Common scams to look at in Europe

Europe is safe when it comes to violent crime. But it is a surprisingly creative when it comes to travel scams. American pickpockets and con artists target – not because these criminals are evil, but because they are intelligent.

Americans are called that have all the good things in their purses and wallets. Even those who pay attention to my advice about money belts can burn. I recently met an American woman whose purse was stolen, and her purse was her money belt. (My advice: Use the hidden money belt under clothing.)

Here is a summary of popular scams, old and new, with the hope that you avoid in your travels:

Smart scammers are taking advantage of our addiction to technology. Europeans love their mobile phones, but beware if the cashier in the gift shop is busy talking on his phone while playing your purchase. Unscrupulous employees have used camera phones to take pictures of the customers credit card numbers. My advice is worth paying with cash. Withdraw money from ATMs and pay for almost all their purchases in local currency.

Maintain personal space Many of the most successful frauds require a naive and unsuspecting tourists. Here's an example: As you are walking down a street in Rome, local touches his shoulder and points to what looks like bird droppings on his jacket. While the local environment helps you clean, your partner hits his backpack. The lesson: Be careful with any unusually close contact or shock the public with many people (mostly touristy) places. If you are alert and ready, you can avoid most problems.

Beware of "instant friends." Here's a scenario: a well-spoken, well dressed gentleman approaches him in Munich. He explains that he is a marketer of leather jacket, and you need driving directions to a nearby landmark. He speaks ("Really? My wife is from Omaha") and gives you the feeling that you are now friends. When finished, arrives in his car and pulls out a "designer leather jacket," which gives you as a gift for your help. Oh, and by the way, your credit card is not working, and could please give him some money to buy gas? He takes the cash, and then realize you paid too much for your new vinyl jacket.

Do not buy anything, literally on the street. This is a scam: A person picks up an innocent-looking ring on the floor in front of you and asks if you dropped it. When you say no, the person looks at the ring more closely, then displays a brand of "proving" that is pure gold. He offers to sell to you for a good price – much more than they paid for it before falling on the sidewalk.

Avoid contact with the rope in unsolicited gifts and guilt trips. A salesman approached him in Paris and asks if you're going to help with a "demonstration". He proceeds to make a friendship bracelet on the right arm. When finished, he asks you to pay a premium for the bracelet that he created for you. And since it's not easy out in the act, who feel compelled to pay.

Keep in mind, but have fun if not broken, do not fix it. Here's an example: Everyone is taking pictures of Buckingham Palace, and someone comes with a camera and asked to take his picture. But the camera does not seem to work. When one starts again, the "tourist" and falls to the ground balls, which breaks into pieces. Or be asked to pay for repairs or lift your wallet while bending down to pick up the object rotates. If you smell the smell of a scam, just walk.

There are lots of scams, but it is important to note that Europeans are relatively few con artists, and Europe is not a dangerous place to visit. Probably the worst scam that happened to me was duped by an exchange, and it was my fault for not reading the fine print.

Be aware of the dangers of traveling, but relax and have fun. Rather limit the vulnerability of their trips. Leave valuables beautiful home and use your money belt on the road. Most people in all countries are on their side.

And if you do happen to be cheated, as even the brightest and most travelers cautious as possible, I know you're going to survive. You can not help in time, but try to remember that your loss is made for a good story when I get home.

More Source:

Rick Steves' Europe: Tourist Scams in Europe
Summer Travelers: Avoid These Common Travel Scams
Seven Common Travel Scams In Europe And How You Can Avoid ...
Common scams - Wikitravel

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Submited at Monday, September 19th, 2011 at 4:00 am on Tips by chuck
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