How to Avoid the Most Common Scams in Paris

Paris is one of the most popular and beautiful destinations in the world, but it also has its fair share of scammers and con artists who prey on unsuspecting tourists. In this article, we’ll tell you about some of the most common scams in Paris and how to avoid them.

The Gold Ring Scam

This scam is very common near the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and other tourist attractions. A person will approach you and pretend to find a gold ring on the ground. They will ask you if it’s yours, and then offer to sell it to you for a cheap price. They will claim that the ring is real gold and worth a lot more than what they are asking for. Of course, the ring is fake and worthless, and they are just trying to rip you off.

How to avoid it: Don’t engage with anyone who tries to sell you something on the street, especially if they claim to have found it. Just walk away and ignore them.

The Petition Scam

This scam is often done by young girls who pretend to be deaf or mute. They will approach you with a clipboard and ask you to sign a petition for a good cause, such as helping orphans or disabled people. They will also ask you for a donation, usually around 10 euros. The petition is fake and the money goes straight into their pockets.

How to avoid it: Don’t sign any petitions or give any money to strangers on the street. If you want to support a charity, do your research and donate online or through a reputable organization.

The Friendship Bracelet Scam

This scam is common in Montmartre, near the Sacré-Cœur Basilica. A group of men will approach you and offer to make you a friendship bracelet. They will tie a string around your wrist and start weaving a colorful bracelet. They will act friendly and chatty, but once they finish the bracelet, they will demand a payment of 20 euros or more. If you refuse, they will get aggressive and threaten you.

How to avoid it: Don’t let anyone touch you or put anything on you without your consent. If someone tries to tie a string around your wrist, pull your hand away and say no firmly. Walk away and don’t look back.

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The Fake Taxi Scam

This scam is common at the airport, especially at Charles de Gaulle. A person will approach you and offer you a taxi ride to your hotel or destination. They will claim that they are cheaper and faster than the official taxis. However, they are not licensed or regulated, and they will charge you an exorbitant amount of money once you get to your destination. They may also take you to a different place than you asked for, or try to rob you or scam you in other ways.

How to avoid it: Only take official taxis from the designated taxi ranks at the airport. Look for the sign that says “Taxi Parisien” and the light on the roof that says “Taxi”. You can also use a reputable app like Uber or Lyft to book a ride.

The Fake Police Scam

This scam is common in busy areas like the Champs-Élysées or the Latin Quarter. A person or a pair of people will approach you and claim to be undercover police officers. They will ask to see your passport and wallet, and then accuse you of having counterfeit money or drugs. They will threaten to arrest you or take you to the police station, unless you pay them a fine on the spot. Of course, they are not real police officers, and they are just trying to extort money from you.

How to avoid it: Don’t hand over your passport or wallet to anyone who claims to be a police officer, unless they show you a valid ID and badge. If you are unsure, ask to see their ID and badge, and call the police yourself to verify their identity. You can also ask to go to the nearest police station with them, which will usually scare them off.

These are some of the most common scams in Paris, but there may be others. The best way to avoid them is to be aware, alert, and cautious. Don’t trust anyone who approaches you on the street with an offer that sounds too good to be true. Don’t let anyone distract you or pressure you into doing something you don’t want to do. And don’t be afraid to say no and walk away.

Paris is a wonderful city with a lot to offer, and most people are friendly and honest. Don’t let the scammers ruin your experience. Just follow these tips and enjoy your trip.