How to Avoid the 10 Biggest Tourist Scams & Rip-Offs in Paris
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- Опубликовано: 17 июн 2022
- In this video, we'll show how to avoid getting scammed in Paris during your visit.
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I screamed and yelled at the pickpockets inside the metro in Paris. I even slapped the hand of the pickpocket when he's trying to get things from my husband shoulder bag. I really made a scene in the train. One by one those team of pickpockets go out from the train. They messed with the wrong tourist and didn"t get anything.
Bjr,en effet VOUS avez tellement crié que j'ai encore mal aux oreilles.🥵
Asking for the price BEFORE you order something is absolutely mandatory. The rest is just keeping your guard up and not letting anyone touch you with bracelets, distract you with petitions or snatch your belongings.
One of the things you didn't mention (& maybe it's not happening anymore) ---women need to be aware of wearing shoulder bags & even cross body bags sometimes. There are thieves who ride motorcycles or mopeds & while one is driving the other who is sitting behind reaches out & cuts the strap on the bag & grabs it. They scare someone with their close proximity thereby throwing them off guard & they cut, grab, go so fast its allover in a flash. I suggest never wearing a shoulder bag & if you wear a crossbody bag wear it under a shirt or jacket so the strap is out of sight & unavailable.
Oh that’s where the chain straps came from
no that doesn't happen in Paris. You should be more careful of that in Rome tho.
Thank you
It happened to me but in Rome and I was wearing what we called then a moonbag around my waist now called body bag. Moped drove by and they simply snatched it away with such force I hit the street hard, i was breathless for seems like a long time and bloody knees. At least my passport was delivered to my hotel that evening, no bag, no money. Lessons learnt for my next visit to Rome
This is very rare... just be cautious when you are in touristic places.
Thank you for this! Another typical scam is as you're walking near a site, someone behind you will shout at you and say "hey, you dropped this" and show you a nice gold ring or other piece of jewelry. They'll put it in your hand and while you're looking at it and saying that it is not yours (you're distracted), their accomplice will try to take something from your bags or your pockets. They once tried that on me. I said "merci", put the ring in my pocket and walked away. Of course, they made a fuss. I turned around, gave the ring back, and asked them not so nicely to get out of my face.
@@shizukagozen777 Are you saying that the scammer is in the right and the tourist in the wrong?
@@shizukagozen777 I still don’t get your point. The scammer got this whole thing started. If he gets hoisted with his own petard, it was well deserved.
@@MrToronto44 He's explaining another scam to you which you're too dense to understand. The scammer comes with a fake gold ring their victim supposedly dropped, and asks for a small sum as a reward. The victim is made to think that the ring is worth more than the reward, so he pays up in order to keep the ring. In reality the ring is worthless.
@@cnutsack nah, he understood it pretty well
@@cnutsack Yes that what it is... got scammed once on this early in the morning around the Opera Garnier..
During our most recent Paris trip in 2017 my wife totally pissed off a scammer who was claiming she was deaf. We had walked past her and her partner having a spoken conversation. A little while later my wife noticed one of them working this couple with the “I am Deaf, please sign my petition and donate” deal. My wife walked right up behind the scammer, looked straight at the couple and said “She’s not deaf.” The scammer quickly turned around glaring at my wife as the couple walked off.
Haha! Your wife is such a badass! ❤
@@Ibochic1 I would only do that if I am open carry an AR with me and I want to pick on a scammer. Doubt scammers would want to pick a fight with someone who are open carry an AR, LOL.
@@eggheadegghead Luckily in Europe nobody walks around with an AR. That's why you don't have to be afraid to get shot if you would get into an argument with somebody. God bless America.
Thank you for doing this video. I was in Notre Dame Paris a few weeks ago. There was a group of girls getting people to sign some survey form. One girl approached me, I refused her. Then 2nd girl came by afterwards. I refused again. Then a 3rd girl approached me and spoke to me in English and asked foe my signature. I refused and said NO firmly. I actually felt bad later thinking that 'it's just a survey'! After watching your video, I feel I did the right thing. Thank you!
