Tourist Scams: 2000
Tourists are targeted by scam and rip-off artists everywhere in Europe. If you know the games (spilling the mustard, bus 64 in Rome, etc.), you're less likely to be a victim. Let's share and collect the most common scams so we can all travel more safely.
I was in Rome November 2000. In Termini station a guy was plastering stickers on all the pay phones (and I noticed them all over Rome) with 800 576 2118 on it to get the US operator. Having no coins or phone card because my wallet was pickpocketed in Naples, I used this number to call the States. Recently my Visa bill came and I got charged $31.75USD for a call of about 5 minutes! Be careful as this is a BIG ripoff!
Despite being pickpocketed (I was warned by Rick to be careful in Naples), I still think Italy and most Italians are fabulous!
Ruth <email>
Victoria, BC Canada 12/30/00
Make sure to take a luggage tag for every single item. But there's some apprehension about putting an address on luggage for fear of the address getting into the wrong hands. Best way is to put on your web-based e-mail address (hotmail, yahoo, juno, etc.). This will also help to stay in touch with the lost luggage department of the airline in case of a problem.
Tom <email>
USA 12/26/00
Be careful when buying gems overseas! I was recently in the town of Kokkari on the Greek Island of Samos, when I decided to get engaged to my girlfriend. So, I shopped around and picked out a ring. The guy swore it was a diamond, and even wrote it down on a "guarantee" card. When we got back to Chicago, we had it appraised and it wasn't a diamond. I should have known better! The moral of this story is don't buy pricey gemstones in Europe unless buying them from a reputable source, or unless you are a gemologist and can identify the fakes.
Charles C. <email>
Chicago, il USA 12/23/00
I have posted several items on the Graffiti Wall over the past couple of years--this is my first scam posting. We used Rick's suggested "Limo" service to get from DeGaulle Airport to our Rue Cler hotel.
The only rude Frenchman we encountered in our 2-week stay was our driver. And he got the last laugh. We secured our reservation stateside with a Visa card. When I got there I paid in cash. "Pierre" apparently pocketed the cash. My Visa card provider is saying that European Visa transaction rules are such that to beat the charge I need to produce a cash receipt as proof--and I didn't ask for a receipt!
Take the metro instead, it is truly a work of art. I found it simpler to negotiate than Boston's subway, and my french is subzero. C'est si bon!
brad smith <email>
Tiverton, RI USA 12/22/00
Watch out in Prague for a tap on your shoulder when trying to board a train, subway or tram. This signifies you are a target. Just back off, and wait for the next train. The first time (5 yrs. ago) they got my passport and money. This time (Nov.) they DID NOT get my cameras although they got two zippers open on my case.
Our luggage also got opened on the flight over (no locks), so we fastened return luggage with the little rings from keyrings, which at least slows them down enough, and all was intact on arrival.
Henry Quinn <email>
Waltham, MA USA 12/17/00
The gladiators at the Colosseum (see message below) are just some enterprising guys who dress up and hang out to earn money. I assumed they would charge, and bargained with them before taking a picture. That was one of my best photos!
First-time Europe
USA 12/01/00
After 2 months traveling all over Europe, I was surprised that we were only bothered/cheated twice. We wore moneybelts and were very careful with our valuables.
The two incidents were in Italy. In Rome, we were so excited to see the Colosseum, we were almost running down the street. We saw two men dressed as gladiators. They kept saying, "photo?" and our children begged us to let them take pictures with them. We did, but as soon as they were done they said, "10000 lire" ($5). That was our own film, our own cameras, and we took the picture! How dumb were we! We handed them the money and said, "That's a lot." Suddenly, they didn't understand English. We just shrugged it off and went on our way, but next time, I'll ask, "How much will this photo opportunity cost?"
The second incident is actually funny. In Venice, on a bus boat, a man stepped first on my daughter's foot and then on mine very hard. Only a second later, I felt something brush my ribs and something moving in my jacket pocket. I started to panic, but then I laughed when the pickpocket pulled out what he thought was a fat wallet and really was a maxi pad! Ha! I wanted to scream, "That man tried to rob me of a tampon!" just to embarrass him, but I figured he learned something without my loud mouth.
Wear your moneybelt and use common sense. You shouldn't have any problems.
Kathy
Stayton, OR USA 11/29/00
Be aware of your surroundings and you should do fine. I spent 8 weeks studying in Italy two years ago, and 10 days traveling on my own afterwards. I am a woman, and was only 21 at the time, and I did not have any problems. Yes, I saw gypsies - primarily on the metro in Rome and in Termini station - but I walked quickly and did not make eye contact. They did try to rob the man in front of me; he had a fanny pack on his back and was obviously not paying much attention. Luckily for him, a local Italian saw the gypsies around him and yelled for them to leave. (Locals do not like the gypsies at all!)
Wear a money belt, and put locks on the zippers of any backpacks/suitcases, or wear your backpack reversed so that the pack is on your front. Yes, you may look silly, but most pickpockets will not try anything if your backpack is in front of you and you can see what they are doing. You can buy small padlocks for very cheap at any US hardware store. I had locks on almost every zipper and put the keys on a large safety pin that I pinned inside the pouch on my moneybelt.
Alyssa
Toledo, OH USA 11/28/00
My wife and I just celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary in Paris. Please steer clear of http://www.aaahotels.net, which pulled the old bait and switch on us. (This is NOT the American Automobile Association, or any of its branches. The hotel service is totally and completely separate, just using the initials). I e-mailed them asking for hotel availability. When they e-mailed me back saying the hotel was available, I immediately e-mailed them to book my reservation (at $95/per night). The next day, they replied: we regret to inform you that the hotel you specified is full, but we booked you at another hotel for $210 a night! I was shocked that AAA would be involved in this type of scam. I checked the Internet and three other sites showed rooms available at the hotel we had originally chosen. AAA also charges your credit card one week before you check into the hotel. Stay away!
On the other hand, I would recommend the hotel booking service we used called http://www.bookings.org/fr. This booking service does not charge a fee or % and the hotel does not charge your credit card until you check out. They handled our reservation flawlessly.
DAVIDC <email>
CAMAS, WA USA 11/21/00
We were in Barcelona on November 2, 2000. The Metro from Sants Estacio to Liceu came to a stop. I was ready to jump on ahead of my mother, sister-in-law, and niece. The car in front of us was nearly empty, but two young men in black coats who had entered would not move past the doorway. I pushed myself against them, motioning to my relatives to hop on board quickly. The men pinned me between them. I then felt the man behind me put his hand in the front left pocket of my pants, and I suddenly realized the scam was on. I reached down and grabbed both his hand and my wallet. He pulled, releasing my goods. Before the metro door closed, they both hopped off.
A week later, we had a wonderful day at Toledo, where my mother chose about $50 worth of souvenirs. In Madrid later that evening we walked along the Puerta del Sol, my mother and I both wearing backpacks. I noticed the woman behind me pressing close, so I turned around. This was enough to have her back off, leaving me alone. However, my mother never noticed that her backpack was methodically being emptied, while my sister-in-law walked closely behind her. The souvenirs from Toledo were taken, the pocket with the camera unzipped, but not removed. When we realized what had happened, an older man approached us and began hollering about the 'gitanas' he saw do the dirty deed. I wondered what part he had in it, or was he being honest in his indignation.
In the Barcelona incident, I followed Rick Steves' advice and was wearing my money belt, with just a few pesetas in my pocket. In the Madrid incident, I got careless and placed my money belt in my backpack, with all my valuables. I'm lucky on that one, and I won't be so careless ever again in my travels.
Chris Williamson <email>
Elkridge, MD USA 11/20/00
At the Termini metro station in Rome, police were all around pointing out the "bad guys." Nevertheless, a little gypsy girl of about seven frisked my husband quickly and expertly. We both were wearing our money belts inside our pants, so we weren't afraid of losing our valuables, but nonetheless were alert.
A few stops later, a man patted his jacket, and loudly asked, "Who took my wallet?" Well, of course no one admitted to taking it.
At the Vatican Museum, I gave the cashier a large bill for 2 entry tickets, thinking they'd be honest since it IS the Vatican Museum. I had calculated the amount I should pay and the amount I should receive as change. (And before leaving home, I familiarized myself with Italian money using the Eyewitness guidebook.) The cashier gave me the slow count. When I didn't leave his window, he reluctantly reached BEHIND him and gave me the extra 50,000 lire that he owed me. As if I've inconvenienced him!
In Milan, a gypsy mother/teenage son team were standing against a wall reading a newspaper. They saw us coming, folded up their newspaper, and headed towards us. I yelled, "Get away from us!" and threw them a mean look. They backed away and said, "OK." I think they targeted us because we are Chinese American, and they probably thought we were rich Japanese tourists.
Here's a tip when you must take a day pack. Link the zippers together with a paper clip(s). It's light and hinders thieves from getting to your camera, etc. But your passport and money should be in your money belt.
USA 11/14/00
Our trip to Paris was going great and we had done our homework and used a money belt, watched the crowded Metro, and never spoke English in the subway. On our last day, we had to transfer to another line. My wife was having problems all week with the turnstiles not letting her through. To transfer at this one station, we had to go through another set of turnstiles. I went first (bad mistake) and I heard a man shout "PUSH." I turned around to see my wife stuck in the turnstile with a man behind her and another beside her with his hand on her arm. I was stuck on the other side and could not get to her. She tried to hold onto her purse as he held her arm. Then she got through.
It didn't register immediately that she'd been scammed, because she thought she had successfully held onto her purse. But when she looked inside, the man behind her had taken her wallet. He was HOLDING the turnstile preventing her from passing through. She never saw the man behind her.
We were lucky that they got only credit cards and a little US cash. But she had forgotten to take out the credit cards for me to hold in the money belt. Take the time to clean out your wallets of any items not needed. Her passport was in another compartment of the purse but I should have had it in the money belt too. We still enjoyed Paris and next time we will be more careful.
Brent <email>
Indpls, IN USA 11/13/00
When in Prague, it is okay to take taxis. Just negotiate the rate before you get in. But, don't give them huge bills that they need to change. They could pull one of the following scams: claim they don't have enough change, or give you change in old communist money. I got ripped off for about $15 by getting a communist-era crown note in change.
Danny Pickett <email>
Longmont, CO USA 11/12/00
A moneybelt can be your best defense against thieves, but even it could fail you, given the right circumstances. A few summers ago, I was studying in Pskov, Russia and often took city buses to and from the university. Most days they were overcrowded and accidentally rubbing up against your neighbor was not uncommon. We had been advised by our teacher not to speak English in public so as not to make ourselves bigger targets, since everyone could tell we were foreign anyway.
One afternoon, I quietly asked my companion a one-word question (something like, "Here?") in English on a crowded bus ride...and moments later felt my skirt being ever-so-carefully pulled away from my back and fingers softly rifling for my money belt. When I turned around to look, the middle-aged gentleman behind me dropped his hands and blankly stared out the window as if he had been all along.
Wear your moneybelt, but put it on so the zipper is against your body! I reacted quickly but I'm sure, had it been flipped the other way, the man could have easily swiped something, given our proximity.
cheryl <email>
WA USA 11/06/00
I went to Europe by myself for five weeks--France, England, Scotland, N. Ireland--and was not ripped off. People, PLEASE, do NOT wear those 'fanny packs' unless you're hiking or something, and what's with people keeping credit cards and ID anywhere but a money belt?! Carry an extra ATM card, and obey those little feelings--if you're getting the heebie-jeebies, put your day pack in the front (others do it all the time, esp, in crowded stores like Galeries Lafayette). By the way, I'm an American who does get at least FOUR paid weeks of vacation off each year; I work for Verizon. Good luck, and READ RICK'S BOOKS!
