3 Common Tourist Scams Involving Seemingly Innocent Strangers (and How to Avoid Them)

3 Common Tourist Scams Involving Seemingly Innocent Strangers (and How to Avoid Them)

Anywhere in the world, there’s no shortage of pickpockets and petty criminals who won’t hesitate to take your valuables away from you. Especially in world-class cities, you’re bound to encounter this folk. Law enforcement officers are often very lax when it comes to these crimes, which gives them more opportunity to prey on innocent bystanders. So, travelers and locals alike are expected to take extra precautions to prevent these unfortunate incidents from happening.

In this guide, we will teach you some of the most common pickpocket schemes and how to prevent them from happening.

3 Common Pickpocket Schemes

Pickpockets have many tricks under their sleeve. Some of their schemes involve playing the role of a helpful stranger. Their schemes come in many forms, so be vigilant.

Here are three travel scams to avoid:

  • Charity mugging

 Charity muggers, also known as chuggers, often pretend to be deaf individuals or volunteers from charity organizations. With a clipboard in hand, they approach their targets and ask them to sign a petition. Some will ask for a donation, which, of course, is for a bogus charity. Others will steal your valuables right under your nose as you’re distracted by the petition.

  • Metro mugging

 Pickpockets would often wait for foreign tourists in the metro and would offer to help you buy a ticket. If you let them, they will rip you off. These pickpockets charge unsuspecting tourists exorbitant amounts for a metro ticket. Sometimes, a seemingly friendly stranger would offer to carry your luggage for you. Once you hand it to them, they will flee as fast as they can, with your bags in their hand. 

  • Golden Ring Scam

One of the most common street scams in Paris, France, is the golden ring scam. The pickpockets would approach you, claiming that you dropped a ring. Even if you say it isn’t yours, they will offer to give it to you. Once you accept, they will ask for some money. They usually come up with a depressing story about how poor they are and will use that to demand more money.

How to Avoid Being Pickpocketed 

Never make yourself an easy target. Follow these simple tips to prevent seemingly innocent strangers from stealing from you.

  • Don’t hand over your belongings.

 Don’t assume that a woman or a teenager won’t steal from you. Thieves come in all shapes, sizes, colors, genders, and ages.

  • Be careful around high-traffic areas. 

 Pickpockets usually perform their schemes in high-traffic areas like tourist attractions, where you have limited personal space. They can nick your valuables out of your bag without you noticing and fade into the crowd before you realize something’s missing.

  • Keep your valuables in pickpocket-proof clothing. Whenever you’re traveling, you can store important items in lightweight anti-theft bags or clothing with hidden pockets.

Don’t let those pickpockets stop you from going out and exploring what the world has to offer. Exude more confidence when you travel by doing your research ahead of time. Look up everything you need to know about the area. Keep all your valuables in pickpocket-proof gear like our Clever Travel Companion clothing so you can make good memories that are worth telling.

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