Insane, we asked if we were actually going to enter the sites but she told us it was not important.
The next day after getting good advice from a fellow travler at our hotel, we joined a company called sky tours. We met the guide at the Colossuem and went into all the sites, he sopke in real English, (from Ireland) and was full of energy that showed he loved Rome.
Be warned, when you book a tour make sure it is entering the sites and that the guide speaks native English.
They usually advertise "english speaking guides" what you want is "native english guides"
The tour with Sky Tours Rome was not so cheap but did make a difference and was not rushed in any way.
Jack Fleming
USA Fri 01/18/2008
Provence Scams
Gypsies are a huge problem across the Riviera at train stations, etc. Don't leave your luggage for even a moment.
A backpack is a call to be robbed.
In Nice, we were also approached by a fairly well-dressed British couple who "couldn't change their money on Sunday" and wanted us to come to their apt. and buy their clothing -- we pointed out that any hotel could change their $ and to get lost.
Mary
San Francisco, CA USA Wed 01/16/2008
Beggers and giving to the
I found a creative way to get panhandlers off my back. Since I think it is rude to take people's pictures without their permission when I'm approached by a beggar, many times I'll offer them money to take their pictures. If they are crooks, they usually leave, if not, I give them a Euro or two, pose them and come away with an interesting picture. We part as friends because I didn't feel like I wans being hassled and they felt that I had treated them with respect. I got a wonderful picture of a group of women from the Balkins dressed in traditional costumes at Sacre Couer that way.
Jeff
Placerfville, CA USA Tue 01/15/2008
Safety First
Over the last 5 years, I've spent roughly 6 weeks in France. During that whole time, I been approached by a con artist twice, and a pickpocket once. If you are careful and alert, you won't have a problem.
Here are my personal rules. 1) always use my neck wallet. 2) never carry a camera case, my digital goes in a pants pocket. 3) I carry a knapsack but never have anything of value in it. 4) I dress conservatively, dark pants, button down shirt, dark leather shoes. The pants and shirts tend to me outdoor types (zippoffs and roll sleeves). 5) On the metro I either stand with my back against the far wall or sit with my knapsack in my lap. I sit where I can watch the car. 6) I avoid the notorious metro stops such as the one at the Louvre. 7) I stay casually alert.I look at people. If someone looks "hinky" I give them a casual nod. Thieves do not want you to be aware of them. 8) If my sixth sense is nagging at me, I get our of where ever I am.
If you rent a car, leave nothing in the passenger compartment but trash. (look in the windows of French cars and duplicate them). Do not leave a map or guidebook in plain sight. Remember that any thief will know that your's is a rental car from the registration in the front window. I use a large "pacsafe net and extra steel cable to secure my luggage in the back.
If the hotel has an in-suite safe, use it.
If someone short changes you don't walk away, make a big deal out of it. 9 times out of 10 they will act like they made a mistake and bend over backwards to give you the right change. Call a cop if necessary. Nobody want a French cop to show up.
In reading these stories, it is pretty clear that those people that get hit are mostly unprepared, gullible or not paying attention. I do criminal defense representation. Criminals do not want to take any risks. They want it to be easy, quiet and quick. If the house is locked or there is a dog, burglars try other house until they find an unlocked door. Thieves are the same. Make it hard for them and they will pass you by.
Jeff
Jeff
Placerville, CA USA Tue 01/15/2008
Single male scam--not just in Turkey
John's experience is one repeated all over, especially Eastern Europe and Turkey. Here's how it goes: A single male meets up with a friendly local, who offers to show him the city and some fun. They end up in a bar where the tourist is introduced to a very friendly girl, for whom the tourist buys a drink. The promised fun never occurs, but a huge bill, enforced by threatened mayhem, does occur. Moral of the story--don't go off with a new friend, or if you do, make sure that you pick the tavern or bar yourself. Second, do not agree to have drinks with and socialize with women you are set up with at bars--you are asking to be taken for a ride. Turkey doesn't suck, but the single male scam does, whether it's in Turkey or Bulgaria or Prague. A word to the wise...
JER
USA Mon 01/14/2008
SCAM TURKEY
To bad I had read this site before my trip, so excited to go to Turkey and I got scam in a bar they took over $1300 and wanted more money they took all my souvenir money had no help from anyone not even police, had to spend the last day mostly in the hotel because of not having money I recomend people not to go to Turkey definitely and if you go make it a 1 day trip + the people there who I encounter were more worried about my money than myself did not enjoy it TURKEY SUCKS....
John
Miami, FL USA Sun 01/13/2008
Rome Pickpockets
We took a two week trip to Italy in Oct of 07. I had told my husband all the scams listed on the website and he assured me that he knew them and I was a bit paranoid about being ripped off. He lost "my cell phone" from his "man purse on a bus in Rome and couldn't believe that he didn't notice the well dressed man in the business suit that went through all 6 zippers and he never realized it. He got ripped off and I got a new IPhone! Sometimes it pays to be paranoid!
Cissy <email>
Benton, AR USA Sun 01/13/2008
Catania Scicily alert
A couple on our plane back from Rome were telling of how they were robbed in Catania.It happened in seconds. A motorcycle pulled up in front of their rental car and a car from behind stopped and two bandits ran out and opened the passenger side doors and robbed the women of their purses. Always be on the lookout of who is in front of you and behind you. Keep doors locked. Do not take pictures from car window. These tourists had no time to think. It wasn't until after it happened that they figured out how it happened. Obviously the motorcycle and car behind the tourists were working together. One of the women who resisted was punched in the arm.