Tazwoman
Palm Springs, CA USA 11/05/00
Bait and switch, or in my case bait and snitch: Standing in the international ticket line at Barcelona Sants train station (a sure tip-off) I set my backpack beside me, along with my suitcase and guitar. I was speaking with some people from Telluride when a man approached and began jabbering at us in bad Spanish, then left. When I went to move up in line a few minutes later, my pack was gone, along with my passport, ID, money, medication, journals--everything that I needed for comfort/survival. Fortunately I had travelers' checks in my suitcase, but try cashing one without ID.
ALWAYS keep your documents and money in a waist belt under your clothes. If your pack/suitcase is too heavy, straddle it when standing in line. It only takes a second for crooks to ruin your vacation.
Jan Weeks <email>
Grand Junction, CO USA 11/04/00
While making purchases using my credit card at the Waterford Factory and again at Dublin Castle I was asked the country of issue of my credit card and responded "US". When the receipt was printed it reflected an automatic currency conversion from Irish Pounds into U.S. Dollars at a rate at least 2% higher than my card company charged for similar conversions. In other words, I paid 2% more than an Irish cardholder would have paid. I have not yet encountered this practice in other countries but expect that the practice will likely become more common. In the future I will refuse to accept billings in other than the local currency. I can figure my own conversions.
Bob Kelly <email>
Snohomish, Wa USA 11/03/00
This is to Jeanne, concerning your problem with the taxi in Krakow. Having spent 4 months in Krakow this spring, I can tell you that your Danish friend's information and advice is only partly correct.
First of all, a taxi ride from the Krakow train station to the airport is long and roundabout. There is no direct way and to get there you travel through some fairly sparsely settled countryside. Of course I can't tell exactly how the driver took you, but it was not necessarily out of the way.
Second, while the 100 zloties the driver wanted to charge is excessive, you got a real deal with the charge of 20 zl which you eventually paid. The Danish man's suggestion that 3 zl would be a normal fare is totally wrong. I took several taxis to and from the airport and the city and typically paid about 30-40 zl. (which is about $7.50-$10 for a ride I would pay $20-$25 for in most US cities).
Third, while the driver of the unmarked taxi was probably operating at least in part in the underground economy, the idea that he was part of the "Polish mafia" and that you were in serious danger is not very credible.
The advice that was correct is that you should always take a marked taxi, and what's more, one that has a registration number clearly visible on the side or on the roof.
I had wonderful experiences with Polish cabdrivers. Once I arrived back in town to find out that my tramline had been torn up for repairs and I and my family had heavy suitcases to lug to our apartment. It was very early in the morning and when we finally made it to Nowy Kleparsz, we saw a cab. I didn't care what it cost. When the driver doped out what had happened and got us to our destination, he adamantly refused to charge us anything.
When you have the opportunity next year to stay a while in Krakow, I think your experience will bear me out. Have a wonderful time in one of my favorite cities in the world. Concern about scams is appropriate, but we have to be careful to sort out real scams and concerns from urban legend.
John <email>
Utica, NY USA 11/02/00
Be very careful in Madrid. My wife and I were assaulted by two thugs as we were walking on Calle Segovia at 9pm on a Friday evening on our first evening in Madrid. Calle Segovia is a street right off of Plaza Mayor. The first thug did a blindside knockdown of me while the second thug went after my wife's purse, which was securely around her neck in front of her. When I got up, the first thug hit me in the face with a broken bottle. I went after him and grabbed him while the second thug took off without my wife's purse. At the same time, a guy in a uniform appeared out of a car that I thought was a police car. I sort of pushed the thug toward the uniformed guy, who turned out to be a cab driver, who had no intention of collecting the thug!
Anyway, fortunately my wife wasn't hurt, we didn't lose anything, and I only had one bad cut on my chin that required stitches. The Madrid police and an ambulance showed up about 5 minutes later. The ambulance and hospital folks did a great job taking care of me.
We are both experienced travelers who are young (40ish) and athletic. We were very surprised that anyone would go after us. I guess that shows how much we know. We will be much more vigilant during any future travels. Also, my wife will never again carry a purse while traveling.
My wife and I continued our 10-day vacation in Sevilla, Cordoba, Costa Del Sol, Toledo and back to Madrid. Overall we had an enjoyable, but somewhat paranoid vacation. While going thru customs, the couple behind us told us that they were victims of an attempted pickpocketing at Plaza Mayor. The moral is: Be very cautious and vigilant in Madrid. It's unfortunate a great city with great people with so much to offer has this problem.
stuart <sclemons@mediaone.net>
Boston, MA USA 11/02/00
Had a WONDERFUL time in Europe for 2 weeks. Unfortunately our car was broken into the last day of our trip in Aix-En-Provence. The doors were locked, but we had our guard down; someone may have seen our suitcases in back. They can take away our smelly clothes, but they can't take our memories!
CM <bmiezio@home.com>
TX USA 10/28/00
I think the most pervasive scam is American vacation time (or lack thereof). Everyone knows that Europeans, Australians, Brazilians, and now even the Japanese, have far more time off than Americans do - mandated by law. I've met many Europeans and Aussies who think Americans are either nuts, masochistic, mentally impaired, or all three for working so many weeks out of each year. There's a small grassroots effort now to petition congress to grant all full-time American workers four weeks of paid holiday a year; a noble effort, but a quixotic one which seems doomed to fail - Republicans are gonna agree to that? NOT!
I favor personal solutions - not because I wouldn't agree with federally mandated vacation time, but because I'm pragmatic - I'd probably be retired before such a law ever passed on our soil. I wrote an article called "So Many Countries, Too Little Time" detailing techniques for getting more time off to travel at: http://www.moretimeoff.com.
And here's a European scam: Greek guy telling you you're on the wrong bus, on the way between the Athens International Terminal and the Athens Domestic termina, when you want to get to Sintagma Square or Omonia. I knew very well I was on the correct bus when that happened to me.
Scammer/tout deflecting tip - Dark sunglasses work like a charm. People who scam you want to make eye contact. Remove that opportunity and they'll find someone else who they can more easily dominate with the assistance of eye contact.
dana nibby <dana@moretimeoff.com>
Somerville, MA USA 10/26/00
Lock your car doors! We were on the corniche in Nice on our way to Italy, waiting for a red light, when suddenly a man opened the car door and grabbed my carry-on bag on the back seat. Before I had time to unbuckle my seat belt, he was on a scooter where someone was waiting for him and with wheels screeching, they headed in the opposite direction. We went to the Nice commissariat where we were told that this was regular practice for thieves in the area.
G. Timmons <gtimmons@tmp.com>
Montreal, Canada 10/25/00
RE: Manchester Airport. Picking up your bag is YOUR responsibility. The airport security is responsible for the safety of the flights, not for babysitting inattentive passengers!
colby <d_febee@hotmail.com>
new york, NY USA 10/24/00
Just an observation about money belts. On my recent trip to Europe I saw a (presumably) North American couple in their fifties bumbling around in a crowded public place looking distracted. The man was wearing a money belt OUTSIDE his shirt, stretched taughtly around the largest part of his more than ample belly. It looked like a rubber band stretched around an egg. If it was flashing neon it couldn't have been more obvious. I was torn between trying to help him, or standing back and watching how the local thieves would deal with him.
Larry
Saskatoon, Canada 10/22/00
Be very careful in Manchester Airport, UK. They insisted that my wife remove her bum bag for a security scan. We were very tired after a night flight, and she forgot to pick up the bum bag, realised a couple of minutes later and went back to ask at the security point. They said, "it's OK, you will find it in our office over there." She went to the office which was not manned and had no bag in it. She went back to the scanner machine and they then changed their story and said that someone else with an identical bum bag had lost it the same way at the same time and had returned to claim it.
We could find no police handy, got no interest at all from any airport security men, but were given a phone number which gave no answer. We had a connecting flight to catch and could not hang about any longer. Because we could not contact the Police we were unable to claim on insurance for the £90 in the bag plus credit cards.
Miles Visard <uiswhatur@hotmail.com>
Reading, UK 10/22/00
Be smart and LOCK all of your clothes in your suitcase when staying at Hotel Mars in Paris. The hotel maid uses a shopping bag to collect what we thought was just trash. Little did I know, she removed a sweater and top from my suitcase (sales tags still attached). I intended to wear them home the next day. I have never routinely locked up my clothing before going out to sightsee for the day, but I will in the future.
Sharon <scochoa@aol.com>
Coto de Caza, CA USA 10/20/00
Here's how they pick your pocket in Barcelona on the Metro: As you enter the car from the platform a person in front of you drops their Metro card on the floor just inside the door. They reach down to pick it up and then begin to rub your legs with both hands. While you are distracted by this very unexpected maneuver, a second individual standing OUTSIDE the doorway on the platform reaches in and attempts to pick your pocket. When you really start to react to the leg rubbing that individual stops, waves his newly "found" card in your face and exits as the doors close.
Despite being very vigilant, this happened to me. Fortunately, I was wearing a moneybelt underneath my shorts so the thieves came up empty-handed.
Jon Carrow <JCarrow@Shirenet.com>
Arlington, VA USA 10/17/00
I am a frequent traveler to Europe, and have always followed the ETBD guidelines religiously. But I'm mortified to now count myself among the victims, so I feel compelled to write because I haven't read anything of this nature.
In Paris recently, my mother and I were in line to use an ATM in broad daylight. There were several well-dressed people in line behind us. The person in front of me appeared unable to use the machine. I figured I would try anyway because it said it was in service. (I read and speak French.) The machine was working, but slowly. The "businessman" in line behind me leaned in to ask if the machine was working. I replied that it was. He said it didn't look like it was and pushed a few buttons as if to help, and too quickly for me to respond to. The machine then shut down, and my card did not reappear. He muttered that this was a common problem with machines in Paris, and that the bank would have my card when they reopened after lunch in an hour.
Yes, I was immediately suspicious. But I've had machines "eat" cards before. And since I didn't see him take the card, and because he appeared affluent, and I had no reason to think he had seen me enter my PIN, I hesitated to call for the police.
When I returned to the bank in an hour, they of course didn't have my card. I canceled it immediately, and filed a police report. Even the police were impressed with this "ruse." Somehow these con artists--and I believe all the various people in the vicinity were accomplices--were able to withdraw $15,000 in just an hour. My bank is still investigating how, since most cards have a limit.
Here's my advice to you:
1. If you're traveling with someone, have them stand with their back to you when you're withdrawing money to keep an eye out and to guard your PIN. Don't use the machine if anyone is standing behind you, no matter how inconvenient it is to wait.
2. If anyone tries to help, get rid of them, no matter how rudely. Cancel the transaction immediately and seize your card yourself.
3. Know your liability on an ATM card before you leave home. I belong to a credit union, and they say I have no liability. Make sure you know!
4. If you're by yourself, consider NOT using an ATM and using a bank instead, no matter what a pain it is.
5. If you do use an ATM, use it when the bank is open, just in case you encounter problems.
ekresky <ekresky@yahoo.com>
USA 10/16/00
One evening in Paris I was making a transfer from one subway line to another. It was early evening and there were not many people. It had been a long day and I was tired and distracted. As I boarded the subway car, a man stepped in from of me. When I tried to step around him, he moved to block my path. I felt another person on the platform bump me from the back. I then forced myself past the man blocking my path to get to the other side of the subway car. Just as the door began to close, the man stepped off the subway car and walked quickly away from the train.