My way of never getting scammed is don’t stop to talk to street vendors or strangers. Just be impolite, ignore them and walk straight past without stopping. Remember you don’t owe a street vendor or stranger any politeness and chances are you’ll never see them again anyway so who cares what they think of you.
I fully believe scammers only target tourists who are stupid enough to stop and talk to them.
And if a ticket price is too good to be true, it usually is. Why would anyone sell something at a financial loss. And if there was such a thing as a “queue jump ticket” then everyone would buy it. Only buy tickets from the venue.
Thank you for these helpful tips. Wished we knew this before we went to Paris many years ago. We had a bad and scary incident at the Gare du Nord. One of those Roma young girls grabbed my niece’s arm and wanted her to sign their clip board. It was scary because I was pulling her arm and away from the Roma. She wouldn’t let go. Out of nowhere a policeman jumped in and screamed at her to let go. Before letting go she cursed at the policeman! He asked if we were okay and warned us to be aware at our surrounding at all times. That was the only time that we had problem in Paris. Love the nice and helpful Parisians!
Duh why do people not get angry and loud when they sense danger? That is something i will never understand!
I got approached by one of those girls with the clipboard. But they didn't take anything. Probably I wasn't carrying anything of value to them.
They didn't ask for money, just to fill the form.
Yeah, you want to make very sure you do not break the law, in a foreign country, period, even if you think you are in the right. It could be tough, like you said, the girl grabbed your nieces arm. It would be easy to accidentally hit the person,and then trouble happens.
@@salmasalute many of us come from more quiet cultures where we do not shout or make scenes on the street, and never having been in a situation like that, would never think to scream
It may sound violently but if anyone EVER grabbed my arm and wouldn't let go I'm not even kidding I would EITHER Slap their hand/ arm or bite them in the hand/arm because I'm someone people shouldn't Mess with.
Love your channel, one of the best I've seen, not just detailing Paris, but for overall presentation and quality of information. Really appreciate all the information you provide for travellers. Merci for all the great tips & Paris is wonderful,.but made better by people like you . C'est magnifique! Oh, and you two are a cute couple together.
Guys, I just had the most amazing trip to Paris this week. I wanted to thank you for all the videos and tips about that city. It made the stay interesting and great. I looked at all your videos and learned a lot. It was one of the best vacations ever.
I have learned so much from your videos. thank you very much. I could listen to you talk all day, both of you are so calming in your messages and so informative. We will be in Paris in the next two weeks and I feel so much more confident because of you.
It’s mad to think restaurants and cafés are scamming their customers. I got scammed years ago for two coffees and I was with my French girlfriend at the time. Learned very quickly to always ask for price in advance.
Also, a side note; those fake surveys have another part to the scam where they use the clipboard to hide your phone if it is on a table and then steal it while it’s under cover of the clipboard.
Yeah, never leave your smartphone on the table of a restaurant.
There're plenty of ways to get robbed in this situation. Few months ago I heard of someone pretending to be drunk with a bottle of vodka in hand, and coming to a table to seemingly play the very drunk falling on the table trying to discuss, the kind of drunk that you want to get rid of asap. It was an act he just stole a phone.
Bravo! Finally a good video about the scams in Paris, I hope a lot of people can see it and avoid problems while visiting the city
Just returned from a fabulous week in Paris. Felt safe everywhere we went, including Metro, and I did look like a tourist with my camera in tow. What always surprises me in any city is the number of people who voluntarily stop and interact with the scammers. Only disappointment was not running into Antoine and Colleen while they were out filming 😂. Your guide book was very helpful for restaurant options!
The notorious thing is the scammers ask you where are you from, immediately, they will have a cousin on your city, and then they have some great cause like protection if environment, helping orphans, and they will ask you to sign to support their cause, probably, then force you to give money, Don't sign anything Don't sign Dont sign even if you want to give them money.
@@LesFrenchiesTravel Why dont you mention that these scammers are never french; but in 90% certain ethnic groups?!
