Scam Alert: 5 European Cities Where Travellers Are Most At Risk

Traveling to Europe offers many cultural experiences, rich history, world-class cuisine, spectacular landscapes, and jaw-dropping mountain ranges. There are gorgeous photo opportunities around every corner, dimly lit restaurants serving insanely delicious food, and landscapes that are so insane that you need to see them to believe it is awaiting you. But, even though Europe is a fantastic travel pick, some European cities have earned a reputation for being a hotspot for scams. Whether it’s pesky pick pockets, overpriced taxi drivers, or even currency exchange rate scams, the list of types of scams to be aware of while traveling seems to be endless! Today we’re sharing five European cities that have earned a reputation for travel scams. We’ll share how to spot scams, red flags, and more, so make sure you stay until the end! And at the end, we’ll share a few travel tips so you can enjoy your European travels safely.

1. Rome, Italy.

Rome, Italy, is the 3rd most visited city in Europe. In 2023, tourism reached a level that surpassed pre-pandemic levels with 35 million visitors. And while there’s no denying that seeing the Colosseum in person is an out-of-this-world experience, or you really want the good fortune that is said to come from tossing a coin in the Trevi Fountain, or even being able to walk through the famous Basilica di Santa Maria Mahhoire, there are some travel scams you should be aware of before venturing on.

A few popular travel scams to be aware of in Rome, Italy, are the friendship bracelet scam, tourist menu scam, and pickpockets. The friendship bracelet scam is a popular scam where a person approaches the traveler and begins a conversation. Then they give a “gift,” which is the bracelet, and request payment as a thank you for the gift. The idea is the traveler feels obliged to give the money. This type of scam plays on people’s kindness. What you should do in this scenario is smile, shake your head no, and walk away.

The tourist menu is a scam where restaurants give tourists a different menu than locals. It’s a larger menu that seems to have every Italian dish ever created. It’s overpriced and overcomplicated. To be aware of this scam, opt for restaurants that have great reviews, and if you find one that has a menu that just doesn’t seem right, politely leave and try another one instead.

Pickpockets are a popular travel scam everywhere in the world. It involves people sneakily stealing items from the travelers’ person or bag without them knowing. Make sure to wear a front-facing crossbody bag to help prevent this, and don’t put valuables in any easy-to-reach spot (pockets, zippers, etc.).

2. Paris, France.

The city of love is next on our travel scam hotspot list. Paris, France, received 47.5 million visitors in 2023 and is anticipating more than 50 million in 2024, largely thanks to the Olympics. Visitors love seeing the staggeringly tall Eiffel Tower at 324 meters in height, the Notre Dame de Paris, which is one of the first examples of French Gothic architecture on the continent, and the spectacular sculpture on the impressive pillars of the Champs Elysees. But, even in all the incredible sights of Paris, France, there are still scams to be aware of, as Paris is a hotspot for many different types.

The gold ring scam is common in Paris and involves the traveler walking past an elderly lady or man, and you hear metal cling as if it’s dropped. The older lady then stops you, trying to ensure you don’t miss your ring. You insist it isn’t yours, and they insist you keep it. Then, after you reluctantly agree, they beg for money as a thank you. The friendship bracelet scam we discussed above is also very popular in Paris.

Another common scam is fake charity collectors. They wander under the Eiffel Tower and try to get people to give money to their charity. A good rule to follow to avoid this scam is that charities won’t ever approach you in the street to ask for money. The metro scam is popular in cities with a complicated metro system. Someone in office attire will approach someone looking at the metro route and offer to purchase their ticket for them and come back to bring it. Many tourists are grateful for this help, as it can be hard to navigate. Then, the person buys just the child seat and pockets the remainder of the money, and you’re left trying to figure out how to fix the problem because the conductor isn’t going to be pleased or even might not let you on.

3. Barcelona, Spain.

Barcelona, Spain, is an iconic city to visit. In fact, in 2023 it will welcome 15.6 million visitors. Visitors enjoy seeing the Park Guell (a world heritage park), the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia, which is the largest unfinished Catholic Church in the world, and much more. Barcelona is filled with Gothic character with charm and mystery around every corner. But, as alluring as all this sounds, tourists must still be aware of scams.

Pickpocketing is a popular scam in Barcelona. Another popular scam involves one person distracting the traveler (maybe spilling something on them, tc.),  and when apologizing and trying to help, their accomplice steals something from the traveler without them even realizing. The happy dancers scam takes place in venues with dance floors and alcoholic beverages. After a few drinks, the traveler starts dancing and having a good time, and the scammer steals from them when they’re least expecting it. Being distracted at a restaurant and having your phone or wallet out on the table is another way to be scammed. Always keep these items on your person.

4. Budapest, Hungary.

Budapest welcomed 6.9 million visitors in 2022 and is ramping up to welcome even more in 2024. The city has much to offer tourists. For example, tourists love the Hungarian State Opera and visiting the Parliament Building, which is the 3rd largest parliament building in the world. But all tourist hotspots are also hotspots for scammers.

Budapest is a popular spot for pickpockets, so it’s vital to remain vigilant about keeping your possessions out of easy grasp. Fake taxi drivers are popular in this European city as well. They amp up the price for tourists or take longer routes than necessary to then charge them more than necessary. Budapest is also a popular spot for counterfeit currency. Always make sure to exchange your money at certified institutions and check for validity to ensure the funds you have are real.

5. Vienna, Austria.

Vienna, Austria, is a city with impeccable landscapes and jaw-dropping sights. The city welcomed slightly under 40 million travelers in 2022 and has many beautiful tourist sights. The Historic Centre of Vienna and St. Stephen’s Cathedral are two very popular tourist locations in Vienna. 

Unfortunately, Vienna, Austria, is a hotspot for scammers as well as tourists. It’s common to hear of fake charity scams (like we explained above), currency exchange scams, taxi scams, and restaurant scams. 

Avoid travel scams with these tips:

• Be cautious about using your personal information.
• Use services that have verified customer reviews.
• Verify taxi and ride-sharing services.
• Use secure payment methods.
• Don’t use public Wi-Fi for financial transactions.
• Research common scams in the area that you’re traveling to.
• Be aware of distractions.
• Avoid aggressive vendors.
• Trust your instincts.

The takeaway.

In the end, the benefits of travel far outweigh the risks, but it’s important to still be aware of the risks involved. Scammers are quite creative and observant, so it’s vital to remain vigilant and aware. Taking the precautions we shared above can help ensure that you can travel to these European cities and enjoy your entire trip!