Signing petitions as a type of scamming tourists in Paris

This method of fraud is common in places with medium and large attendance, such as Parisian museums – the Louvre, Orsay, Pompidou and others.

The essence of the fraud is as follows: a girl approaches you, usually accompanied by a group, and asks you to sign a petition. The reasons may be different: help children, animals, protection of Parisian sights, etc. While you listen to her explanation or decide to sign, her accomplices pick your pockets. If this fails, they will persistently ask you for money.

Beggars in Paris

In Paris, you will find many beggars who live not only in crowded places, but also on ordinary streets. They are especially common in narrow streets where they are hard to avoid. If you accidentally knock over their coin cup, they will demand compensation. Even if they don’t extort money directly, it may make you feel sorry for them and encourage you to add a few coins to their earnings.

Pocket thefts

Pocket theft remains one of the most common methods of fraud. Tourists rarely call the police, so these crimes pose less of a problem for thieves.

To protect yourself in Paris, especially in crowded areas (museum queues, public transportation, Eiffel Tower, etc.), keep your belongings in front of you. It is best not to carry a lot of cash with you. Keep valuable items in zippered pockets or, better yet, in the inside pockets of your clothes. Don’t carry bags and backpacks behind or to the side, and don’t put your phone in your back pocket.

Gambling on the streets of Paris

You can still find thimbles games on the streets of Paris. This is a game of chance where the host hides a ball under one of three thimbles and moves them around, and the player has to guess which thimble the ball is under. Sometimes you may think someone is winning in front of you, but it will be an accomplice cheater.

Cheating Paris visitors with cab fares

Traveling long distances, such as from the airport to Paris, or around the city in a cab taken off the street, can cost you 2-3 times more than expected. Cab drivers often choose the longest routes to increase the cost of the trip on the meter.

To avoid overpayments, order a cab through Uber, Bolt or local G7 service. For trips from the airport, it’s best to book a shuttle service in advance.

Buying tickets and accommodation in Paris

Offers to buy tickets to attractions or accommodation at significantly low prices are found on the vastness of the internet, especially on social media. However, don’t believe in miracles – Paris is known as an expensive city.

The natural desire to save money is understandable for everyone, but you should do it wisely and weigh the pros and cons. Do not trust those who offer to buy something much cheaper than the market price, as in 90% of cases it is a scam.

The best place to buy tickets is official websites. The second option is to use aggregators such as tigets or getyourguide. Their prices may be higher on some items, but you will get the product you are buying.

Found jewelry

In one common scam trick, scammers offer you a ring or other piece of jewelry claiming that you dropped it. The trick is there for any of your answers.

If the item turns out to be yours, they will demand payment for its return. If it does not belong to you, however, they may try to sell you this “find”. However, keep in mind that such jewelry is usually cheap costume jewelry that is not worth your attention.

Getting help with buying tickets on the Paris Metro

Getting help with buying tickets on the Paris Metro can be tempting, but you should be careful. Often the suggested method is to buy tickets from middlemen “off hand”.

At best, you will pay an inflated price for the tickets, and at worst, you risk getting “discount tickets” intended for certain categories of citizens, which can later lead to a fine when you check your fare.

Gifts from strangers

Walking along the streets of Paris you may meet “generous” strangers offering “free” gifts: flowers, bracelets, souvenirs. Do not be tempted. Behind the apparent kindness hides a cunning plan: the “gift” will only be an excuse to impose unnecessary services and extortion of money.

How to protect your vacation in Paris?

Now that you are aware of the most common methods used by scammers in Paris, let’s look at some simple ways to protect yourself:

• Avoid interacting with suspicious individuals. By simply walking by, you can avoid potential problems.

• Keep your belongings safe. Do not leave valuables in your backpack, purse or back pocket. Wear valuables under your clothes and keep your bag in front of you, especially on the subway. In restaurants or cafes, don’t leave money or cell phones on the table.

In Paris, as in any other major city, there are certain risks associated with fraud. However, by knowing the basic methods of deception and taking appropriate precautions, you can protect yourself and your valuables. Be vigilant, keep an eye on your belongings, avoid suspicious situations and dangerous neighborhoods. And remember that common sense and discretion are your best allies when traveling. Good luck and enjoyment in all your adventures.

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Generally, Portugal is as safe to travel as any other tourist destination you can go to, but of course, there are always some risks associated with visiting another country.

The main problem in Portugal is petty crime. Pickpockets, purse snatching and drug dealing are common, especially in big cities like Lisbon. But, for the most part, you’ll find the Portuguese friendly, kind and helpful. If you get lost or need help, it’s easy to find a local person willing to lend a helping hand.

