My partner and I just got back from the very beautiful, very unfriendly Paris! We had been warned prior to leaving about pick pockets. 

Tourists are targeted by scam and rip-off artists everywhere in Europe. If you know the games (spilling the mustard, bus 64 in Rome, and so on), you’re less likely to be a victim. By sharing the latest scams (and learning from each others’ mistakes) we’ll all travel more safely.

Remember, pickpocketing attempts throughout Europe can be expected unless you wear a moneybelt under your clothing. Smart travelers leave wallets at home and store their credit cards, passport, paper money and rail ticket(s) in a secure moneybelt.

We never had a problem with pick pockets. However, no one warned us about the brass ring scam! On our way walking along the Siene, we met a woman, who was  so nice! That should have been our first clue! Because overall, people were not very nice in Paris.  She seemed so genuine – a really good actress! 

Just as you pass the scammer, they bend down to an empty walkway and the ring suddenly appears in her fingers. – Timing is everything. As my eyes went to the pavement, the ring was already there. She wanted me take it. I must have dropped it she said. I said, no. It was hers to keep! Finders keepers!

She gave me a believable story. In her country she could not possess such a ring. She was not allowed to even talk to men. She said I should keep it. And explained she was looking for work as a cleaning woman –  did I know of anywhere she could apply? – I did not need or want a gold band! But the generous heart that I have I gave her $10 Euro and went about my day!

100 feet later, I looked to my partner and said, “You don’t think she has a whole pocketful of those rings do you???”  –  Sure  enough,  a  few  blocks  later, we see her daughter scamming somone!  Yet, a few blocks further, a young man comes up to us, not nearly as smooth  –  he must be in training and tried to  pull the scam on us.  His hand went to the pavement and nothing was there. He clumsily dropped the palmed ring to the pavemtent and picked it up. I show him the ring I had just acquired and told him I already bought one from his mother!

Lots of tourists get punk’d every day! You will find a lot of stories at RICK STEVES. Watch out for “lost tourists”  needing directions. The ring scam. The bracelet scam. Wallet and moneybelt ideas. Be informed before you travel.

I think we are pretty smart, pretty aware travelers, but just when you let you guard down, watch out!