I realized it was a pickpocket attempt. Leaving the train at the last moment possible was part of the technique. The man doing the blocking probably did not know if his accomplice had gotten anything or not, but he did not want to be on the train when the intended victim discovered the theft.
I was wearing a small fanny pack to the front, and a money belt. They were still there, and the only thing in my pockets were maps and paper. So they got nothing.
There is usually more than one way to get in and out of each Parisian Metro station, especially at those where you can transfer lines. After this event, I was more aware of my surroundings when I was at a transfer station. I would watch those who were watching me a little more closely. If anybody seemed to shadow me I would stand still as the train arrived. When the doors of the train opened, I would then walk quickly away from the person I suspected and get on through another door.
I also started putting the strap for the little front pack through a couple of belt loops. I figured that if someone was able to unlatch the clasp on the pack, they would have a hard time getting the pack out of my belt loops.
Just because you're paranoid does not mean that they are not really after you.
Richard <ace@love-to-fly.com>
Santa Rosa, CA USA 10/04/00
In August, two of us, 56 and 62 and savvy, were in Prague. We were aware of the danger of thieves, etc. from Rick's Europe 2000. We kept our cash, passports, and credit cards in money belts and secure cross-chest purses.
Twice we were hustled on the crowded cable car while boarding. My friend was aware and pushed the man away and said something loud, but the man tried again (feeling pockets). My friend pushed him away and spoke loudly again, and the would-be thief was foiled.
In Rick's recommended hotel Lunic (nice small hotel downtown in a good section), we had small things stolen from the room--scarves, clock. Also, the phone calls to the USA and Norway were very hard to make and not good quality and were very expensive. (In Vienna and other European cities were not.) We were charged by the hotel twice for these calls, but we were in a hurry while leaving for the a.m. train out of the country and did not consult one another about this until later.
Also, many Prague taxis are known to be dishonest. Ask a local or your hotel which companies are reputable.
However, all said, we loved Prague. The food was excellent and inexpensive, the weather wonderful, the most beautiful sights and views. The musical performances were outstanding and inexpensive and nightly. So, just be wary. We never felt in danger at all.
Reyn Peterson <reyncp@worldnet .att.net>
Tallahassee, Fl USA 10/04/00
In Munich we needed to take the subway from our hotel which was in a suburb. At this small station the only place to buy a ticket was from a complex machine labeled only in German. Neither of us read German so we bought the ticket we thought we needed judging by station names and rode downtown.
Just one stop before we were to get off, some men came into the subway car and spoke loudly in German. People looked concerned and started showing them their tickets, so we got ours out and showed it to them when they came to us. They got very nasty when they saw them. We kept saying we spoke only English. Finally one of them responded in English and said we had stayed on the train past our stop, and that we had to pay a hefty fine immediately. They made us get off the train with them and insisted we open our wallets and give them this fine--almost US$50 each. It was very frightening.
They never showed us any ID but they said they were subway police and the Germans sure obeyed them, so I guess they were. It was so scary...we couldn't go on to the museum after that as I felt as though I had been attacked.
Peg
10/04/00
Steve (below): Merchants who accept credit cards do not have to accept Visa if the charge is below a certain minimum, as Visa's fees will often be as much as 25% or more of the charge! This means they're losing a lot of money on your meal! Please check with the server on the restaurant's policies BEFORE paying with Visa. Never assume a place will take it.
Salvadore (below): It is usual practice for the restaurant to charge cover/service. In fact, I bet it was disclosed on the front page of the menu.
USA 10/03/00
I was pickpocketed on the Metro in Rome. Classic foil: Gypsy with baby stops in front of me and second gypsy pushes me from behind and lifts wallet from side pocket. I yelled, stopped them from exiting train, wife grabbed baby's pouch, got wallet back, and Roman passengers applauded. Obenly had wallet cause couldn't get into rooms till noon and went touring on first day, with bags left at hotel...with my waistband pouch in the bags--dumb move!
I paid for one dinner by credit card, and noticed that the handwritten amount of L 180.000 had an extra "0"...so it looked like L 180.0000 on the slip. That $90 dinner could have cost us $900. The meal was great and the error may have been innocent, but be aware of those "000"s till the Euro Dollar come in. Rick's suggestion of figuring lire by dropping the last three "0"s and dividing by two made me catch that error...thanks Rick!
"Rex" and Irene Zubris <ozbo1st1@juno.com>
Hauppauge, NY USA 10/03/00
Steve from Grass Valley (below): In the future save yourself some of that needed cash by not eating outside at the cafes. Eating inside, standing preferably, will save you quite a bit of money. Otherwise, I have had the same thing happen to me in Europe (credit card vs. cash). Most places prefer cash over credit to avoid credit card fees.
John
USA 10/01/00
Salvadore (below), a 15% service and a 2% cover charge are customary in Italy, not "theft". Even R.S.'s own guide books point that out.
tourbugs <tourbugs@yahoo.com>
fl USA 10/01/00
I was traveling in Italy, alone and on a budget, and found myself in Pisa late in the day with very little cash. As I would need it later for the hostel, for a late lunch I chose a small cafe that displayed numerous Visa emblems. I verified the cost of a pizza and a beer w/the waiter, but never looked at a menu.
When I attempted to pay w/my Visa, the owner at first refused it, saying the bill was too small. I insisted, saying the waiter never mentioned any minimum for using a credit card, and pointed out his liberal use of the Visa emblem sticker in his establishment. He relented, but then claimed the card was being refused. I knew this was bunk, and made him run the card through twice more. On the 3rd time I finally caught on that he wasn't hitting the 'send' button, so the entry was naturally being rejected. I reached past him and hit the button myself, and about 5 seconds later the charge was approved!
This wasn't a rip-off situation in the literal sense, but he was trying to get me to part w/my precious cash when I could little afford to so late in the day.
Steve <skipp@jps.net>
Grass Valley, CA USA 09/30/00
As we embarked on our vacation to Europe, I was determined not to be a sucker. My wife and I had read this board, and thought we were ready.
But right off the bat at the Opera subway station in downtown Paris I became a victim. We purchased a carnet of subway tickets at the booth, and paid for them with a 100 franc bill. The clerk gave me the sweetest "merci" I'd heard and never thought she'd be the kind to nail us, but she did. She probably figured we weren't familiar with the coins and shortchanged us. Because there was a long line, I didn't want to stand there slowly counting my coins and upsetting everyone behind me, so off we went to catch the subway. When I finally counted the money, I realized she got us for 20 francs. In the scheme of things that's not very much, but chances are she had been doing this to many others and 20 francs a pop adds up I'm sure. Moral of the story: count them coins and know how much you're supposed to get back before you get the change. [Editor's note: ...and, always take your time when paying and receiving change--don't feel guilty if you hold up the line for a moment.]
After that it was smooth sailing until we got to Madrid. After dinner on the patio at a nice restaurant, our waiter brought our bill. We were in a hurry so we got up and left enough money to cover the bill plus a tip. As we were leaving, two kids made a dash toward our the money on our table, but I told them off. Just then another young man approached and guess what he did--reached for the money. Apparently he had not heard my discussion with the other boys. I grabbed the money back and took it inside the restaurant and handed it to the waiter. He was so grateful! He told me this happens all the time and they often get stiffed, and the waiter would be responsible for the stolen money.
Just about anywhere you go in Italy, if a market or vending cart doesn't have prices posted, walk away. If you ask, they know you're a tourist and they'll jack up the price. We found out a market was jerking us around when the clerk at our hotel asked where I had purchased a beer and some other items. When we told him and revealed how much we had paid he couldn't believe it; we were paying twice as much.
Europe is wonderful, just be a bit of a cynic and don't be so trusting.
Salvador Rivera <salrosa@sdcoe.k12.ca.us>
chula Vista, CA USA 09/30/00
When driving to Sorrento last October, we accidentally exited off the freeway and ended up in a dumpy little town south of Naples called Torre Annunciata. We were lost and looking for the way out of town. At a stop sign my husband looked in the back of the car and yelled. I turned around and saw the back door was open and my camera bag had beentaken! I never heard the car door open or saw the thieves--they were so fast!
Apparently we stood out in town as obvious tourists (nice new rental car) and 2 teenaged boys took note of this. They followed us on a motor scooter and as soon as we stopped the car, one of them jumped off and opened the back door and then took off running down a narrow road between buildings. I knew theft was bad in Italy, but I forgot to lock the car doors while we were driving!
We went to the police department to file a report so I could claim the loss for my insurance company back home. At the police department, there was a table covered with stolen wallets and passports! Thievery was good business in Torre Annunciata!
So when traveling in Italy, always keep your doors locked and preferably keep your cameras and fanny packs or purses on the floor in the front seat. I never felt safe in Italy after that incident, but had no more problems.
K. Septon
Plymouth, MN USA 09/22/00
In Venice, make sure you ask the price of a ride on the water taxi BEFORE you get on. My wife and I were lost and hungry and looking for a certain restaurant, so we just hopped on. When we got to our destination--about a 1/3-mile, 3-minute trip--we were charge 50,000 lira with the explanation it was the "Minimum Fee." We weren't careful and it cost us. Fortunately we learned a relatively inexpensive lesson.
Eric <hartman1ce@aol.com>
Arlington, WA USA 09/20/00
We were warned about pickpockets on the red 7 express bus in Budapest, but they still got us: wallet from a backpack--not much money, but credit cards, driver's license, etc. We canceled the credit cards by calling the Visa & MasterCard numbers, and we thought we had invalidated the ATM card by calling our bank.
However, the bank slipped up. The ATM was also a Visa debit card, and 3 weeks after the theft, it was being used to buy meals & gas--four tanks a day!--in Stuttgart. Our bank was crediting our account as the charges came through, and you can bet they weren't going to be out any money, so it would be the merchants who were losing.
The charges kept coming, and the bank did not make any effort to stop them. All the gas charges were from the same company, though not from the same station. So we looked up the company on the Web & sent an e-mail warning them. They thanked us; eventually, the charges stopped.
[Editor's note: We're sorry this happened, but once again, we warn all travelers to keep ALL valuables--cash, credit cards, passport, plane and train tickets--safely hidden beneath your clothes in a moneybelt.]
Dave G
Bloomington, IN USA 09/20/00
Watch out in Lisbon. Never get on a tram if four largish fellows are catching the same tram. One will move in front and block your way while the others will crowd you from the sides and behind and go through your pockets. No violence, they just hold you with their bodies. You can scream all you like; no one takes a blind bit of notice and the police are useless.
Mel Christie <christie.regalone@virgin.net>
London, U.K. 09/19/00
England is safer than the Continent. There are lots of plainclothes police patrolling London. Beware The Soho Red Light District though. Do not go in any "shows" or buy any "videos" there. It is actually against the law to sell these in most cases. I was ripped off £20 for a blank tape...and I'm a local! Local consumer officers and the police can do little, though sometimes they bust the stores.
Mr.Sitwell <jyr19>
London, uk 09/19/00
What tourist scams?! I just came back (two days ago) from a month-long trip, and not once did I come across even a hint of a scam. Yes, I always had my moneybelt on. I never felt unsafe in any place that I stayed in either.
M.W. <aol.>
somplace, VA USA 09/16/00
While in Rome in August with my husband and 15-yr.-old daughter, we of course visited the Colosseum. (By the way, I wouldn't recommend Rome in August to anyone. It was almost unbearably hot.)