@@LesFrenchiesTravel Well that's not true. I lived for many years in Paris and the people from North Africa really put the French people in a bad light. If you get robbed in Paris, will you really say a french person robbed you? Otherwise, for the video, the tourist center is always safe. There are many shady areas in Paris, but usually, tourists will never see them.
Any nationality can be a citizen of a country. It doesn't have to be based on skin colour. I don't know why you bring in race into this. A scammer is a scammer either way.
@@mightysun89 If you're in France, especially Marseille, it's getting pretty obvious who the majority of scammers/thieves are.
We're traveling to Paris in a couple of months for a few days enroute to Madrid. Your videos have been a blessing to watch. Merci!
Very good video, yours is the first video I've seen with the emergency numbers. Great job!
Thanks for all the tips I’m in Paris 2weeks ago good thing I watch all your Paris videos, it helps a lot specially alone traveller🥰
We have been to Paris 20 times, always in fall, winter & spring, and have experienced several scam attempts with only 1 successful. Had a ice bag with a supplement attached to a back pack that was stolen because it was not locked. Was able to go to pharmacy. If you are wearing a backpack make sure all pockets are locked or closed with a twist tie and that the pack has a front strap across your chest. Don’t put packs on back of chairs that can be easily grabbed. Sit the bag at your feet with strap around your ankle.
While touring I wear a thin cross body bag under my coat but cards & passport in a money wallet under clothes. I never carry a purse but watched a family of 4 with purse walk last thru metro entry and teenager grabbed purse. Father ran after robber while mom & kids cried because purse had all the passports, cards and money. So if carrying bags in metro carry them in front of you and largest & strongest person goes last. Also if possible in Metro try to stand with back to wall.
Scam: someone will stop you and tell you they watched someone take your wallet so you will check so their partner in crime knows where to pick pocket.
Scam: On crowded bus a scammer acted drunk and reached over to touch our tall 6’2” daughter on the knee and she immediately raised her size 12 foot aimed at his crotch and screamed “Don’t touch me”. Man immediately sobered up and got off at next stop while riders applauded our daughter. Bus riders told us he rides bus every day to pickpocket.
While in Pigalle area a man asked our beautiful daughter in French if she knew the time as he pointed to his watch. She shook her head No and I answered the man with correct time. He apologized to me the “mama” and walked away. We think he was trying to target a young woman who was alone. Stranger Danger!
Lastly, went to see the see Statue of Liberty in the middle of Seine and only one other couple was there. All of a sudden I felt my coat splashed with a liquid that smelled like pickle juice & I immediately accused the other couple who said it was not them but a seagull but had wet wipes & offered to clean me up and tried to clean my hubby who wasn’t splashed and pulled out his pocket chained wallet. We immediately walked away. My first instincts were correct.
Also, along with not wearing bright clothing don’t wear clothing with US universities, companies and institutions that signal you are a tourist.
Thank you so much. First time there next week with my son. I've listened to all your videos. Will help a lot.
Thanks Antoine and Colleen. Your videos are great and easy to understand.
Some very useful tips in that video. In my experience the worst are on the path through the gardens leading up to Sacre coeur. Those guys just won’t leave you alone if you interact in any way. Just completely ignore them!
Great video! Thanks for sharing.
Great tips -thanks for sharing.
Very useful information Les Frenchies!! It is easy to be distracted when on vacation so your video demonstrates what to look out for. We noticed many of the scams you highlighted when we were in Paris last time but luckily we avoided being a victim. Also great info regarding what to do and who to call if something does happen. Merci!
This video had great need to know tips that I really appreciate. These are great tips that should be followed in any big city. Thanks!