Marie
Verona, NJ USA Thu 01/10/2008
Ticket Machines
Percy just posted the best argument for using the ticket machines.
Frank P. <email>
Centennial, CO USA Tue 01/08/2008
Florence Train Ticket Agent Rip-Off
Beware of Train Ticket Agent in Florence, Italy, Sta. Maria Novella Station!
Afternoon of Dec. 30, 2007 my wife and I approached an agent ticket window to purchase Florence-Rome 2nd class Tickets for 5 adults and 1 child. The uniformed agent asked for 150 Euros, slipped the ticket underneath the glass barrier and started to put the sign "close" on his window as he emphatically (complete with obnoxious hand gesture) shooed us away. After thanking him we turned around but noticed the amount printed on the ticket was only 134.80 Euros. He overcharged us by about 15 Euros. With his window closed (and language barrier) we decided to shrug it off and headed to our train.
To those going to Florence: be careful of dignified looking uniformed trenitalia ticket agents. Some may be wolf in sheep's clothing!
Percy <email>
Bloomingdale, IL USA Mon 01/07/2008
Paris Pickpockets
My husband and I were in the Musee d'Orsay on the second day of a business trip to Paris (not the first time)on Dec. 9 and I found I was pickpocketed even though it was not very crowded yet, and I carried a zippered purse. A small umbrella and an empty glasses case which were stuffed on top of my paper money were also taken. They didn't get much cash but that certainly got me to use my money belt and hold my purse closely. It is really amazing that the person was able to get those things out without me noticing, even though I had read what Steve and others have said about how "good" they are. Not much cash was taken but that certainly got me to use my money belt and hold my purse closely.
On another trip, I suspect I was targeted on the escalators in the Metro near the Arc de Triomphe. I felt a slight movement behind me, by my purse. When I looked to see who was there, it was a young man who refused to look at me, even though I gave him several pointed stares. It seemed suspicious for a person not to at least glance at someone who is staring them.
L. Nutting
Santa Rosa, CA USA Sun 01/06/2008
Bad restaurant experience in Bruges (Brugge)
When in Brugge (Bruges), DO NOT, under any circumstances, eat at the restaurants around Market Square. We received this advice from our innkeeper, and unwisely decided to try it anyway one night. When we were seated, we were immediately asked what to drink and when one of my traveling companions asked for a drink menu the waiter relunctantly gave him one. The local beers, typically priced at 3 euros, were 7 euros on this menu. We had been told that these restaurants on Market Square were ridiculously overpriced. When the waiter returned with two bottles of water we had requested, we got up to leave (note: neither the waiter nor any of us had opened the bottles of water). As we left, the waiter blocked the door and told us that we would have to pay 10 euros for the two unopened bottles of water. As we proceeded to say that we would not pay for water that we did not open and continued to try to open the door, more waiters came to block our exit and the head waiter said he would call the police if we persisted. We reluctantly paid the amount, only to later find out from our innkeeper that we should have asked for the police to be called so that we could complain about the service at the restaurant. Our innkeeper told us that the restaurants around Market Square are owned by foreign parties, not residents of Bruges. The local people of Bruges have been dismayed by the service and food at these establishments and recognize that these restaurants are just trying to take advantage of tourists. In fact, when one local complained that her food was burnt, the waiter told her that they don't want local people in the restaurant because they are too much trouble and it is easier to deal with tourists. DON'T EAT at any RESTAURANT on MARKET SQUARE in BRUGES!! (especially Brasserie 1900);)
KB
Madison, WI USA Sat 01/05/2008
Decoy Wallet for Pickpockets
Having heard that Italian pickpockets pride themselves as the world's best--better even than the English or the French--I bought a couple of 99-cent wallets at a dollar store in Fort Worth and put one of them in my back pocket when we landed in Rome. It was easy pickings, but it wasn't until I got to Milan than a pickpocket lifted it with a hand I never felt. I didn't miss my decoy wallet until that evening. My only regret is not seeing the picketpocket's face when he/she opened the wallet and found my note: Good day, Fool,and Goodbye. I had a stronger message in mind, but that's the best I could do with my with little pocket English-Italian dictionary. To my disappointment, no one took the second wallet.I'll save it for London this year. Cheers x 3. Jim Pitts, Fort Worth, Texas
Jim Pitts <email>
Fort Worth, Texas USA Thu 01/03/2008
Cardboard and outdated coins
I don't know if this is a scam or not, but I went to London about 10 years back with a school group and was approached by some young Indian lady with a piece of cardboard in her hand asking for money. A lot of people have mentioned that's a way of robbing or pickpocketing you. Well for me, it was my last day in London, and I had this plastic zip lock bag filled with new and out-dated coins. I gave her the entire bag, and when she was doing her 2nd round, she skipped me completely!
IL USA Thu 01/03/2008
Day Tour Scam in Rome
This scam happened to a couple that we met while in Italy. They had gone on a day tour in Rome in which the guide failed to take them to the sites that were designated on the tour description. Instead, he drove them by sites, rather than giving a tour of the sites. The tour operator used a string of excuses to not enter and tour the sites such as stating that the Pantheon was closed (it wasn't). Unfortunately, I don't know who the tour operator was, but definitely check out any tour operators before signing up. The couple that we met definitely did not get what they paid for.
Adele
Enterprise, OR USA Thu 01/03/2008