She’s Talking About 5 Of The Most Common Tourist Scams In Paris, In Case You’re Planning On Visiting
Paris, France, is one of those European cities that many agree every single person should visit at least once. It’s the city of love, known for its gorgeous architecture, history, art, food, etc.
However, like any major city, tourists visiting the iconic city need to be aware of their surroundings. One TikTok user made a video about the 5 most common tourist scams to avoid while vacationing in Paris.
Amanda Rollins (@americanfille), an American TikTok content creator who has lived in Paris for a while, says the first tourist scam to avoid is getting a “friendship bracelet” from a stranger.
Amanda says this scam most commonly occurs when people go to see the Sacré Coeur basilica in Montmartre.
“As you’re walking up the hill to go to the top to see the basilica, a man will come up to you and grab your arm,” says Amanda. “They don’t usually ask.”
The man will then begin braiding some bracelet thread around your wrist, telling you he’s giving you a friendship bracelet, emphasizing that it’s a “nice thing” to do – especially if you protest.
Then, before you know it, the man has created a bracelet around your wrist that he will charge you money for.
If you say no, the scammer will often have a group of his people surround you and argue with you until you pay.
As someone who had this happen to her on a trip to Italy, I know firsthand that it is incredibly annoying and invasive! So keep your wrists close to you when walking around popular tourist destinations.
Ekaterina Belova – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only
The next scam Amanda mentions has to do with “clipboard petitioners.” She says they typically are seen around the Eiffel Tower but also hang around the Louvre art museum.
The clipboard scammers will try to persuade you to come up to them and fill out a fake petition or form to help different kinds of French charities. One of the most common fake foundations they pretend to work for is one for deaf children.
“Spoiler alert, the foundation is not real,” says Amanda. “It does not exist.”
You not only give these scammers your information by filling out the fake petition but also, while you’re signing it, other people involved in the scam will try to pickpocket you.
Another scam Amanda mentions is common in cities worldwide – pedicabs! Beware of men on bikes with little cabs attached that try their best to get you to take a ride with them.
They will show you a poster or piece of paper with what looks like set prices for their services.
However, once you get to your destination, they’ll reveal what was covered up on that price poster, which is that their prices are set per person.
So if you and two friends thought you were taking a pedicab ride to the Eiffel tour for €20, you’re actually paying €20 per person and spending €60 total.
Amanda notes that the pedicab drivers will get extremely aggressive if you don’t try to give them the full price they want. So while getting around in Paris, stick with real cabs, Ubers, and walking during the day.
There’s also a “dropped jewelry” scam to look out for in Paris. A scammer will stop you on the sidewalk and say that you dropped a nice-looking piece of jewelry they’ll have in their hands.
Even if you tell them it’s not yours, they’ll tell you to “keep it” and force it onto you. Once they do that, they’ll demand that you give them money in return.
The final scam Amanda mentions is another popular one in most major cities. While walking around the biggest tourist destinations in Paris, a stranger may approach you and offer to take your photo with their professional-looking camera or offer to draw a portrait of you.
Don’t say yes, because once they’re finished, they’ll expect money from you, even if they originally offered to do it for free.
“Like I always say, Paris is safe 90% of the time,” Amanda explains. “Most people don’t have problems, but I share these so you know what to look out for and stay safe when you’re visiting Paris.”
Thanks for the tips, Amanda!
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