Tourist
Scams in Europe
By Rick Steves
Many of the most successful scams require a naive and trusting
tourist. The sneakiest pickpockets look like well-dressed businesspeople,
generally with something official-looking in their hand. Lately, many are
posing as tourists with fanny packs, cameras, and even guidebooks. Be wary of
any unusual contact or commotion in crowded public (especially touristy)
places. If you're alert and aren't overly trusting, you should have no problem.
Here are some clever ways European thieves bolster their cash flow.
Slow count: Cashiers
who deal with lots of tourists thrive on the "slow count." Even in
banks, they'll count your change back with odd pauses in hopes the rushed
tourist will gather up the money early and say "Grazie." Also be careful when you pay with too
large a bill. Waiters seem to be arithmetically challenged. If giving a large
bill for a small payment, clearly state the value of the bill as you hand it
over. Some cabbies or waiters will pretend to drop a large bill and pick up a
hidden small one in order to shortchange a tourist. In Italy, the now-worthless
500-lire coin looks like a €2 coin — be alert when accepting change. Other
coins (such as Turkey's one-lira coin, worth 55 cents; and Thailand's 10-baht
con, worth 25 cents) also resemble a €2 coin.
Oops! You're
jostled in a crowd as someone spills ketchup or fake pigeon poop on your shirt.
The thief offers profuse apologies while dabbing it up — and pawing your
pockets. There are variations: Someone drops something, you kindly pick it up,
and you lose your wallet. Or, even worse, someone throws a baby into your arms
as your pockets are picked. Assume beggars are pickpockets. Treat any commotion
(a scuffle breaking out, a beggar in your face) as fake — designed to distract
unknowing victims. If an elderly woman falls down an escalator, stand back and
guard your valuables, then...carefully...move in to help.
The "helpful" local: Thieves posing as concerned locals
will warn you to store your wallet safely — and then steal it after they see
where you stash it. If someone wants to help you use an ATM, politely refuse
(they're just after your PIN code). If a bank machine eats your ATM card, see
if there's a thin plastic insert with a tongue hanging out that crooks use to
extract it. (A similar scam is to put something sticky in the slot.) Some
thieves put out tacks and ambush drivers with their "assistance" in
changing the tire. Others hang out at subway ticket machines eager to
"help" you, the bewildered tourist, buy tickets with a pile of your
quickly disappearing foreign cash. If using a station locker, beware of the
"hood Samaritan" who may have his own key to a locker he'd like you
to use. And skip the helping hand from official-looking railroad attendants at
the Rome train station. They'll help you find your seat...then demand a
"tip."
The attractive flirt: A single male traveler is approached
by a gorgeous woman on the street. After chatting for a while, she seductively
invites him for a drink at a nearby nightclub. But when the bill arrives, it's
several hundred dollars more than he expected. Only then does he notice the
burly bouncers guarding the exits. There are several variations on this scam.
Sometimes, the scam artist is disguised as a lost tourist; in other cases, it's
simply a gregarious local person who (seemingly) just wants to show you his
city. Either way, be suspicious when invited for a drink by someone you just
met; if you want to go out together, suggest a bar of your choosing instead.
Fake police: Two
thieves in uniform — posing as "Tourist Police" — stop you on the
street, flash their bogus badges, and ask to check your wallet for counterfeit
bills or "drug money." You won't even notice some bills are missing
until after they leave. Never give your wallet to anyone.
Young thief gangs: These are common all over urban
southern Europe, especially in the touristy areas of Milan, Florence, and Rome.
Groups of boys or girls with big eyes, troubled expressions, and colorful
raggedy clothes play a game where they politely mob the unsuspecting tourist,
beggar-style. As their pleading eyes grab yours and they hold up their pathetic
message scrawled on cardboard, you're fooled into thinking that they're
beggars. All the while, your purse, fanny pack, or backpack is being expertly
rifled. If you're wearing a money belt and you understand what's going on here,
there's nothing to fear. In fact, having a street thief's hand slip slowly into
your pocket becomes just one more interesting cultural experience.
The found ring: An
innocent-looking person picks up a ring on the ground in front of you, and asks
if you dropped it. When you say no, the person examines the ring more closely,
then shows you a mark "proving" that it's pure gold. He offers to
sell it to you for a good price — which is several times more than he paid for
it before dropping it on the sidewalk.
The "friendship" bracelet: A vendor approaches you and
aggressively asks if you'll help him with a "demonstration." He
proceeds to make a friendship bracelet right on your arm. When finished, he
asks you to pay a premium for the bracelet he created just for you. And, since
you can't easily take it off on the spot, you feel obliged to pay up. (These
sorts of distractions by "salesmen" can also function as a
smokescreen for theft — an accomplice is picking your pocket as you try to
wriggle away from the pushy vendor.)
Leather jacket salesman in distress: A well-spoken, well-dressed gentleman
approaches you and explains that he's a leather jacket salesman, and he needs
directions to drive to a nearby landmark. He chats you up ("Oh, really? My
wife is from Omaha!") and gives you the feeling that you're now friends.
When finished, he reaches in his car and pulls out a "designer leather
jacket" he claims is worth hundreds of dollars, which he gives to you as a
gift for your helpfulness. Oh, and by the way, his credit card isn't working,
and could you please give him some cash to buy gas? He takes off with the cash,
and you later realize that you've paid way too much for your new 100 percent
vinyl jacket.
Room "inspectors": There's a knock at your door and two
men claim to be the hotel's room inspectors. One waits outside while the other
comes into take a look around. While you're distracted, the first thief slips
in and takes valuables left on a dresser. Don't let people into your room if
you weren't expecting them. Call down to the hotel desk if
"inspectors" suddenly turn up.
The stripper: You
see a good-looking woman arguing with a street vendor. The vendor accuses her
of shoplifting, which she vehemently denies. To prove her innocence, she starts
taking off her clothes — very slowly. Once she's down to her underwear, the
vendor apologizes and she leaves. Suddenly all the men in the crowd find out
that their wallets have "left," too, thanks to a team of pickpockets
working during the show.
The broken camera: Everyone is taking pictures of a famous
sight, and someone comes up with a camera or cell phone and asks that you take
his picture. But the camera or cell phone doesn't seem to work. When you hand
it back, the "tourist" fumbles and drops it on the ground, where it
breaks into pieces. He will either ask you to pay for repairs or lift your
wallet while you are bending over to pick up the broken object.
Talkative cashiers: The shop's cashier seems to be
speaking on her phone when you hand her your credit card. But listen closely
and you may hear the sound of the phone's camera shutter, as she takes a
picture of your card.
Crooked cabbies: The
scam you'll most likely to encounter in Europe is being overcharged by a taxi
driver.
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