AVOID THESE EUROPE TRAVEL SCAMS | 18 Tourist Scams in Europe to Beware of (for First Timers)!

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0:00 INTRODUCTION
0:33 FAKE APARTMENT SCAM
1:31 PRICELESS MENU SCAM
2:40 OVERCHARGING RESTAURANT SCAM
3:44 ‘FREE FOR YOU’ SCAM
4:34 BRACELET SCAM
5:09 PHOTO OPP SCAM
5:54 TAXI SCAMS
8:55 PRICEY PEDICAB SCAM
9:59 EURONET ATM SCAM
10:43 CHANGE SWITCHEROO SCAM
11:45 PETITION SCAM
12:38 STREET GAME SCAM
13:18 FAKE DAMAGE SCAM
13:59 FAKE GOODS SCAM
14:33 HOT STRANGER SCAM
15:23 FAKE POLICE SCAM
15:55 PHONE SNATCHING
16:32 DISTRACTION SCAM
CHRISTINA'S TRAVEL GEAR
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Curious about common scams in Europe and how to avoid them? This video goes through the most common tourist scams you’ll find in touristy areas around Europe, along with what to do to avoid these European tourist scams/traps. Includes well-known scams like the petition scam and friendship bracelet scam commonly seen in big cities like Rome and Paris, as well as lesser-known but important scams like fake apartments, scam menus/restaurants and more!

[@HappytoWander]

Hey everyone! I hope you enjoy this week's video. Let me know in the comments if you have experience w/ any of the scams mentioned and if I left out any you've seen before! Full list here: happytowander.com/europe-scams/ Thanks again to Airalo for sponsoring this week's video! Try Airalo here & use the code HAPPY3 for a discount! go.airalo.com/HappytoWander

[@karseanye]

also if you are going to italy, be ware of scammers trying to sell you fake paintings. they act as if they are painting but its accually a printed art not hand made

[@HappytoWander]

Ooh yes I forgot to mention this in the video! Definitely something to be wary of… and quite common, sadly! Thanks for the comment :)

[@carolhunt2023]

This occurs in New York as well as Europe.

[@kessas.489]

10:30 I only get money from a real bank, not these ATMs!

[@AnneMB955]

Heard of many of these but also some new ones. In 2 days am visiting a new country. This has made me aware again to be careful and aware. Thx heaps. 👏🇦🇺

[@HappytoWander]

You’re welcome! Thanks for watching and commenting. Safe travels 🫶

[@stevebartley628]

Use ATMs from a bank, preferably either inside the bank or bank lobby

[@HappytoWander]

Yes, 100%!

[@Angela-vj4jr]

Wow! This was such an informative and well made video! Thank you so much! 😃

[@HappytoWander]

So happy you enjoyed it! Thanks so much for watching and commenting :)

[@karseanye]

6:07 it is also common in jfk too

[@HappytoWander]

Good to know!! Sadly a lot of these scams can be found all around the world.

[@janicepottie802]

Great tips! Greetings from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia!

[@HappytoWander]

Thanks so much!! And thanks for watching. PS I’ve always wanted to visit Cape Breton. One of my best friends lived there for a few years and had so many amazing things to say about it!

[@janicepottie802]

@@HappytoWander oh wow! Very nice to hear! Yesssss, I hope you can come for a visit one day!💖💖

[@yaowsers77]

Great video! People really do need to do some research before they travel. In some of the travel tips groups I'm in, there's always people who want to do things by the seat of their pants. You might have been able to do that ten, twenty years ago but not anymore. Gotta check reviews! And pay attention to your surroundings.

[@stevebartley628]

I saw the cup and ball game at Sacre Coeur and Trocadero. At Trocadero it was very obvious there was a ‘shill’ who frequently ‘won’ to lure in the ‘marks’

[@HappytoWander]

Yes! Super common in lots of major cities… and it’s wild how many people still fall for it! Glad you found it obvious though haha

[@carolhunt2023]

My friend got driven around by a taxi in Israel. It should have been a 20 min drive. He drove her for like an hour. She was so pissed when we compared our taxi costs. I had a souvenir store in Paris add $200 dollars to my transaction. Luckily I saved my receipts and called my credit card company.

