If you’re gearing up for a trip to Paris this summer, it’s essential to arm yourself with knowledge on thwarting potential scammers. In this blog post learn strategies on “how to avoid common Paris scams during the summer 2024 Olympics.”
Although Paris is a pretty safe city compared to other cities, however, sometimes, I witness people being scammed. These are the scams that you need to watch for during the summer 2024 Olympics:
Table of Contents
Pickpockets
Pickpockets tend to be in places with a high concentration of people. You find them in the:
- Métro
- Trams
- Buses
- Suburban trains
- Touristic areas
Pickpockets tend to be very creative when it comes to distract unsuspecting people while the others are taking your belongings. Contrary to what you migh think; watch our for:
- younger children
- Elderly
- People that seems to be physically challenged
Clipboard Petition
One such scheme involves a group of women who will approach you under the guise of soliciting signatures for a fictitious charity petition. While you’re preoccupied with perusing the document, unbeknownst to you, one of their cohorts adeptly steals your belongings.
To safeguard yourself against this ploy, it’s best to refrain from stopping or engaging in any type of conversation with these individuals altogether. This scam is prevalent in the Opéra neighborhood, heightened vigilance is imperative there.
Friendly bracelets
Watch out for this one. A man or a woman approaches you and quickly puts a bracelet around your wrist. In order to remove it, they will threaten you and force you to pay. Needless to say that you should never let a stranget get to the point of putting a bracelet around your wrist.
Cup& ball game
This is one of the scams that I have seen unsuspected tourist fall for A group of man gather together to play. Soon after, they ask someone to come join the game by guessing where the ball is. Needless to say, that although this game seems harmless and quite entertaining, this is nothing but a way to rip off people. It is a scam that you often see in Montmartre.
Illegal cabs
These illegal cab drivers are inside the terminal at Charles de Gaulle Airport as soon as you get out of baggage claim. As soon as they see you coming out, they are quick to ask if you need a taxi. Do not fall for it. These illegal taxi drivers are known to scam tourists. Unfortunately, some unsuspecting tourists had no choice but to pay them to get out of these illegal cabs.You might be interested in this post, “How to protect yourself from fraudulent cab drivers in Paris“
Dropped ring
Someone tells you that you have dropped a ring and although you know that it is not yours, they insist that it is yours. They are quick to put it on your finger and if you let them do it, they demand for money in a treathening manner to remove it. Sadly, out of fear, you end up paying.
Rose peddler’s Gambit
Someone will offer you a free rose. Accepting it might lead to an unexpecred demand for money.
Petty touristic cabs in the city
Petty cabs at tourtistic spots near the Louvre Museum. They will ask you if you want a ride to go to the Eiffel Tower at a certain rate. Beware! Once you arrive at your destination, they will change the price and demand that you pay more money.
Carrying your luggage
A child asks you if you need help carrying your luggages up the stairs in the metro. If you accept, by the time you realize what is happening, they are already gone with your belongings.
Pro tips for a safe trip in Paris during the Summer 2024 Olympics
- Secure your valuables: Use anti-theft backpacks and money belt to safeguard passports, cards and cash.
- Rely on reputable transportation: Paris’ metro system will take you easily around so rely on it as well as on reputable car sharing services and only officialm taxis with a visible identification sign.
- Blend in as much as you can.
- If you fall victim to a scam, report it immediately to the police or to someone in the hotel where you stay.
To contact the Police, dial 17. You also have the option of filing what we call, une main courante” at the nearest commissariat (police station). There you can report a theft or assault. Find more information on how to stay safe in Paris especially during the summer 2024 Olympics by following this safety advice here.
Last thoughts
Be a smart traveler on how to avoid common Paris scams during the summer 2024 Olympics as to not let scam artists turn your Parisian trip into a nightmare.
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