Echoing a lot of the comments. Felt safe overall on our recent trip and took measures to avoid these scams. Wore my bag under my arm or in front of me, kept my valuables sealed behind zippers close to my body, and most of all tried to remain aware of my surroundings especially on the metro. The loud voice identifying you as a tourist is a great point because we noticed this and found ourselves conforming to, and enjoying, the reduction in noise. Another interesting approach to the ticket scam we encountered - went to Eiffel late in the evening and were approached by someone saying they suddenly couldn't use their tickets because of some scheduling conflict and wanting to sell me their unused tickets. Buy online before you go, often the popular attractions are sold out day of, or buy at the official ticket booth. We didn't buy the tickets and I have a feeling they were either used or counterfeit. Thanks for another great video!
Hello Colleen and Antoine,
While watching this video, I realized we fell into the rickshaw tram scam when we were in Paris. We were very tired and approached a rickshaw driver about the cost of a ride. He said 40€ so we considered it and thought it was worth it but you know what happened. When we got to the tour boat area near Eiffel Tower it was not 40 but 80€ . We paid and learned our lesson.
We also had a very lovely lady approach us in Gare de Lyon train station to warn me that I was carrying my day pack in a very careless way. We were tired once again having travelled from Chamonix that day and I had let my guard down. We were so grateful for her kind warning. Just appreciated her speaking to us and grateful I had enough French comprehension to understand the warning. So many kind people everywhere you travel. Travel and days packed with new sights and experiences can be quite exhausting and pickpockets and thieves are very good at spotting the weary novice. It’s their job. Be aware of how tired you are becoming and plan breaks to refuel and be more vigilant at times nearing the end of your day so as Not to become a target.
Thought the whistle was a very good idea. I would say, wear the whistle around your neck, under your shirt if you wish, whenever you are out in tourist areas. It is a very small item but having it at your immediate disposal,when called upon is the insurance you can use in the moment it might be needed.
I'm planning my trip to Paris rn and think I'll grab a big whistle with bright color and will wear it visibly. It could pre-scare the potencial scammers.
I would add one more thing to the "avoid buying a ticket in a busy metro station" line: it is a well known scam to be offered "Paris Visite" (i.e. multi day pass) tickets from random (mostly young) people at busy train stations. They want to take advantage of you not wanting to stand in line for a ticket (for example I've seen it at Gare de l'Est where the trains from Germany come in and dump hundreds of people at the same time in this one station), but what you end up getting is a one-time ticket (those slips all look the same to a tourist!) that will not work the second time, sold to you at the price of a Paris Visite multiple day ticket! So by the time you realize, you no longer are at that same station.
If you come in by TGV (or German ICE -- I imagine it's the same for the Belgian Thalys), you can buy the metro ticket in the train's bar, that way you don't have to stand in line later.
When I last visited (July 2022), I saw they're switching to tickets on the pass Navigo app - I saw it too late for the trip, so I did not check what is required to use this, but for next time, I definitely will do so to avoid lines and just for convenience, too.
Because of videos like yours and others, we were well prepared for possible scammers and pick pockets. We survived. Only saw one clipboard scammer at the Eiffel Tower whom we avoided.
Many Thanks, Really Appreciate your safety info
Great advice- thanks for the warning.
thanks for the tips!
Excellent video! Great tips!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you so much for sharing. It is a very useful tips
Thanks, I really appreciate all the great advice. I will definitely will make a note of all the scam. My son and I are planning a trip to Paris next year for the first time. God bless you and Colleen! great tips!😍😍
Great tips! Saw the survey one loads. Thanks to your tips they scattered away as soon as I said “non Merci!”.
This was so helpful and pleasant to watch.
Thanks for sharing this important info.
@@LesFrenchiesTravel 🙂
Brilliant ! Thank you !
Great video and super helpful, did not have any idea of this! 😮 Thanks for the tips! 👍👍 God bless 🙂
This was great, thank you so much!
Thank you guys, you’re the best💛💖
You guys are awesome. Planning an upcoming trip and am watching all of your vids!!! Keep 'em coming :)
Very helpful.
Thank you.
Glad to see that you mentioned the restaurant overcharge in this video.
Wise recommendations about not getting physical with scammers and avoid direct eye contact. Just let them know that you know, and walk far away 😅
I got one guy showing me the wrist thing, I pretended not heard, and then said no when he kept bothering, then he just walked away.