As we hiked up out of the Colosseum area to the street, the 3 of us were separated. My husband was the first to hit the street, wearing his moneybelt and carrying a daypack in his hand at his side. A young woman came up to him with a baby at her EXPOSED breast! (My daughter saw that it was actually a DOLL, not a real baby.) What a way to throw a man off guard. He didn't even notice the young boy behind him, waving a newspaper. He was worried about the woman and her baby out in the street with crazy traffic.
We were so hot and tired we couldn't move quickly. But thanks to Rick's books I knew right away was was going on. I screamed really loudly at the woman and boy, and they caught on they were outnumbered and acted like they were leaving, but she still kept trying to unzip the daypack. By this time I was able to grab the bag out of my husband's hand and get away. He said that he felt the boy's hand in his pockets, but since he only had cigarettes and matches in one pocket, he took nothing. I checked the bag and they didn't get anything there either.
So Rick, now my husband has one of those unforgettably memorable experiences because he was wearing his money belt! Thanks for the warning. Never let down your guard.
Judy Bowhall <jcbowhall@netscape.net>
Windsor, CA USA 09/11/00
When I was in Rome with some friends and family, we were getting on the crowded subway when this guy got into my mom's face and started yelling at her. While the man was distracting her by yelling at her, he or an accomplice must have opened up her pack and taken out her wallet. We didn't realize it 'til we arrived at the Colloseum. (Luckily we had our passports separate.)
On the way home from the Colloseum we got on a crowded bus. Once everybody was on, a lady decided to get off. Pushing her way through, she faked a fall, and as she was falling she had her hand in my mom's fanny pack.
The gypsies seem to like to make eye contact and try to strike up conversation. If you stare back at them they will back off...we did this again on another bus ride.
Friends of ours were near the Vatican when a group of gypsies surrounded them with olive branches, shoving them right in front of their eyes and talking loudly. Meanwhile, a boy ducked under and stole a wallet. He fled, took out the cash, and threw the wallet on the ground. Another gypsy boy picked up the wallet, showed it to the owner, and asked for a reward for finding it! They are something else. And anyone is a potential victim....a bishop who was on the trip with us had his wallet stolen too! BE CAREFUL!
becky <bekava@webtv.net>
chicago, il USA 09/10/00
In the Rome train station recently, my elderly father was surrounded by gypsies--one in front of him with a baby and the others behind him. The one with the baby will distract you while the ones behind pick your pocket or cut off your shoulder strap to your bag. Having lived in Rome before, he was familiar with this tactic. He began to yell angrily and loudly, "Get away from me." His yelling caused just about everyone to stop and turn around. Local Italians came to his aid and the gypsies soon fled!
Gina <_nojunk1@excite.com>
Los Angeles, CA USA 09/07/00
Beware of thieves on transatlantic Flights. We flew from Amsterdam to JFK today. On board were a group of prospective immigrants. Two boys about 8 or 9 waited until the middle of the flight and went down the aisles. One would be the lookout/distraction while the other lifted CD players, wallets, etc. One sharp-eyed passenger caught them red-handed and reported them. When we arrived at JFK, INS had a reception committee waiting for them. Don't relax your vigil on your valuables until you get in your home!
R. Torn <ripptorn@swbell.net>
Austin, TX USA 08/30/00
When transfering between subway lines at the Chatelet metro stop in Paris, beware of purse-snatchers who use the long moving walkways for a quick escape.
My sister and I were in Paris for a week, and almost every time we were in that station we saw one of the same 3-4 well-muscled guys hurtling down the walkway carrying a ladies' bag (more frequently at night, when the walkways were empty and easier to run down). My sister and I were afraid to get in their way for fear they might take our things or attack us to get past. USE A MONEYBELT and CAUTION. If you're carrying a daypack, wear it in front of you. If you must carry a shoulderbag (I do) make sure it has multiple fasteners and sturdy straps, then sling it across your chest and keep it IN FRONT OF YOU with your hand on it at all times.
I've never had problems with pickpockets or purse-snatching (mostly due to posts like these...thanks, everybody!) but another traveler I met had a great story: While on the metro in Rome, she caught a gypsy woman with a hand in her pocket. She yelled and tried to snatch her money back, but the woman just pulled and yelled right back until a well-dress Italian woman marched over and slapped the gypsy woman across the face and berated her. The gypsy gave my friend's money back and hightailed it outta there.
Sometimes the locals, as well as cops, are great allies. For example, I picked this up from the owner of the hostel I stayed at in Rome: If you're being followed and/or annoyed by a young Italian guy (happens often, in Rome esp.) and he refuses to go away, walk over to an older local lady (or a guy, but the old Italian ladies are much more firm about it) and the older person will start scolding the person annoying you and shoo them off! One of the girls in the hostel did this, and she said it was hilarious to see, and really took care of any fear or anxiety she had from the guy's following her.
USA 08/30/00
I just spent a month in Italy and had only one bad experience. I was standing at a stoplight. Suddenly I realized the woman next to me was flapping a map. I had read this board carefully so I immediately thought, "Oh no! A gypsy scam!" I whirled around and caught the startled woman hastily pulling her hand out of my daypack. The light changed and she walked across the street like nothing had happened, even looking annoyed that I was bothering her. But she didn't get anything. Reading these posts is a great way to prepare for a trip!
First-time Europe
USA 08/29/00
I've been a victim of petty crime at least once in nearly every European country I've visited. It's a fact of travel-life that American tourists are perceived as wealthy and naïve and thus easy targets for scams and theft.
My first incident was the most devastating. I was ending a three-week backpacking trip in Italy and having spent over two weeks without being victimized, my guard was down and I thought all the warnings I read prior to my trip were overblown paranoia. I was at a café in Bologne when a beggar came up and asked for money. I said "no," and turned away to deter continued begging. Of course, that was stupid because by having him out of my eyesight, he easily walked off with my daypack. He didn't get any money, but he did get my Walkman, my guidebook and worst of all, my journal filled with details of my adventures and the addresses of all the great people I had met in the previous two weeks.
The cleverest scam I fell victim to was in Barcelona. I was taking the escalator up to the train platform. At the very top, the man in front of me "accidentally" dropped his eyeglasses. While he stopped to pick them up, all of us behind him were forced to pile up into a small crowd which created the perfect opportunity for his partner behind me to reach into my pants pocket and take what cash I had there. It was only about 3000 ptas ($20), but had he gone into my other pocket, he could have gotten my wallet with much more cash, my ATM card and Visa.
I've been chided my locals who see my money belt (purchased after my Barcelona incident) and other precautions as typical American tourist-brand paranoia. Apparently, they do not realize that the dangers to American tourists are viable. I've gotten smarter with every trip, but had I believed what I heard before I went over the first time, I might have avoided a few unpleasant incidents.
My advice: believe what you read here and prepare yourself accordingly. Do NOT carry large sums of cash (I met a girl who had $2000 in cash, her entire travel budget, stolen in her first night in Europe from her hostel room - what was she thinking!? ATMs are everywhere in major European cities). Keep your credit card company phone numbers in a place separate from your cards themselves (I leave a list of important numbers, as well as a photocopy of my passport, with someone back home so they can fax them to me if I ever need them). Keep your day's spending cash separate from your other money (which is preferably in traveler's checks and credit cards and in your money belt). Be wary of overly helpful locals. Always ask the price before you're obliged to pay it. Do not reveal your money belt in public (go to the bathroom if you need to get into it). Keep your daypack secure (I discreetly wrap the strap around the leg of my table to deter snatch-and-runs at cafes), and never keep your money in your day- or backpack.
Brian <bholtz@salon123.com>
Chicago, IL USA 08/26/00
To avoid scams, pressure and frustration over guides and drivers, visit Tunisia instead of Morocco; Morocco is only now beginning to clamp down on these problems, mainly because of a big increase in the already-popular tourism of Tunisia, by tourists who want to enjoy their vacations without being practically strong-armed by guides and merchants.
<AvidTraveler63@hotmail.com>
USA 08/20/00
An interesting article on the safety of debit versus credit cards appears in http://moneycentral.msn.com/articles/banking/credit/1343.asp
Harvey <harvey@hill.ci.detroit.mi.us>
USA 08/18/00
While in Paris on an educational tour after graduating from high school, I spent one free afternoon strolling the streets. Little did I know, the area was teeming with gypsies. A friend of mine stopped for a candy bar at a nearby bank's vending machine (a hot spot for gypsy action as tourists tend to be carrying a lot of cash on their way out). As we walked out, a little boy spotted the sweets in my friend's hand and, with a puppy dog face, pleaded for a piece of chocolate. My friend unwrapped the bar to give him a piece, but his generosity was not rewareded. The seven- or eight-year-old snatched the bar out of his hand and then went for my purse as I stood dumbfounded. I managed to wrestle my bag back, but not before receiving a hardy punch in the stomach from the little boy. As my friend and I hastily made our way across the street, the boy gave me a farewell salute in the form of a wad of spit that landed precisely on my shoulder. Aah, Paris...the city of art, wine, romance, and saliva. Yuck!
Kristen Brandt <kristenbrandt10@hotmail.com>
Santa Clara, CA USA 08/17/00
In Prague, we thought we would take a minibus into the city centre. We confirmed at the tourist info booth inside the airport that it was 90kc. When we went out the doors, we were greeted by a man standing by a van. We said "minivan?", he said yes. Since I would never get in without asking how much, I asked and he said "only 700kc." So we reconfirmed a few more times that he was indeed running the 'minibus' service. When he insisted that he was, we decided to take public transit instead, which cost 12kc. We later decided that this man must have been a taxi driver trying to convince us that this was the only way outside of public transit to get into Prague. By the way, the bus/metro system in Prague is very efficient--got us there in the same amount of time as a taxi would have taken.
Vancouver, Canada 08/15/00
Last November, driving from Portofino, Italy to Milan airport on the toll freeway at about 10pm, I stopped for much-needed gas. One attendant "helped" me pump the gas. The total was about 30,000 lire. I made a mental note of this. As I walked to the office to pay, I saw the attendant clear the pump. When I went in to pay with Visa, the receipt was printed and given to me to sign. I glanced at it and signed, but looked more closely at the amount it was 80,000 they almost got away with it. I protested and he quickly gave me 50,000 cash.
I don't recommend taking the toll roads at night as I noticed there were very few cars and you can't pull off just anywhere - only at exit ramps which are not that frequent. So if you had car trouble it could be a long time to get help, and in the meantime you are a sitting duck. I have driven over 10,000 miles of Western Europe and recommend non-toll roads at night where you have access to phones, hotels, restaurants, etc.
Big safety tip: I always drive with my headlights on, and don't speed. So far I have had a wonderful time driving with no problems or accidents. As a photographer, driving is imperative and I highly recommend it; best on small country roads.
Forrest Galt <fg2c@aol.com>
Cotati, CA USA 08/12/00
There was a very edifying BBC tv documentary about crime in the tourist spots in London. It showed how special groups of police officers, using newly-installed closed-circuit cameras on Oxford Street, are clamping down on gangs of pickpockets who tend to prey on tourists. The programme showed how the criminals pick on tourists, mainly women, Oriental or American, and how clever they are at their chosen profession.
Also, in London at least, placards in tourist-rich areas warn people to be aware of the risk of crime. I do not see this anywhere else in Europe. Would anyone agree with me that the UK police's style of pro-active policing should be copied in notorious-for-tourist-crime places like Rome and Barcelona?
