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Poland
15 scams
Poland is a wonderful country to explore – the cities are full of historical significance with plentiful stories to tell and the countryside is vast and beautiful.
However, you have to watch out for some common European scams as well as bar scams common in Krakow.
Note: vast majority of trips are trouble free and there is no need to be paranoid. That said, it always pays to be aware, careful, and prepared.
Emergency numbers
- Police: 997
- Ambulance: 999
- Fire: 998
- Road assistance: 981
Travel resources
Would you like a drink bar scam in Poland
7 4How it works: Situation: shady scam clubs/pubs can be found across Poland, and there have been sites set up to consolidate feedback from fellow travellers who have been tricked (e.g….
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Restaurant scams in Poland
5 2How it works: Situation: Most food places are fine, it’s generally just a few bad eggs around touristy areas that spoil it for the rest. Set-up: Version 1: Serving appetizers…
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Petition charity scam in Poland
5 1How it works: Opening: you may encounter a group of seemingly deaf and mute people claiming to represent a NGO helping the disabled and beckoning you to sign a petition….
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Free rose scam in Poland
5 0How it works: A little kid gives you a rose, seemingly for free, then demands an inflated sum of money. Places to beware: Krakow What to do: Nothing is free,…
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Pickpockets in Poland
3 0How it works: Situation: Poland has one of the highest reported pickpocket cases in Eastern Europe. Version 1: they work in a gang – one onlooker, one blocks, pushes, distracts,…
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Sob story scammers in Poland
3 3How it works: Someone claims to have been robbed or lost his valuables one way or another then asks if you can give him an inflated sum for him to…
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Taxi scams in Poland
3 1How it works: Version 1: driver turns on night or weekend meters during the day. Version 2: driver claims double the amount of what was initially agreed upon halfway or…
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Unlicensed taxis in Poland
2 0How it works: Version 1: charging an inflated flat fare. Version 2: quote a cheap price initially, only to jack up the price halfway on a highway or stopping in…
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Train ticket helper scam in Poland
2 0How it works: Opening: A local approaches you at the ticket machine of a train/tram station offering help. He/she then press buttons on the machine and help you to insert…
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Vacation apartment scams in Poland
2 0How it works: Situation: fake listings or fake websites. Red flags: cheap prices, copy-pasted description, dodgy sounding reviews, difference in photos and Google Street View pictures, payment off platform (bank…
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Money exchange scam in Poland
2 0How it works: Opening: scam currency exchange booths generally advertise super low rates and claim that there is no commission fee. Set-up: owever, the deal is only applicable if you…
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Kasprowy Wierch Cable Car queue scam in Poland
2 0How it works: Here, the queue will never seem to move, as a gang has planted members in the queue. In short, they get tourists to pay them if they…
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Unofficial parking attendant in Poland
1 0How it works: When entering a carpark, someone looking like an official parking attendant points a spot and directs you there. A tip is then demanded. Places to beware: Gdansk…
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Highway fake phone touts in Poland
1 1How it works: There is a group of gypsies who peddle fake phones on the parking spaces of highways. Places to beware: Krakow: A4 What to do: Avoid buying –…
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Fake police in Poland
1 0How it works: Opening: two scammers posing as police officers approach and claim to be checking for counterfeit currency or identification. They then ask you to produce your ID, credit…
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