Thank you very much guys. I like your videos. They are informative and helpful. :)
You are genius..the way you both explains is a mind blowing
The ultimate weapon against scammers, crooks and governments is not having any money at all. Good luck trying to get money from me😂
the whistle trick sounds so cool
Great tips. My number one rule when traveling is to never trust anyone who started to engage with you in the first place.
This. I’ve never been scammed because I never stop walking to talk to anyone, I’m more than happy to blank them and walk on past.
A couple years ago visited Paris with my son and daughter. We dropped our bags at the hostel and walked over to Sacré-Cœur. In less than 5 minutes my daughter had someone tying a bracelet around her wrist. I immediately assumed it was a hustle but wasn't too bothered as I see this as part of traveling these days and at the least she would have something to keep out of the deal. They ran through their script and we joked a bit back and forth. Then, they asked for money. I smiled and handed over 3 euros. They immediately tried to tell me it needed to be 15 and I was clear that they got their 3 and they should be happy with that.
Then, things got weird. The 'head' guy smiles, guffaws and says something along the lines of "then I guess we will just have to kidnap your daughter" and while the others laughed good naturally, the head guy actually gave me a look. Like, a serious attempted intimidating look. I calmly gave him my "dude, I am a crazy ass American from Chicago so you decide where this goes next" look back and after a few short moments his demeanor eases and he laughs it off. This one really shocked me. Again, I have seen my share of scams and hustles but this was the first time that I had come even close to any kind of an even implied threat. I still agree that they only want the cash and have zero interest in confrontation or unwanted attention, but this one felt like it really came right up to that line.
Thankyou so much for this !! I’m going in Christmas this helps
While in Paris last month I was approached by the same guy twice, first near our hotel in le Marais and the very next day near the Palais Garnier.
He would come up along side me as we are waiting to cross the street and ask “Are you American? Do you speak English? The first time I answered yes thinking maybe he might be asking for directions, but then he started with “I’m here with my family and we lost our credit cards….”. At that point I stopped him and said take a walk pal.
The next day I couldn’t believe it was the same guy in a different neighborhood, he obviously gets around. As soon as he approached and asked, my wife and I at the same time loudly said NO! He immediately turned and walked away.
This scammer must walk all over Paris all day every day hitting on good natured Americans.
“I’m here with my family and we lost our credit cards….”.
“Unlucky” or “Maybe you should phone your bank”
Awesome info.....
While in Paris near the Louvre my wife and I saw some girls with clipboards. Now, We had heard about this scam and others and knew to stay away. Before we went I even purchased pickpocket proof pants and a vest. I even have a hard time finding and getting into the pockets. However back to the event a guy nearby, just a few feet, stopped us and asked a question. We said NO, but he wouldn’t give up. We kept walking but he got in front of us and stopped us again. Then he started tapping my vest with a pencil. We had enough and were no longer the polite tourist said NON! and walked away. If you have to be rude … BE RUDE! They are not your friends.
We’ve been back to Paris since without incident… just be aware.
Thats some really good piece of advice!! I would like to also add about scams by street artists where they just pull you in and do a paper clipping of your face and then force you to buy it. We were scammed few days ago in Montmorte where a guy pulled my son in and started doing a paper cut image of him which looked nothing like him and we were forced to pay 20 EUR for that crap. Also be careful with taxis including uber. The drivers may take a longer route that the one recommended by google maps and you end up paying 2x the price. One of the driver was driving us around in circles in the same location and when I challenged him, he dropped us quickly at the right location
You guys are fantastic! Thank you for sharing these warnings. I've had issues concerning someone finding a lost ring. We just kept on trucking, ignoring them until we got out of their range. Concerning the pickpockets, I just wear a money belt.
Money Belt? That screams tourist! how about a fanny pack as well as the Beret. LOL!!
@@vuk8985 I've used a money belt for years in dozen of countries. I don't know how you wear it but when it's under a shirt it's impossible to tell it's there.