Nigel Doran <nigeldoran@hotmail.com >
London , U K 08/12/00
Note to all you Americans visiting the UK: There are 2 types of 'taxi' available here - hackney carriage and private hire cars. Hackney carriages are mostly the old black cab type and are licenced to pick up people in the street. They will ALWAYS have a table of charges posted and a meter visible to the passengers. In London ALL black cab (hackney carriage) drivers are required to take a strict test of destinations around the capital and the best routes between them.
There will also be a plate displayed on the rear of the vehicle with a licence number on it. Make a note of this number if you want to complain. Any complaints should be made at a police station and WILL be dealt with. If you feel you have been overcharged, ask for a reciept from the driver - he is bound to give it to you.
All taxi ranks operate on a first-come, first-served basis - also note that a black cab driver cannot refuse the fare no matter what the destination (they may be unwilling to take a long trip as they will not be likely to pick a fare up on the return leg).
Private hire cars may only be booked by telephone or in person at the operator's office. If you flag one of these cars down on the street and are involved in an accident of any kind be warned that the operator's insurance will not apply.
In particular beware of taxi touts. These people operate at airports or mainline stations in London. They will approach any tourist and ask if they want a taxi, but you can guarantee that you will be ripped off if you go with them.
Hope this helps - you are more likely to meet a helpful cheery cabby than a rogue, but it is as well to be wary.
Roman Galaska <roman@wjwhitehead.co.uk>
Bradford, uk 08/11/00
Everyone who posts info here is doing a valuable service to the american public. These are the most current updates on crime abroad. Don't be afraid after reading all these; rather, be alert. I found out that I made lots of mistakes when I went abroad. I took out my money belt in public and looked like a tourist. Nothing went wrong but if I knew these tips ahead of time, I wouldn't have been a potential target for theives. Be safe and enjoy!
andrea
USA 08/07/00
I would like to comment on Bob's comment from May: "In Rome, watch out for a...man in a nice car to stop and ask you for directions...He then offers you a free leather jacket for your help..." I was in Rome with my father in 1996 and the same thing happened to us. I couldn't believe it! Is this guy still trying the same scam?!
Cynthia <taiga@canada.com>
BC Canada 08/03/00
Yes, we've all read those reports about the gypsy thieves in Rome and Florence....who knew they'd find me in Lake Como? In fairness to any gypsies reading this :) I can't say for certain WHO it was, since I never saw or felt them! I'm a pretty savvy traveler. Late last September, my husband I and I were outside of Como for a night & decided to take the bus to Como (no hotel reservations). We always carry a water sack with us and we'd left it in the room. My hubby went off to fetch it and I decided to take our first video of the trip...a panoramic shot of Lake Como. Part of our sightseeing was to check out the train terminal. We walked along - there was no one near us. Upon arrival at Terminal #2, I got our train ticket out - and no video camera! I couldn't believe it. The backpack was still zipped, I felt nothing, and let's face it, a video camera isn't exactly small. It was gone. I "re-ran" the whole incident in my mind for about 2 days. The good news is that it was the beginning of our trip; good that we hadn't had 3 weeks worth of video on it.
Moral of the story: apparently it's not only the big cities where you have to watch out for this sort of thing.
Melodie Kennedy <mizmel@aol.com>
Menlo Park, CA USA 08/01/00
just got back from rome, venice, prague, and berlin. had no problems whatsoever regarding pickpockets, con artists, or dishonest train conductors. never once saw roman children with cardboard signs. i used a money belt and the hotel safe to store valuables. i also kept a small amount of ready-cash in my front pocket so that i wouldn't have to dig around in my moneybelt (under my shirt/pants) whenever i wanted to buy a beer or ice cream cone. this prevents broadcasting my moneybelt's location to any nearby thieves. to avoid being ripped off at bars/restaurants, we only patronized places with posted prices. hope this helps!
W. <wheelerinc@yahoo.com>
nc USA 08/01/00
If a cab-driver in London doesn't know where a major station is like LIverpool station, he isn't a cab driver. I met this clown with a glued on mustache and was willing to take a chance if I got the price and the destination, but he acted like he didn't know. he wanted to drive me to LIverpool (200 miles away ) and then Liverpool street (I could imagine cruising up and down while the meter in his head was adding up). Since I know Karate he would have been in bad shape after about ten minutes since the station was very close. He drove away because i was a hard target. Backpacker also sells a "packsafe" that encases your pack in metal mesh. It makes you look serious, doesn't allow people to go through your stuff or just grab it of the rack of the train easily (I emphasize easily, watch your stuff anyway) and gives you a modicum of comfort.
wally francis <franciswally@hotmail>
Napa, ca USA 07/31/00
being in europe right now I must comment on the advice about tipping of people about your nationality by wearing baseball hats and white shoes. It seems hard to believe anyone would give this advice if they have been to London, Amsterdam, Interlaken or PRague because the number of europeans wearing these clothes easily outnumbers americans. Basically, these styles have travelled across the world and are very popular now. The way you carry yourself and the goofy smile many americans have is more of a tip off than anything. keep a straight face when you can and just point and use one or two words, preferably ones in the native tongue. Carry a shopping bag and put your stuff in it. Being alone helps, Looking serious also. Look them right in the eye.
wally francis <franciswally @hotmail>
napa, ca USA 07/31/00
I have to say that after reading through these comments I was kind of annoyed by all of the people bashing this page. The reason this page is called the "Tourist Scam Alert" Page is so that travellers and tourists such as myself can get a heads up to what kind of dangers we have to look out for. I mean to the people who are complaining about this page. What the hell did you expect was going to be here??? happy go lucky stories about how Enrique mugged me in Madrid and how Gypsie Jane stole all my credit cards and passport? No! Another thing critics of this page need to take into consideration is that even though mugging and pickpocketing may be a common thing in their native cities, but the majority of Americans don't live in cities. I know family members of mine in Maine for instance never lock their cars in public, nor do they worry about it because crime is not a problem for them, and they travel often. And it was because of this very website that they became "aware" of the dangers of their new surroundings in Europe. And to be quite honest I live in Boston and I have never heard nor seen the dangers of pickpockets, Another thing people have to remember is that here in America Criminals for the most part are obvious. You know they are criminals, they come out rather up front with a gun and tell you to give them your money. In Europe Criminals are not so obvious. They are subversive, crafty and talented. The plus side is that they are not that violent. But Which would be more upset about? Being robbed by a less dangerous criminals because you were naive, about ways to prevent them from getting you? Or to be robbed by gunpoint where there was nothing you could do? The Point is that many people don't live in cities and know the dangers and where they lie and this page helps to inform people of those dangers. An informed victim tends not to be a victim. Anyway enough of my Ranting Read the rest of these pages and have happy travels!
joe <Firestone19@hotmail.com>
Boston, ma USA 07/28/00
boys circled our outdoor eatery and one walked up to where we were sitting; my camera was on the chair pushed under the table beside me. The boy tried to hand me a note and as he did, I just sensed he would try to grab my camera. I jumped up, grabbed my camera and caught my foot in the chair, falling on my rump...but saved my camera. The boys laughed but it didn't matter to me, this Texas Tough gal still had her camera. As they ran away, they threw pop-type fireworks that sounded like a small pistol going off.....
C.V.REED <VENCENE@ Juno>
TX USA 07/26/00
I wanted to update the message that I posted earlier regarding the Airport Shuttle in Paris. After 6 weeks of e-mails and help from Citibank, I received my credit. The service offered by this company seems good. The service is prompt and the drivers are friendly. The number of reported credit card problems and my personal experience seem to indicate that there is some sort of problem though. My suggestion, pay cash and watch your credit card statement carefully.
Keith Jones <wkjones@flash.net>
Lewisville, TX USA 07/25/00
Wear dark sunglasses. Eyes can give you away as a tourist. When thieves can't see your eyes, the less professional ones won't be able to figure out if you're looking at them or the cathedral to their left. Plus, in places like Italy, you will blend in much better.
I know this sounds cheesy, but if you're in a crowded situation, I found that carrying a fake plastic cell phone makes you look like a local rather than a tourist. There are plenty of novelty stores where you can pick one of these up. You don't have to say anything (though if you know the local language, even better), just look like you're listening intently. Everyone will mistake you for a commuter. Happy trails!
Michael B Rutner <mrutner@hotmail.com>
New York, NY USA 07/24/00
Be very careful when using the Airport Shuttle in Paris. I made my reservation via the internet several weeks in advance and used my credit card to hold the reservation. I heard several reports of credit card fraud at this firm and when I confirmed my reservation I specified that I would be paying cash and not paying with my credit card (which was required to confirm the reservation). We were picked up exactly as scheduled and the driver was polite and professional. When we arrived at CDG, I was told the amount due (which was exactly what I had been quoted) which I paid. When I arrived home, my credit card had been billed for the same amount. I contacted the Airport Shuttle via e-mail and was told it would be researched. Now they don't respond to my e-mails and I have not seen a credit. Hopefully my credit card company will have better luck. Be careful!
Keith Jones <wkjones@flash.net>
Lewisville, TX USA 07/20/00
A serious lack of common sense could have led to disaster but it didn't. I never realized I was the victim of a scam until my Danish businessman seatmate from Warsaw to London filled me in:
In the Krakow train station, a man walked up to my friend and me and asked in passable English if we needed a taxi. We said "sure," at which point he grabbed our bags and took off. We followed him to a brand-new sedan still with new car smell but missing any identifying lettering, medallion, or taxi light. The driver took us in what seemed a roundabout direction to the airport and gave what was probably a guided tour, but our lack of Polish language skills made it diffucult to communicate.
When we got to the airport, the driver parked a block away and demanded 100zl which was all the money I had. I was in a quandary but thought $30 US was a bit much for a Polish taxi so said no and tried to hand him 10zl. He carried on verbally and tried to pull all the money I had out of my hand but I held on. We finally agreed on 20zl but he mumbled loudly and drove off.
It all seemed like a great adventure to me but my friend was less amused. Our Danish seatmate told us that we had experienced the "Polish Mafia" and we had been in a fair amount of danger. He added that one should NEVER get into an unmarked Polish taxi and added that the normal fee for our ride was about 3zl and that I had paid more than a typical week's salary for this ride of a lifetime.
I am returning to Poland next summer for 6 weeks to study the language and culture. I am now forewarned and hope to live a little less dangerously next trip.
Jeanne <jlbjab@shore.intercom.net>
Church Creek, MD USA 07/17/00
Well, after lecturing all my family and acquaintances on security while traveling, I had my wallet snatched out of my hand on the front steps of the Lisbon youth hostel! My mind was occupied, and I hadn't put the billfold back in my day bag after paying the hostel. I didn't even notice the guy start to run towards me. My companion noticed him but thought nothing of it. First thing I knew, I had a numb arm and my billfold was gone. Fortunately everything was in my money belt except about $25 in escudos to pay the taxi to the train station. (The bus from near the hostel doesn't run in the evenings and the metro does not go to the train station; after 8 pm a taxi is your only option). I also lost my medical insurance card with medical information (drug allergies) and my driver's license (this last should have been in my money belt since I wasn't driving!).
Moral: Pay attention to what is going on at all times and do not show anything that might contain money in public! In defense of Portugal, the only other time I have ever been robbed while traveling was in the Portland, OR Amtrak station....
