11 Common Tourist Scams in Paris to avoid!
Are you planning a trip to Paris?
Well, you’re probably worried a bit about pickpocketing and especially falling victim to scams.
Because Paris is such a large capital city, with millions of tourists arriving every single year, many of them traveling for the first time, Paris is a dream destination not only for tourists but also for scammers.
As someone who has traveled to Paris many times and has traveled extensively overall, often encountering these kinds of scams in other cities as well, I have compiled a list of the 10 most common scams in Paris.
I will provide you with detailed descriptions on how to avoid scams so you know what to look out for, practical tips to help you stay safe, and advice on how to avoid getting scammed in general.
I will talk about everything from fake petitions to overpriced taxi rides and even cafes and restaurants that might not be so honest.
1. The Petition Scam
The very first scam to look out for is the petition scam. I had a friend who fell victim to this on our trip to Berlin when I was 20.
Two girls acted as if they couldn’t talk or hear, and he felt really bad because his mom was deaf. They were asking for a signature and, after the signature, they asked for a small donation.
They mimed everything, acting as if they couldn’t talk. But literally 20 minutes later, when we walked past them again, we saw the girls talking to each other.
It was only 10 euros, but for a student, 10 euros is quite a lot, so I felt bad for him.
I’ve also seen girls like this working in Paris, in Les Halles. There again, they were talking to each other, but once they approached tourists, they acted as if they couldn’t talk.
How to avoid this?
Just politely decline and walk away – even if they walk along, just ognor them. Please do not engage with these girls or the clipboard itself, because once you touch the clipboard, they expect you to sign.
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2. The Friendship Bracelet Scam
Next up is the friendship bracelet scam. This often happens at the bottom of the stairs near the second floor. Some smooth talking guyes take your wrist and tie a friendship bracelet on it.
Once it’s finished and tied, they demand payment, usually around six or seven euros, and they can get quite aggressive.
I almost fell victim to this myself when I was 18 and on a two-day trip to Paris. They were actually quite nice to me when I declined, likely because I was a wide-eyed 18-year-old on one of my very first solo trips.
What happened was that they literally pulled one string and the bracelet almost fell off my wrist without even loosening any of the strings. The strings just came apart like that.
How to avoid this? Keep your hands in your pockets, and if anyone wants to tie a bracelet on you, firmly decline and walk away.
Don’t even make eye contact.
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3. The Fake Taxi Scam
Then we have the fake taxi scam. This is a scam you’ll find everywhere in the world.
Unlicensed taxi drivers target tourists, especially at airports and train stations, and then charge massive fees or take longer routes to your hotel.
What I would do is use official taxi ranks, book through apps like Uber, check for taxi licenses, or just use public transport because there is such good public transport in Paris. Just take a bus or take the Metro for a more parisian experience!
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4. The Gold Ring Scam
Then there’s the golden ring scam.
I know it’s being operated in Paris, but it actually happened to me in Bucharest, Romania.
Someone found a gold ring on the ground near me and said, “Oh, it’s your ring.” but I was honest enough to say it wasn’t.
I later learned that if I had taken the ring, they would have demanded a reward for their honesty, often a massive sum of money, even though the ring is fake and only cost them about one euro.
The best way to deal with this in the city of light is to just refuse the ring and walk away. As I said, it’s completely worthless.
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5. Restaurant and Café Scams
You should also keep an eye on your bills in cafes and restaurants.
This doesn’t often happen in Paris, but it can if you are dining near famous attractions or in the Quartier Latin.
What happens is they inflate bills, so items listed on the menu for, say, 10 euros might be charged at 15 euros on the bill.
They might also add bogus charges like fees for cutlery or napkins. It’s the same kind of scam you might read about in places like Rome or Florence.
So, carefully check the menu prices and review your bill.
Remember, water is never included and you always need to pay for it, but charges for cutlery, napkins, or similar items should never be on your bill.