[@AnnelAyala]

Hi!! does your phone need to unlocked to use the ESIM?

[@travelvideos]

Local ATMs are fishy. My private record is 15euros on 50euros times 3. So ,total paid in fees was 45 euros. It was ATM of a German bank. So, I better prefer to be scammed once than 3 times.

[@stevebartley628]

Years ago in California we ate at a restaurant where the men received menus with prices, the women’s menus didn’t

[@HappytoWander]

Ooh interesting! I’ve heard of this before - apparently an old school thing based on the assumption that men will always pay? I’ve never encountered it though haha

[@Da.nish.k]

Are there this many scams in the US? I know there's crime for sure. I wonder if people traveling here are as worried of being scammed or robbed. I went to Barcelona last year and only had one sketchy experience. We were in a square and it was so incredibly beautiful. We tried to go check out the fountain and a guy flashed open his coat and asked us if we wanted a beer. There was another guy lurking behind us. Kinda funny. We just laughed at him and walked away. I am headed to Pamplona, Venice & Rome in a couple of weeks, using primarily public transport. So, a little more worried this time. Thank you so much for all of your videos!!

[@princessmiaxo]

In my city we have """"chinese monks""""" who will try to force bead bracelets on tourists and I always butt in and tell them it's a scam, they WILL demand payment or 'donations' once they put it on you!

[@renferal5290]

Never go to a restaurant in Europe that has a menu in English

[@HappytoWander]

Yes! I definitely think when restaurants have menus in a bunch of languages (especially those with big signs openly advertising these menus), it’s often a red flag. That said, I feel like having English menus is becoming more common these days (depending on the location). I’ve had some amazing meals in places with an English menu, so I wouldn’t dismiss them all as bad… but the best bet is to always double check reviews and gauge the overall vibe haha - I think with experience, you start to gain a 6th sense re: which restaurants look good!

[@catherinemori4496]

I disagree. Many restos have English as well as their language to help the tourist who doesn’t understand the language. Nothing wrong with that.

[@TheChemist418]

So don’t talk to locals. Got it 👍

[@HappytoWander]

Haha nooo - do chat to locals if you want to! Just be wary in busy touristy areas if they’re the ones approaching you - this is often a red flag. That said, context is everything. There’s a huge difference between someone trying to sell you a bracelet in front of the Eiffel Tower vs a friendly chat w/ a local you happen to be seated next to at a cafe. In any case, it’s smart to be vigilant, especially when you first arrive, but don’t let that stop you from having a good time haha. Safe travels!

[@yaowsers77]

Lol I traveled solo abroad for the first time in March. My aunt commented on one post to not to talk to strangers and I replied too late! The thing is. Basically everyone I talked to, I approached. I didn't talk to people who tried to approach me. The locals in London and Edinburgh are awesome and I had great interactions. I've watched enough of these videos before traveling to know what to watch out for.

[@PaulLiu-h2t]

God create both good and bad terrible people in London. So you will meet beautiful women and good people in London but of course you will also meet bad and terrible people who steal or rob or stab you in London . I miss the beautiful women and girls in London. But discriminations always happen to colorful people in London so let colorful people breathe in London and American.

[@Jill-K]

Europeans don't need it because cost is standard Europe wide 😊

[@jjinwien9054]

Why is it that your audience is so naive as to need these tips?

[@HappytoWander]

I agree a lot of this seems like common sense, but I’ve witnessed so many newbie travellers falling victim to these scams that I feel like it’s better to over-explain than under-explain haha, hence why the video title specifies “for first timers”. Glad you already have all this wisdom under your belt though. Safe travels :)

[@yaowsers77]

There are a lot more people traveling now including people from small towns who've never been to a big city or have never traveled before or haven't traveled in decades. I'm lucky because I free up going into NYC and I live a short train ride away so I'm used to maneuvering my way around. I was comfortable in London, Montreal and Edinburgh. But I know a lot of people in my town who are scared to even go into NYC and they would be vulnerable. Videos like this would be really helpful.