Mary from Oregon
USA 07/16/00
I just returned from a month-long backpacking trip across Europe. We had locks on anything with a zipper no matter how miniscule. I wore a money belt. Note: do NOT wear a moneybelt outside your clothing like a "fanny pack." This totally defeats the purpose! We saw at least 20 people over the course of our trip wearing money belts like this. You are basically a walking ATM with a flashing neon sign when you do this.
We did use day packs but everytime we went into them to retrieve a camera, we first reversed the backpack so that both straps are over our shoulders but the pack is now on our chests. THEN we unlocked the zipper and then we would get the camera out while the other looked out for potential thieves. While still in the backpack, we would wrap the carry strap of the cameras around our wrists many times to prevent an easy grab-and-run and only then would the camera be taken out of our bags.
Anytime we were approached by street vendors or gypsies, I just nodded them off with an angry look on my face. I would walk with conviction as if I wasn't wandering or lost and put on a scowl, since I noticed that the people getting approached are the ones who seem nice and pleasant--which may translate into oblivious. I'm not saying to go throughout Europe looking pissed off, but use it when you need. Worked for me.
Dress up a little bit--it got me treated a little better by the locals. I always wore slacks and button-up short-sleeved shirts. Darker colors. My girlfriend wore basically the same things. Everyone in Europe spoke to me in Italian on first contact. I saw other "obvious" Americans get treated poorly and moments later the same person would be friendly and cordial with me. The bottom line is respect the culture.
We went to all the typical tourist spots/theft zones and didn't have any problems. Nothing was ever stolen and no one ever tried to rob us.
When you fly home pack the most valuable things in your carry-on. Paris' Charles de Gaulle airport was completely disorganized and it seemed there was no sense of lines... it's just a mass of people fighting to check-in, get info, etc. My girlfriend's checked bag was lost but luckily she had her camera and other valuables in her carry-on. (5 days later her bag had been tracked to Sydney, Australia before being delivered to her house here in California!)
As long as you're careful and use common sense, you will be fine and have a blast. We loved Europe.
Mario <tripleo@ix.netcom.com>
Suburb of Los Angeles, CA USA 07/15/00
In Munich, my wife and I went to the laundry Waschcenter in Paul Heyse Strasse 21 near the train station, recommended in all the travel guides. It was self service, but as we were busy sightseeing we asked the clerk if we could leave the clothes. He said it was OK, we paid him 15 marks and he told us to come back before 10 PM to retrieve our things. When we returned, there was nothing. The lady who was there, actually the boss of the laundry, didn't even know about our things. To cut a long story short, after threatening the clerks, who were absolutely disrespectful with us, with calling the police, the boss gave us the money equivalent to our garments. It took two days of arguing with no exact explanation of what had happened. Clerks said that customers there were the ones who stole our things. I recommend using instead another laundry-- not self-service--that's below the train station.
Luis <kindbel@topmail.com.ar>
Buenos Aires, Argentina 07/15/00
There is an amazing scam taking place at the Colosseum in Rome. Travelers are approached out front to join a "free English-speaking tour as part of marketing research". Not believing such things exist, we declined, but did listen in from the back of the group (thanks for the tip Rick Steves). The tour was entirely OUTSIDE the walls of the Colosseum, not inside, which should be a big red flag. The historic presentation was interesting, enthusiastic and well presented. But within minutes we were joined by a pair of teenage Gypsy girls.Soon they were casing back pockets and open purses and moving close. Shortly we realized that another teenage boy had joined the group. His job was to pick out anyone who may have picked up on the scam. He saw us before we saw him and he signaled the Gypsies and presenter. Because my son had a police whistle attached to his day pack and because we didn't leave, we overheard them whisper "polizia." They had fingered us as cops!
We decided to play along and give them grief. During the course of the tour we notified an innocent elderly couple from the Midwest and told them what was going on. They were shocked and stood back to watch with us. At the end of the tour, the girl announced that a drinking tour would take place that night (during which you are robbed no doubt).
Afterward, we entered the Colosseum where we observed the same two gypsies at work on a Japanese group. We followed them, pointed them out to everyone, and tooktheir pictures, at which point they ran from us. Later we hid among the columns and saw them meeting with the "tour presenter," the "lookout boy" and several young punks who we observed being let in for free by one of the guards at the exit booth! Later we were amazed to see the gang meeting with guess who... Joe and Mary Lunchbucket, the sweet elderly couple. They were part of the gang!
These people are masterful actors. And the Colosseum thieves are faster than Mario Andretti. But after all of our extraordinary awareness we were most amazed to discover that my son had been pickpocked--luckily of just a thousand lire and some change from a buttoned pocket. If you think it can't happen to you, you're wrong. Just follow everyone's advice in this column, realize it's almost all pickpocketing and purse-snatching--not violent crime--and as Rick Steves says, watch them at work and enjoy yourself! I would add to that, blow your whistle...it's fun!
P.S. I'm a professional, experienced adventure travel guide.
Randy <Islandrandy@Mindspring.com>
Altamonte Springs, Fla USA 07/14/00
[Editor's note: Although this obviously wasn't one of them, there are a number of legitimate tour companies which offer free Forum or Colosseum tours to promote their other paid tours. See other travelers' comments under "Tours Other than ETBD's."]
We were in Italy for 10 days, and WERE NOT victims and didn't see any pickpockets or scams. We used moneybelts. We had carry-on luggage only. I wore slacks with a hidden security pocket when using planes or trains, long skirts or dresses with comfortable sandals for walking around Rome, meals, etc. and NEVER carried a purse (yes, ladies, I had my significant other carry my lipstick and tissue in his pocket and didn't require anything else). He carried our money and ATM card in a security pocket in his pants or shirts. We locked up our other valuables in the hotel safe. [Editor's note: We at ETBD don't even risk hotel safes; we recommend keeping ALL your valuable documents in your moneybelt at all times. Also, to be legal and safe, each traveler should carry their own passport and some money in case you get separated.]
No visible valuables, no backpacks, no purse, no flashy jewelry. We carried a small camera in the cargo pockets of the pants/shorts. We never used a bus; we walked everywhere or sprung for a taxi when we were too exhausted or when out late at night.
Maybe it was luck, or maybe we did the right things. I just wanted to share something positive.
Freda Cameron
Efland, NC USA 07/12/00
When driving through Sicily, especially Catania, keep your windows rolled up! We were almost robbed. One guy on a scooter pulled in front of us at an intersection and stopped, and another man reached in through the passenger window to grab a backpack in the back seat. I grabbed the backpack as did my husband who was driving and we yanked it away from him. THEN he leaned into the front seat to grab MY shoulderbag which was on the floor, away from the door. I grabbed onto it and started punching him, and then he ran off. We were shaken by the whole incident but luckily nobody was hurt, and nothing was stolen. If our windows had been rolled up the whole thing might have been avoided.
Teresa Buswell <Teresa_Buswell@hmco.com>
New York, NY USA 07/10/00
I just came back from Paris, where I was robbed in daylight near place Vendome. I was standing at the side of the road, about to take a picture. I took my husband's backpack from him and slung it over my shoulder so that I could take out the camera. A scooter with 2 men on it drove by, and the man on the back grabbed the backpack. I used 2 hands to try to hold on to it and fell to the ground and was dragged a few steps as they quickly fled. The backpack was not stolen. But I was injured and sent to the hospital and fortunately no bones are broken, just some bruises.
We went to police station to do the report. The inspector told us that I should not wear a backpack on one shoulder, and on the side of the road--especially since I am Asian (Chinese). The 2 robbers probably thought I was Japanese and with money in the backpack.
From this I also learned:
1.Never think that some area are safe, always be cautious. Place Vendome is a good area with nice hotesl nearby like Ritz.
2.Even at 6:30 pm, crime can still occur.
3.If you are a woman, have your male companion wear the backpack at all times. The police said especially women are the target of crime.
4.French police said Don't wear backpack if you can. I found it hard to do that, I need to bring my camera at least.
6. Maybe I will dye my hair blond next time (I hope to still find humor in this.).
The good thing is that it happened last day we were in Paris. We really enjoyed the city. This will not stop us from going back again.
Still grateful traveler
ca USA 07/09/00
We spent eight days in Provence the end of May. Had a great time: weather perfect, food excellent, and wine outstanding and cheap (especially from the market vendors, St. Remy was the best). Except for having all our luggage stolen the 2nd day in Aix out of the trunk of our rental car!
Lessons learned: Don't rent a car in Paris (the plates give you away); remove the gas sticker from the fuel door; and DO NOT use the keyless locking system when leaving the car with stuff in the trunk.
We stopped at the TI in Aix and then walked to our hotel. Back to the car 15 minutes later - 3 of our 4 carryon bags gone. The trick thieves use: they hang out where tourists do (the TI), they have a scanner (from Radio Shack) to monitor keyless entry use (your parking lights blink when you lock the doors), they program the "captured" frequency into their transmitter, and VOILA - bags gone!
All the books say leave anything of value in the trunk/boot. The thieves didn't bother with the stuff in the front seat (all my wife's diabetic supplies for instance). The good part is that they only got used clothes and toiletries. We had our valuables with us (money, credit cards, passports, etc.).
We bought a $5 gym bag, a few clothes and necessities and had a great time the rest of the trip. We used parking garages and always backed into spaces. It is amazing how little you really need to have with you. Did miss the historic races in Monaco, though--they got the tickets.
Phil Lindley <phil.lindley@state.me.us>
Hallowell, ME USA 07/07/00
[Phil, sorry, but you should've kept the tickets in your moneybelt. --Rick]
Having just returned from London, one scam I encountered is in the Petticoat Market in Aldgate, a flea market where clothing and leather goods are sold. At one shop kiosk the merchant draws people's attention on the microphone claiming you can get tremendous reductions on electronic goods. He claims the goods are genuine and not stolen but "only that the paper packaging has been damaged" so the prices have been reduced. He evens sweetens the deal by literally giving away free novelty items such as deck of cards or batteries.
The catch here is that you pay for the items up front, as in an auction, and once you paid and claimed your items, some even in concealed wrapping, you discover they're actually discontinued or worthless items. By that time, the merchant has closed his shop and you are stuck with the items. I had unknowingly purchased a camera which I thought was a good deal for 70 pounds but I later discovered it's a piece of junk. I guess I should have known better since it wasn't a brand name I was familiar with. Lesson learned here is buyer beware and if it's too good to be true, it's probably not genuine.
Bob <sein_feld@excite.com>
Seattle, WA USA 07/07/00
After having just returned from Florence and Venice, I am sad to say that many are falling "victim" to the same "scam" described by the person that bought the dancing Mickey at the Eiffel Tower. The ploy was also obvious to us as well, yet we watched people buy them, the fake Gucci's and the Pokemon gear. What does a dancing Mickey or Pokemon have to do with Venice, or Paris, or Florence??? Stop buying this garbage, and maybe they will stop selling it, and we can enjoy these beautiful places unmarred by this kind of cheap commercialism. I really don't want to sound mean, but if you are buying a dancing Mickey in any of these places, you deserve to be ripped off...sorry!
Seattle, WA USA 07/05/00
There's a post way down below about the "dancing Mickeys" near the Eiffel Tower. I encountered this same silly scam in Rome a couple years ago. We saw these jokers set up a boom box and these little Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck paper cutouts with yarn legs that seem to bounce up and down to the beat. When you ask them how it works they say "magnets" or "radio waves." If you watch the show for two seconds you realize there must be some thin thread holding them up and making them dance.