General tips for staying safe:

Stay safe

Always be aware of where you are. Whether you are enjoying a Portuguese delicacy such as Pasztel de Nata at one of the local restaurants, relaxing on a beautiful beach, taking public transportation, or exploring the many historical sites, it pays to keep an eye on what is going on around you.

Leave valuables at home

If you are particularly concerned about not being robbed, don’t make yourself a target. If you have something of real value that you can live without, don’t take it with you on your trip. If you bring valuable items but don’t need them for a particular event, be sure to leave them in your room in a safe place.

Keep an eye on your bags

As we mentioned, pickpockets are not uncommon in Portugal. Make sure you keep an eye on the bags and wallets you have with you. Keep your purses on your lap when dining out, riding the streetcar or train. The same goes for any shopping bags you may have with you. Don’t leave them on the ground or on the backs of chairs. Try to keep them in plain sight at all times.

Do not carry a lot of cash with you

Walking around with large amounts of money makes you a target. If you are a tourist, you are already expected to have money. The more you hold in your hands, the more you risk losing. Leaving some cash in your apartment or withdrawing it from an ATM only when necessary can reduce your risk (always be aware of your surroundings when using an ATM!). If you don’t feel comfortable leaving your money behind, you should definitely carry it all with you, but be careful. Separate them up and stash them safely so you don’t have to pull out a giant wad every time you make a purchase.

Carry a copy of your passport with you

You never know when you might need to show your passport. If you’re in trouble or need help, the Portuguese authorities may ask for it. Rather than risk having your real document lost, make a copy to carry with you for the duration of your visit.

Insure your trip

No matter where or how long your trip is, you need to get insurance. The last thing you need is an unexpected medical bill that will cost thousands of dollars. Try to get a type of insurance that covers theft and loss.

Prepare for the weather

Portugal can be very hot. Always be sure you can cover your head if necessary and try to limit the amount of time you spend in direct sunlight, especially during midday. If possible, take a bottle of water with you so that you can drink. This is especially important if you are traveling to one of the country’s many beaches or hiking in the mountains or nature reserves.

Observe warnings

If there are warnings on the beach regarding currents or dangerous water conditions, pay attention to them. The Atlantic Ocean can be unpredictable, and it’s important that you realize that. The same goes for rules and warnings in nature preserves. Always remember, you are a guest.

Be cautious about the consumption of alcohol

We understand that everyone wants to have a good time. But exercising some caution when consuming alcohol is important. The last thing you want is to get lost or assaulted while intoxicated. And never leave your drink unattended. Always be cautious.

Try to learn a little Portuguese

Learning even a small number of Portuguese phrases will help you navigate many situations. This will make it easier for you to communicate with locals and help you stay safe.

If you are planning a trip to Portugal, you have nothing to worry about. Portugal is safe for tourists, and overwhelmingly, you will not have a single negative incident. By following the tips outlined above, you are sure to have a safe and fun vacation. Keep your eyes open and enjoy your stay!

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Therefore, in order not to spoil your vacation, be extremely careful and follow the elementary rules of precaution. Here are the main schemes of divorce, which are described by affected tourists on various forums.

Divorce №1. You are sitting in a cafeteria, and then some person approaches you with an announcement in Spanish. He puts it on the table in such a way as to cover your phone, and begins to explain something emotionally to you, waving his hands. You get distracted and the thief stealthily takes your phone.

Divorce №2. Never hang a bag with valuables in a cafe on a neighboring chair or the back of your chair. Local scammers will pull out your wallet so that you won’t even feel it. In addition, you may be purposely dirty, splashed from the car or spilled coffee on you. After that, you will immediately be approached by sort of random people in order to help clean your clothes. As a result, they will clean your pockets at the same time as your clothes.

Divorce №3. If you move around Spain in a rented car, then do not believe it if the driver of the neighboring car suddenly starts to show you that the flat tire. As soon as you stop to check the information, the person from the neighboring car will try to talk you up, and at the same time his friend will steal things from the car.

Divorce №4. This divorce is often found near churches and cathedrals. Fraudulent women hand you a branch of rosemary, “for good luck”. As soon as the branch is in your hands, they begin to demand payment for the gift. And they ask for at least 5 euros. To return the rosemary back they do not give. Many tourists can not resist such an onslaught and pay to get rid of annoying scammers. As a result, people make good money on you.

Do not let yourself be deceived, and then your vacation will pass without incident!

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