Another thing to look out for is restaurants saying that tip is not included. In France, the service charge (service) is by law always included in the bill. If you decide to tip (and you do not have to tip) you normally only tip 1 euro when you only had drinks and 2 to 3 euro maximum if you had a meal.
It is not the most known or common Paris scams but I would recommend looking out for it.
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6. The Pickpocket Scam
Obviously, also watch out for pickpockets.
There are many pickpockets in Paris, especially in crowded areas and on public transport. They usually try to distract you by bumping into you or spilling something on you, then steal your wallet and phone.
It’s really easy to avoid this by using anti-theft bags, being vigilant, and keeping your valuables secure.
Especially at the Sacre Coeur, where there are always performers: sometimes with a football, sometimes jugglers, I would be particularly cautious. I have seen quite a few pickpockets in operation there.
I have been pickpocketed before in Paris and even if you go to the Police, it is so hard to find the thieves responsible!
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7. ATM Skimming
Also, watch out for ATM skimming.
When I’m in Paris and need to use an ATM, I often make sure it is run by a bank or inside a bank, so it’s more likely to be secure.
Scammers try to put a small device on the ATM itself, so when you insert your card, you actually put it into their machine, allowing them to steal your card information.
They can record details like your card number and PIN code. Sometimes they also place small cameras above the keypad to see your PIN code.
To avoid this, watch out for any glue or unusual devices on the ATM, and cover the keypad when entering your PIN code.
Be especially vigilant in very touristy areas. Always check the ATM itself for anything unusual before using it.
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8. The Lost Tourist Scam
Then we have the Lost Tourist Scam.
I’ve seen this scam maybe once in Paris, but I’ve seen it a lot in Thailand. It’s when someone pretends to be a lost tourist or a tourist who lost all their money.
They will either distract you so a pickpocket can steal your money, or they will ask for money from you directly.
Be very cautious when approached by strangers asking for help. Keep your belongings secure, and do not believe their stories.
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9. The Fake Buddhist Scam
There’s also a fake Buddhist monk scam going on in Paris.
My husband fell victim to it in London. A supposed Buddhist monk, who speaks very little English, tries to sell you a fake Buddhist trinket.
Trust me, I live in a country where Buddhism is quite big, and it’s definitely fake.
These people are not Buddhist monks. Real Buddhist monks would never try to sell you something or outright ask for money for a blessing.
They might accept donations, but they will never directly solicit money. If you see a Buddhist monk asking for money, just ignore them—they’re scammers.
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10. The Ticket Scam
Near large attractions like the Louvre or the Eiffel Tower, where there are massive lines, people might approach you saying they have tickets for sale.
They might claim they can’t use the tickets themselves or have extra tickets, offering them at a really cheap price, often half the regular price. It sounds too good to be true because it is.
These tickets are not real; they are good fakes but they won’t get you inside the attraction you wanted to visit, ruining your day.
I recommend only buying tickets online at Viator or GetYourGuide if you want to skip the line, or purchasing tickets at the attraction itself if you don’t have time to buy them online.
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11. Three cups scam
A last scam to look out for is the three cups scam. You will likely see these scams around the Eiffel Tower and the Champs de Mars but also along the Seine or sometimes in Montmartre.
With the three cups scam you will see a man hide a little ball under one of three cups. He will then move the cups around and take a bet under what cup the ball is under. If you get it right you will double your money. And people seem to be able to make A LOT of money through it.
Sounds great, right? Earn a lot of money through just a cup and ball?
Yeah well, the people that you see earning money are all in on it. They are friends with the cup man. The moment you try (and you are encouraged to bring out the big notes) to place your bet, the game is on. The man moves the cups and lo and behold, the ball is NOT under the cup you think it is. In fact, it is most likely just in the man’s pocket. You lost your money.
The best way to avoid this scam is to just ignore it. Another thing to keep in mind is that there might also be pickpockets around this scam because a lot of people are very focussed on the ball and the cup moving! It is one of the most costly Paris tourist scams in the list!
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