Thanks!! WAs a very useful video
So helpful thank youuu
Great advice. especially the taxi's but beware some scammers have stuck on roof signs and false meters. The clue is if anyone roaches you and says they are a taxi, they are not. Find a genuine cab rank.
Thanks, I'll keep that in mind.
Just returned from a 2 week visit and pick pockets got me 3 times on and near line one. Distraction is the main ruse: teens asking for directions on the metro while partners pushed my husband into the doors and another unzipped my crossbody, lady with 2 maps had me holding them on the wall while she rifled my cross body hanging down under my jacket and helpful man at the ticket machine took my card in front of my eyes as he argued with someone. He left after I realized my card was gone while wondering how the machine ate my card. A few minutes later the man, my card and tickets reappeared. Of course I called to block my card. Despite these foibles we had a great time in Paris! Just wanted to add to the pool of information. Thanks Frenchies for your superb videos. They were so helpful in getting us to try new things including navigating the métro.
What’s line 1?
@@somethinelse0930
It’s the name of metro train emanating from the Nureilly neighborhood.
Thanks for sharing, you are an angel.
the same happens in Rome , Lisbon , Barcelona , Amsterdam , Rio de janeiro , Istambul ... and many others tourist citys
In short in France: avoid anyone sober who wants interaction.
If he's drunk, have a drink with him.
and Yes, ice cubes in wine are considered a state crime.
Another great video! Maybe you could do a video on day-trip ideas from Paris one day? Cheers
Would love to see a video on Fountain Bleu. What train to use and how long it takes. I am much more interested in this area than Versailles.
Thanks my friends French for the useful video.Kisses from Greece.💋💋🇬🇷
Your videos are very useful for first time Paris sightseers, I am looking forward to visiting Paris in July 2
Thank you sooo much for your very informative video. I’m going to Paris n need to be careful. Thanks!
Nicely put together! I never feel scared in Paris but these people are so annoying! They are everywhere à bit touristy or crammed with people! Watch out for the funicular to and from Montmartre at each entrance their little hands going to Handbag just before getting in and they run away whilst you are moving inside with the crowd and they keep out you get trapped in with the motion of people getting in. Take Care everyone but enjoy Paris there is no other place like it 🥰
Sabrina🇫🇷😘
Im a seasoned traveller and the whistle idea is a top tip that I will be using, thanks.
Hi, I just want to share what we saw on our trip to Paris. There’s people in sitting on the sidewalk asking for money they have a small container with coins generally you see the person, but you don’t see that container you knock it down. You feel bad you because you kicked the container, so automatically you start helping this person recollect all the coins from the ground. One: you end up giving them a donation or two: you put your bags down and they take that opportunity to steal from you.
How we found out was because it happened to me we were walking and I kicked the container I felt bad so I started picking up the coins and my husband gave him a couple euros. (Not so bad)
Days later I noticed the same thing happened with another tourist, but this time a Parisian passing by told the tourist don’t pick up the change, pick up your stuff right away they’re trying to steal you stuff.
FYI always be alert of your surroundings.👀👀👀👀
@@LesFrenchiesTravelIt’s great that to guys made this video of this scam, that not only happen in Paris, but any big city.
Très bonne vidéo !
Thank you very much for the excellent Scam advices 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
@@LesFrenchiesTravel ✌✌✌
Comme d'hab, great video. If I may, I’d like to add to this:
1. If you are at an unfamiliar cafe and want to order, eg a glass of wine, ALWAYS ask for the menu first. Otherwise they will upsell you. And, another way of getting around upselling, ask them how much a bottle is versus a glass. Ask them what another eg rose costs that’s not so expensive. BTW, oftentimes, the bottles are cheaper. Bottomline, ask.
2. Although I’m multilingual, whenever someone approaches me in a “touristy” area, I always answer to the question, “Do you speak English, Spanish, or whatever?” With a stern ‘NO’. It’s not uncommon for European and especially thieves to be multilingual.
3. On the metro, if you hear a commotion by eg teenagers, they want to distract you so you all face to see what’s happening, in the meantime, their pickpocketing you. This happens especially on line #1.
