Treat any commotion (a scuffle breaking out, a beggar in your face) as fake - designed to distract unknowing victims. Or, even worse, someone throws a baby into your arms as your pockets are picked. There are variations: Someone drops something, you kindly pick it up, and you lose your wallet. The thief offers profuse apologies while dabbing it up - and pawing your pockets. Oops! You’re jostled in a crowd as someone spills ketchup or fake pigeon poop on your shirt. Either way, be suspicious when invited for a drink by someone you just met if you want to go out together, suggest a bar (or café) of your choosing instead. 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. There are several variations on this scam. Only then does he notice the burly bouncers guarding the exits. But when the bill arrives, it’s several hundred dollars more than he expected. After chatting for a while, she seductively invites him for a drink at a nearby nightclub. The Attractive Flirt: A single male traveler is approached by a gorgeous woman on the street. I want my readers to meet and get to know Europeans - but watch out for chance encounters on the street. It can make you want to pay cash for most purchases, like I do. But listen closely and you may hear the sound of the phone’s camera shutter, as she takes a picture of your card.
Talkative Cashiers: The shop’s cashier seems to be speaking on her phone when you hand her your credit card. Get familiar with the currency and check the change you’re given: The valuable €2 coin resembles several coins that are either worthless or worth much less: the 500-lira coin (from Italy’s former currency), Turkey’s 1-lira coin, and Thailand’s 10-baht coin. Some cabbies or waiters will pretend to drop a large bill and pick up a hidden small one in order to shortchange a tourist. Clearly state the value of the bill as you hand it over. Switcheroo - You Lose: Be careful when you pay with too large a bill for a small payment. 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.” Slow Count: Cashiers who deal with lots of tourists thrive on the slow count. But even paying with cash can have its challenges. (See my tips on keeping your cards safe.) When dealing with the public, keep your cards in your sight, or much easier and safer, pay cash. Money MattersĪny time money changes hands, be alert, even when using ATMs. 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 vinyl jacket. That’s when he reaches in his car and pulls out a “designer leather jacket” which he’d like to give to you as a thank you for your helpfulness. He chats you up (“Oh, really? My wife is from Chicago!”) and soon you’ve made a new friend. 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.
(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.) And, since you can’t easily take it off on the spot, you feel obliged to pay up. When finished, he asks you to pay a premium for the bracelet he created just for you. 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. 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. When you say no, the person examines the ring more closely, then shows you a mark “proving” that it’s pure gold. The “Found” Ring: An innocent-looking person picks up a ring on the ground in front of you and asks if you dropped it.
If a bargain seems too good to be ’s too good to be true. Here are some clever ways European crooks bolster their cash flow. But if you’re cautious and not overly trusting, you should have no problem. Scam artists come in all shapes and sizes. Be smart: Know what you are paying for before handing over money, and always count your change. There are many subtle ways to be scammed - a cabbie pads your fare, a shop clerk suddenly inflates prices, a public Internet terminal records your password, or a waiter offers a special with a “special” increased price. But don’t think it can’t happen to more sophisticated travelers, too. Many of the most successful gambits require a naive and trusting tourist. Europe is a surprisingly creative place when it comes to travel scams.