Once, just for a laugh, we bought one. It has some of the invisible string, and the directions tell you to tie it to a radio antenna which will transmit radio waves to the Mickey and make it boogie. The scamsters have a small black briefcase with an electric motor in it that tugs the string back and forth and makes the Mickeys dance. And one day when there was a crowd around one of these shows, we acted amazed and got closer and closer...and tried to walk between the Mickeys and the briefcase to snap the thread. They got real nervous and packed up...a great travel memory!
Dancing Mickey
MI USA 07/02/00
The other day in Avignon, my wife and I were approached by a young man when we were at an ATM machine. We had just withdrawn 400 francs from the machine and he turned to us with 100 francs in his hands, shoved the bill in mine and said that we had left the bill in the machine. He then said that we should show him our credit card to "validate" that it was our money. I just played dumb as this moron kept trying to get me to take out my card from my money belt. I tried to give him back the bill, to no avail. He just kept telling me to show him my card. I said no and then we walked away. I knew that I had all the money that we withdrew from the machine, so I knew that he wasn't legit. I think that he wanted to take off with my card or something. He wasn't interested in the 100 francs so we held on to it. A block later, I informed the police to keep an eye on the bozo. The policeman checked and the bill wasn't forged. So we bought ourselves a snack--courtesy of the scam artist. If I see him again, I'll give it back to him if he wants it.
Yvon Malenfant (aka Harpo) <y2kmalenfant@hotmail.com>
Seoul-Toronto, Korea 06/29/00
To add a bit to what Mark posted on 6/26--the real ticket inspectors in the Prague metro are in my experience always very subtle and quiet, even when they flash their badges. If someone's claiming to be an inspector and being loud or pushy about it, I'd be very wary. The real inspectors are great at blending in, until you see that badge. So always be sure you have a valid ticket!
I noticed this in Russia on the trams also--the inspectors were very subtle when asking to see your ticket or pass. The ones who are doing what they're supposed to don't make a big scene out of it.
USA 06/27/00
I just got back from my Interrail trip in Spain and Portugal. My trip came to an abrupt end because I was attacked and robbed in Madrid on the 6th day of my planned 1-month-long journey.
I arrived in Madrid on a Sunday and went exploring this great Spanish city. Well, at least I managed to visit the Prado museum before I met my misfortune. I was walking back from the Atocha train station towards Sol. I somehow ended up in a street called Meson Paredes and soon saw that it was not a good neighbourhood. But I thought as it was 5 o' clock in the afternoon, it should be alright. How wrong I was. One guy came from behind and locked my neck, as another 2 came charging at me. I was overwhelmed completely and passed out shortly. When I regained consciousness, my daypack was gone and my pockets were also emptied. Coincidentally, I didn't use my money belt on this day. Had my passport and money and everything else in my daypack including my camera, films, travel journal and address book! So I lost everything. I was fortunate in a sense that some passersby helped me by taking me into a nearby restaurant and comforted me and offered me something to drink. The police arrived promptly and I was taken to a clinic to have my wounds on my elbows cleaned and also have my throat checked (the man used a lot of force to lock it).
It was a lot of trouble after this incident. Without my railpass, money and passport, I had to forget about carrying on with my trip. Fortunately, I had photocopies of all my important documents including passport, credit and ATM cards and driving license. But a copy of my rail pass proved to be useless later when I found out that the railway authorities wouldn't compensate me in any form, even though the ticket was valid for one month and I had only utilised a mere 5 days of it! I did obtain emergency funds from Visa and was able to fly back to Berlin 2 days later.
Travellers, save yourselves a lot of trouble by using a money belt at ALL times. Of course they could have snatched it too since I was unconscious but it sure made their job easier that I had everything in my daypack. And take only whatever is necessary with you when you leave your hotel room. (I didn't carry to take my taken films with me for example!)
Making photocopies of one's important document is vital too. I would also suggest bringing only a copy of one's address book. (I lost my one and only which I have owned for 14 years!)
Always take note too of the bad neighbourhoods in the city--check guidebooks, and ask other travellers. I didn't take it seriously.
Spain is a beautiful country and its people are mostly very friendly and helpful. But just as in any other countries, there are bad elements that could spoil the day for some unlucky ones. I was unlucky, but i could have taken certain measures to save myself a lot of trouble later.
I will return to Spain one day. I will make sure this incident will not deter me from discovering these great countries and meeting their wonderful people again. Happy and safe travels!
[ETBD's Rail Department responds: This was an unfortunate incident, but we are not surprised that no one would honor a photocopy of a railpass. Railpasses should be treated like cash as lost or stolen passes are not refundable or replaceable. If you decide to get pass insurance, which is offered by Eurailpass retailers for $10-12 per pass, it must be purchased at the same time you buy your pass. This insurance does not replace your pass while in Europe, but allows you to make a claim at home for the unused portion of the pass that was lost or stolen. Personally, I keep my pass in my moneybelt and take my chances.]
Lian King Koh <kinghcdd@sp.zrz.tu-berlin.de>
Berlin, Germany 06/26/00
Prague: careful at the train stations and the underground. We were approached by two rather shady "gentlemen" who flashed a "badge" and demanded our tickets. Note we were not on the underground yet. I pulled the tix out, held onto them and told them let me see your identification again. They hurriedly walked away. What the scam was I don't know but things were not right. Several days later a real ticket inspector showed his badge and asked for our tickets while we were on the streetcar. He was geniune.
I think a bit of assertiveness and a great deal of awareness without being an "ugly American" is extremely beneficial in protecting yourself from getting ripped off overseas. I have found that a firm "no" is effective. Prague was a lot of fun but I recommend it in the colder months. Less crowded and fewer hassles.
Mark <MRF@aol.com>
Nazareth, PA USA 06/26/00
Read this section religiously and you will never leave your own house or neighborhood, let alone visit a foreign country. Some tips may be quite helpful, but others...oh, well!
Fast Eddie
Anywhere, US USA 06/24/00
Just returned from Rome and several horror stories from my group. A young lady had her bag slashed open at the Vatican, of all places. It's real crowded and everyone is looking up, with their eyes off their bags. Another couple took a carriage ride from Trevi fountain and the driver took them to a bad neighborhood and demanded more money; when they refused he made them get out and they had no idea where they were or how to get back to the city center. A boy across the way saw them reading their maps and asked them what they were doing in this part of town, gave them directions back, and it was a very long walk.
Also in cafes be sure to wait for the correct change. They will take your bill and money and not return until you go inside and ask for your change. Be sure to count it as they may try to short you. Best to have close to the correct amount and just leave.
Athens is nice. The people are friendly and the cafes always brought the right change but it takes forever. They are in no hurry to bring the check as they take 2 hours or more to eat lunch. Relax and enjoy as it's worth the trouble to go but just be aware and careful. Ask for what you want and hold your ground.
Bobby Grace <gracestwo@cs.com>
Belmont, Cs USA 06/23/00
Just came back from a European cruise. A significant number of the passengers were pickpocketed (some successfully, some not) along and around Las Ramblas, Barcelona. Many men lost their wallets out of their front pockets. The thieves ranged from 2 old ladies to young men. At 7:30 am on a Monday, I had a young man try to tear my fanny pack off me (luckily screaming & fighting back brought help from a local man, so he got nothing). I can't stress enough to keep valuables secured and be aware of your surroundings. I realized after this to scatter my valuables so they were distributed around my various pockets along with using my fanny pack. My traveling companion had everything in a pouch around her neck and was using a disposable camera so she wasn't bothered.
We didn't have major problems in any of our other ports (Gibraltar, Lisbon, La Havre, Hamburg, Oslo, Copenhagen). Though we did see many people doing the shell game scam in walkways as we were in major shopping areas.
[Editor's note: As always, we at ETBD recommend keeping all your valuables--money, railpass, passport, plane ticket, etc.--in a moneybelt under your clothes. Fanny packs tend to be pickpocket magnets. European pickpockets are sneaky pros who can get into even your front pocket without you feeling a thing.]
Andrea <bocanda@hotmail.com>
Concord, CA USA 06/22/00
In early June, my wife and I took the ferry from Algeciras to Tangier, Morrocco under the guidance of the Rick Steves guidebook and advice from others who had visited Morocco. I would certainly recommend this adventure but with certain qualifications. Most importantly, this is for the more fearless (perhaps even ignorant) traveler. This probably isn't the trip for children under 18 and absolutely not young daughters. We are both blond-haired and blue-eyed. She is Dutch and I am American. We dressed intentionally raggedly--though realistically, unless we wore robes, there was no mistaking we were Westerners. This in and of itself makes you a target. One of the medina vendors offered a substantial number of camels and at least four wives if I intended to trade my wife.
Rick compares Tangier to Tijuana. I respectfully disagree. My family owns a maquiladora business in Juarez, Mexico, and I thought that Tangier made Mexican border cities look like Disneyland. The people you'll encounter in Tanger are more intelligent, more cunning, and far more adept at tourist scams, although I will agree that they are perhaps less physically threatening than a Mexican border experience.
Upon my arrival I was forcibly greeted by a gentleman named Carlos, who wore an official-looking license. Rick, thank you for recommending a good guide from your last trip to Morocco--I was a bit skeptical, but my instincts, combined with your knowledge and guidance from the book, were sufficient, and my trip was enjoyable.
'Carlos' shephered us through the Medina to a rug shop and to an exquisite place to eat. Both were safe, reputable and clean. We asked for both and all choices were essentially ours. But I had to really insist on all of these decisions, and I stuck to the guidebook on places I wanted to go, but never showed it to the 'guide.' When he countered with some lame alibi, or tried to steer me someplace else, I pressed hard and told him in no uncertain terms, it was unacceptable. Have your mind made up before you go and absolutely insist. Our agenda, all prices, and even the type of food were discussed and agreed upon by all parties prior to leaving the dock. Especially, do not agree to go to any specific shops without asking about the nature and extent of the guides relationship with them. They may not be entirely trustworthy, but the value in safety and time negotiating the medina is worth it.
While I know that there exist horror stories of unscrupulous guides and tourist scams on this point, I would still recommend a guide at the embarque point from the dock, primarily for your safety. We were tailed by two pickpockets, and faces (the kind your mother warned you about) seemed to appear around corners and in doorways of every place we went. Our 'guide' was indispensable in deterring their advances and assuring us we would be in safe surroundings. As Rick did point out (thanks Rick!), having a guide for me eliminated hustlers completely. And the medina is a labyrinth. Forget easily navigating yourself to anyplace worthwhile in the medina without a tour guide of some sort.
The things I learned and ABSOLUTELY recommend:
1. Negotiate with everyone. The first price mentioned is meant to be reduced by counter offers. This includes your guide. My price included cab, dinner and jaunts through the medina. I payed more than I probably should have, but at the time I was happy to have not been pestered by hustlers and my safety was never threatened. That was worth it.
On countless occasions we noticed other Westerners being 'hard-sold' a wide range of items. I made it a policy to counter offer no higher than 50%. Please help change the perception of Americans as lousy negotiators and bargain hard!
2. The map and list of sites in the guidebook is impeccable. If need be, hire a guide and direct him specifically to the spots you wish to see. I was told the American Legacion Museum was closed temporarily by my 'guide'. I knew this to be unlikely, but didn't press since I was primarily interested in a good guide of the market and a nice restaurant. As Rick says, stress the people and the culture rather than shopping. I'm of the impression that all guides are on the take in some way, it's only a matter of degree. I'm curious as to what would happen if you arrived and belatedly made the point that you were there only to see and not spend, negotiated your price firmly and were insistent.
