Europe is a beautiful country to visit. The problem with traveling to a foreign country is that there are many scams to avoid, this holds true to Europe as well. While you’re out there wandering around Europe you might find that you encounter some common traveler scams in Europe. These popular travel scams happen to the best of us and that’s why I wanted to feature our list of the top 5 scams to avoid in Europe.
5 Scams To Avoid In Europe
Not Free Flowers
This scam is one of the more popular scams you’ll see around Venice and Rome. You’ll find that a man walks up to you with a bouquet. He’ll insist that the flowers free, and more than likely force them into your hands.
He’ll be very insistent that you take these free flowers, however, once you lay your hands around these flowers he’ll be adamant that you must pay him a tip. Our advice to you is to remember that nothing in this world is ever really free.
People Dressed in Costumes
While in Rome you may find gladiators dressed up asking to take a photo with you, and in other areas of Europe you’ll find other people in costumes that insist on taking a photo with you. You being the avid traveler that you are, will love the opportunity to capture a photo with these people.
The problem with this scam in Europe is that most of the people dressed in costume will insist on a fee after you’ve already taken the photo. Our advice is to never take a photo with anyone dressed in costume while you’re in Europe.
Taxi Driver Scam
Hopefully, you’ll never have to experience this popular scam in Europe where taxi drivers will turn off their meter to get you to pay a high price for that little drive. Some taxi drivers have been known to take advantage of foreigners visiting Europe by offering a ride, but then turning off their meter and insisting on a high price tag for giving you this ride.
If you’re already in the tax, then you probably won’t be able to avoid this scam. Try to walk if you can and rent a car or something like that so that you won’t fall victim to this taxi driver scam in Europe.
Friendship Bracelets
Yes, there’s a friendship bracelet scam. Much like the flowers scam in Europe we shared above, this friendship bracelet scam happens so fast you won’t even know what hit you. People walk around the streets and come up to you to place a friendship bracelet on your wrist in record time.
These people will then demand a fee for their friendship bracelet, even though you never asked for one. Keep your eyes peeled and wrists covered so that you don’t fall victim to this silly scam in Europe.
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Take Your Time
Lastly, we all know how fast-paced our world is. We run around and live a busy lifestyle, but over in Europe, they run a little slower. Merchants there have figured out how fast-paced Americans are and will often take advantage of your impatient nature with this scam in Europe. You’ll pay for something at a vendor with a larger bill, and they’ll take their sweet time counting back the change, sometimes citing that they don’t have the correct change to give you anyway.
This usually ends up with them making out with extra money for something because you’re in such a hurry that you won’t wait to figure out something different. Our advice to you is to remember that this is a scam that happens often in Europe and you should be more relaxed and at a slower pace during your time in Europe to avoid such scams.
Sadly there are a lot of tourist scams in Europe. It seems while you’re out there on a mission to enjoy a fabulous vacation, others are looking to get a quick dollar or take advantage of unknowing tourists. That’s why we just had to share these top 5 scams to avoid in Europe, we’d like you to enjoy your vacation without having to fall prey to those ready to pounce tourists for their money.
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