4. And, if they steal your cell phone, as what happened to a friend visiting last week, she received a blackmail email saying they were going to expose her naked pictures, she said go ahead. These days, they don’t steal your phone for the actual phone, but the data and your name. That’s why it’s important to “erase” data as soon as you find it stolen.
5. In the US they’ll kill you for your money, here they won’t kill you, most they’ll do is knock you down, so it’s relatively safe unless you go to certain areas known to sell drugs, but you shouldn’t be there anyway.
Bonne chance
This happened to us last week. Someone pushed my husband toward the door and his arm got stuck. Meanwhile a hand was unzipping my purse. They only got a junk wallet and jumped off at next stop.
Don’t forget official transit theft especially at the Louvre stop. I threw away my métro ticket after going through the turnstile to avoid mixing it with my unused ones. I showed my receipt and a handful of unused ones. They didn’t care but only charged us $35 for one person instead of $100 for 2 if we paid in cash. Claimed they do random checks but we only saw them at the Louvre stop picking off tourists. The locals know to stay on or get off at the next stop. Most tourists don’t know you’re supposed to keep the ticket until you get off.
Also, be aware of the lost lady with two maps. She asked me to help her find her hotel. While holding the map on the wall she used her other hand to unzip my crossbody. Fortunately my husband saw her and slapped her hand away. Do like the natives and smart travelers, don’t make eye contact and keep walking.
Incredibly we (I) was a victim of attempted pick pocketing 3 times in 2 weeks. The 3rd time was serious. I was purchasing metro tickets from the machine and a helpful man came up and took my card through slight of hand. An older woman walked up and they started arguing with him (the distraction) while my card was in the machine. She left and he stepped back and motioned me to put in my pin. I did and my card was gone and no tickets. Two other people came up and used the machine with no problems. The man came back and motioned me to try again and voila my card and tickets appeared in the bin. Of course I immediately went back to the hotel to call and block my card.
Thieves are multilinguals (arabic/african language and even some french)
very educational
Great advice. 💜🇦🇺
I love the idea of your grandma carrying a whistle
Thanks for the tips. The whistle made me smile as, many years ago here (Liverpool), the police communicated with whistles. They issued pensioners/seniors with a police whistle to call for help if needed (seriously). I still have Grandma's police whistle - must take it with me next time I'm in Paris :)
The police in the Paris gardens, the
large ones, still use that whistle at the end of the day, to signal leaving time.
These days, if you blew that whistle in distress, the police won’t be interested. No cop will show up and they’ll just give you a crime number.
Thank you!
Nice presentation. You can find these scams in most cities,(anonymity) it just seems Parisian. You give great advice. I would include in your advice: look like your going somewhere with a purpose, and take pictures of people who accost you. They just melt away.
1:58, 4:20, 6:40 As a rule when someone approaches you in a foreign country, be on high alert. Don't talk to them. Get away from them.
It makes no sense that someone approaches a complete stranger, so it's a scam. 9:15 is a good solution.
3:15, 8:08 In Athens they tried to get my wallet 3 separate times. It was always when I was getting on and off the subway. I keep my wallet chained to me and in my front pocket.
3:40, 4:50 It would be very easy for the authorities to stop the scammers, but they do nothing.
I imagine the problem for authorities is, there’s so many scammers that the authorities arrest 1 scammer today then 10 more appear the next day. It’s like Whack-A-Mole.
Also in western society, law enforcement has to be able prove the scammer committed a crime.
If a tourist is stupid enough to stop, voluntarily engage with the scammer and then hand money over, is this a crime or the tourists own stupidity? Bearing in mind that it could have been easily avoided in the first place.
Brilliant video. I think the problem is stopping for these scammers. If you just ignore and walk away, they'll go away. This happened to us in California few years ago, in a busy area. They were trying to selling compact speakers and some stuff. We just walked away. They followed us for a bit and went back.
This is good video for warning signs. A scammer will always be a scammer what ever ethnic background they are from.