3. If you wish to purchase a rug, I HIGHLY recommend a book titled 'Rugs to Riches' by Caroline Bosly. It can be extremely helpful in valuing rugs that are 'hard-sold' to you by Moroccan vendors. I bought two and am happy with what I paid. What likely happens is large tour buses are shuffled to a vendor who has some 'agreement' with the tour guide.
Good luck and happy hunting!
Christopher <Chris.Hamilton@ey.com>
Dallas, TX USA 06/18/00
I am an American, above-middle-age woman working and living in Zurich, Switzerland now for 2 years. I travel extensively thru Europe and have seen a lot of foolish American travelers. They carry expensive camera equipment, wear flashy jewelery and dress like they have money. They talk too loudly and the locals are listening. Please do your business quietly. Do not talk about how much money you have and then go to a ATM. Keep enough money on you for the day only. Make a copy of your passport and when you arrive at the hotel leave your orginal there with your credit cards. I stay at all the hotels Rick recommends in his book and I have not had any problems. I have not been taken by taxi drivers, waiters, or con artist. There are more good Europeans than bad. If you act foolishly you will be treated foolishly.
Tina
Zurich, ch europe 06/18/00
I've lived in Italy for several years but I still managed to fall victim to a scam in Rome. My mother and I were on the bus going to the market and we were actually talking about the dangers of pickpockets (she had her bag zipped up, across her shoulder and had her hand on it). A guy still managed to take her wallet and jump off the bus - definitely a professional!
Kate Watson
Bologna, Italy 06/16/00
Keep your eyes open and count your change. And don't assume that your speaking the same language will give you protection. In London, a magazine stand tried to take advantage of my unfamiliarity with the bills. I bought a copy of Time Out, which is about 2 pounds. I handed the man a twenty, and he put a single bill and 3 coins on the counter. Since I'd been in the UK for two weeks, I knew the currency...he had put down a 5-pound note and 3 1-pound coins, hoping I'd just walk off without the rest that was owed me. I stood my ground, and he later pulled out two more 5-pound notes. Keep your eyes open!
Kent Lee <kxl19@po.cwru.edu>
Cleveland, OH USA 06/10/00
Re: Bob's comment below. I think they can be fooled. We visited 10 countries in Europe and wherever we went they assumed I was native, but not my sister. I dressed much like them (no shorts, capri's, dark colors), and I didn't obviously carry a camera or guidebook (though I had yours tucked away, Rick). My sister on the other hand carried maps and wore shorts and bright colors and everyone assumed she was American. They would speak their language to me and try to speak English to her on first contact.
We went on a cruise after touring Italy and found that a huge percentage of passengers we talked to had a theft attempt in Rome and Venice and a few of them successful. We had no problems whatsoever because of how we dressed and acted (confident, walk with purpose, didn't look lost). Whatever you do, don't wear Hawaiian shirts and shorts and cary a camera pack--dead givaway! Wear a money belt in Rome Airport especially and keep your eyes out for young girls who approach you and gypsy children. If they get too close yell out "VA" (GO!) and they will leave quickly.
Lisa Masters <lisa@dragonstear.com>
green mountain falls, co USA 06/07/00
I can't stress enough, when paying a cab driver (especially in Athens), to count out the money as you pay, and watch his hands closely. We had a cab driver in Athens try to pocket a 5,000 drachma bill and pull out a 500 and say we only gave him 500. Luckily my sister caught the switch he tried to make and wouldn't back down, and he just said "okay" and jumped in the cab and drove off. Don't let them intimidate you! We didn't have this problem anywhere else and most of the cabbies were wonderful people but you never know-- better to be safe than sorry.
P.S. If going to Athens and need a very honest, nice cab driver for a tour or long trip call Nikos at 0977-581614, he is quite protective of his customers in a fatherly way and will even suggest a wonderful hotel for you and won't rip you off!
Lisa Masters <lisa@dragonstear.com>
green mountain falls, co USA 06/07/00
Do not worry about fooling the locals. They will know that you are a tourist, and will know your nationality within seconds. Doesn't matter what you wear or how you act, but you should honor your host country's customs anyway. We ate al fresco in Prague on a busy street and watched the owner stand on the sidewalk and conduct business. As each group of people walked by, he looked at them for less than 1 second and asked them to come in and dine, each time in their native language--French, Dutch, German, Italian, English, Spanish, even Czech now and then. And judging by their answers, he got it right every time...
A colleague in Holland told me that the Amsterdam police have given up trying to follow the pick-pockets. They have found it much more effective to follow the 'likely victims.' The police there now receive training in how to recognize the tourists most likely to be pick-pocketed. So if you see a policeman walking behind you in Dam Square, you've been spotted!
Bob L
Derby, UK 06/06/00
In a sidewalk cafe on Old Town Square in Prague I was having drinks with a nice lady I had met the day before. We had a bit of a romance budding. Suddenly out of nowhere a friendly smiling man appeared offering roses to my lady friend. My naive first thought was that this was the restaurateur giving complimentary flowers to the lady guests, so I smiled back and reflexively nodded. A second later I realized that I had just approved a sales transaction, not a friendly gesture--and it had become not one rose but three. Agreeing to buy without asking the price in advance, I knew I would undoubtedly get gouged. In the pressure of the moment, it seemed that the best way to get out of the embarrassing situation was just to pay the guy and act natural, like I throw money around ever day, being the international playboy that I am. Then to make matters worse, I didn't have a small bill so when I handed him a larger bill, instead of offering change, he acted impressed with my generosity towards my lady and offered one more rose.
This whole charade is, of course, designed to catch the man in a moment of weakness. If I refuse to buy the flowers, or demand only one rose, or ask for change then I risk seeming unromantic or cheap in front of my lady. So, as a result, I paid a king's ransom for four roses, I felt like a schmuck for getting sucked in, and my new lady friend was embarrassed. There's certainly nothing wrong with buying the flowers from these guys, but be prepared and negotiate a fair price. Don't get caught off guard like I did.
Jungleboy
Smallville, 06/03/00
In Paris when I wanted to purchase 4 three-day museum passes, the ticket person said they were out of 3-day ones and had only 5-day ones. When I said I would purchase them elsewhere, she called someone who magically appeared with a stack of 3-day passes.
In Munich, the Euro Travellers Aid office is right by the tracks. I wanted a "Munich Pass" for tourists that allows you to travel on all the transit and gives discounts on museums. Well, the people there acted as if this didn't exist and sold me transit passes. I discovered later that the Munich Tourist Office is outside the station, and that is where they are sold. They are a better deal, too.
Last, after the tour of Neuschwanstein Castle (wonderful!), you end up in a gift shop. They did not have the type of books we wanted, but said there was nothing else available in the castle. I bought one of their books, but when we exited, we found out there is a much better shop with an extensive selection two floors down. They are owned by different persons, and the salesclerks in the upper one lied to make a sale.
N. Regan <nrglebo@aol.com>
Pittsburgh, PA USA 06/01/00
In Rome, watch out for a very nicely dressed man in a nice car to stop and ask you for directions. He chats with you and finds out you're American and says his wife is from there. He flashes his card from a famous men's clothing company and points to the expensive-looking sample jackets in the back seat. He then offers you a free leather jacket for your help, but then asks for some American currency so he doesn't have to exchange his on his next trip to the US. After he leaves, you find out the jacket is a cheap naugahide knock-off of poor quality in a plastic bag.
Bob
MD USA 05/26/00
I agree with Johnny (below) up to a point. Blue jeans are common on natives of most European countries and wearing blue jeans will not make you stand out as a tourist. White sneakers are of course not real popular but even those are becoming more prevalent, as are baseball caps. Not to say that you should wear them but you will see them on the "natives" now. His other advice is good.
USA 05/25/00
- One way to avoid being a victim in Europe is to act European. Dress the way they do: no bluejeans, white tennis shoes, baseball caps or loud clothing.
- Learn some of the language (spend $19.95 on a Berlitz CD or tape and listen to it driving to work or at home for a half an hour a day).
- Practice the mannerisms of your host country. The French, for instance, speak quietly in restaurants and in public. They also don't walk around with big goofy grins on their face when greeting locals. Always greet merchants, hotel clerks and other locals before making your needs known. Don't stare at others on the street and avoid eye contact when walking.
- Leave the fanny packs, big camera bags and enormous daypacks at home. These are targets for thieves. If you need a bag to carry picnic supplies, cameras or "have-to's" in, use a plastic grocery sack from a local store. I used one when shopping in a large outdoor market known for pickpockets and had no problems.
- Read guidebooks in your room and take notes or rip out only the pages you need. Don't walk around with a big guidebook under your arm. Get a small pop-up map rather than a coffee-table-size fold-out map.
- If you videotape, have someone act as your "backup" watching activity around you.
- Wear a money belt, carry only enough money for a day and use small bills or coins. Leave uneccessary credit cards and valuables at home.
Johnny <ontheroad@comdot.com>
Fort Worth , TX USA 05/19/00
When visiting Ste-Chapelle in Paris and going through the security gate, I (stupidly) took my camera and put it with my pocket change in the basket next to the metal detector, thinking it would set it off and make things harder for me. After I passed through, I collected my change and didn't even notice that my camera was missing. Someone must have stolen it the second I set it down, and there were four or five security officers there who claimed not to notice anything. I bought another camera of the same model secondhand and it works the same, but what I really regret is the almost-finished roll of film that was in my camera... Keep your camera with you at all times, and if you need to go through a checkpoint hand it around to your traveling partner.
abigail
seattle, USA 05/18/00
A couple years ago I became a staunch believer in money belts when I encountered a pickpocket in Paris in a Metro elevator in Montmartre. I had five 100-franc notes, my Passport, my driver's license, and several credit cards in my trousers' hip pocket, which was BUTTONED. I was wearing a suitcoat AND a topcoat over the pants so I thought I was safe. WRONG!
This elevator was very large with doors at each end. You enter one door and leave by the other. It was rush hour and the elevator was jammed with people, and I noticed three scary-looking men enter at the last minute and slowly work their way to the other door. When the door opened the men were first to exit, and ran away very quickly. I told my wife, "I think those guys are pickpockets," and sure enough, they had managed to remove JUST the French notes, leaving all the rest. That's how talented the pickpockets were, and I never felt a thing!
I ran after them but they boarded a train before I could reach them. I reported the theft to three Paris policemen, but didn't get any sympathy from them as they were too busy doing the usual girl-watching and didn't seem to know any English. By the way, the word for pickpocket is voleur-de-tirer, if you need it.
Emerson M. Hoyt <emjhoyt@teleport.com>
Beaverton, OR USA 05/14/00
I was happy I read about the gypsy scams in Rome. When I arrived in Rome and was waiting in the line for a taxi at termini, a gypsy with a baby (doll, I later found out) approached me with the piece-of-cardboard scam. She was looking for money and pointed to my wallet in a zippered jacket pocket. I told her to go away, and I finally had to push her away from me to get her to leave. Later I saw the police holding her doll and escorting her awaym. Other than that I experienced no problems in Rome.
Al
USA 05/13/00
Despite reading about the scams there, I recommend that people go to Morocco. I did and loved it. I took a Rick-Steves-style tour through Explore Worldwide. None of us were scammed by anyone and found the people delightful and friendly. By the time we reached Marrakesh I was so comfortable with the culture I would not hesitate to go back to Marrakesh by myself. However, I would not recommend traveling solo through the country, as the solo travelers I met said it was too