Take a second to think about life for someone in a less fortunate country than yourself, no government assistance; if you don’t have the money you don’t eat. Unfortunately, this creates tension and as a tourist, you usually are the target of pickpocketing or scams mostly in the bigger cities. This could be the deciding factor in your experience, Just be aware and don’t become a victim of a tourist scam in Paris.

Pickpockets and scammers are extremely smart and crafty; They will try anything to scam your money or belongings. To be honest it is quite impressive how amazing they are at it. You can have your wallet in your pocket and the next minute it will be gone without you even noticing. Don’t be scared of the big cities, but make sure you are aware of your personal belongings at all times.

Here is a couple of handy tips to avoid the tourist scams in Paris

• DO NOT put anything in your back pockets; if you can’t see it you can almost guarantee it won’t be there when you go to get it next.
• Have all of your bags at the front of your body; handbags especially bring them to the front where you can see them at all times.
• Backpacks must be zipped up and have locks. However, this sometimes doesn’t help; they will cut the bottom and run off with the contents that fall to the floor. If you are in a crowded place or metro wear your backpack on the front of your body.
• Don’t carry large sums of cash with you; if you have cash, separate it out to different pockets of your wallet and bag.
• DO NOT put your bag down under the table at a restaurant, café, or on the public transport

Tourist Scams in Paris

• A crappy Eiffel tower toy will start at 27 Euros, and you can bargain them down to 2 after 1 minute.
• They will pretend to be tourists and approach you with a map; they will ask if you speak English and ask for directions, meanwhile, their accomplice is robbing blind.
• This technique is also used on patrons sitting at outdoor tables; the map covers their possessions; then when they have left the people notice the sunglasses or wallet gone from the tabletop.
• A recent technique is to offer you a bracelet and they will grab both hands to see which it will look better on; then before you know it you’re basically hogtied and you’ve been robbed.
• Or with the bracelet, they tie it on you so tight that you can’t get it off and then they demand you pay for it
• They will also get you to sign a petition (For the Blind, Animals or Homeless don’t be sucked in), while you’re doing this you will be robbed or they demand money from you.
• They will also try things on tourists where they drop something in front of you; after you pick it up they won’t take it back and say you have to pay for it.
• They also have the old three-cup game which they rig after you have won the first two times.
• Taxi drivers will often take you the “Long” way around to your destination, be firm and have an idea of where you are heading or you will go on the expensive scenic tour

Don’t be afraid just be aware

Be very careful about how you approach or speak to the scammers, they usually work in groups. So even if you see one there is most likely the rest of the group just around the corner. Just pick and choose your battles. You don’t have to be afraid you just have to be aware, travel in groups, keep an eye out for each other, keep your belongings close to your body, and know where everything is at all times. Tipping in Europe is very much a thing, as uncomfortable as it is for us Aussies; don’t get caught out have a read of Tipping in Europe for some tricks.