1. Vigilent and alert at all times
2. Keep your bag in front of you
3. Don't be loud
4. Use common sense
5. If you speak another language, speak that at all times. It helps when that language sounds super mean to a non speaker 😂.
Thanks!
Good to know !
6:49 I absolutely *cannot stand* those bracelet guys. They're the absolute worst. I've observed them in action and not only do they have major difficulty taking "no" for an answer but they actually get physical with female tourists when those tourists don't have male compagnons. I'm seen those jerks grabbing ladies' hands and arms, seriously invading their space, trying to put their bs merchandise on these unaccompanied female's wrists. When I walk by, I try to do my best to warn people to avoid them (I live in Montmartre) but I can only do so much because those guys are a gang and if things get confrontational it would be 1 against 10. Thanks for making a video that brings awareness to this particular Parisien scam. It's probably one of the most intrusive and it needs to be stoppped !
@@LesFrenchiesTravel Good idea. Thanks for the tip :)
Tres bien.. - merci
Currently on my first trip ever to Paris and I was scammed minutes after arrival. We took the Eurostar and we’re funneled into the taxi line (yes a legit taxi). We got into his car and he switched his meter to a fixed rate of €63. We asked if that was really the rate because it seemed high and he said “yes because you’re going left bank.” We also asked to pay with a card and he said he only took cash. It was only after arriving at our hotel did we find that our trip from Gare du Nord to Musee d’Orsay should have only cost about 1/3 to 1/2 of what we paid.
Would be good for your viewers to know what we learned the hard way: taxis by law MUST take credit cards, MUST give you a receipt, and frankly just take an Uber!
Your videos have been really helpful! I'm going to Paris in August and have ordered myself an anti theft backpack with two zips so I can use a small padlock to lock it and then attach the keys to my ear ring 😂 These videos have made me really think far though, hehe.
Thank you so much! I am from Vietnam! I am going visit a beautiful city of France Paris on 1st June 2024! Your videos really helpful! I appreciate!
Don't interact with anyone if someone approaches you, just pretend you don't understand, better yet, completely ghost them.
This. Scammers and some pickpockets target tourists who are stupid enough to stop and engage with them. Simply don’t stop walking and blank them. People shouldn’t worry about being impolite, you’ll never see them again.
good tips
Thank you for these tips. In my first trip to France I was involved into 2 of these scams. The first was at Montemartre. In my best nasally "No!" the person stopped and backed up. I turned around and walked away with no further incidents. On a different evening we needed a ride from the Eiffel Tower to our hotel. All the taxis were full so we took a bicycle rickshaw-type of ride. I discussed the price for the two of us and restated that it was to total price. The ride was great but when we got to our hotel the driver said that for two persons the fare was twice what he quoted, and pulled out a chart showing the higher price. The driver said he would call the police. I refused to pay more than what we discussed at the start and walked into the hotel. The desk clerk confirmed I was right and if we had called the police he would have left quickly.
I also carried my wallet and phone in my front pockets. Much harder to grab them than in the back pocket, and carried a day pack in front. Didn't experience pickpockets by doing this.
The driver said he would call the police…
You should have replied “Ok, go ahead”
Good video
the bracelet thing almost happened to me in Athens! i told the guy i was interested and started to walk away but he GRABBED my wrist and wrapped it tight in only seconds, I was freaking out but thankfully my dad yelled at him until the guy cut it off and walked away. ive travelled across europe and these bracelet dudes are everywhereeeeee.
THANKS
Thank you for these videos. My son is studying abroad in Europe this summer and one of his destinations is Paris (not for the whole summer -- it's a side trip for the group from his university). I know he will have a blast -- he went before with family. I keep hearing about scams and pickpockets and it makes me nervous. Any tips for a college kid would be great -- for example, any anti-theft things you recommend? Zipper locks, etc? Please help this worried mom.
I’m going to paris for my birthday next month . Thanks for this vid.
@@LesFrenchiesTravel just watched this one I watched one of your vids before. Nice vids
the three card Monte... A classic!